Autocar India
AJ

Amrit Jami

16w

I have been using a Honda City for the last 13 years and am now looking to buy a new sedan. Honda has discontinued the Civic, and Skoda has discontinued the Octavia. What would be a good replacement if I do not want to move to BMW or Audi and prefer a car that is comfortable and suited for city driving?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
15w
Yes, the sedan market is unfortunately hanging on by a thread, especially at the mass market end of the spectrum. As such, there's not much available between midsize sedans like the Honda City and Volkswagen Virtus, and luxury offerings from BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi. However, depending on your budget, there are two routes you could go down.
First, the Toyota Camry, which, despite costing close to ₹50 lakh, offers excellent value when you look at the overall package. The other is the BYD Seal, which also offers strong value at a similar price point, along with impressive electric performance.
Of the two, the Camry might be better suited to your needs as it's more comfortable and relaxed for city driving, though the Seal is more engaging from behind the wheel.
BYD Seal

BYD Seal

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AR

AKSHAY RAUT

16h

Hi, currently, I am using a Tata Altroz petrol manual XZ (2020). Now, I want to upgrade to a mid-size SUV. My driving is 50% in the city and 50% on highways. My budget is ₹15 lakh. My priorities are safety, space, comfort, mileage as well as a smooth and powerful engine. I prefer a manual car. Kindly suggest.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
9h

Given your requirements, you could shortlist Skoda Kushaq Classic+, Citroen Aircross X Max and Honda Elevate V MT. All of these are excellent options with powerful engines and manual transmission. The Kushaq has been updated recently, and its entry-level Classic+ variant covers the basics well, and is the most affordable of the bunch. The Citroen car that we have mentioned has an excellent turbo-petrol engine, and the nicest ride quality. It is also gives you the option of seven seats at this price. The Elevate is a no-nonsense SUV with a strong, high-revving naturally aspirated petrol engine and an excellent ride-handling balance. We'd recommend you drive all three and pick the one that meets all your requirements.

VehicleCitroen Aircross
VehicleHonda Elevate
VehicleSkoda Kushaq
MM

Marivel Murugan

1d

I currently drive a 2014 Honda City diesel and am planning an upgrade. I am 60, so ease of driving and parking is important. We are considering the Grand Vitara / e-Vitara and the new Seltos, but I am concerned that the Seltos may feel too large for city use (wider body and larger ORVMs). Would it be difficult to manoeuvre and park? Alternatively, would you suggest waiting for the Sierra EV or BYD Atto 2, or are they also likely to be similarly large? I find the Creta and Hyryder well balanced for narrow roads and easy driving (due to their relatively smaller ORVMs). I would appreciate your recommendation.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
1d

Given your mostly city use and the need for easy driving and parking, the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara or Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder Strong Hybrid fits you best from your list. They offer a slightly higher seating position than your 2014 City, so getting in and out is easier, and in traffic the hybrid often moves on electric power first, which makes it very smooth and calm to drive. The size feels friendly in narrow lanes, the mirrors are not bulky, and the steering is light, so slotting into tight spots is simple. If you pick a trim with a 360-degree camera and front sensors, it takes the stress out of parking.On your Seltos worry: in real life it is not meaningfully wider than Creta or Hyryder, and its steering is easy too. The mirrors do look larger, but once you set them and use auto-fold, they don’t get in the way. That said, since you already find the Hyryder comfortable on narrow roads, it (or the Grand Vitara) will feel more comfortable, as it is a bit smaller.Two things to note about these SUVs: the boot is smaller than the petrol-only versions, and when you press hard the engine gets a bit loud and quick highway passes need some planning. As for the Sierra EV, it is larger than all these, while the launch timeline of the BYD Atto 2 is still uncertain.

VehicleToyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder
VehicleKia Seltos
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Grand Vitara
VehicleHyundai Creta
DE

Deepanshu

1w

Hi, I am planning to buy a car for my elderly parents. My father has been driving a Grand i10 since 2017 and is comfortable with its low ride height and compact size, which makes it easy to drive in a congested city like Delhi where they live. Now, they are looking to upgrade to a hybrid, automatic petrol car within a budget of ₹15 lakh, with very occasional highway trips. Apart from ride height comfort, their priorities are safety features and fuel economy. As of now, I feel the Grand Vitara and Brezza fit my budget. Please advise.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
1d

