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Asked by: Pradyumna R I am retired and drive around 8,000 to 10,000 km per year, with about 75% of the distance on highways. I currently own a six-year-old petrol Ford Figo. I want to buy a petrol SUV with a manual or automatic transmission for around Rs 15 lakh. I am not keen on electronic features like cruise control or ADAS. I prefer a 4-cylinder naturally aspirated engine, good long-distance comfort, easy maintenance in tier-2 cities, good boot space, and high ground clearance. I plan to buy in early 2026. Please suggest. We'd recommend the Honda Elevate, which makes a good pick for your requirements. It's an SUV that gets the basics right, offering good ground clearance, a robust suspension, a comfortable interior and a large boot. The mid-spec V variant offers all the essential features you'd need without any unnecessary frills. Hondas are easy to maintain, and reliability is good. Do note, this Honda car is slightly on the noisy side by class standards. Given that you will primarily be driving on the highway, the Elevate manual should serve your needs and is a good value for money. The CVT automatic brings in convenience and works well with an easygoing driving style. Asked by: Nakul Raheja I want to buy a new car in Mumbai. My priority is ride quality on Mumbai roads, including comfort in the rear seat, along with driving pleasure for occasional long trips. I’ve shortlisted the Citroen C5 Aircross, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Range Rover Evoque, Tata Harrier and Tata Sierra, but I’m open to other options. Please suggest. Your shortlisted cars vary widely in price and category, ranging from Rs 15 lakh to Rs 75 lakh, including ICE as well as electric cars, so it's hard to pinpoint exactly what you are shopping for. If you plan to do long trips, avoid an EV, as it is just not worth the hassle, given the current state of charging infrastructure.The Citroen C5 Aircross has astonishing ride quality, since that is your primary requirement, but bear in mind that dealerships are few and far between, and the model itself is now dated and due for a replacement.If you move to the upper end of your budget, consider the Audi Q5, which, though also a bit long in the tooth, has excellent ride quality and is an excellent value for money.Similarly, the Jeep Grand Cherokee is a full-size SUV with excellent ride quality, with prices from a segment below, and is also definitely worth check out. Asked by: Talin Sharma I’m confused between the Skoda Kodiaq Lounge and the Toyota Hycross ZX. What should I pick if I’ll be driving 50% of the time, and being driven by a chauffeur the other 50%? The Skoda Kodiaq and Toyota Innova Hycross are very different products, and your choice depends on factors you'll give more weightage to. The Skoda Kodiaq is significantly pricier but offers a significantly more upmarket interior. Interior quality is as good as many luxury cars, and there are lots of features and goodies packed in, too. The Kodiaq is also the more entertaining vehicle to drive. Its 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine delivers strong performance, which is something you'll appreciate when you drive. Rear seat comfort is good, but the Innova Hycross has the edge here. The Innova Hycross has a roomier cabin, and the middle row seating is more comfortable. The legrests on the captain seat versions count for a lot to up comfort levels when you are sitting at the back. Also, thanks to the strong hybrid powertrain, the Hycross is significantly more efficient than a Kodiaq. Also, purchase price aside, regular maintenance in the long run will also work out cheaper on the Toyota. On the flip side, while the Hycross' EV mode is unique, the Toyota is essentially unexciting to drive. Asked by: Sathish Kumar reddy DONAPATI I have been using a diesel car for the past 10 years. My daily commute is 25 to 30 km, with occasional long drives of around 300 km once a month. I want to switch to an electric car this time. Is it a good idea to buy an EV now? I am from a Tier 3 city in Andhra Pradesh, and I like feature-rich EVs. Please suggest one around Rs 25 to 30 lakh. An EV certainly beats a diesel when it comes to running cost and efficiency, but the biggest trade-off, especially for you, will be the long range. Diesel cars are known for their strong one-tank range and the ability to find a diesel pump almost everywhere in the country.An EV, on the other hand, heavily relies on route planning and charging infrastructure. While the network of chargers is increasing by the day, it is still nowhere close to the availability of fuel pumps, and the charging times are a lot slower in comparison to a fill-up.So if you need one for your daily commute, the electric car will be excellent as it is refined and cheaper to run, but for your outstation trips, you will need to do a fair bit of planning and check for chargers on your route and factor in the waiting time as well.If you go for an EV, a home charger is absolutely essential, and it is also important to note for voltage fluctuations. Tier 3 cities usually have frequent power cuts, and high demand leads to a load on the power grids, which can mean the charger does not have enough juice to charge your car.If everything checks out, though, the Hyundai Creta electric is an excellent package that has good range, all the essential features and is great for occasional long trips too. If not, this Hyundai car also has a very good diesel engine with the same features and equipment as the Electric, and will take away most of the EV downsides. Asked by: Omi I want to buy an SUV with a budget of Rs 20 to 25 lakh and want a strong road presence. I shortlisted the Scorpio N, but I'm concerned about its low mileage. I also heard about the Tata Sierra. Should I wait? Yes, definitely check out the Tata Sierra, which will be launched on November 25. Its standout styling and tall, boxy proportions give it excellent road presence, especially if you choose a bold colour.Yes, Mahindra's engines are geared more towards power and performance than efficiency, and therefore their mileage is very low, whether petrol or diesel.The heavyweight, owing to its ladder-frame construction, doesn't help matters either. The Tata Sierra, on the other hand, is a monocoque, front-wheel-drive SUV, which will likely use smaller, more efficient 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines. Asked by: Ramanathan I'm planning to buy a spacious, preferably 7-seater car with a budget of ₹10-22 lakh. I don't want too many features - my priority is a reliable, sturdy vehicle. Which cars should I consider The Toyota Innova HyCross petrol variant meets your requirements. The MPV has a very comfy and spacious cabin for 7 people, and being a Toyota car, it will be reliable and stress-free to own. The Innova HyCross petrol is powered by a 173hp, 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine that's mated to a CVT automatic gearbox. While Innova HyCross mileage is 16.3kpl (company claimed), we managed figures of 6.9kpl (city) and 12.4kpl (highway) during our testing. The range-topping Innova HyCross petrol GX(O) 7 seater is priced at Rs 20.25 lakh (ex-showroom), which falls within your budget. It gets all the basics in terms of features like auto climate control, LED headlamps, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system and more. In terms of safety, you get 6 airbags and the Innova HyCross has also received a full, 5-star crash safety rating from Bharat NCAP. Can’t decide which car to buy? Ask our experts and get answers to all your car related queries. Ask experts 
