Which Car Should I Buy?

Acko Drive
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  • Automotive
  • Biweekly

Acko Drive editor-in-chief Siddharth Vinayak Patankar has spent the last 20 years helping people make the best decision when it comes to buying cars and bikes. He'll help you understand exactly what you can get for your money, and how to choose the right model and variant. Plus, all the insider tips about what's launching soon and what to avoid! Siddharth Vinayak Patankar, one of the best-known faces of Indian automotive journalism, has set up a new media entity with Acko Drive as its first platform. It focuses on bringing consumers relevant content from the automobile industry.

Episodes

  1. 10/06/2025

    Is Maruti Suzuki Victoris REALLY Safe? GNCAP Truth Revealed

    Join us in this special edition of "Which Car Should I Buy?" as we dive deep into the Global NCAP 5-star crash test rating awarded to the Maruti Suzuki Victorious – the safest Maruti car yet! 🚨 Highlights: * India's second 5-star Maruti after the Fronx * What makes the Victorious crash test results so significant * How Maruti’s safety shift is challenging Tata & Mahindra * ADAS in a Maruti?! Here’s what you need to know * The myths around crash tests: Are Global NCAP ratings trustworthy? * Viewer Q&A – answering YOUR top safety questions! 💬 Got questions about BNCAP vs GNCAP? ADAS in India? Or Maruti’s safety reputation? Drop them in the comments

  2. 09/08/2025

    PODCAST - EPISODE 11, India-UK FTA Facts!

    A landmark free trade agreement between India and the UK means that cars we import from Great Britain will soon cost less – but which cars actually come from there, and how does this deal actually work? How much money can you actually save if you want to buy a Range Rover, Aston Martin or MINI? Things aren't as simple as they seem. Your host Siddharth Vinayak Patankar takes you through all the conditions and loopholes, and breaks all the numbers down so you know exactly what is and isn't happening.In this episode of Which Car Should I Buy, you'll hear all about: ● Which car manufacturers can take advantage of the agreement, and which models are eligible. ● All the quotas, conditions, and exemptions for each type of car. ● What this means for India's imports and exports, and how the industry is reacting. ● Everything that we still don't know about implementation and timelines.

  3. 08/18/2025

    E20 Petrol Ethanol Blending Controversy – Get All the Facts!

    India's petrol just got a little lighter, and many car owners are upset! The Government's push to increase ethanol content in petrol has raised a lot of questions – Is it really cleaner? Will it damage your car's engine? Will it reduce mileage? And why is there no choice at the petrol pump? In this episode, your host Siddharth Vinayak Patankar breaks down all the facts, and tells you what exactly is going on. He busts all the myths and gives you the facts, but also tells you what you really should be concerned about. This is a must-watch special episode, especially if you're thinking about buying a new car right now! #e20 #ethanol #petrolblending #blendedpetrol #flexfuel #e20controversy #petrolprice #fuelprice #e20compliant #ethanolcontent #ethanolpercentage

  4. 08/10/2025

    This Korean Luxury Car Brand Is Finally Coming to India

    Genesis, the Korean luxury car brand from Hyundai Motor Company, is now confirmed to be coming to India. We don't know exactly when, but our sources tell us it's sure to cause a stir with its offerings as well as its strategy. Not a lot of people might have heard of Genesis, so ACKO Drive Editor-in-Chief Siddharth Vinayak Patankar will give you an overview of its offerings, who it will compete with, and the prices you can expect. This is also a sign that the luxury sedan and SUV markets in India are strong enough to support a new player.Plus, Siddharth answers more questions from viewers who need purchasing advice!#Genesis #GenesisIndia #Hyundai #luxurycarsindia

  5. 07/28/2025

    India's EV Revolution | Tesla Arrives, Clavis EV Shines & VinFast Surprises!

