Hi Autocar Team, I am looking for a powerful sedan for a daily commute of around 80 km, with most of the driving on highways, along with a 600 km long drive on most weekends. I am looking for a car with solid build quality, no sunroof, and one that feels planted at high speeds. It should also offer strong safety, including ADAS features. Additionally, I would prefer a sedan with good steering feel and engaging driving dynamics.

Autocar India

•17m

With 80 km a day, mostly on highways and a 600 km run most months, you need a safe, steady sedan that feels good at speed and does not force a sunroof. In that brief, the Honda City V CVT with Honda Sensing fits best because it gives you ADAS without a sunroof and stays calm and secure on fast roads.

The City’s steering is light in town but feels natural and sure as speed builds, and the car remains composed over rough patches. The cabin is well-made, and you get core safety features like six airbags and stability control.

Do note: the City is not the most powerful in this price band, so if you want very quick bursts for overtakes, you will need to press the engine harder, and the CVT can sound loud when you do.

If you want stronger power and a more connected feel and can give up ADAS or the no-sunroof requirement, look at the Volkswagen Virtus 1.5 TSI DSG or Skoda Slavia 1.5 TSI DSG. They feel very strong on the highway, and their steering has more weight, but they miss ADAS, and top versions will add a sunroof. Overall, for your highway-heavy use, ADAS and no-sunroof requirement, the City V CVT lines up best.

Explore cars mentioned

Honda

City

from ₹14.28 Lakh

Volkswagen

Virtus

from ₹12.44 Lakh

Skoda

Slavia

from ₹11.70 Lakh

More questions on similar cars

Aniket

•2d

Hi, I am planning to buy my first car with a budget of around 15-16 lakh (on-road). I need an automatic transmission, with 70% city use (Bangalore). My average monthly running would be around 500 km. I am a new driver and have shortlisted the Skoda Kylaq Prestige variant. My priorities are safety, comfort, decent power and a simple, not overly fancy feature list. Is this the right choice for my use?

Autocar India

•1h

For mostly city use in Bangalore, 500 km a month, and as a new driver who wants safety, comfort and an easy automatic, the Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TSI automatic in the Prestige trim is a good fit. It scores a 5-star safety rating, the body feels solid, and it comes with multiple safety aids, which give peace of mind. The 1.0 turbo-petrol with the 6-speed automatic is smooth at low speeds and takes the stress out of stop-and-go driving. Ride comfort is good for our roads, and the driving position is upright with good visibility, which helps when you are still building confidence.A couple of things to note for your use. The rear seat is fine for two adults, but three across will feel tight, and the boot is okay, not the biggest. Overall, yes, for your priorities, the Kylaq 1.0 automatic suits the brief well.

Skoda Kylaq

Amarinder Singh

•2d

I am planning to buy a new car. Currently, I have a Nissan Micra diesel 2012 model. I want a car that offers good mileage, strong build quality, and value for money. I am considering the Tata Nexon Diesel Pure Plus model. My budget is between ₹10-11 lakh. Kindly guide me.

Autocar India

•2h

If you want to move up from 2012 Micra diesel and want good mileage, strong build and value, the Tata Nexon diesel Pure+ fits your brief well.Why it suits you: coming from a diesel Micra, you will like the easy pull at low speeds. The Nexon diesel feels relaxed in city traffic and on hills, so you change gears less and it never feels strained with family on board. It also feels solid on rough roads and at speed. Also, it has a 5-star safety rating.Two things to keep in mind. The Pure+ diesel will likely cross ₹11 lakh on-road, so if 10-11 lakh is a strict on-road cap, look at the Nexon Diesel Smart+ instead.If you can stretch your budget a little, go for the Nexon Diesel Pure Plus. If not, the Diesel Pure keeps the core strengths you want and stays closer to your number. Overall, for your needs, the Nexon diesel is the right fit.

Tata Nexon

Huzaifa mulla

•2d

Hi Team Autocar, currently I am driving a Volkswagen Vento diesel 2014 model and have driven 2.2 lakh km. I am now planning to buy a 7-seater because we are a family of six (3 adults and 3 children, all under 8 years). My driving is 50% city and 50% highway, as I live in a rural area. I am considering the XUV 7XO diesel automatic AX7L. Please let me know if I should go for it or consider any other big-size, proper SUV. My budget is ₹30 lakh but I can stretch it slightly beyond this if needed.

Autocar India

•4h

With a family of six, a 50:50 mix of city and highway use, and some rural roads in the mix, the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic is a good choice. It rides well on rough roads, has good cabin space, and fits your budget well.The diesel has strong pull at low speeds, so it moves easily with a full load and makes safe passes on two-lane highways. The layout works for your family since the second row is roomy, and the third row is fine for your young kids.There are trade-offs as well. With all three rows up, the boot is small, so you will need to plan luggage. The third row is also more cramped than the Tata Safari, which is worth considering if you plan to seat adults there.If you regularly deal with very rough rural roads, then the ladder-frame Scorpio N is an alternative, but you will be compromising on-road dynamics, interior space, and features. Overall, for your use, the Mahindra car is a great choice.

Tata Safari

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Mahindra Scorpio N

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