Latest questions
Asked by: Ssa I want to upgrade to a seven-seater, but I am confused between a new Triber or Ertiga, and a used XL6. My usage is mostly in the city with occasional highway trips. My priorities are low maintenance and good mileage. Please suggest. Also, I would like to know what good automatic car options are available under Rs 8 to 9 lakh. Thank you. The Maruti Suzuki XL6 is a more premium version of the Ertiga, and it is based on the same platform. However, the XL6 is a 6-seater, thus consider between the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga or the Renault Triber, both of which are 7-seaters.The Renault Triber is a sub-4m MPV, though, so while it is more affordable, it is smaller than the Ertiga, and the 1.0 litre engine is not powerful, especially so when fully loaded.As for your query about a good automatic car under Rs 9 lakh, you can consider the Maruti Suzuki Baleno, or if you would like an SUV body style, the Nissan Magnite would be a good choice. Asked by: SUKETU G PATEL I want to buy a car with a budget of Rs 16 to 17 lakh. My yearly running is around 6,000 to 7,000 km, but I am a driving enthusiast and enjoy driving. Please suggest a suitable car. Since you are an auto enthusiast and love to drive, we would recommend you look at a sedan car like the Skoda Slavia or the Volkswagen Virtus. They are both essentially the same car, built on the same platform or near identical in terms of drive feel.For your budget of 16-17 lakh, you will get the smaller 1.0 litre TSi engine, and you will notice turbo lag; however, past that, the performance is lively enough, and the engine is quite rev-happy.If you can stretch your budget a bit, opt for the larger 1.5-litre TSI engine. It delivers a very sprightly drive. Beyond the engine, both cars have a superb ride and handling balance. Asked by: Akshay Patil Hi team, my monthly driving is around 1,000 km. I want to buy a diesel car, and my budget is Rs 17 lakh. Please help me select the right vehicle. I am open to both manual and automatic options. There are quite a few diesel-manual options available within your budget. You could go for a smaller but more feature-equipped vehicle or a larger, more powerful but less-equipped vehicle. Of the smaller vehicles within your budget, the Kia Sonet, Kia Syros, Hyundai Venue and Mahindra XUV 3XO should be on your shortlist. Among the larger vehicles, the Hyundai Creta and Mahindra XUV700 are worth a look. As for automatic gearbox options, the best pick would be the Kia Sonet diesel GTX+ AT. The refined 1.5-litre diesel engine and smooth 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission work really well together to deliver a premium driving experience. Hyundai also offers the same combo on the new Venue, though you'll need to up your budget to get a feature-equipped model. Asked by: Deepak Singh I am in a transferable job under the central government and currently drive a 2017 Maruti Suzuki Swift VDI. I am looking for a new car or compact SUV. My monthly usage includes around 1,600 km of long-distance driving and about 200 km of city driving. My budget is Rs 10 lakh. I need a car that is comfortable, reliable for long drives, and economical to own in the long term. Since you will be driving your car frequently on highways, you may want to consider the Mahindra XUV 3XO for its excellent highway manners and comfort. The entry-level diesel version will be efficient too, however if you don't mind opting for the turbo-petrol, you will get reasonably well-loaded mid-variants with many modern features.Moreover, both engines are smooth and refined, and both deliver punchy performance, similar to your diesel Swift. Alternatively, you could consider a Maruti Suzuki Brezza for a fuss-free ownership experience. Asked by: Manjunath sm Hello team. I am looking to buy a new luxury car and am unable to decide between a sedan and an SUV. Within each category, I am confused between the Mercedes GLE, BMW X5, Mercedes E-Class, and BMW 5 Series. The car will be both chauffeur-driven and self-driven. My monthly usage is around 1,300 km. My budget is approximately Rs 1.3 crore, but I can stretch to Rs 1.4 crore if truly necessary. Thank you. While the SUVs are good options, unless you value the tall seating position and road presence they bring by virtue of their height and boxy shape, there's no need to go there. Ultimately, a sedan will almost always deliver a better driving experience than an equivalent SUV owing to its lower centre of gravity and relatively lighter weight, and factor in the aerodynamic advantage, and it's likely to be more fuel efficient too.While the difference isn't as great in the rear seat these days, in this particular class of cars, it's the sedans that win, with their long-wheelbase designs and luxurious rear seats.We'd recommend the Mercedes-Benz E 450 4Matic, which is as much of a treat from the driver's seat as it is from the rear. Its 381hp 3.0-litre 6-cylinder petrol engine is powerful and silky smooth, channelling torque to all four wheels for strong power delivery, which is assisted by sharp and precise steering, making for a thrilling driving experience, even for such a long car. The rear seat experience is best in class, with huge amounts of legroom, reclining seats, ambient lighting and powered sunshades all around. Asked by: Avisham I want to buy a seven-seater, and my annual running is around 20,000 km, mostly on CNG. I am confused between the Kia Carens and the Ertiga. I am concerned about the Carens’ fuel efficiency, especially in city usage. Is the Kia Carens CNG expected anytime soon? There are no plans for a Kia Carens CNG, as the brand offers both a diesel option and an EV for those who want lower running costs. The downside, of course, is that the purchase price of these versions is higher. If you're hell-bent on CNG, the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga is an excellent car, with good space and practicality.However, on most other fronts, the Kia Carens Clavis is better. It has a more upmarket interior with good space in all three rows, and a variety of engine options, including that diesel. Apart from the turbo-petrol engine, which has to be driven carefully to return good fuel economy, the other engines are very fuel-efficient. Hence, if it fits in your budget, we recommend the Kia Carens Clavis. Asked by: Charan I own a 2011 Swift VDI and am looking to purchase a car with good fuel efficiency and, more importantly, better rear-seat comfort for my parents. We do occasional long trips. I initially considered the XEV 9e, but I am concerned about charging infrastructure and waiting times during long or unplanned trips. I then looked at the Grand Vitara, but the rear seat was not comfortable for my parents and felt similar to the Swift. Should I go for the Sierra diesel or wait for strong hybrid options? Yes, you're right. Although the situation has improved lately, the concern of range and finding a charger on a long trip looms large over EV ownership. Therefore, if you do such trips, it's best to avoid an electric car for now.The only new strong hybrid model on the immediate horizon is the Kia Seltos hybrid, but this version is unlikely to be available before the end of 2026 or early 2027. You should check out the Tata Sierra diesel, as it currently has possibly the best rear seat space and comfort in the segment. The diesel engine is familiar, and while it isn't very refined, it has the requisite pulling power you need on your long highway trips. Fuel efficiency should also be good, and there is the convenience of a smooth automatic gearbox with this diesel engine as well. Can’t decide which car to buy? Ask our experts and get answers to all your car related queries. Ask experts 
