Road trip on a saloon

Q

We are planning to sell our petrol Linea and buy a diesel saloon. We have narrowed down to the Renault Fluence or the Chevrolet Cruze. We drive about 1,000-1,200 km a month, but are set on diesel because we want do long-distance trips with a family of four — a dog and luggage — at least two to three times a year. We are mostly chauffeur-driven. What car do you recommend? Adityaraj Dutt

A

The Cruze has a more powerful diesel than the Fluence but as you are mainly driven by a chauffeur, that extra performance is a waste. Except for a sluggish diesel engine, the Fluence suits your needs better and is a spacious car that's great for long distances. Its rear seat is far more generous than the Cruze's, and overall, the Fluence, with its fantastic ride and handling, has the edge.

Q

I currently drive a Ford Fiesta. I plan to buy a new saloon in the R 10-12 lakh range this year. It will be used mainly for city driving and will run around 50 km every day. I want a car that's fun to drive and has a comfortable rear seat. Which one between the Jetta, Cruze, Laura, and Fluence would you recommend? Palash Nandy

A

All the cars you have listed are out of your budget. However, the 1.8 TSI Laura is the closest. Also, it's a great driver's car, thanks to a punchy 160bhp petrol motor and the backseat is pretty good. If the Laura doesn't fit in your budget, you can try the VW Vento, which has a very spacious backseat and strong engine.

Q

Does a heavier bike have a better road grip than a lighter one? The Pulsar sticks to the road better than the FZ, owing to its heavy front-biased weight. Similarly, superbikes give tremendous dry road traction over lighter bikes. Pranjal

A

Yes, superbikes offer better traction than lighter motorcycles do. However, in many cases they need to put down well in excess of a 100bhp through the rear tyre contact patch to stop the bike from high speeds that invariably come with that kind of power.

Q

Which scooter is currently the best buy? Price isn't important but the waiting period is. It should be refined and powerful.

Vaibhav

A

The refined Suzuki Access will suit you well, as it is relatively powerful and soberly styled.