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•33w

I own a 2018 Honda City Manual SV Petrol version, and I am planning to buy a new car. I have been driving the Honda City for more than 10-11 years due to the comfort of a luxury sedan. I am confused, as many people are suggesting that I buy an SUV like the Kia Seltos. I did a test drive and liked many of the features, but the comfort of driving a sedan was missing. Personally, my family likes sedans. But I want to know where the Honda City stands in the market. Is it losing market share due to other SUVs and EVs? Should I stick with the Honda City for a pleasurable driving experience and forget about the tech aspect of it? Also, please advise on manual vs automatic, as I feel driving an automatic will take away the pleasure of driving. Nowadays, I have heard that no one is buying manual cars because of the trend and the ease of driving. But I want to know if there is a good driving experience without gears, or if automatics are just for people who can’t manage cars with gears. Also, is the sunroof variant just for aesthetic purposes, or does it really have any usable value, considering most of my driving is in the city? A detailed review would help.

•33w

In terms of choosing between manual and automatic, it largely comes down to usage and personal preference. The convenience that an automatic transmission brings in stop-and-go traffic is undeniable, making it the better choice for those with long urban commutes. However, if a manual car is what you prefer and the extra effort it requires in the city doesn’t bother you, then that is what you should get.

It’s true the Honda City doesn’t sell as well as it once did in a market dominated by SUVs, but it remains a competent, if somewhat underwhelming, car. If you like the Honda experience and want to upgrade to an SUV, the Elevate is worth considering. It’s a spacious vehicle with good ride and handling and a slick gearbox; however, it is down on features compared to the competition.

If you’d prefer to stick with the sedan formula but want something more engaging to drive, the Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Virtus should be right up your alley. They are currently among the most enjoyable sedans to drive in the segment and, even in 1.0-litre TSI form, offer more performance than the Honda City. They are also available with a manual, although Volkswagen has recently discontinued the manual on the 1.5 TSI.

Finally, a sunroof is a luxury feature, not an essential. If you don’t find any practical value in it, it’s best avoided.

Explore cars mentioned

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from ₹14.02 Lakh

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•4d

Hi Autocar, when is the Virtus facelift expected to be launched?

•1d

Volkswagen is expected to launch the Virtus facelift in the coming weeks. The update will be a mid-cycle refresh, so expect revised bumpers, new alloy wheels, updated lighting elements and some tweaks to the interior, including an updated touchscreen and a revised digital instrument cluster. The engines of Virtus are expected to remain unchanged, with the 1.0 TSI and 1.5 TSI continuing as before. However, the 1.0 TSI will be offered with a new 8-speed automatic gearbox in place of the earlier 6-speed automatic unit. The changes will mirror Skoda's update of the Slavia and you can read Slavia facelift review. If you are considering the Virtus, it is worth waiting a bit longer for the updated car.

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•1h

Hyundai bayon I will give 5 stars.

•21h

I am looking for a petrol manual family car with a budget of up to Rs 9 lakh. Which car would you recommend?

•2h

For comfort, performance, practicality, proven reliability, and a trouble-free ownership experience, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza 1.0 Turbo MT LXI seems like the most sensible family car under Rs 9 lakh. Of course, being the entry-level variant, features will be limited. If you're looking for a sedan, the Maruti Suzuki Dzire VXI MT is also a good buy. It'll be more efficient than the Brezza, with the only drawback being that its performance won't be as effortless.