    EVs are no longer “five years away.” Tesla has landed. Kia’s Clavis EV is charging ahead.Vietnam’s VinFast is eyeing Indian roads. India EV Revolution is here.Where you're buying your first EV in India or just staying informed, this is your completeEV buying guide India.The electric game is heating up pretty fast. From ₹10 lakh starters to ₹2 crore techmachines, there’s now something for every kind of buyer. But not every EV is worth yourmoney.In this video, you will discover:● Tesla Model Y launch in India: Is it worth ₹60+ lakh?● Kia Carens Clavis EV: Is this the best family EV under ₹25L?● VinFast VF6 & VF7: Hype vs. Reality● What’s worth buying now, and what should you wait for?● How government schemes and buyer trends are fuelling the EV surge● Top upcoming EVs: E-Vitara, Mercedes CLA Electric, Tata Harrier EV● Real answers to viewer questions: petrol vs EV, best budget picks, and moreWhether you're buying your first electric car or just staying informed, this is yourcomplete EV catch-up.#EVIndia #ElectricCars #TeslaIndia #KiaEV #VinFastIndia #KiaClavisEV #EVBoom#EVBuyingGuide #EVvsPetrol #EVRevolution #UpcomingEVsIndia

  6. 07/12/2025

    Are India's Favorite Car Brands REALLY Fading Away?

    Are these once-popular car brands still worth your money or are Indian buyers right to beskeptical?If you’ve been wondering whether Honda, Nissan, or Renault are exiting India, thisepisode breaks it all down. We unpack the decline in visibility, resale doubts, and whetherthe fear is actually justified or just misplaced.Indian car buyers are still dealing with exit trauma - after Ford, Chevrolet, and Fiat left, thetrust deficit is real. Every time a brand isn’t in the top 5 or misses an ad campaign, we ask:“Are they next?”In Episode 7 of Which Car Should I Buy, Siddharth Vinayak Patankar explores:-Why some brands make underrated but reliable cars-What went wrong with cars like the Duster, Jazz, Compass, and Micra-Which current models like Nissan Magnite, Honda Amaze, or Renault Kiger - areactually solid buys-How service network, future launches, and trust issues impact buying decisionsin 2025From brand perception and forgotten value to comeback attempts and complete silence, thisepisode is your complete buyer’s guide to the automakers flying under the radar.

  7. 06/26/2025

    RARE EARTH MAGNETS THE HIDDEN DANGER TO INDIA’s EV FUTURE

    Rare earth magnets are the invisible engines behind EVs, smartphones, and satellites, and now, they’re at the center of a global supply chain crisis. With China tightening exports and India’s EV industry hanging in the balance, one tiny magnet is not just steering the future of automobiles but rewriting geopolitics.The future of electric vehicles may not depend on batteries or mileage. But on rare earth magnets. These tiny but powerful components, especially Neodymium magnets, are essential to synchronous motors used in EVs. But there’s a problem: China controls over 90% of global magnet production, and delayed exports are shaking up the EV supply chain worldwide.In this Episode 6 of Which Car Should I buy, Siddharth Vinayak Patankar is breaking down: What rare earth magnets are, and how they power electric carsWhy India’s EV industry is under pressure as import requests go unansweredWhat critical raw materials have to do with national security?How companies like IREL, TVS Motor, and Bosch India are responding?What India’s ₹5,000 crore push to localize magnet production means for the future?The rise of rare-earth-free motors, and why IITs are joining the R&D raceFrom EV crisis to geopolitical moves, this is the full story of how one of the smallest components is causing one of the biggest disruptions in clean tech. The rare earth magnet crisis can affect electric car production in India such for popular cars like the Tata Nexon EV, Tata Harrier EV, MG Windsor, Mahindra BE 6 and electric scooters such as the Bajaj Chetak, TVS iQube, Ather Rizta and more.

  8. 06/18/2025

    FORGOTTEN CARS IN INDIA THAT ARE STILL WORTH BUYING IN 2025

    Which underrated cars in India are actually worth buying?Welcome to Episode 5 of "Which Car Should I Buy?" with Siddharth Vinayak Patankar, where we spotlight forgotten cars in the Indian car market that still make a whole lot of sense in 2025!In a market dominated by best-sellers like the Hyundai Creta, Maruti Swift, Tata Punch, and Honda City, several hidden gem cars often go unnoticed. In this video, we discuss both ICE and EV cars that one should consider. In hatchbacks there are options such as the MG Comet, Citroen C3, Tata Altroz and even the Maruti Suzuki Ignis, yes, even Maruti cars are being left out. Whether you're eyeing a fuel-efficient daily driver or a well-priced electric hatchback, this episode will help you discover cars that are overlooked but still make sense to buy in 2025.Join the conversation! Which car do YOU think deserves more attention? Drop your thoughts in the comments and help fellow car buyers make informed choices.#Podcast #Car #SUV

  9. 05/22/2025

    PODCAST: WHICH CAR SHOULD I BUY? EPISODE 4 - ARE HATCHBACKS DYING IN INDIA?

