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Sidhant Singh Chandel

4d

I am currently driving a Maruti Suzuki WagonR (2017), and I now feel the need to upgrade as my monthly running is around 1,500-2,000 km. What car should I buy within a budget of ₹14 lakh?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
4d

Since your monthly running is on the higher side, a diesel SUV would make sense. The newly updated Hyundai Venue in HX 5 trim would fit in your budget and is a big upgrade from the WagonR. The engine is refined, frugal and tried and tested, and should you get the manual gearbox, it has a light clutch that makes it easy in traffic. 

The HX 5 also gets a good level of kit, like a sunroof, cruise control, touchscreen, reversing sensors, TPMS, etc. The ride quality is good too, and it has a decent-sized boot for outstation trips. 
Hyundai's after-sales network is also one of the best, and it would be a hassle-free ownership experience. 

Hyundai Venue

Hyundai Venue

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Vaibhav

6d

I currently own a 2012 Hyundai i10 Era and am planning to upgrade to an SUV. My budget is ₹15-17 lakh (on-road). My annual driving is around 3,000 km, mostly in the city with occasional long drives. My priorities are low maintenance, good mileage, and better rear seat and boot space. I am more inclined towards an automatic transmission and would also prefer ADAS Level 2 features. At the moment, I am considering the Hyundai Venue HX10 and the Honda Elevate ZX. I am not considering Tata or Mahindra models. Could you share your opinion on choosing automatic versus manual transmission for city driving in a place like Ahmedabad? Also, how useful are ADAS features in city traffic? Please suggest any alternative models based on your experience.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
21h

Since most of your driving is in the city, an automatic gearbox makes the most sense. Compared to a manual, it brings a lot more convenience and generally makes driving less stressful. ADAS is good to have, but it should be treated as an added safety net rather than something you depend on completely.Between your two choices, the Hyundai Venue is a compact SUV, and the Honda Elevate is a midsize SUV. Naturally, the Elevate is the larger of the two, but if you want ADAS, you will need to opt for the top ZX trim, which costs around Rs 19.5 lakh on-road, putting it out of your price range. The new Venue HX10 with the turbo-petrol DCT combination is a good fit for your budget and even has more ADAS features than the Elevate. However, it cannot match the larger Elevate in terms of interior space, which is why we also suggest you take a look at the Kia Syros.In the compact SUV segment, it is the most spacious vehicle. It uses the same powertrain and has most of the same ADAS features as the Venue. It is more expensive than the Venue, but it also gets features like a panoramic sunroof and ventilated rear seats.

VehicleHyundai Venue
VehicleHonda Elevate
DS

Daniel Steve

4w

Hi Autocar, I currently own a Tata Indica V2, which is now 19 years old, and I am planning to upgrade. I am looking for an SUV with an automatic gearbox within a budget of ₹17 lakh. My mother and I like the Mahindra XUV 3XO for its performance, safety, and features, while my father prefers the Toyota Taisor for its mileage. Could you suggest the best car for our needs within this budget? Also, as a family, we really like the Renault Duster. Considering that the new Duster has just been launched, would it be a better idea to wait for it instead of buying a car right now?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
5m

While the other cars you have listed are indeed capable for the reasons you have listed, if you all agree on the new Renault Duster, then you should go for it. The SUV has just been launched for Rs 10.49 lakh to Rs 18.49 lakh (ex-showroom), though the petrol automatic option you are interested in starts at Rs 14.49 lakh. In your budget, you should be able to get the upper-mid Techno+ variant with the 1.3 turbo-DCT powertrain. While we haven't driven the new Duster yet, signs point to it being a good middle ground between performance and mileage, and it's expected to, as before, have excellent ride comfort. It's also got that boxy shape that made the original so popular, and it's quite well equipped too, although the rear seat isn't as spacious as we had hoped. Bookings are open for the new Duster, with deliveries starting in April. But if you really don't mind waiting, the strong hybrid version is expected by Diwali, which should easily surpass the Toyota Taisor on mileage.

VehicleToyota Urban Cruiser Taisor
VehicleRenault Duster

Posted on: 13 Mar 2026