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Asked by: Mal C With an on-road budget of ₹22 lakh, I want to buy an SUV in the next 4-5 months that is fun and punchy with reasonable fuel efficiency. I don’t want a Maruti car because the hybrids compromise boot space, and the others aren’t engaging to drive. My main requirements are good rear seat space and an enjoyable driving experience. The MG Hector and Tata Sierra have some variants that fit the bill, but they’re gas guzzlers. Apart from those, are there any other models that fit the bill? The most fun-to-drive SUVs in your budget are the 1.5-litre Volkswagen Taigun and Skoda Kushaq twins, which are very engaging thanks to their brilliant dynamics and a powerful, punchy engine. Both are due for a facelift, and the upgraded Kushaq is just around the corner and scheduled to launch on January 20th 2026. The Volkswagen Taigun facelift will come a month later. Both these SUVs will see some significant enhancements to the air conditioning and interiors. Top-end variants will come with rear massage seats, a first in the segment. However, one weakness is the rear seat space, which is relatively narrow and best for four. Therefore, if this is a deal-breaker for you, you could consider the Tata Sierra. It is fantastically spacious, has superb ride and handling and an all-new 1.5 petrol engine, which is smooth, punchy and fairly efficient too. The Sierra is not as engaging to drive as the Kushaq and Taigun, as it is heavier and has a relaxed power delivery. We would rule out the MG Hector in your case as it is too big, it's not a very engaging car to drive, and as you said, it guzzles fuel. Asked by: Darshan N Kartha Hi, we are a family of three adults and one teenager. Over the past 10 years, we have owned a Honda Brio S MT, a Honda City V MT, and a Maruti Celerio AMT. The biggest advantage has been very low maintenance and minimal to no electrical or mechanical issues. We are now planning to buy a new automatic transmission car (non-AMT, as we want to avoid shift jerks). Any body type is acceptable. We plan to make the purchase in the next 6 to 12 months, with a budget of up to ₹17 lakh. Our main requirements are good city mileage, good safety, and decent performance. Since you have been happy with the Hondas in your family, why not consider the 5th-generation Honda City, currently on sale? It features a very flexible and strong 1.5-litre engine mated to a CVT automatic transmission, which is both jerk-free and smooth. Also, it will give you the same trouble-free experience you have enjoyed with your current Hondas.If you are looking for a change, you could consider the 1.0 AT variants of the Skoda Slavia or Volkswagen Virtus, both of which have a smooth torque converter auto transmission, which is much smoother than the AMTs you want to avoid. Asked by: Ravi Hi team. What are your opinions on the VF7? There are hardly any media opinions on the car. The package is quite lucrative, but why is no one talking about it? The car undercuts both Tata and Mahindra and is plenty powerful with good styling. How does it stack up against the XEV 9e and the Tata Harrier EV? I value range, reliability, and looks. Autocar India has driven the VF7, first in Vietnam and very recently in India as well. VinFast VF7 is indeed powerful; we drove the AWD variant and were pleasantly surprised by how quick it was. Looks are subjective, but we think if you compare it with the Mahindra XEV 9e, it's not as eye-catching and from some angles, it looks more like a hatchback than an SUV.Interiors look premium overall; there are no physical buttons except for gear selectors, and everything is controlled by the screen. While this approach isn’t new, the screen has noticeable lag.As for reliability, there’s no historical data to fall back on yet, and the bigger concern at the moment is the lack of a service and dealer network. If reliability is a priority, we would recommend going with the Mahindra XEV 9S or even XEV 9e, which offers a better value proposition. Asked by: Anant Dear advisor, I am looking to purchase a new SUV with a budget of approximately ₹17 lakhs. My usage is roughly 500 km per month, primarily within city limits, with occasional highway trips. I am looking for a vehicle that is robust and trustworthy, offering a balance of decent mileage and good boot space for luggage. I specifically prefer an automatic transmission, ideally a Dual-Clutch (DCA/DCT) or a Torque Converter (TC). Given my requirements, could you suggest 3 specific value-for-money models? Considering your requirements, the Maruti Suzuki Victoris will be a good fit. Within your budget, you can choose either the VXI AT or the ZXI AT if you want more features.It is powered by a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, which is more than adequate for city use. The torque converter automatic is smooth and should deliver decent efficiency as well. The boot is well-shaped and deep, making it easy to accommodate even larger suitcases. Being a Maruti Suzuki car, it should also prove to be reliable and easy to own in the long run.If you want something smaller but more feature-rich, you could consider the new Hyundai Venue. It gets a peppy 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. Within your budget, you can opt for the top HX10 trim, which is loaded with premium features such as a Bose audio system, Level 2 ADAS and ventilated front seats. Asked by: Dinesh Gambhir I am a senior citizen above 70 years of age and am looking to change my car. After driving sedans for more than 20 years, I am finding it difficult to choose a new one, as the market is full of SUVs. I do not like high cars, as they feel like mini trucks to me. My monthly city driving is between 500 and 1,000km, with no highway usage. My budget is ₹16 to 18 lakh. Please advise. If you are not keen on an SUV and want to buy a sedan, we would suggest waiting. All four sedans currently on sale, the Honda City, Hyundai Verna, Volkswagen Virtus and Skoda Slavia, are due for updates soon.If you cannot wait and considering you already own a 2012 Verna, the current Verna is a sensible choice. It is a well rounded product with a smooth petrol engine, good space, a comfortable ride and premium interiors. The Hyundai Verna also offers strong value for money, and within your budget, you can get the top SX(O) petrol CVT, which comes loaded with premium features.If you want a sedan that is slightly taller and easier to get in and out of, the Volkswagen Virtus and Skoda Slavia make sense. Their higher ground clearance makes them more practical for Indian road conditions, and the higher seating position improves ease of access.However, if you are open to the idea of an SUV and want a safe, proven option, you can consider the Hyundai Creta. It is a strong all rounder with a smooth and refined 1.5 litre petrol engine, comfortable ride quality and a spacious, practical cabin. Can’t decide which car to buy? Ask our experts and get answers to all your car related queries. Ask experts 
