Parth Gohil

Mahindra sells thousands of Boleros every month and this vehicle was launched 26 years ago! Spent a week driving the Bolero very extensively and this update comes with leatherette upholstery, TPMS, touchscreen, alloys, etc. but the core fundamentals of the Bolero remain unchanged. For starters, it’s a very VFM diesel vehicle that’s extremely easy to own, cheap to maintain and reliable. It is that employee in your office who never takes a leave. Its core USPs include its torquey diesel engine which is efficient and offers pretty decent performance. It’s not quick off the line and the Bolero isn’t even meant straight line acceleration. It’s a workhorse and does that perfectly. The suspension is abuse friendly and you can throw around the Bolero everywhere. But, the ride is bumpy and uncomfortable because most of the bumps filter inside the cabin. The steering feels light on the go but quite heavy at parking speeds. The gear shifts also feel heavy and the clutch isn’t exactly light either. Driving the Bolero at city speeds requires effort. The Bolero is meant for rough usage and still finds customers in rural areas, small businesses, Govt departments, and the likes. It’s a cheap and reliable people mover and Mahindra has kept this big USP going. Compared to modern cars, the Bolero feels basic, but it has a very unique character of its own!

@cavivekshah Yes. Nariman Point, Kala Ghoda, everywhere.

@Parth_Go Even at Nariman Point. It’s a city wide scam. Think of it as cost of living. The ones who have been tagged are mute spectators.

Parked my car at Colaba (in the lane next to Cafe Mondegar). A bunch of guys with pay and park placards promptly came and said the parking charges are Rs. 150/- per hour. I asked them to show the rate card and their IDs and they didn’t have any of these to show. Later when I came back after 2 hours, they said just pay us Rs. 100/- in total for 2 hours. I asked them why so much variation between the rates? They said they have to pay more monthly charges (to whom is anyone’s guess). No ID cards, no official rate cards. Just parking ticket machines. Pls look into this @MumbaiPolice @MTPHereToHelp @mybmc @RoadsOfMumbai

Nissan Tekton Prices. 6 variants each for 1.0 Turbo and 1.3 Turbo.

Western Express Highway - Lots of new potholes have popped up, on both South Bound and North Bound sections. These potholes are sharp, and they appear unexpectedly. Please be careful, especially bikers. Car owners also at higher risk of tyre damage. @PotholeWarriors

Many of these hoardings are flying and can hurt someone @ Bandra Reclamation. Some hoardings from the middle dividers have fallen on the road too. @mybmc @RoadsOfMumbai @PotholeWarriors

@Prashan61371023 It’s not about acceleration. The Sierra EV has great numbers but can’t really compare it to a BMW X6. Driving pleasure is also about handling, suspension setup, steering feel, engine sound, etc.

@Parth_Go The newly launched Sierra EV does 0–100 km/h in under 6 seconds, for a fraction of the price. These V8s will soon be relics of the past. Until then, splurge like theres no tomorrow.

The BMW X6 M60i is wild! The V8 engine is delicious and is always eager to be pushed hard. The X6 moves with such great urgency it really feels mind numbing. It also sounds lovely. What makes the whole driving experience even better is the ride-handling balance. The suspension is stiff but not uncomfortable and the steering feels very precise and confidence inspiring. You can push this car really hard and it feels very poised all the time. There are different driving modes that do justice to the engine. Eco Pro best suited for daily usage. It is smooth, gearshifts are laid back and it feels like a regular X6. Sport mode changes things altogether and the vehicle feels snappy, violent at times and all the more aggressive. Gear shifts feel quick too and the suspension tightens up. I also loved the cabin of the X6. Rightly luxurious and the seats are so good! The audio system is lovely but the V8 engine sounds better. Rear legroom could have been better for something that’s 4.9-metres long. Boot is very large. The X6 M60i retails at Rs. 2.11 Crore On-Road Mumbai and that makes it pricey. It’ll feel exclusive because not many of these will be around though. I’d say, if rear seat space isn’t a very big priority, you want full blown performance and yet good practicality, the X6 ticks the box.

Seems like July is going to be a pretty action packed month for the auto industry. Already kickstarted with the launch of the Tata Sierra EV, there are many other new cars in the offing such as the Maruti Brezza which will get a mid-life facelift and possibly the addition of a 1.0 turbo petrol engine (from Fronx). Kia is also readying the launch of their new EV (Syros based) while Toyota is set to welcome the new Hilux in India. Apart from these, Nissan’s Tekton (rebadged Duster) will make its debut on 9th, and MG will launch another EV on 16th. Let’s see what’s more in store. Which car are you most excited about?

I love the regular Kodiaq because it’s almost perfect as a premium family mover and I love the Kodiaq RS because it really dials up the performance, suspension, steering feel and cosmetics to a very good extent. The Skoda Kodiaq RS is an almost-perfect all rounder and I can go on and on. The 2.0-litre TSI engine with 265 HP and 400 Nm on tap is a true delight. The Kodiaq RS accelerates really well and the mid range performance is very good. It also sounds nice. DCC is a welcome addition and the suspension feels different in various modes. Comfort mode really makes the RS feel laid back and comfy while Sport mode makes it snappier. The steering feel is way better than the regular Kodiaq but I would have liked some more heft at high speeds. The initial 50 units are sold out but more units might be brought down in the near future. Don’t know the exact price right now but it’ll be close to ₹70 lakh, which I’m afraid, is quite a premium over the regular Kodiaq but this SUV can do a lot! I would buy this over the Octavia RS any given day.

