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Is the SUV car market in India now maturing? Supporting this theory is the fact that Mahindra vehicles continue to do well, and the Skoda Yeti, Renault Duster, Toyota Fortuner and Ford Endeavour all manage to co-exist.

SUV market maturing?

Is the SUV car market in India now maturing? Supporting this theory is the fact that Mahindra vehicles continue to do well, and the Skoda Yeti, Renault Duster, Toyota Fortuner and Ford Endeavour all manage to co-exist. Considering this, is it possible for compact SUVs like the Toyota RAV4, Ford Escape and Nissan Qashqai to make an entry into the Indian market in the R10-15 lakh segment in the near future?

Gautam Arora

Yes, the Indian SUV market is rapidly maturing, but the R10-15 lakh segment is dominated by SUVs from local brands. International brands are coming into that segment, but with models that are more suitable for the Indian market. Hence, international models like the ones you have listed are unlikely to come as they would be too expensive in India.

To Cruze or not to Cruze?

My priorities for buying a new car are smart interiors, good fuel efficiency, lots of features, good looks, low maintenance and comfort. Based on these criteria, I have shortlisted the Chevrolet Cruze, Volkswagen Jetta and Skoda Laura. With a budget of R14-16 lakh in mind, what car would you recommend?

Agam Partap Singh

There is no one car that best combines all your priorities. The Chevrolet Cruze impresses with its looks, fuel efficiency and relatively low maintenance costs. The VW Jetta offers the best cabin and comfort. If you are driving yourself, we would recommend the Cruze, as it will be a lot easier on the pocket in the long run than either the VW Jetta or the Skoda Laura. The recently updated Cruze comes with a brand new engine and is much nicer to drive than before.

Diesel car for five

My requirements for a diesel car are that it should seat five, have low maintenance and good service backup. It will be driven for around 15,000 km annually. The cars I have shortlisted are the new Hyundai Elantra SX and the Skoda Yeti 4×4, although Skoda?s after-sales service issues are a worry. My budget is R18.5 lakh, on-road, Chennai.

Karthik Srinivasan

You could look at the manual transmission Jetta diesel Comfortline, which falls within your budget. The Jetta is a very well-engineered car and has ample space in the rear and hence is best suited for five passengers. The maintenance costs are on the higher side, but the car is very durable and solid, so if maintained well, it should give you trouble-free service. However, if peace of mind is your top priority, you could consider the Toyota Corolla, which doesn?t have the feel-good factor of the Jetta, but is much cheaper to buy and own.

Micra or Ritz?

I am planning to buy the diesel Nissan Micra XV. I would like to know about the maintenance costs (spare parts and service charges) and mileage for the Micra compared to the Maruti Ritz diesel.

Abhilash Sasidharan

The diesel Micra is one of the better cars in the hatchback segment. It is very nimble and easy to drive thanks to a responsive engine and light steering. It may not be as affordable as the Maruti Ritz in terms of maintenance, and Maruti?s dealer support is better than Nissan?s too. However, the 1.5-litre diesel engine that powers the Micra is a proven motor and is very reliable too. Hence, if you like the Micra, you should go for it.

Reliable petrol hatch

I am on the lookout for a fuel-efficient, low-maintenance car on a budget of R5-8 lakh. My current car is a Hyundai Santro Plus and my annual mileage is somewhere in the region of 4,500 km. I am currently considering the Toyota Etios Liva. What would you suggest?

Sadem Menba

Given your annual mileage, it?s best that you stick to a petrol car and the Toyota Etios Liva that you have shortlisted is fuel efficient and low on maintenance too. The Liva is a very reliable car and should give you trouble-free service. It is not very exciting to drive and the interiors feel a bit cheap, but it makes up with its space and practicality.

Manual or automatic?

I currently own a Hyundai Santro and a Fiat Palio. I want to replace both with a single saloon, probably the Honda City, but I am confused between the manual and the automatic. My other considerations are the Hyundai Verna and Ford Fiesta. I have a budget of R10-12 lakh, on-road, Bangalore, and my criteria are performance, comfort and fuel efficiency.

Rahul Basu

An automatic car will not give you the same performance and efficiency as a manual one, and given your priorities, you should opt for the latter. If you are keen on a petrol car, the Honda City is still the best choice in its segment and much nicer than the Hyundai Verna to drive. The petrol Verna feels insecure at high speeds, and the Ford Fiesta is a touch too cramped at the back and will have poor resale value. However, given your budget, you could easily opt for a diesel saloon and the Skoda Rapid is our pick, as it offers a good blend of performance, comfort and fuel efficiency at a reasonable price.

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First published on: 08-09-2012 at 01:34 IST
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