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Asked by: Saeesh Gawde I am a proud owner of a Renault Duster, which has now completed 9 years. The car is solid and running well, but I am thinking of upgrading. I really like my Duster. My monthly driving is around 600km. Should I wait for the new Duster or consider the XUV 7XO? You are not alone in your interest in the new Renault Duster. The original Duster has a loyal fan base, and many owners like you are keen on the new model. While we are yet to drive it, the new Duster promises the same robust build and tough suspension that differentiated the original model. The interior will also retain the hardy character, though modern features will make it a nicer place to be.What remains a question mark for now is the powertrains. The new Duster will not be offered with a diesel engine, and the only options will be a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol and a 1.3-litre turbo-petrol. How these engines work with the Duster is something we'll only know when we drive the SUV in the latter part of January 2026. Stay tuned for our review!As for the Mahindra XUV 7XO, it's essentially an updated version of the current XUV700. The model will get a new look and feature upgrades, like a three-screen layout on top versions. The powertrains will be carried forward from the XUV 700, which is no bad thing because Mahindra's petrol and diesel engines are very impressive. Just how good the package is is something we'll know in early January over our test drive. Again, do stay tuned for the review! Do note, the Duster and XUV 7XO sit in different segments. The XUV 7XO is significantly larger, will be roomier and also offers a third row of seats. The Duster, on the other hand, will be easier to live with in congested city conditions by virtue of its smaller size. PS - A three-row version of the Duster is also being readied for India for launch later in the year. Asked by: Vivek Bhargav Hello, I'm a Honda fanboy and looking to buy a new vehicle in 2026. Inclined towards a subcompact SUV. Will Honda launch the WRV? I have checked the Elevate and really liked it. But the automatic variant is above my budget. My regular usage will be on the highway, going to my hometown and back. Plus, once or twice a month 200 km one-sided and basic city runs on the weekends. While there are plans for Honda to eventually re-enter the compact SUV segment, they are unfortunately very far away. While Honda is reportedly planning 10 new model launches for India by 2030, the compact SUV will likely be one of the last of these. Honda plans to first launch CBU-imported halo products, followed by a localised midsize electric car based on the Honda Zero Alpha, then new-gen ICE and hybrid replacements for the City and Elevate on a new platform. Finally, after these, there is a chance this new platform could be scaled down to a compact SUV once the development costs have been absorbed, but given the expected launch cycle, this won't be before 2028-29.If you're really a fan of the Honda Elevate, see if you can stretch your budget to buy one new. Or better yet, check out the used market for a lightly-driven example that's not too old, which you should get at a better price. Check out Spinny for vetted and approved used examples. Asked by: Piyush I currently own a Tata Nexon XZ+ petrol manual. My daily run is about 20km. Additionally, I travel around 350km fortnightly to my parents' place. After the introduction of E20 fuel, mileage has dropped from 13-14 kmpl to 10-11 kmpl. I am planning to upgrade to a hybrid. Based on my running, could you suggest the best options below 20 lakh? We would suggest opting for the Maruti Suzuki Victoris ZXi variant, as it falls just under Rs 20 lakh on road in Vadodara, where you are based. The Victoris is very well priced, and even though the ZXi is a mid-spec variant, it comes well-equipped with all the essential features.More importantly, in terms of Victoris' mileage, you can expect over 20 kpl not just in the city but on the highway as well, which is almost double what you are currently getting with your Tata Nexon.Do note that this Maruti car does not come with a spare wheel as standard and instead gets a puncture repair kit, with a space saver spare available as an optional extra. The boot space is also slightly compromised due to the hybrid battery mounted under the boot floor. Asked by: Abhinav Sharma I have been using a Verna Diesel 1.6-litre for the past 8 years, and it has served me well in terms of fuel efficiency. My average monthly running is around 2,500km. Due to the diesel ban in Delhi NCR and the need for a more comfortable car, I am now looking to switch to an EV (XEV 9S or the Harrier EV). I am not very particular about having too many features. I have been waiting for bookings to open for the XEV 9S, but with the launch of the new Seltos, should I consider that as well? We would recommend taking a test drive of the Mahindra XEV 9S before making a final decision, as its suspension can feel a bit too soft on undulating roads.Since you are also considering the Tata Harrier EV, which is a 5-seater, it makes sense to look at the XEV 9E as well. The Harrier EV is comfortable to drive and rides well, and the dual motor AWD option is available at a lower price than the XEV 9E. The Mahindra XEV 9e, however, stands out with more features, more comfortable seats, a