Autocar India
•16w

I am looking for a mid-size SUV and am confused between the Duster and the Elevate. Most of my usage will be for long trips, with very little city driving. My mind says Elevate CVT, as it is a no-nonsense car with strong reliability. My heart says Duster DCT, but worried as it is a freshly baked product. I'm worried about the brand’s poor service and the reliability of a DCT, etc. Please guide me.

Verified
•16w
If dependability and fuss-free ownership are your top priorities, the Honda Elevate CVT remains the safer choice, backed by Honda’s strong reputation for reliability and longevity. It’s a simple, well-sorted SUV that’s easy to live with, especially for largely urban usage.
That said, given your focus on long highway trips, the Renault Duster might actually serve you better on the open road. Its 1.3‑litre turbo‑petrol engine is punchy and well‑suited to highway cruising, and the ride quality is distinctly more mature and composed at higher speeds. Compared to the Elevate, the Duster feels more planted, and cabin insulation is noticeably better, while the Elevate’s CVT can get noisy when driven hard.
Currently, the Duster is offered with two turbo-petrol engines: a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder unit from the Kiger and a 1.3-litre 4-cylinder direct-injection turbo-petrol engine. The Renault Duster mileage ranges from 17.75kpl to 19.41kpl. The 1.0-litre turbo-petrol manual returns 19.41kpl, while the 1.3-litre turbo-petrol delivers 17.75kpl to 18.45kpl, depending on the transmission.
Your concerns about Renault’s patchy service network and the long‑term reliability of its DCT are valid, but they may not be deal‑breakers if the new Duster delivers on its promise. If Renault manages to reinvigorate its dealer ecosystem, the ownership experience could see a marked improvement.
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•16w

What features exactly are the new Honda Elevate VX CVT expected to get as a facelift is expected mid 2026?

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More questions on similar cars

•2d

Hi Autocar, I own a Nissan Magnite CVT and am very happy with it, as it perfectly suits my usage of 20 km daily in Bengaluru's bumper-to-bumper traffic and 500 km of highway driving per month for weekend trips. I am now planning to upgrade to a larger car with a spacious rear seat that can comfortably accommodate three passengers. I recently test-drove the Nissan Tekton, but I found the DCT unsuitable for my daily city driving. It also doesn't offer the CVT that I have grown to like in the Magnite, although the dealer mentioned that a CVT variant may be launched soon. Would it be worth waiting for the Tekton CVT? I am not in a hurry and can wait for around six months. Or should I consider alternatives like the Hyundai Creta CVT or the Honda Elevate CVT? Are there any other automatic SUVs that would suit my requirements for daily city commuting while also being comfortable for regular weekend highway trips?

Verified
•1d

Given your usage pattern of heavy Bangalore traffic and monthly highway trips, the priority should be a smooth, reliable automatic gearbox and a spacious rear seat for three.The Hyundai Creta IVT (CVT) would be the most sensible upgrade for you. The IVT gearbox is smooth and well-suited to stop-start traffic, and the Creta offers a genuinely roomy rear seat that can comfortably accommodate three adults. This Hyundai car is also a proven, reliable package with good highway manners for your weekend trips.The Honda Elevate CVT is also worth considering. The CVT is equally smooth in traffic, and Honda’s long-term reliability is a strong point. However, the rear seat is not as wide as the Creta’s, so it is not as comfortable for three adults on longer journeys.Overall, the Creta IVT is the most balanced upgrade from your Magnite CVT, offering the right combination of gearbox smoothness, rear seat space and long-term ownership confidence.

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•2d

Hi, I currently drive a 2014 Maruti Suzuki Dzire Petrol and am planning to upgrade to a new SUV. My shortlisted options are the Kia Seltos HTX(A) DCT and the Mahindra XUV 7XO Petrol Automatic. My biggest concern with the XUV 7XO is its low fuel efficiency. My monthly running is less than 1,000 km, as I work from home, with a 60:40 city-to-highway split in the NCR. I also plan to use the new car for trips to the mountains, so it should offer strong performance, sufficient torque, and confident handling. I also test-drove the new Renault Duster and loved the driving experience, but I wasn't impressed by Renault's showroom and after-sales experience. Which of these would you recommend for my requirements?

Verified
•1d

Given your usage of less than 1,000km a month with a 60:40 city-highway mix in NCR, the Kia Seltos HTX(A) DCT is the better fit. The Seltos turbo petrol DCT is a strong performer with good mid-range torque, making it well-suited for mountain drives and highway overtakes. It also offers a more polished ownership experience with Kia’s wider service network and better dealership consistency, which is important for long-term peace of mind.The Mahindra XUV 7XO petrol automatic is a more powerful and larger SUV, but it is also heavier and less efficient, which is a concern given your low running. The Seltos strikes a better balance between performance, efficiency and ease of ownership. The new Duster is a genuinely enjoyable driver’s car, but as a package does not score well against the Seltos in terms of equipment and space.The Seltos HTX(A) DCT is the most sensible choice here.

