Autocar India
7h

I currently own a 2016 Ciaz petrol MT and have got used to its smooth driving experience and spacious interior. I am looking for a replacement that offers similar comfort. My daily usage is around 60 km in the city, with occasional inter-city drives. My budget is around Rs. 20 lakh, but I can stretch it to Rs. 25 lakh. I am a big fan of Maruti for its service network and reasonably priced spare parts. I prefer a sedan, but I am also open to an SUV. Space and fuel efficiency are very important to me. Please suggest some suitable options.

Verified
7m

Given your daily 60km city commute, occasional inter-city drives and a strong preference for Maruti’s service network and reasonable spares, the Maruti Suzuki Victoris Hybrid is the most sensible upgrade. This Maruti Suzuki car delivers excellent fuel efficiency in city traffic, a smooth and refined driving experience and a fairly spacious cabin. The hybrid system is particularly well suited to your usage pattern, keeping running costs low while still offering enough performance for highway runs.

The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder Hybrid is also worth considering. It shares the same hybrid powertrain as the Victoris and is backed by Toyota’s network. However, the Victoris remains the better value proposition and aligns more closely with your Maruti ownership preference.

If you are still leaning towards a sedan, the Honda City Hybrid is the best alternative. It offers an exceptionally efficient hybrid system and a comfortable, spacious cabin. Sure, the hybrid SUVs listed are far better value for money, however if you prefer the sedan, the City Hybrid is certainly worth considering.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

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21h

Hello, I want to buy an SUV, and my first preference is the Honda Elevate top-end automatic variant, as I have been driving Honda City automatics for almost 16 years across two cars. Kindly let me know whether a new facelift is expected in the next one or two months. If so, what changes are expected? Also, what are the other options in this segment that would be better than the Honda Elevate, excluding Tata and Mahindra? Regards, Harikumar

Verified
37m

Wait for the Honda Elevate facelift if you are not in a hurry, as it is expected in the first week of October. The mechanical package is expected to remain unchanged - the proven 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine with a CVT automatic. The important additions are likely to be a 360-degree camera, ventilated front seats, a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen, revised styling and some ADAS updates.Given that you have owned Honda City automatics for 16 years, the Elevate is a natural choice. Its simple 1.5-litre petrol-CVT combination, comfortable ride, good visibility and proven mechanicals make it particularly well suited to long-term ownership.If you want to consider alternatives, the Toyota Hyryder/Maruti Victoris are worth looking at, particularly if fuel efficiency is important. The Kia Seltos is more spacious and feels more premium, while the Skoda Kushaq is the better choice if driving enjoyment matters.However, for your priorities and your long association with Honda, the Elevate remains one of the strongest choices.

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1d

I have a high daily usage of around 120 km and am looking for a car with good seating ergonomics, proper lumbar support, and good fuel efficiency. My budget is around Rs. 30 lakh, but I can stretch it to a maximum of Rs. 40 lakh. Please suggest some suitable options.

Verified
22h

With 120km a day, fuel efficiency and comfort become the top priorities. The Toyota Innova HyCross Hybrid is the best fit here. The hybrid system delivers excellent fuel efficiency, especially in city traffic, and the Innova is known for its comfortable seating and strong long-term reliability. The seats are well-cushioned, the driving position is upright and supportive, and the car is built for long-distance comfort. The hybrid system also keeps running costs in check, which is critical at your usage level.If you prefer a more SUV-like driving position, the Maruti Suzuki Victoris Hybrid is a strong alternative. It uses a similar hybrid system as the HyCross, offers good fuel efficiency and a comfortable ride, and the seats are supportive for long drives. The Victoris also feels more premium inside and offers a more SUV-like experience. However, while its seats are comfortable, it is nowhere near as spacious as the Hycross, which feels like a better bet at your budget.If you are open to diesel, the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel is worth considering. It offers strong performance, good fuel efficiency on the highway, and a comfortable, spacious cabin. The seats are supportive, and the car is well-suited to long-distance driving. However, with your high daily usage, the hybrid options are likely to deliver lower running costs over time.Overall, the Innova HyCross Hybrid is the most sensible choice. It combines comfort, efficiency and reliability in a way that few cars in this price range can match.

VehicleToyota Innova HyCross
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1d

We are planning to buy a petrol car but are unable to make a concrete decision due to the ongoing ethanol blending crisis. I belong to a middle class family and I wish to own the car for long term but there is an uncertaininty due to the government policies regarding Indian oil market in the near future. There is no in-built garage in our house and no CNG refilling pump is available in our locality at the moment. Therefore, petrol car is the only option left. What can be the fate of the E20 compliant petrol engines in a situation when fuels with more than 20% ethanol blending will be the norm. According to that, suggest me which car should I buy and when should I buy it?