larger boot, better range, and faster charging.The new Seltos is a well-rounded product, but given your requirements, the running costs of the petrol automatic will be significantly higher than the electric cars you are considering. If you are keen on a Kia EV, the Carens Clavis EV is also a strong package. While it does not offer the same range as the XEV 9E or the Harrier EV, it is a polished EV with a comfortable ride, adequate performance, and a third row that is spacious and comfortable enough for adults as well. Asked by: Saujanya Hi, I hope all is well! I will trust your advice on a particular need I have. The EQS drives like a dream, and I am glad I followed your advice last time. I will now be required to travel from Gurgaon to Noida every day, chauffeur-driven. I'm considering the HyCross, but a friend (HyCross owner) feels it’s not good and the build quality has been compromised. I don’t see any other alternative. CRV Hybrid isn’t available yet. Any suggestions? The trip from Gurgaon to Noida every day is quite a trek! The Toyota Innova HyCross, especially the hybrid variant, is actually your best alternative as it is quiet and offers a smooth, jerk-free drive in slow-moving traffic. The Ottoman seats are very comfortable, which is a big plus for your long commute.Regarding the quality concerns, your friend was probably referring to the fact that some of the cabin plastics look a bit cheap and hard, and the cabin doesn’t have the plush, rich feel of German or even Korean cars. However, there is no issue with reliability, and like with every Toyota car, you can expect the HyCross to be reliable and give you many years of hassle-free and comfortable transport. Asked by: Vishnu I'm looking to buy my first car. Although I have good experience in driving cars, this will be my first own car. We are a family of 4 + 1 kid living in Kolkata and have a relocatable job (mostly in tier 1/2 cities). I'm looking for a long-term car (5+ years). Monthly, I need to drive ~500kms and 3/4 long drives in a year. Preferably automatic, as monthly 500kms are inside the city. Had evaluated Kylaq, Elevate, 3X0 and Brezza. Now with the Sierra and MG Hector 2026 models, I'm completely lost. Suggest Since this is your first car, it's best to play it safe and go with a trusted brand you know will be reliable and cost-effective. The Maruti Suzuki Brezza, though not an exciting car, will best suit your needs. It is pretty spacious, has a smooth automatic option and is reasonably well-equipped.If your budget allows, consider the Honda Elevate, which is more spacious than the Brezza and hence more comfortable for your 4+1 family. It has a bigger boot too. If you are relocated to a Tier 2 city, the Brezza will benefit from Maruti Suzuki’s extensive dealer network. Asked by: Sitaram I am considering buying the Thar Roxx MX3 Petrol AT. If my requirements are not suitable for this car, please feel free to suggest alternatives. 1. Manageable body roll for parents above 60 years of age, but decently healthy. 2. 500-1200 km trips, with a sustained cruising speed of 130-140 kmph, and braking performance that does not discomfort passengers 3. Light off-roading capability and decent comfort over potholes and bad roads 4. Primarily for long weekend trips or bi-yearly trips with friends and parents, and it should be fun to drive. The Thar Roxx is a hardy car capable of much more than light off-roading. It tackles bad roads and potholes brilliantly and is a good weekend car. However, there are two issues for your parents. One is the step in height. The Thar Roxx sits high off the ground, which can be a problem for elderly people getting in and out. The second is that the ride can be pretty bumpy on a bad or uneven road, but if your parents are healthy and fit, I am sure they will take this all in their stride.The bigger danger for your parents is your intent to drive at speeds of 130-140kph. This is dangerous on public roads in India, and we urge you to drive safely so you and your family can enjoy many road trips together. Asked by: Raj Kamal Kanduk What is the best seven-seater MUV to buy right now, with rear seat comfort as the main priority? Options include the Kia Carnival, MG M9, and Toyota Vellfire. The Vellfire seems overpriced with the new pricing, and I am also concerned about MG’s brand image in India. Daily commute is around 180 km every alternate day for real estate work, and around 20 to 30 km on other days. Current garage includes a Range Rover Velar, BMW 330i, Thar Roxx, and Nexon EV Medium Range. Your daily drive of 180km is a lot of time to spend on the road. You need a car that is efficient yet comfortable. The MG M9, being an EV, would be the cheapest to run, but it's not as comfortable as the other three. The M9’s seats and ride quality are not as good as the Kia Carnival, which appears to be the most practical option for you, as you get the benefit of diesel efficiency and cost, quality interiors, cosseting seats and good ride comfort.The Toyota Velfire is by far the best of the lot: the cabin feels a notch above the others, the hybrid powertrain delivers ultra-smooth, efficient performance, and reliability is bulletproof. We agree it is overpriced, and it's your call how much you want to spend for that extra bit of comfort. Can’t decide which car to buy? Ask our experts and get answers to all your car related queries. Ask experts 
