Mumbai

•6w

Hey Autocar, We're looking into sedans. Shortlisted Verna and City. Spoke with a guy, and he gave advice not to choose the City due to its rusting issue. I did a test drive, and the city was my primary choice. But, thinking about this statement he made. Also, enquired with the dealer. But, they denied it, stating their new cars are galvanised properly. I don't know what to do. Please advise.

•6w

Modern cars from both Honda and Hyundai have significantly improved corrosion protection, and under normal ownership conditions, rust should not be a major concern.

If the Honda City was your preferred choice after the test drive, there is little reason to change that decision based on a single comment. The City remains one of the most well-rounded sedans in the segment, offering excellent ride comfort, rear-seat space, visibility and a proven naturally aspirated petrol engine that is smooth, refined and reliable.

The Hyundai Verna offers a more modern interior, a stronger feature list and a wider powertrain choice. While the turbo-petrol version grabs most of the attention, the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol paired with the CVT is also a very smooth and relaxed combination. It is easy to drive in traffic and suits buyers looking for comfort and refinement rather than outright performance.

Explore cars mentioned

Honda

City

from ₹14.26 Lakh

Hyundai

Verna

from ₹12.98 Lakh

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•6w

Which is the best among for long time. As, I'm looking for NA engines and automatic. The honda service centre is 25km away from my actual location. Contrary hyundai is near. Will verna 1.5l NA with ivt survive more than 10 years. Or city would be the best option. Also, highlight which is best for better ground clearance.

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More questions on similar cars

•3d

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?

•2d

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.

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?

•2d

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

•1d

I have been using a Renault Duster Diesel 2014 model RXL(O) 85 PS since 2015. I sold my car recently, and I regret. I travel 8-9k per year. I am confused about which car to choose now; my budget is 18-21 lakhs. Looking for the MG Hector or the new Renault Duster, but the fuel option is one thing I am still in a dilemma about, as I personally do not like petrol engines and automatic transmissions. Whether to go for a hybrid or EV, or a large vehicle with a 2L diesel engine.

•10h

Given your annual running of 8-9,000 km, a diesel no longer makes financial sense. The payback period is simply too long at this usage level, and modern petrol engines are far more refined and efficient than they were a decade ago. The new Renault Duster petrol is a strong option if you loved your old Duster. It retains the same rugged character and excellent ride quality, and the 1.3 turbo petrol is punchy and enjoyable to drive. The MG Hector is a spacious SUV with a roomy cabin, but it isn't as rewarding to drive as the new Renault Duster.If you are open to hybrids, the Maruti Suzuki Victoris Hybrid is worth considering. It offers excellent fuel efficiency and a very smooth driving experience, especially in city traffic. However, it does not have the same rugged SUV feel as the Duster.The key is to move past the old diesel mindset. Modern turbo petrol engines are genuinely enjoyable to drive, and the new Duster is the closest you will get to the car you loved, just with a more sensible fuel choice for your usage.

Renault Duster

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

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Popular discussions right now

•6d

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?

•5d

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.

Toyota Innova Crysta

Mahindra XUV 7XO

•3d

Hi, I am a teacher and a first-time female driver with a budget of Rs. 11.5 lakh. I am looking for an automatic car that I plan to keep for the next 15 years, but I am confused about whether to buy a petrol AMT, CNG AMT, or an EV due to the uncertainty surrounding ethanol blending. My daily commute is 46 km, of which 22 km is on the highway, 18 km is on normal roads, and 6 km is on bumpy village roads in poor condition. Please recommend the most suitable fuel type that will keep my overall cost of ownership low.

•3d

We'd recommend a petrol automatic. With a daily running of around 46km and an ownership period of 15 years, it offers the best balance of low ownership costs, reliability and ease of use for a first-time driver.We wouldn't let E20 fuel influence your decision. Modern E20-compliant petrol cars are designed to run on it, and there is no official roadmap beyond E20. It isn't a reason to avoid buying a petrol car today. A CNG automatic will certainly reduce your fuel bills, but the higher purchase price, reduced boot space and limited automatic options make CNG car less attractive unless fuel savings are your overriding priority. An electric car will have the lowest running costs, but at your budget, you'll have to compromise on size or features, and recovering the higher upfront cost will take time.Given your budget and usage, we'd look at the Maruti Suzuki Brezza facelift automatic which will launch soon if you can stretch slightly, or the Maruti Suzuki Fronx Delta+ AGS if you want to stay within budget. Both are easy to drive, have good ground clearance for the 6km of rough village roads and come backed by Maruti Suzuki's extensive service network. If you prefer a smoother automatic, the Hyundai Exter SX AMT is also worth considering.

Hi, I am confused about which car to buy within a budget of Rs. 8-9 lakh (on-road). This will be my first car, and my daily running is around 50 km, with an occasional 1,000 km round trip. Kindly suggest the best car in this budget with good fuel efficiency, reliability, safety, and comfort.

•4d

For your first car with a daily 50km commute and occasional long trips, the Maruti Suzuki Swift ZXI is the most sensible choice. It is fuel efficient, reliable and compact enough for daily use, while also being comfortable enough for longer journeys. The Swift’s naturally aspirated petrol engine is reliable and easy to live with, and Maruti’s service network and low maintenance costs make ownership straightforward. Safety is adequate for the segment, and the Maruti Suzuki car offers a good balance of ride comfort and practicality. If you prefer a slightly higher driving position, the Maruti Suzuki Fronx with the 1.2-litre petrol engine is worth considering.

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Maruti Suzuki Swift

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