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Asked by: V Ram I want to upgrade from my Ford EcoBoost. I’m looking for a petrol automatic car under ₹25 lakh, and I drive around 10,000 km a year. I need something comfortable, safe, spacious and with performance similar to my EcoBoost. It should be reliable and require fewer service visits. We are usually four people, but occasionally my senior‐citizen parents will also travel with us. I'm considering the XUV700, Alcazar and Carens Clavis. Which one should I go for, and which variant or any other options? Given your requirements, the Kia Carens Clavis Turbo-DCT is a good option. Its turbo-petrol engine delivers good performance, and the dual-clutch transmission is nice, though it can occasionally feel a bit clunky at low speeds.What makes the Clavis a good pick for you is the fact that it delivers the most comfortable seating for 6/7 passengers. The middle row is flexible, so you can maximise middle row room when there's only 4 onboard or can balance space in the third row for times when it will be 6 or 7 passengers onboard. The easy entry and exit is also something your parents will appreciate. The 7-seater Kia Carens Clavis, the HTX(O) variant, is what we'd recommend. Asked by: Sahil Ummat I want to buy a premium 7-seater within a ₹40–45 lakh budget. My shortlisted cars are the Jeep Meridian, Toyota Fortuner, Skoda Kodiaq and MG Gloster. I’ve heard reliability concerns about the Meridian and Gloster. The Kodiaq’s AC performance is reportedly weak, and the Fortuner’s ride quality is said to be poor. Given these issues, which one should I choose? You have correctly identified each SUV's weakness; thus, it really boils down to which of these is the least worry for you. On the whole, the Skoda Kodiaq is something you could consider, unlike the other car's weaknesses. Also, you could offset the lower AC performance of the Skoda with good habits like parking the car with a sunshade and also using window blinds.If you are open to looking at an EV, we would recommend you look at the Ioniq 5. It isn't a three-row vehicle, but it addresses all of the weaknesses you have mentioned in the other cars in your shortlist. Asked by: Shivam Prasher I am looking for an automatic petrol sub-4m SUV. My primary usage includes a monthly trip from Noida to Ludhiana and two to three trips to my mid-hilly hometown in Himachal. My budget is around ₹13.5 lakh on-road. I have shortlisted the Kia Sonet HTX DCT because it offers good features like a sunroof, front and rear parking sensors, and rear headrests, and the ride quality is acceptable for my family of five. Should I also consider the Tata Nexon, Mahindra 3XO, or Hyundai Venue? All three cars you have listed are more spacious than the Kia Sonet, especially at the rear, and since you travel with 5 occupants, you might want to look at those options instead. Since you like what the Sonet offers, you might also like the new Hyundai Venue too. Another car you could shortlist is the Mahindra XUV 3XO. It feels tougher, has a stronger 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine and a smoother 6-speed automatic gearbox. Asked by: Abhishek Pavalan I want to purchase a second-hand car within ₹4.5 lakh. My monthly usage is 1,500 km. Please suggest a car. While buying a used car, it is always recommended to buy the newest, best-maintained example that falls within your budget. Keeping your usage in mind, you could consider a fuel efficient petrol or diesel, in order to keep a check on running costs.For Rs 4.5 lakhs, there are multiple body styles, transmission options, engines, etc., which you can consider, and without knowing your requirements, it'll be hard to recommend the right options.You may look at reputed used car portals like Spinny for complete peace of mind while buying a used car. Asked by: Ashok I’m looking for a new automatic car (not AMT) that can seat five adults comfortably. Both my wife and I will drive it. I want good build quality, visibility, active safety features, usable boot space, reasonable maintenance costs and comfort for daily use and highway trips. I don’t care about features like a sunroof or multi-speaker audio. Budget is ₹15 lakh. Preference is an SUV like the Honda Elevate, but I’m open to sedans. Suggestions? The Honda Elevate is a good pick for you. It's a no-nonsense SUV that delivers on the very aspects you value. It's built tough, offers good visibility and has a large boot. Everyday comfort is good, and the robust suspension shines on bad roads. It's got safety essentials, though versions with ADAS are only offered on pricier variants.The 1.5-litre petrol engine will run trouble-free for years, but do note the CVT auto performs best in easy-going driving. Aggressive driving or quick overtakes will lead to a disproportionate rise in revs and engine noise levels. The Elevate is, in general, noisier than some direct rivals. Also, while there's loads of room for four passengers to sit in comfort, a fifth could be a bit of a squeeze. In case you find space insufficient for your requirements, you could consider the Creta IVT EX(O). While it is out of your budget at around Rs 16 lakh (on-road), the Hyundai Creta does feel larger, has a roomier cabin and also a slicker (and quieter) engine-gearbox combination. Can’t decide which car to buy? 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