Mumbai

•22h

I am planning to buy Honda City V CVT. Is it still worth buying the Honda City in 2026 from a long-term (7-10 years) ownership and reliability standpoint? Or should I consider other cars in the segment, such as the Virtus, Slavia, or Verna?

•8m

Yes, the Honda City V CVT is still worth buying in 2026 from a long-term ownership and reliability perspective. The City remains one of the most dependable and well-rounded sedans in the segment, with a proven naturally aspirated petrol engine, smooth CVT gearbox and Honda's strong reputation for reliability and low maintenance costs. It is also a very comfortable and spacious family car, with a well-sorted ride and a premium ownership experience.

The Volkswagen Virtus and Skoda Slavia are more driver-focused cars with stronger turbo petrol engines and a more engaging driving experience, but they do not have the same long-term reliability track record as the City. The Hyundai Verna is a strong all-rounder with a more feature-rich cabin and a more powerful turbo petrol option, but the City still feels more practical and better suited to long-term ownership.

If your priority is a car that you can keep for 7-10 years with minimal fuss, the City remains the safest and most sensible choice in the segment. The only reason to look at the Virtus, Slavia or Verna would be if you specifically want a more powerful turbo petrol engine and good driving dynamics Otherwise, the City V CVT is still the benchmark for long-term ownership.

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More questions on similar cars

•1d

I am planning to upgrade from my Maruti Suzuki Dzire and am looking for a car with excellent rear-seat comfort, good fuel efficiency, an enjoyable driving experience, and overall value for money. My budget is Rs. 15 - 21 lakh, and I am open to any body style. Which car would you recommend based on these requirements?

•1d

Since you're open to different body styles, you could consider the Kia Carens Clavis MPV. It is available in 6 or 7-seating configurations, and it is a good mix of comfort, performance, cabin experience and features. A Kia Seltos will also be a good option, given you're looking for a good driving experience. Kia's sales and service experience is likely to be quite fuss-free, but yes, it isn't as widespread as Maruti's. The Honda City is also a safe and sensible option, with excellent rear seat comfort. It is a car you just can't go wrong with.

Hi. I have shortlisted two cars for my purchase, Hyundai Verna HX6 IVT and Kia Seltos HTK IVT, both petrol. My running will be 80% in the city of Kolkata. I plan to keep the car for 8-10 years. This will be the only car in the family. General occupancy while running will be 2-3 people (people in their 30s and occasionally older people). What could be a better choice as a family car?

•10h

The Hyundai Verna HX6 IVT is better equipped, and it has a larger boot than the Seltos. If you do a lot of airport runs, this is the better option. And being a sedan, it will feel nicer to drive than the Kia car, and it is likely to be more efficient too.Pick the Kia Seltos HTK IVT for its elevated driving position, more modern interior, and high ground clearance. Also, the Seltos will be easier for the elderly to get in and out. Overall, it will feel a bit nicer and comfier; hence, it is the one we'd recommend.

Hyundai Verna

Kia Seltos

•20h

Hello Autocar, I am planning to buy the Volkswagen Virtus during this festival season or within the next month. Should I wait for the upcoming Virtus facelift? I am considering the Virtus 1.0 GT Line Manual variant. Should I buy the current model and take advantage of the dealership discounts, or would it be better to wait for the updated Virtus?

•3h

Go ahead and buy the Virtus 1.0 Manual GT Line now. The upcoming Virtus facelift is expected to be a mild update, with minor cosmetic changes and a few feature additions, rather than a major overhaul. This Volkswagen car will remain unchanged, with the core mechanical package, including the 1.0 TSI engine and manual gearbox. The current Virtus is already a well-sorted car with strong driving dynamics, a spacious cabin and a good feature set, and the GT Line variant is one of the most attractive trims in the range. Buying now also allows you to negotiate a better deal with dealerships, especially during the festive season. If you wait for the facelift, you will likely pay a premium for what is essentially a similar car with a few incremental updates. The only reason to wait would be if you are specifically interested in the latest cosmetic tweaks or a particular new feature. Otherwise, the current Virtus remains a strong buy, and you will not be missing out on anything significant by purchasing now.

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Popular discussions right now

•4d

I am confused between the Toyota Innova Crysta and the Mahindra XUV 7XO. I am looking for a comfortable 7-seater with good luggage space and a premium interior, including a high-quality music system. My usage will be mostly on highways, with occasional city driving. Which one would you recommend?

•3d

Go for the Toyota Innova Crysta. Your usage is highway-heavy with occasional city runs, and you want a proper 7-seater with good luggage space and a premium feel. The Crysta is still the benchmark for this kind of requirement. It is genuinely spacious in all three rows, has a large and usable boot even with all seats up, and is built for long-distance comfort and reliability. The diesel engine is strong, refined and well-suited to highway cruising, and Toyota’s ownership experience and long-term reliability are hard to beat. The Mahindra XUV 7XO is the more modern product with a more premium-looking interior and a better sound system, but it does not match the Crysta for outright space, practicality or long-term peace of mind. If your priority is a proper 7-seater that will serve you well for years, the Crysta is the safer and more sensible choice. If you want a more premium cabin and a richer feature set, the XUV 7XO is the alternative, but it is not as practical as the Crysta.

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•1w

I'm happy to choose either the Kia Seltos diesel or the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel, as you suggested. However, I'm concerned about DPF issues. My usage is around 40km daily in Bangalore city, along with 3-5 highway trips every month.

•6d

With a 40km daily commute in Bangalore and 3-5 highway runs a month, you are actually in a good position for a modern diesel. The DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) issue is a concern mainly for cars that do only very short, stop-start city runs with no opportunity for the filter to regenerate. Your 3 to 5 highway runs every month should suffice in keeping the DPF clean; you would have long enough stretches for the car to reach operating temperature and allow passive regeneration to occur. Between the Kia Seltos and the XUV 7XO diesel, the decision comes down to priorities. The Seltos diesel is the more refined and polished package, with a smoother engine and a more premium cabin experience. The Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel is the more powerful and more spacious car, with a stronger engine and a more commanding road presence. If you value refinement and a more premium feel, go for the Kia car. If you want more power, more space and a more rugged feel, go for the Mahindra car.The key point is that with your usage pattern, the DPF should not be a deal-breaker. Both cars are strong diesel options, and your driving routine is well-suited to modern diesel ownership.

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•1w

Our budget is Rs.18 lakh, and we plan to sell our Maruti Swift VXi 2016 model and upgrade to the Hyundai Creta. Is it a good choice, or should we consider a hybrid car, considering the future of petrol cars? What would you suggest?

•6d

With an Rs 18 lakh budget, the Hyundai Creta is a very good upgrade from your Maruti Suzuki Swift VXi. It is a well-rounded SUV with a comfortable ride, good space, and a strong ownership track record. The petrol engine is refined and reliable, and for most buyers with moderate running, it remains the most sensible choice.Hybrid cars are worth considering only if your running is high enough to justify the premium. The Maruti Suzuki Victoris Hybrid is the most affordable strong hybrid option, but it is still a significant step up in price from a Creta petrol. The fuel savings are real, but it takes time to recover the extra cost if your running is low, and at your budget, it may not make financial sense.If you want an alternative, consider the Kia Seltos. It uses the same 1.5-litre NA petrol as the Creta but sits on a newer platform, which means it's larger inside out.Overall, the Creta petrol is a safe and sensible upgrade. Only consider a hybrid if your running is high enough to justify the premium.

Hyundai Creta

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