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Asked by: Yp I am a senior citizen and want a small, comfortable car. Please suggest the best options. We are not sure of your budget, so at the lower end, we recommend the Maruti Suzuki Celerio. The car is easy to get into and out of, it's comfy inside, and its overall light controls, like the steering and clutch, make it very easy and friendly to drive. The ride quality is also good, as is the space; however, bear in mind that three abreast at the rear is tight.At a higher budget, you could consider the Skoda Kylaq automatic as the gearbox is a torque convertor unit, which is the smoothest type around. This Skoda car is also compact enough for the city. Avoid the manual version, as the clutch and gear shifts are not particularly light. Asked by: Guhan Hello Team, I previously owned a 2017 Honda Swift VXi and have also driven a Mahindra XUV300 for a year. My budget for a new car is ₹12-15 lakh. I am confused between the XUV 3XO, Nexon, Kylaq, and Seltos. I drive around 1,000-1,500km per month and travel to my hometown, which is 500km away, once every two months. I am looking for comfort, mileage, and reliability. I was aligned towards Nexon, but when I got reviews from friends, I took a step backward. What is your suggestion? I need good after-sales support. Please suggest. We would recommend you take a look at the new Kia Seltos. Prices for the new Seltos will be announced early next month, but lower models will be within your budget. The new Seltos is comfortable and spacious, and has a good suspension setup that will give you a good ride quality over city potholes and is stable at highway speeds too.Kia's reliability is also good, and you could consider the diesel option, which might be a bit over your budget but should deliver good fuel efficiency as it uses the previous car's engine. You can expect something in the range of 10 to 12 kpl in the city and about 15 to 17 kpl on the highway. Asked by: Kiran D S I currently own a 2017 Honda Jazz Petrol VX, which is now 9 years old and has covered 50,000km. I do not drive daily. Usage is mostly within the city (60%) with occasional highway trips (40%). We are a family of 4 adults and 2 kids. I am planning to upgrade to a 7-seater and have shortlisted the Mahindra XUV7XO and Tata Safari. I am confused about choosing between petrol and diesel. Please advise. Yes, both the Tata Safari and the upcoming Mahindra XUV 7XO offer petrol options, and both are good engines that deliver well on refinement and performance, the Mahindra more so. However, fuel efficiency will not be very high.In our usage, the petrol Mahindra XUV700 returned mid single-digit fuel efficiency figures in the city, and the new XUV7XO will be no different. We are yet to test the Tata Safari petrol for efficiency, but stay tuned to our website because we will be doing that shortly.If you are okay with low mileage figures, go ahead with the petrol. We will also be reviewing the new 7XO next month, so stay tuned for that. Between the two, for primarily city use, the Mahindra is likely to be the better choice as it is narrower, feels lighter, and is easier to drive thanks to its very light steering. Asked by: Prathik Please suggest a new car from the shortlisted options: Skoda Kylaq, Skoda Kushaq, or Volkswagen Taigun with the 1.0-litre engine. You may also recommend other suitable alternatives. The Skoda Kylaq, Kushaq, and Volkswagen Taigun are all very similar under the skin, and the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine is common to all three, as are many other mechanical components, as well as interior bits.The Skoda Kylaq is the only sub-4-meter car among them, and if you want something compact and very easy to manage in crowded city streets, then you should opt for it. However, if you do want a bit more space and a slightly more premium-looking interior, the Kushaq or Taigun would be better options. Do note, both are due for updates very soon - the Skoda Kushaq next month - so it may be worth waiting if you can. Asked by: Divan sahir Hi Autocar experts. I am a first-time buyer with a strict budget of ₹13 lakh and need an automatic car, not an AMT. I have shortlisted the Hyundai Venue 2025 HX5 DCT variant. Is it value for money at this price? What are the pros and cons of the HX5 DCT variant? Do you have any other suggestions? You're on the right track to choose the Hyundai Venue HX5 1.0 Turbo DCT. It offers all the basics in terms of features and won't feel lacking on the outside or inside. Features include cruise control, powered folding and adjusting outside mirrors, a sunroof, keyless entry and go, rear AC vents, 6 airbags, projector headlamps, and 10.25-inch screens with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Plus, the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine of this Hyundai car is punchy and smooth, while the 7-speed DCT is quick with its shifts.However, while you said your budget is strictly Rs 13 lakh, if you can somehow stretch that by around Rs 90,000, you can get the HX6 variant, which is an even better