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•5d

Brezza ZXI+ Petrol AT vs XUV 3XO AX5 Petrol AT. I’m super confused. I loved the peppy TCMPFI engine of the 3XO, but being in the Maruti family has made me used to reliability and smooth after-sales service. However, the higher taxes on the Brezza and the strong value-for-money proposition of the 3XO have left me stuck. Will the 3XO be as reliable as the Brezza for 8-10 years? I’m ignoring mileage for now, as the 3XO is already around Rs 2 lakh cheaper. My brain says Brezza, but my heart says 3XO.

Verified
•39m

Go with the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 Petrol AT. The Brezza ZXI+ Petrol AT is a very sensible choice, but the 3XO is simply the better value proposition here. The 1.2 turbo petrol engine is genuinely peppy, the torque converter automatic is smooth, and the car feels more premium and better equipped for the money. The Brezza’s new Boosterjet engine brings down the price and offers the turbo punch you want, but it isn't available with an automatic. As such, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza 1.5 NA AT doesn't offer the same value for money as the 3XO.On reliability, the XUV 3XO is a proven product and Mahindra’s service network is strong. It may not have Maruti’s legendary reputation, but it is not a car you should be worried about owning for 8-10 years. The Brezza is the safer, more predictable choice, but the 3XO is the smarter buy here.

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•1w

I’m planning to buy an EV with a budget of Rs. 19 - 20 lakh. My heart says the Tata Sierra EV Pure 63, but my mind says the Kia Syros top variant because of features like ventilated seats. Kindly suggest which one would be the better choice.

Verified
•6d

The choice really comes down to your usage and what you value in the car. If you need more space for both passengers and luggage and have a few long drives that you would undertake, then opt for the Tata Sierra. This Tata car is much larger and has a very spacious interior. The ride quality is also very good over both bad city roads as well as high highway speeds. If, however, your usage is mainly going to be within the city, then the Kia Syros is the better buy. Its compact footprint will be much easier to manage while driving congested streets, and finding parking would be easier. You would also enjoy the top variant of the Kia car and its features.

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•3d

I am confused between Taigun 1.5 Sport and Seltos Diesel X-Line top model. I have owned the Polo AT and Vento AT in the past, so my love for Volkswagen is making this decision difficult.

Verified
•3d

Go for the Volkswagen Taigun 1.5 TSI Sport. Coming from a Polo and Vento automatic, you already appreciate Volkswagen’s driving DNA, and the Taigun 1.5 TSI is a natural progression. The engine is punchy, the DSG gearbox is quick and engaging, and the overall driving experience is far more involving than the Seltos. The Taigun also feels more compact and agile in the city, while still being comfortable on the highway. The Volkswagen Taigun mileage is 19.54 kpl for the 1.0 TSI AT, 19.98 kpl for the 1.0 TSI MT, and 18.85 kpl for the 1.5 TSI DCT.The Kia Seltos diesel X-Line is a strong all-rounder with better space, a more premium cabin and a more relaxed long-distance character, but it does not offer the same level of driver engagement. The diesel engine is efficient and torquey, but it lacks the excitement of the 1.5 TSI. Given your history with Volkswagen cars, the Taigun will simply feel more familiar and more enjoyable to drive every day. The Taigun price starts at Rs 11.00 lakh (ex-showroom).

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•6d

I want to buy a seven-seater car for my family. It will be used by my uncle and me, and my budget is Rs. 25 lakh. I am looking for an automatic transmission, a panoramic sunroof, and good fuel efficiency.

Verified
•6d

Go for the Kia Carens Clavis diesel automatic. It is the most sensible and well-rounded choice for your requirements. The Carens is a genuinely spacious seven-seater with a comfortable third row, which is important when the car will be shared between families. The diesel automatic is the right powertrain for strong fuel efficiency and effortless performance, especially on highways and with a full load. The Carens also comes well equipped with features like a panoramic sunroof, and Kia’s service network and ownership experience are among the best in the segment. The only real drawback is that the Carens does not have the same SUV-like road presence as some rivals, but as a practical family car it is hard to fault. If you want something with a more rugged SUV feel, the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic is worth considering, but mileage would be lower. The Carens is the better all-round family car.

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Posted on: 13 Apr 2026