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Popular discussions right now

•6d

Hi Autocar Team, I am planning to buy a seven-seater car. I have test-driven the Renault Triber Turbo and Citroen Aircross X and was impressed by what both offer at their price points. However, the Aircross put a wide smile on my face. As a current Maruti Suzuki user, I did not consider the Ertiga because it feels similar to our Swift. I liked the Aircross X but am sceptical about Citroen's service network and spare parts availability. However, there are three Citroen showrooms within 45 km of my place. Please suggest which car I should choose. My budget: Rs. 15 lakh Current vehicle: Second-generation Maruti Suzuki Swift petrol (2017) Annual usage: Around 10,000 km, with a 50:30:20 split between town, highway and city driving Requirement: A seven-seater car

•6d

The Citroen's interiors feel more special, its engine is more powerful, and its ride-handling balance is outstanding; however, for seven adults, it won't be as comfortable as the Triber.In fact, the Triber's superb packaging makes it genuinely comfortable for passengers in all three rows, despite its compact sub-4-meter dimensions. The new turbo-petrol engine makes it an effortless performer, and its ride quality feels very mature too. Moreover, the Triber Turbo is also much more affordable in comparison, making it outstanding value for money. Yes, the Aircross X will appeal to your heart, but given Citroen's limited service network and cramped third row, the Triber Turbo is the more sensible choice.

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•3d

Please advise which car would be the best choice for long-term ownership: the Mahindra Scorpio, Tata Safari, Tata Harrier, Jeep Compass, Volkswagen SUV, or any other suitable option. My priority is reliability, long-term durability, and hassle-free ownership over the next 10 years or more. I would appreciate suggestions based on real-world ownership experience, maintenance costs, spare parts availability, and after-sales support.

•3d

For long-term ownership, the Mahindra Scorpio N is the safest recommendation from your shortlist. It has a proven track record, robust mechanicals and a strong service network, making it a dependable choice for 5-10 years of ownership. The Tata Harrier and Tata Safari have improved significantly, but the Scorpio N still has the edge on long-term reliability and ownership confidence. The Jeep Compass is a good product, but it is now an ageing model and does not offer the same value proposition as the Scorpio N. If you are open to alternatives, the Mahindra XUV 7XO is worth considering. It is a more modern product with a better balance of comfort, features and refinement, and it is a strong long-term ownership proposition as well. The Volkswagen Taigun and Skoda Kushaq are excellent driver's cars, but they are smaller and do not offer the same level of space or road presence as the Scorpio N or XUV 7XO.

I am planning to buy my first car. I want to have a 7-seater and need it for long term ownership. I liked the Citroen Aircross X design for 5+2. I am planning to choose a car with automatic transmission. I have couple of major concerns for which I would like your advice. First one is Mileage, I heard Aircross has a mileage issue and its real-world city mileage is 8 kpl while on highway it is 14 kpl. Is it the same for X version also? Second advice is for its service network. I have heard from the people that its service is slow. Regular servicing also takes around 2 days of time. I have a service center within 10 km from my home. My budget is Rs. 20 Lakh and I need an automatic transmission with rear and front parking camera or 360-degree camera since I am a new driver. Are there any 7-seater alternatives within this budget?

•2d

The Citroen Aircross X is a good-looking car, now with a premium interior. It is the only SUV in its category which offers a 5+2 seating configuration, and even though the third row is not particularly spacious, it works for occasional use. The real-world fuel efficiency figures as per our tests are 9.5kpl and 13.62kpl in city and highway conditions, respectively, which is quite decent given the strong and smooth performance this 1.2-turbo-petrol-AT delivers. What's more is that ride comfort is outstanding, perhaps the best among all midsize SUVs. So as far as comfort and practicality goes, the Aircross X is a good car.Citroen's service centre network is limited, but since you have a touchpoint close to your home, your vehicle's regular servicing and maintenance is likely to be taken care of smoothly. If you love the Aircross X for what it is, go for it - as far as value goes, it is an outstanding proposition. If you're looking for proper seven-seater alternatives, we'd strongly recommend the Kia Carens Clavis HTK+ turbo-petrol automatic version. All three rows are properly spacious, well-suited for adults. This variant will be within your Rs 20 lakh on-road budget, and it has front and rear parking sensors, as well as rear-view camera to make parking easy for you. Sure, it isn't an SUV, but it is a very sensible car, if you need a proper seven-seater.

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