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Brezza VXi AT mild-hybrid for your parents, it fits the budget, is easy to handle in Delhi traffic, and offers the best balance of smooth driving, safety features and low running costs. Coming from a Grand i10, the Brezza will still feel easy to manoeuvre in tight lanes because it is compact, has light steering and it is a smooth automatic car. The mild-hybrid system helps in stop-and-go traffic by cutting the engine at signals and adding a little electric assist when moving off, so fuel consumption is low without any effort. The seat is a bit higher than their i10, which many older drivers find easier on the knees, and Maruti’s extensive service network in Delhi is a big plus. One thing to keep in mind is that the Brezza is a taller car, so it will feel different from the i10's low seating position. Also, the automatic with the best safety and comfort features may sit near the top of your 15 lakh cap.If fuel efficiency is the top goal and you can stretch the budget, the Grand Vitara strong-hybrid e-CVT is far more efficient in the city, but its price usually sits above your limit, and it is larger to park and manoeuvre.

VehicleMaruti Suzuki Brezza
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

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Krishna Yadav

6d

I am planning to sell my Mahindra XUV700 and switch to the Renault Duster. I would like your expert opinion on whether this would be a good decision.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
5d

On paper and in real-world ownership, these are very different cars, and the Mahindra XUV 7XO sits in a clear segment above. The XUV 700 is a bigger, more complete SUV. It offers more space, better road presence, stronger performance and a far richer overall experience, including the option of a third row and a more premium cabin. It is designed as a proper family SUV and feels more capable on highways and long drives.The Renault Duster, even in its new form, is a simpler, more driver-focused and lighter SUV. It will likely be easier to drive in the city and feel more rugged and straightforward, but it is still a step down in terms of overall size, features and cabin experience.So the decision really comes down to intent. If you are moving because you want something more compact, easier to use daily and less feature-heavy, then the Duster can make sense. But if you are expecting it to feel like an upgrade or even equal to the XUV700 in terms of space, comfort and overall experience, it will not.

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Rohin

1w

I am confused about buying the AMT version of the Skoda Kylaq, Tata Nexon, or Maruti Fronx. My budget is between 11 and 13 lakh. My usage is mostly city driving of about 1,000 km per month, with occasional long highway drives.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
4d

Between the three, the Skoda Kylaq is the best automatic for the money. It doesn’t use an AMT but a proper 6‑speed torque-converter with the 1.0 TSI, which is smooth, robust and easily the nicest for your occasional highway runs.The Maruti Suzuki Fronx 1.0 turbo also gets the same 6‑speed torque-converter auto, and while it is refined and efficient, it doesn’t have the same solid, European feel or driving dynamics as the Kylaq. However, from an overall cost-of-ownership point of view - price, fuel efficiency and service, the Fronx is likely to work out cheaper.The Tata Nexon in your budget doesn’t get a torque-converter. You mainly have a 6‑speed AMT, which is convenient but nowhere near as smooth or quick as a proper automatic. There is also a 7‑speed DCA dual‑clutch option, which is noticeably better than the AMT, but still not as seamless as the autos in the Kylaq and Fronx, and it can push the price higher.For 11-13 lakh, 1,000km a month in the city and the odd long drive, we would pick the Kylaq auto. If budget discipline and running costs are top priority, go for the Fronx 1.0 turbo automatic.

VehicleSkoda Kylaq
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Fronx
VehicleTata Nexon
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Devakumar

6d

I have booked the Tata Sierra Adventure Plus petrol manual, but I am now confused between the petrol and diesel manual variants, particularly in terms of mileage and performance. I am not interested in an automatic transmission. My annual running is less than 6,000 km. Could you please advise which engine option would be more suitable for my usage? Additionally, I would appreciate any alternative suggestions for a spacious car with good mileage that fits my needs.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
5d

The Tata Sierra is a big, heavy car, and the petrol engine, being a naturally aspirated unit, feels just about adequate, especially once you load it up or hit the highway. The diesel, on the other hand, suits the car far better with its stronger low-end pull, making overtakes easier and long-distance driving far more relaxed.That said, with your low annual running of under 6000 km, the petrol still makes sense if your usage is mostly in the city. It will feel smoother, easier to live with and perfectly adequate for everyday driving, even if it lacks that effortless punch on highways.If you are open to alternatives for a better petrol manual experience, the Renault Duster with its turbo petrol engine is a strong option. It feels far more effortless to drive, while naturally aspirated options like the Kia Seltos or Hyundai Creta offer a more refined and effortless experience than the Sierra petrol.

VehicleTata Sierra
VehicleRenault Duster
VehicleKia Seltos
VehicleHyundai Creta

Posted on: 3 Jan 2026