Of the three, the i20 diesel would be the most expensive of the lot (Asta CRDi with option pack). But the i20 is also the most powerful among the three. In terms of ride comfort, the Punto is probably the best of the lot, followed by the i20 and then the Polo. The Polo diesel loses out on engine power and refinement marginally compared to the…[Read more]

If it is a 7-seater SUV, then its Fortuner. For pure style and more modern looks, maybe the Koleos is better but it is a 5-seater. But its a totally personal choice. Some people still prefer the looks of the Endeavour. The safe answer is of course Fortuner.

Fortuner. There’s a reason it’s outselling every other SUV in that bracket. You may also consider the Hyundai Santa Fe, the Yeti and the Chevy Captiva. If you’re willing to wait for a few months, the Ssangyongs are also on their way.

Depends on what you need. If a Euro spec vehicle with 4 seats is all you need, I d say, go for the Yeti. It is chic, suave, extremely well finished and loaded with features, much better than the Fortuner, the Endeavor and the likes and most of all, it drives like a car. Take a TD and you will be floored, as long as you do not need more than 4…[Read more]

Oh and the Yeti is a phenomenal off roader too. Watch Jeremy Clarkson’s You Tube video for more tit bits on the very capable Yeti.

12 -13 is what you are likely to get, and it can go up or down by 1-2 kmpl due to the traffic conditions and driving styles. Third row is decent, though not ideal for long journeys (third rows are never very good in any SUv anyway)

No SUV, including the Q7 can seat 7 persons comfortably for long distances and the very concept of 7 seats is only for excise saving measures, in India. The only vehicle which gives you comfortable 7 seats today is the Innova. By the way, do you actually need an SUV or a people mover? Would you use the 4wd? Do you go offroad to places where a…[Read more]

Nikhil, if you are ready to wait for 3-4 months, you could very well book the XUV and try it. In case you don’t get it, you could go for the Xylo if you seat more than 5 people regularly or the Scorpio if you usually travel with 4-5 people and need 7 seats only for short city trips and the occasional highway travel.

I am a proud owner of the Scorpio for the past 1.2lac Kms and I can tell you that there is not one moment that I ve regretted my decision. However, when I bought mine, there was no option of ABS and Airbags which, at the moment, exists. Coming to long trips, I ve used my vehicle across all kinds of roads and across the country, multiple times. For…[Read more]

The negatives are: 3rd row only good for kids/short people, ride quality has scope for improvement and irky gizmos which do not work all the time.

It is too early to forecast this yet since none of them have been introduced officially to the Indian market by their manufacturers. However, internationally Renaults are comparatively more reliable than Fords.

Going by whatever info is already out, my bets would be on the Ecosport. Although the Duster is quite a capable vehicle, Renault has a wafer thin sales & service network as compared to Ford. The looks of the Duster are also a little plain-jane as compared to the radical looks of the Ford. And I imagine Ford will also load the Ecosport adequately…[Read more]

Have the bookings opened? I do not think so and hence I would suggest you wait till the bookings open since we d have tested both the vehicles by then and had some interaction with Ford and Renault and that should make things clearer. I can understand the excitement of booking a new car, but please hold your horses for now.

It might be a booking by the dealer – sometimes they do it much before the actual launch.

Nikhil, bookings have opened though prices have not been announced. But maybe you should wait for the EcoSport also. It is definitely more modern looking. But prices are likely to be slightly higher than the Duster, as it is for the world market – the Duster is a low cost small SUV, so will be cheaper.

Starting price is likely to be higher than Duster (it is more modern and luxurious etc). I will have to guess – but I think it will be around 9 lakhs starting price on-road. Just my guess!