Really encouraging to see spaces like Sheroes Cafe creating dignity, opportunity and inspiration.

@AarizRizvi Too good. Try the Leemo ice cream too

Dangerously good!

The BMW M440i is beautiful not just in the way it looks but also in the way it drives. This convertible is very cool and turns heads everywhere. But more importantly, it is so fun to drive. I really enjoyed driving this around and going pedal to the metal whenever I got the chance. The ultra low ground clearance means it has a tendency to scrape its underbelly on many speedbreakers. The 3.0-litre engine has strong performance and the car also boasts really good handling. It costs around ₹35 lakh more than the M340i on-road and gives you the cool novelty of a convertible at the cost of rear seat space while the M340i is the more practical pick out of the two!

Some cars are built to compete. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class has always been built to lead. Standing between the W221 S500 and the V223 S450 is a reminder of how much the automotive industry has evolved over the last 15 years. The W221 represented effortless luxury with its naturally aspirated V8, timeless design and engineering-first approach. The V223 brings a completely different philosophy, where technology, connectivity and digital innovation define the experience. Yet, despite their differences, both cars share the same purpose: setting the benchmark for the rest of the industry. With the facelift set to arrive in India next week, it’s exciting to see how the S-Class continues to reinvent itself while staying true to its legacy.

The Renault Duster 1.0-litre far exceeded my expectations because 99 HP and 166 Nm don’t sound much on paper but the reality is very different because this engine from the Kiger has been retuned. Being a 3-cylinder unit, the engine has its own share of vibrations. However, the performance is superb to say the least. I really loved pushing this car hard and the manual gearbox is a delight. Smooth clutch and slick shifts. The engine has a strong surge at 2000 RPM and the car is quick off the line. Lovely car to drive and the ride+ handling balance is anyway a strong USP. For under ₹16 lakh for the top end 1.0-litre, this is better than some offerings like the Venue and Sonet because you get a bigger and more stable car. For people who want AT or 160 HP on a budget, there’s a new Evolution 1.3 AT variant at around Rs. 14.5 lakh ex-showroom.

The Tata Tiago gets some major changes and the Indian automaker has done a fab job with the updated hatchback. It looks extremely good now and the new pastel colours are very cool. The Tiago also gets a massive change to the interior with a new dashboard, better screens, more features and better upholstery. This is the CNG variant which offers low running costs. The Revotron engine is good for city driving. On the highways if you need a little more punch while overtaking, you can switch to petrol. The engine has some vibrations and refinement could be better. The AMT gearbox is smooth even thought not the quickest. Tiago also gets paddle shifters now which work well. The ride quality remains a strong point and the hatch absorbs bumps really well. The high speed manners are pretty decent as well. Overall the 2026 Tata Tiago is a very appealing car below ₹10 lakh and does most things right. Good pick for someone who wants a compact car that has some appeal to it.

The MG Cyberster looks more Ferrari than the Ferrari Luce

Toyota Innova HyCross vs Mahindra XUV 7XO - Exterior - Both the vehicles are quite big but it is the Innova that has slightly more generous dimensions. The Innova has a simple offend-none design while the 7XO has a more aggressive and sportier design. Each one has separate fan bases. Third row - Innova simply pips the XUV here because the 3rd row on HyCross is far more spacious and comfy. It is also easier to get in and out of. XUV 3rd row is cramped and the roof mounted speaker is too close to the ears if you are tall. Toyota is even optimistic enough to offer a third headrest for an additional passenger but 3 people won’t be too comfy. Best suited for 2. Second row - Both vehicles have their USPs here. Innova 2nd row seat comfier and roomier. XUV gets boss mode, little higher seating position and a more premium ambience. Both are good, so while buying take a proper rear seat test drive too and see what you like. Features - No comparison here because the XUV is far ahead with tech. Lots of screens, fancy audio system, connected tech - everything. Innova gets all essentials but that premium feel is lacking. Performance - Both are excellent in their own way. Innova with its strong hybrid offers good punch and economy. Sadly no diesel. XUV with its turbo petrol makes a lot more power and is more fun but at the cost of high fuel consumption. XUV diesel is sorted in performance and running costs. 7XO also gets optional AWD. Ride - Innova ride feels better overall and the softer seats add to the comfort. XUV suspension feels durable enough to take a beating and you can go fast over bumps. Handling - XUV overall feels sportier to drive and you will enjoy it. Very sorted SUV. Innova is a neutral handler. Not bad at all. It likes being a very chill family mover. Verdict - Innova HyCross goes from Rs. 23-40 lakh and it is expensive for what it offers. Buyers don’t care because when it comes to reliability, comfort and service the Innova is unmatched. That trust factor is the winning point. The XUV 7XO from Rs. 16-31 lakh is more VFM and offers a solid package with good features and powerful engines. You can’t go wrong with either.

Great stuff. Was just going through the sales numbers. Hycross hybrid and Hyryder hybrid fetched 62k and 35k sales in FY26 respectively.