Verified
1d

Do not let the ethanol blending policy delay your purchase. India is currently at E20, and there is no official roadmap or timeline for blends beyond that. Modern E20-compliant petrol engines are engineered with sufficient tolerance for E20, and the impact is largely limited to a small drop in fuel efficiency. There is no evidence to suggest that E20-compliant engines will suddenly become unreliable or unusable if the government were to increase the blend in the future.Your situation is clear: no home charging, no CNG pumps nearby, and a desire for long-term ownership. Petrol is the right choice. If you are concerned about running costs, consider a hybrid like the Maruti Suzuki Victoris Hybrid or Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder Hybrid. These cars deliver significantly better fuel efficiency in city driving and reduce your dependence on fuel price fluctuations.Buy the car that best suits your needs today. Do not wait for hypothetical policy changes. The current E20-compliant petrol cars are designed for long-term ownership, and there is no reason to believe they will become obsolete in the near future.

VehicleToyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder
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Popular discussions right now

4d

I am planning to buy a new car under 20-25 lakh for the next ten years. I have considered two cars Seltos DCT GTX(A) and Kushaq 1.5 Monte Carlo DSG but am afraid of the mileage and if I go with an EV, I am afraid that infrastructure will not be that good. I drive daily for 10-15 km and take 2-3 trips in a year on highway. Should I buy the car now or wait for Seltos Hybrid? Will it cost an additional 2-3 lakh or will it be value for money for my driving. Should I consider another car?

Verified
4d

With a daily running of just 10-15 km and only a few highway trips a year, fuel efficiency and long-term reliability should be your top priorities. The Seltos DCT GTX+ and Kushaq 1.5 DSG Monte Carlo are both excellent cars, but their turbo-petrol engines and dual-clutch gearboxes are not the most efficient or the most stress-free choices for predominantly short city runs. The DCT/DSG gearboxes are at their best on open roads, and in stop-start city traffic they can feel a bit jerky and are not as smooth or as durable as a torque converter automatic over the long term.The Seltos hybrid is worth waiting for if you are not in a hurry. It is expected to be priced roughly Rs. 2-3 lakh above the equivalent petrol variant, and for your usage pattern it will make more sense than the turbo-petrol DCT. Hybrids deliver their biggest efficiency gains in city driving, and over a 10-year ownership period the fuel savings and smoother driving experience will more than justify the premium.If you want to buy now, the Kia Seltos IVT (naturally aspirated petrol with CVT) is the better choice for your usage. It is smooth, reliable and well suited to city driving, and you will not be paying a premium for performance you will rarely use. The Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI with the torque converter automatic is another good option if you prefer a more engaging driving experience, but the Seltos IVT is the more refined and hassle-free choice.EVs are not the right fit for you at the moment given your concerns about charging infrastructure and your low daily running. The savings are not significant enough to justify the compromises.

VehicleKia Seltos
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5d

I’m planning to buy my first car and would appreciate some suggestions. My budget is around Rs. 13-15 lakh ex-showroom, and I’m planning to register the car under the BH series. Safety is my top priority, so I strongly prefer a car with a 5-star safety rating, preferably from Global NCAP. An automatic transmission is a must. The car will mainly be used for weekend family trips and highway drives rather than daily commuting. Since it will be a family car, I’d prefer something that looks classy and elegant while offering good comfort. A premium-looking interior would be a plus, and features such as leather/leatherette upholstery and ventilated seats would be nice to have, but they aren't deal-breakers. At the same time, I don’t want a car that is purely comfort-oriented. I enjoy driving, so I’d like something with a good engine, enjoyable handling, and a fun-to-drive character. Good rear-seat comfort and reasonable luggage space for family trips would also be appreciated.

Verified
3d

Based on your requirements, the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI automatic is the recommendation. It strikes the right balance between safety, driving enjoyment and family usability. The 1.0 TSI engine is strong, the handling is engaging, and the car feels solid and confidence-inspiring on the highway. The interior feels premium, and while it may not be the largest in its segment, overall comfort is quite good. If you prefer the look of the VW Taigun, it offers largely the same experience as the Kushaq. The Renault Duster 1.3 DCT is also a strong alternative, offering excellent driving dynamics and a larger cabin. Overall, though, the Kushaq 1.0 TSI automatic is the car that best aligns with your requirements.

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Posted on: 4 Sept 2026