Autocar India
33w

We presently own a 2014 Honda City Diesel as our secondary car and an Innova Crysta Diesel as our primary vehicle. Our usage is approximately 60% city and 40% highway. We are considering purchasing a new secondary car; however, upgrade options for sedan enthusiasts are quite limited. Kindly suggest suitable new car options within a budget of ₹20 lakhs.

Verified
31w
You're right, the choice of sedans available in the market today has dwindled considerably in recent years, and the midsize sedan segment is being propped up by just four candidates. The good news is that all four of them are expected to be updated in 2026, which should breathe some life into them in the form of updated looks and more features, and whichever car you choose, we recommend waiting until the updated version is launched.
If you're a fan of the Honda City's no-nonsense approach, you'll like the new one, which will feel like a step up from your 2014 model, especially in terms of space and features. However, its single-engine option is limiting, and it is not as fun to drive as before.
The Hyundai Verna is far more versatile and gets an even longer list of features, but it too errs on the safe and unexciting side, even with its 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine. Your best bets are the Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Virtus, which, with the facelifts, will get a much-needed features upgrade.
They are excellent to drive, yet spacious and comfortable, and a particular highlight is their punchy TSI turbo petrol engines. Choosing between them is a matter of preference, as they are the same car underneath, but either of these is what you should choose.
Skoda Slavia

Skoda Slavia

More posts on similar cars

1d

How does the Hyundai Verna Turbo Manual HX8 compare with the Mahindra Thar Roxx MX5 2WD Petrol Manual? Both are similarly priced, so a comparison of their highway driving ability, performance on bad roads, ride and handling, features and overall usability would be useful. A comparison of their after-sales service and ownership experience would also help in deciding between the two.

Verified
1d

The Hyundai Verna Turbo Manual HX8 and the Mahindra Thar Roxx MX5 2WD Petrol Manual are fundamentally different cars aimed at very different buyers, even though they are similarly priced. The Verna Turbo is a sporty sedan with a strong turbo petrol engine, a slick manual gearbox and a well-sorted chassis. It is built for highway driving, offering strong acceleration, good high-speed stability and a comfortable ride on well-paved roads. It also comes with a richer feature set and Hyundai's strong after-sales network, which is a big plus for long-term ownership.The Thar Roxx MX5 2WD Petrol Manual, on the other hand, is an adventure lifestyle SUV. It is designed for bad roads, rough terrain and a more rugged driving experience. The 2WD petrol version is not a hardcore off-roader, but it still offers better ground clearance and durability on broken roads than the Verna. However, it is not as refined on the highway, and the ride can feel bouncy at higher speeds. Mahindra's after-sales network is also strong, but the ownership experience is more rugged and less polished than Hyundai's.If your priority is highway driving, ride comfort, features and a hassle-free ownership experience, the Verna Turbo HX8 is the better choice. If you regularly encounter bad roads and want a more rugged, adventure-oriented vehicle, the Thar Roxx MX5 2WD makes more sense. Ultimately, the decision comes down to whether you want a punchy sedan or a lifestyle SUV.

VehicleHyundai Verna
VehicleMahindra Thar Roxx

Popular discussions right now

3d

Help me choose the right car for my usage. Please be practical and challenge my assumptions. My situation: I am 31 and work as a software developer. I currently work from home in Balsane, Dhule, but I am moving to Mumbai around March. My wife and I are expecting a baby in February. My parents live in a village where local transport is poor. My Mumbai office is near Powai, but parking is difficult. I prefer a manual car. Usage: My current running is around 10,000 km per year, but it may increase. I travel between Mumbai and Balsane, which is around 400 km one way, around 5-7 times a year, along with Dhule/Sakri and local trips. I also drive around Mumbai on weekends. The AC is usually on, and on long trips, the car will have my wife, baby, and luggage. Budget: Rs. 6-9 lakh on-road. I am willing to spend more only if it is genuinely worth it. Shortlist: - Tiago XE Petrol - Punch Pure+/Smart Petrol - Punch Pure+/Smart CNG - Brezza LXi turbo-petrol Please tell me: 1. Which one should I buy and why? 2. Petrol vs CNG for my usage? The CNG premium is around Rs. 1 lakh, and the nearby village pump may open around Diwali, but this is not guaranteed. 3. What real-world mileage can I expect with the AC on? 4. Please consider loan interest, fuel costs, maintenance, depreciation, and resale value. 5. Is the Brezza worth the extra money? 6. Give me one final choice and tell me what I should avoid.

Verified
2d

The Brezza LXI Turbo is far superior to the Punch and Tiago as far as smoothness, performance, and cabin space are concerned. It is also backed by Maruti's widespread support network, and the ownership experience is likely to be fuss-free. The on-road cost of the Brezza LXI will fall within your Rs 9 lakh budget, and even though you might miss a few features, it still feels worth opting for. Alternatively, you could also consider the Maruti Dzire VXI MT for its large boot, comfy ride and strong fuel efficiency.

VehicleMaruti Suzuki Brezza
VehicleTata Punch
VehicleTata Tiago
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Dzire

Posted on: 13 Feb 2026