Hi, I want to upgrade to a mid-size SUV with a budget of around ₹20 lakh from my current small Renault Kwid. I drive mostly point-to-point in the city and very occasionally on highway trips. I don’t want fancy features but rather luxurious and comfortable interiors, and the car should be good to drive, automatic, and safe. Which one should I go for? I have certainly liked a few options like the new Kushaq, Victoris, and Elevate.

Autocar India

•2w

Of your shortlisted options, we would recommend the Honda Elevate, as it seems to meet your requirements best. It's not high on flash or features, but what it has are all the essentials, and a good set of fundamentals. It's spacious, comfortable, well-engineered, practical and quite a lot of fun to drive.

Moreover, it is reliable and light on maintenance, so you should have a relatively hassle-free ownership experience. While it hasn't been tested for a safety rating as yet, it has all the requisite safety features. Honda cars have performed well in the past; most recently, the smaller Honda Amaze received a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating.

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Honda

Elevate

from ₹13.49 Lakh

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Latest questions people are discussing

Abhay Pota

•2d

What would be the best automatic SUV under ₹20 lakh with good mileage, a 5-star safety rating and a comfortable rear seat for 3 people? 90% city driving with occasional highway drives.

Autocar India

•7h

Go for the Honda Elevate VX CVT. It combines a 5-star JNCAP safety rating, smooth city-friendly CVT, and a wide, flat rear bench that can seat three adults comfortably.With 90% city use, the Elevate’s CVT makes stop-and-go driving smooth and jerk-free, which reduces fatigue. Expect about 11-12 kpl in the city and 15-16 kpl on highways from the CVT, so your occasional trips won’t sting on fuel. The rear seat is broad with a near-flat floor and supportive cushioning, so three medium-built adults can sit side-by-side more comfortably than in many midsize SUVs. You can get the top variant within your budget, and there are currently good offers available on the Elevate as well.The one thing you give up is outright punch on fast highways, as overtakes have to be more planned than turbo petrol rivals.

Honda Elevate

Shivathmaja PS

•1d

I am looking to buy a car for my parents, who do not drive, so it will mostly be chauffeur-driven. My main priority is rear seat comfort. We are upgrading from a 2011 Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire. The car will mainly be used for highways and long trips, with minimal city usage. However, I would prefer an automatic transmission in case I need to use it occasionally in the city (Bengaluru). Before starting test drives, I wanted your suggestions on some suitable vehicles. Based on my initial research, I have shortlisted the following options: Honda City ZX CVT Kia Seltos HTX iVT Honda Elevate ZX CVT Škoda Slavia 1.5L Sportline DSG or 1.0 Monte Carlo AT Volkswagen Virtus Topline AT My budget is around ₹20–21 lakh. Which option would you recommend, especially considering rear seat comfort and highway usability?

Autocar India

•1d

Go for the Honda City ZX CVT. For chauffeur‑driven parents, it offers the comfiest rear bench, ample legroom, and a smooth CVT for Bengaluru traffic within your ₹20-21 lakh budget.Rear comfort is its strength: the 2,600 mm wheelbase helps knee-room, the rear seat is well-cushioned with good thigh support, and the ride is tuned soft for long trips. The 506‑litre boot easily swallows luggage for highway runs. ZX adds 6 airbags and ADAS with adaptive cruise control, useful on long highways. The CVT’s smooth creep and no shift‑shock make occasional city use easy. Versus your shortlist, Elevate’s rear bench feels upright, while Slavia/Virtus ride firmer and are more driver‑centric for back‑seat comfort.The one thing you give up is ground clearance in comparison to the Elevate. Also, if getting in and out is a concern, the Elevate's high-set seats would make it easier. A test drive should sort that out. For now, we recommend the City for its hassle-free ownership experience, reliability and most of all, a refined and comfortable cabin.

Saransh

I am planning to buy a new SUV at around ₹17 lakh on-road price and have shortlisted the Honda Elevate ZX, Kia Seltos HTK and new Kushaq Prestige. I primarily need a car for 80% driving in the city and around 1000-1200 km per month. Which is better in terms of engine and mileage? Is the Honda Elevate outdated compared to other cars in the segment?

Autocar India

•1d

The Honda Elevate is a good option for your needs. The 1.5-litre petrol engine is smooth and refined, and the CVT automatic gearbox is well-suited to city driving. The car is spacious and comfortable, and the ZX variant is well-equipped too. However, in comparison to the Seltos, it does not have the space or the modernity, and the cabin does not feel as plush.The Kia Seltos HTK with the CVT gearbox is the best option considering all your needs. It is a lot better-equipped than the Honda, has a better ride quality, and the engine has a lot more punch and strong performance while still being easy to drive in the city. The smoothness, refinement and ease of use are why the Seltos will be our recommendation.The Skoda Kushaq is a good option, too. The 1.0-litre TSI engine is quite efficient, but it is not as smooth as the 1.5-litre engines of the Honda and Kia. The facelift that was recently revealed will be launched in a few days, but it hasn't changed much in the rear seat space, where it is still not as spacious as the Seltos. So we would advise you to shortlist the Seltos.

Kia Seltos

Honda Elevate

Skoda Kushaq

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