value. In addition to the HX5’s features, it adds goodies like auto climate control, rear window shades, a rear washer/wiper, LED headlamps, split/folding rear seats, and a wireless phone charger. Asked by: Subash I am planning to upgrade from a Polo. Should I go for the Citroen Basalt X or the Tata Sierra? My priorities are good build quality, driving dynamics, looks, and decent features. While roughly in the same segment, the two cars you have listed are very different from one another and are at opposite ends of the price spectrum. However, both will meet your requirements, albeit at different levels.The Citroen Basalt X, with its lower-powered 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine, rides high off the ground but is closer to a sedan in concept. It has received a 4-star Bharat NCAP crash test rating and feels solidly built, but crucially, it has tight driving dynamics and is fun to drive. Its aggressive pricing also makes it an excellent value for money, especially with the upgrades introduced on the X variants.The Tata Sierra is a larger, more expensive, and altogether more premium product. It doesn't yet have an NCAP rating, but it feels strongly built and will likely get a full 5-star rating, judging by Tata’s track record. Though the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine of this Tata car is considerably more powerful than the Basalt X's 1.2, it doesn't feel punchy or exciting, and instead is very calm in its responses. Similarly, while its suspension is comfortable like the Basalt's, it doesn't feel tied down and suffers from lots of body roll. It has far more space and features than the Basalt X, though that also comes at a much higher price.We would recommend the Citroen Basalt X overall, but since you are upgrading from a Polo, consider waiting for the Volkswagen Taigun facelift launching early next year, which will offer more features and aligns well with your preferences. Asked by: Omkar I am looking for a sub-compact SUV with a focus on mileage, safety, and a smooth driving experience. My budget is ₹13 lakh, and I want an automatic car. Around 70% of my driving will be in the city and 30% on the highway. I am considering the Skoda Kylaq, 3XO, and Toyota Taisor. My first car was a Toyota, and I have had a good overall experience. Please suggest which car I should go with. I am also open to other recommendations. The Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor is essentially the Maruti Suzuki Fronx with a Toyota badge and is a reliable crossover and the most fuel-efficient of your short list. It’s a safe choice but not the most exciting one.If you want a car that is enjoyable to drive both in the city and on the highway, we would suggest you look at the Skoda Kylaq, as it offers sharp handling, a comfortable ride, and strong performance. The Mahindra XUV 3XO has better features but isn’t quite as nice to drive as the Kylaq. Asked by: LOKESH CHAUDHARY The above car was bought by my father. We are now looking for a new car with a budget of up to ₹14 lakh. He lives in a village in Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan. All male family members are close to 6 feet tall. We are looking for safety, comfort, and low maintenance. We have shortlisted the Victoris, Creta, the new Venue, or any option from Mahindra. The Maruti Suzuki Victoris would be a natural upgrade from your Wagon R, especially since in remote areas, where Maruti’s widespread service is a significant advantage. The Victoris is reliable, well-built, and offers a smooth drive, which should satisfy your father.The only possible deal breaker is the rear seat space, which is less spacious by mid-size SUV standards, especially in terms of headroom. This could be a problem for tall family members, especially if everyone is travelling together.Please take a test drive and make a point of checking the cabin space before making the purchase. A slightly more spacious alternative is the Hyundai Creta, which is also a tried-and-tested model. The Hyundai Venue is too cramped, and the Mahindra options are larger but not as user-friendly. Asked by: Akashada I have a budget of around ₹15 lakh and am looking to buy my first car. I need a feature-rich 5-seater compact or mid-size SUV that prioritizes fuel efficiency. My expected usage is approximately 1,500 km per month (1,000 km in the city and 500 km on the highway). What would you suggest? For your kind of extensive usage, opting for a diesel with a manual transmission would be a cost-effective choice. In this price band, you can go for the Hyundai Venue HX 7 Diesel Manual. This variant gets you automatic climate control, LED headlights and tail lights, 10.25” touchscreen infotainment with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 4" TFT Instrument Cluster, etc. The 2025 Hyundai Venue offers a comfortable ride quality, which is a welcome improvement, while the cabin feels premium with good interior quality. The diesel engine is also quite refined. Can’t decide which car to buy? Ask our experts and get answers to all your car related queries. Ask experts 
