Hi Autocar team, I am going to purchase my first new car. My daily driving is around 160 to 170km, mainly in the city. I need comfortable seating for my family of four, including one 5-year-old child. I am also looking for a highly safe car that can comfortably handle bad roads and is suitable for the rainy season. Which car should I consider? Please recommend 4 to 5 cars and the best among them. I am not looking for an electric car due to the unavailability of charging space in my society.

Autocar India

•1d

Without knowing your budget or exact requirements, it will be hard to suggest the ideal car for you. If you're looking at an SUV to replace your Hyundai Creta, go for the Maruti Victoris ZXI+ (O) strong hybrid, which comes paired with an eCVT automatic gearbox. The Victoris' strong hybrid powertrain has an excellent claimed efficiency of 28.65kpl, and the top-spec ZXI+ (O) is packed with features like a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, 360-degree camera and much more. Furthermore, the SUV has also received a full, 5-star crash safety rating from Bharat NCAP and being a Maruti, it will be easy and stress-free to maintain too. You can even opt for the Maruti Grand Vitara or Toyota Hyryder strong hybrids as they are mechanically identical, but miss a few features.

Hyundai Creta

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Autocar India

•5h

The Honda Elevate V MT that you've shortlisted is priced at Rs 12.14 lakh (ex-showroom), which means that by the time the vehicle is registered and insured, prices will go over Rs 14 lakh (on-road), that's before discounts.Similarly, the base Maruti Grand Vitara and Toyota Hyryder are priced just below Rs 11 lakh (ex-showroom, so on-road these should be priced at around Rs 13 lakhs.That said, between the three, the Honda Elevate's seats are comfier, its ride-handling balance is better, and its performance is stronger too. Overall, the Elevate will feel more satisfying to drive, which is why you should pick the Honda.

Honda Elevate

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Autocar India

•1d

If you're looking to replace the Honda Elevate CVT with a Renault Duster, make sure you opt for the hybrid version. The Duster's 1.3-litre turbo-petrol-DCT combination isn't likely to deliver respectable fuel efficiency, especially in bumper-to-bumper traffic; hence, your fuel stops are likely to be as frequent, if not more so. A hybrid, on the other hand, will remain in EV mode while idling or at low speeds, which will significantly reduce fuel consumption. While Renault provides a puncture repair kit, a spare tyre will certainly come in hand in the event of a sidewall cut, which is a possibility on long drives and unfamiliar roads. Hence, you could purchase an extra tyre and place it in the boot, however that is likely to compromise luggage space.Alternatively, you could consider retaining your Honda Elevate. It is a very sensible, no-nonsense car. Also, keep in mind that because it isn't a popular model, resale value is likely to be on the lower side, hence you will have to add a fair bit from your pocket, to make the new purchase.

Renault Duster

Honda Elevate

Autocar India

•4d

You want a car that is comfortable in the city, easy to drive and capable of doing long trips for the next 10 years. The Toyota Innova Hycross fits this very well. The hybrid system makes it very smooth and quiet in city driving, and the automatic gearbox is effortless, which becomes more important with age. On highways, it is stable, comfortable and built for long-distance travel, which is what the Innova name has always stood for.What really works in your favour is long-term ownership. Toyota’s reliability, strong service network and resale value make it one of the safest bets if you plan to keep the car for many years. The Hycross also offers excellent space, easy ingress and egress and a comfortable ride, which are important for everyday use and for passengers as you grow older.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Autocar India

•6d

With a 70 km daily mix of traffic and highway use, we would lean towards the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder strong-hybrid. Your usage is high, and the hybrid will use far less fuel in city traffic while staying calm and smooth. It pulls away on electric power at low speeds, so stop-go driving feels quiet and easy.You like the Seltos for its cabin and stronger shove, and that is fair. The Seltos diesel feels stronger when you press the throttle for quick passes, and its cabin does look and feel richer. If most of your 70 km is open highway and you really value that strong pull and the Kia car interior, the Seltos diesel automatic is still a solid pick.On a Kia Seltos hybrid: Kia does intend to introduce a hybrid, but timing is not yet decided as they are trying to localise components. We estimate it could arrive in 2027, but that could change. For your mix of city and highway, the Hyryder strong-hybrid lines up best with what you need right now.

Kia Seltos

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Autocar India

•4d

For your usage, a naturally aspirated petrol with a CVT or IVT is the best fit. These setups are smoother, easier to drive in traffic and more predictable, which matters far more in city conditions than outright performance. So yes, in your case, NA engines are better suited than turbo petrol.The Hyundai Verna IVT stands out as the most well-rounded option for city driving. The engine is smooth, the IVT gearbox is very intuitive in stop-and-go traffic, and the overall driving experience is effortless. It feels refined and easy to live with daily.The Honda City Hybrid is worth considering if your running is high. It offers excellent fuel efficiency, strong performance and is very easy to drive in the city thanks to its hybrid system. However, it comes with a higher upfront cost, and the battery placement results in a higher boot floor, which slightly affects practicality.Compared to the Verna, the standard Honda City CVT is also an option, but the engine feels a bit noisier, and the gearbox is not as intuitive as the Verna’s IVT in everyday use.

Hyundai Verna

Honda City