If I have to choose between the Honda Elevate AT, Skoda Kushaq 1.5, and Kia Seltos IVT for a family of four, with most of the driving being within city limits (around 40 km daily), which one would be the best option in terms of long-term benefits and lower maintenance costs?

Autocar India

•9h

The Honda Elevate is a sensible, no-nonsense pick. The visibility is good due to its high seating, the seats are comfy, and the ride quality is impressive. Its petrol engine is strong and responsive, and drivability is very good too. Fuel efficiency, however, isn't its strength, with the manual and automatic (CVT) both averaging around 11kpl. If you are a new user, though, we'd recommend opting for the CVT, simply because it is smooth and makes the driving experience much more convenient.The Elevate is equipped with standard kit such as ESP, 6 airbags, etc., and most variants also get camera-based ADAS, which further adds a layer of safety.Alternatively, you could consider the new Kia Seltos, which is newer, better equipped and more spacious.

Honda Elevate

Autocar India

•1d

Since you are looking for a proven tension-free engine, pick the Honda Elevate, its 1.5‑litre naturally aspirated engine is a very reliable unit and coming from your Tata Altroz NA. You’ll appreciate the Elevate’s smooth, linear power delivery from a simple 4‑cylinder petrol, no turbo lag, fewer parts to worry about, and a decade of reliability in India. The steering is very light at low speeds, and this is also something you would like, given that you drive mostly in the city. What's nice, though, is that it weighs up nicely as speeds rise. The ride is a bit firm but not to the point of being uncomfortable. The 1.3 litre turbo direct injection engine on the Duster is also another good and reliable powerplant, and should you not like the Elevate, you could also look at this. You will have lower rear space, and the gearbox is a DSG unit, which in start-stop city traffic is not as smooth as the CVT on the Honda.

Honda Elevate

Tata Altroz

Autocar India

•1h

For your usage, which is largely highway driving with some hilly terrain, the Kia Seltos turbo automatic makes more sense as an overall package. The difference in torque figures between it and the Renault Duster is not something you will notice in isolation, as both offer strong mid-range performance. In real-world conditions, it is more about how the power is delivered than the number itself.Where the Seltos has an edge is in terms of overall ease of ownership. Kia’s wider service reach and more established support network make it a more predictable choice, especially if you are planning to keep the car long term and will be driving across varied terrain. The Duster, on the other hand, is an all-new product, so while it promises to be a tough, no-nonsense SUV, real-world long-term ownership experience is still an unknown at this stage.The missing spare wheel in the Duster is also something to consider seriously for your usage. In hilly areas, having a proper spare is important, as puncture kits may not be sufficient in case of a major tyre issue like a side wall cut.

Renault Duster