    Everyone’s obsessed with SUVs—big, bulky, and ‘premium’. But are hatchbacks truly dead, or are we just ignoring the most sensible cars on the road? In this podcast video, we break down the reality of car buying in 2025 India: Why hatchbacks still matter, who they’re best for, and which models you should actually consider. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, looking for a second car for the family, or just want something compact for city runs—this is the video you need to watch. We cover: Hatchback vs SUV: Real cost, practicality & purpose The best hatchbacks for every budget (including EVs!) Hatchbacks to avoid in 2025 Why India was a hatchback nation—and what changed. Watch all the above details in Episode 4 of Which Car Should I Buy? With Siddharth Vinayak Patankar.

  10. 05/02/2025

    Which Car Should I Buy? Episode 3 | Car Crash Ratings Ft David Ward, President Emeritus, Global NCAP

    Welcome to Episode 3 of Which Car Should I Buy? With Siddharth Vinayak Patankar. In this episode of the podcast we discuss car crash safety ratings and get into the details of how cars are crash tested. India’s automotive safety landscape has rapidly evolved, with five-star crash-rated cars becoming increasingly common. But are Bharat NCAP ratings truly robust and reliable? In this insightful discussion, David Ward—founding figure behind Global NCAP—dives deep into the progress made in vehicle safety, the rise of Bharat NCAP, and the challenges that lie ahead. The conversation explores whether current crash testing protocols are stringent enough, how they compare to global benchmarks like Euro NCAP, and the risks of complacency or voluntary under-reporting. With India’s car buyers growing more safety-conscious, this video asks the critical questions: Are these crash ratings transparent? Is Bharat NCAP keeping pace with global best practices? And should crash test protocols evolve more frequently to prevent all cars from scoring the same? A must-watch for anyone interested in car safety, policy evolution, and the future of safer vehicles in India.Mandatory labelling of crash testing of cars will push manufacturers to undergo NCAP testing and will also improve consumer knowledge about safety. Catch all the above details and more in our latest podcast video.

  11. 04/17/2025

    Which Car Should I Buy? Episode 2 - Special Editions & Variants

    In the car world special editions have been the easiest way to push sales and are the marketing team’s most overused tactic. Over the years we have seen many interesting special editions, which actually meant something. For example the Fiat Palio S10, which was dedicated to the legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar or the Maruti Suzuki Zen Carbon & Steel Editions, which were 3-door hot hatches. But then manufacturers lost their way and started randomly creating special editions in a hope of clearing inventory and not actually creating something special. However, there are some manufacturers which have hit gold with special editions and right at the top is Tata Motors, which has a plethora of special/limited edition models across its portfolio. In this podcast video, Siddharth Vinayak Patankar talks about why the limited editions are created, the reasoning behind them and some of the hilarious special editions to hit the Indian roads, and more importantly do they make sense?

  12. 04/03/2025

    Do You Know Your SUVs?

    SUVs are some of the best sellers in the Indian automotive market, accounting for more than 50 percent of total sales. But there is a lot of confusion about which one to buy, with consumers wondering what suits their needs. It's a confusing market segment, but Siddharth Vinayak Patankar breaks down all the options for you. What are the types of SUVs? How much should you be paying? All these answers, plus of course some trivia for you too! So buckle up, as he gives you a quick course to help you start deciding – Which Car Should I Buy!

  • 12 Episodes

About

Acko Drive editor-in-chief Siddharth Vinayak Patankar has spent the last 20 years helping people make the best decision when it comes to buying cars and bikes. He'll help you understand exactly what you can get for your money, and how to choose the right model and variant. Plus, all the insider tips about what's launching soon and what to avoid! Siddharth Vinayak Patankar, one of the best-known faces of Indian automotive journalism, has set up a new media entity with Acko Drive as its first platform. It focuses on bringing consumers relevant content from the automobile industry.

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