I really liked the Hyundai Verna 1.5 Turbo DCT during the test drive. I have been driving a Honda Jazz for the last 11 years. While the Verna is definitely more powerful than the Honda City, would it still be the better choice compared to the City in terms of ride and handling? Also, how reliable is the DCT in stop-and-go traffic in Chennai? My usage is 60% within Chennai city and 40% on highways, including occasional 1,000 km drives from Chennai to Kerala.

autocar.india

•16h

The Hyundai Verna HX8 Turbo-petrol manual is a good option. The turbo-petrol engine is refined and delivers strong performance. Its clutch and gearbox are buttery smooth, and it rides well too, so overall the Verna feels very user-friendly for your daily commutes. Moreover, it is feature-loaded and delivers good value-for-money.Alternatively, you could consider the recently updated Honda City ZX Plus MT, which will fall within your Rs 20 lakh budget. While its feature list is similar to the Verna's, the Honda also gets ADAS, which the Verna manual misses.

Hyundai Verna

Honda City

autocar.india

•2d

Get the Honda City petrol, V trim, because you already like how a City drives, and this keeps the same easy, calm feel with a telescopic wheel, simple cabin and Honda reliability. The screen is modest, and there are still proper buttons and knobs, so it does not feel like a tablet on wheels. It is quiet, comfy over bad roads, and the petrol is smooth and efficient in real life, around 12-17 kpl depending on traffic.Safety kit is strong with 6 airbags, ESC and ISOFIX, and Honda’s service network is painless if you plan to keep the car long. One honest catch: there is no diesel now, but with your usage, the petrol will suit you just fine.If top-tier crash rating matters more than anything, look at the Skoda Slavia or VW Virtus 1.0 with lower trims for fewer screens. They are 5-star rated and drive well, but their ride is a bit firmer and long-term ownership can be fussier than Honda.

Honda City

Skoda Slavia

Volkswagen Virtus

autocar.india

•26m

Pick the Skoda Kushaq 1.0. Your driving is mostly in the city, and the 1.0 feels easier and smoother at low speeds, uses a bit less fuel in traffic, and costs a lot less. It still has enough go for occasional highway runs. The 1.5 only really pays off if you do frequent long trips with a full load or you enjoy driving and value the added performance. One catch with the 1.0 is that it sounds a bit gruff when pushed.About the AC, the facelift’s system is the same across 1.0 and 1.5. Skoda has addressed the early cars’ cooling complaints. The upgraded compressor now delivers best-in-class cooling, rapidly bringing the temperature down even on the hottest of days.

Skoda Kushaq