I am using a 2007 Honda City ZX VTEC, which is still running well. I am planning to buy a new car, and I drive enthusiastically. I like the used Skoda Octavia and am looking for a used car under ₹12 to 13 lakh, but I am worried about high spare part costs and DSG gearbox issues. The Honda Civic looks good, but its 0 to 100 feels slow with CVT. Other options I am considering are the Slavia 1.5 GT or the latest-generation Honda City. My usage is around 10,000km per year. An SUV is also acceptable if it drives well. Which option is better?

Autocar India

•14w

We would rule out a used Skoda Octavia because, for your budget, you are likely to get only a third-gen 2016-2018 model, depending on the condition and the kilometres clocked. Octavias are expensive to maintain and can be expensive too, so you could end up with a white elephant paying lots of workshop bills.

As you said, the Honda Civic is slow, but also with a CVT, it's not a great driver’s car, though the engine is smooth and free-revving.

Your best bet is to go for a new Skoda Slavia 1.5 with the DSG transmission, which is a fantastic driver’s car and, in fact, will match an old generation Octavia for thrills. SUVs don’t offer the same driving pleasure as a sedan, and since you are an enthusiast, it's best you stick to a sedan.

Explore cars mentioned

Skoda

Slavia

from ₹11.70 Lakh

Got a suggestion for chandan?

Add a Comment

Recommended questions for you

Ashish

•3d

Hi, I have a family of four and need a car for daily office commuting, along with around four outstation trips a month. My budget is ₹17 lakh. What would you suggest?

Autocar India

•5h

Pick the Skoda Slavia Sportline 1.0 TSI AT. For a family of 4 and monthly highway runs, it blends 5‑star safety, surefooted 100-120 kph stability, and comfy rear seating.Your daily office commute will benefit from the smooth 6‑speed torque‑converter AT, which reduces fatigue in traffic. With four outstation trips a month, the Slavia’s strong brakes and taut suspension feel planted at 100 kph on patchy roads, while over 500 litres of boot space fits all the luggage you would need for an outstation trip. The 1.0 TSI has ample mid‑range for quick overtakes with four onboard, and 6 airbags plus ESC are standard.The one thing you give up is Maruti/Hyundai‑level reach. Skoda’s service network is smaller, so in smaller towns you may have fewer workshops. The Sportline trim offers a sunroof, 16-inch alloy wheels, a reversing camera with parking sensors, LED headlamps, a 10.1-inch touchscreen with Apple and Android connectivity and more. It is a well-sorted car with lots of practicality, comfort and ease of driving.

Skoda Slavia

Vihari

•6d

Hi, I am upgrading from a Tata Vista Quadrajet. My usage will be mostly within the city, with drives of up to 20 km at a stretch. Occasionally, my family of four goes on 3–4 day trips to nearby hill stations, which involve steep inclines and sharp bends. I have shortlisted the Kia Seltos 2026 and possibly the Tata Sierra. Please advise on the best engine variant and transmission that would offer a comfortable and pleasant driving experience. Also, would choosing a diesel automatic be a bad decision, considering I am willing to pay an additional ₹1.5–2 lakh?

Autocar India

•23h

For your usage, which is largely short in-town drives with occasional hill trips carrying family, the Kia Seltos 1.5 petrol with the IVT automatic is the most suitable choice. It offers a very smooth and easy driving experience, especially in stop-go city conditions, with light controls and seamless power delivery that will feel far more relaxed compared to your current Vista. On hill drives, while it may need to be worked a bit harder on steep inclines, it has enough power and is easy to manage.A diesel automatic is not a bad choice, but in your case, it is not the most ideal fit. With mostly short city runs of around 20km, modern diesel engines can sometimes require longer, sustained drives to maintain optimal health, and you may not fully utilise the diesel’s strengths. The extra cost also becomes harder to justify given your usage pattern.The turbo petrol with DCT is another option, but for your kind of driving, it is not the best fit either. Dual-clutch automatics can feel less smooth at low speeds, in crawling traffic, and in hilly conditions; they require a bit more care.So, overall, the petrol IVT strikes the best balance of smoothness, ease of driving and long-term peace of mind. If you are also considering the Kia Carens Clavis, it could be worth a look for its added practicality. But if you specifically want an automatic petrol, you will have to opt for the turbo petrol with DCT, as the 1.5 naturally aspirated engine is offered only with a manual transmission.

Kia Carens Clavis

verma

•6d

Hi, I currently own a 2022 Toyota Innova Crysta B6 diesel automatic, and my usage is quite low at around 400–500 km per month. Please suggest whether I should sell the car or continue using it. Also, if I decide to upgrade, which new car would you recommend that offers a similar size and comfort?

Autocar India

•1d

For your usage of just 400-500 km a month, it makes more sense to hold on to your Toyota Innova Crysta diesel automatic. It already offers the space, comfort and reliability you are looking for, and with such low running, you are unlikely to benefit financially from switching to a new car. The cost of upgrading will be significantly higher than any savings or advantages you gain, especially since your current car is still relatively new.That said, with low usage and mostly short drives, you should ensure the car gets an occasional longer run to keep everything in good condition.If you are still considering a change, it should be more for a different experience rather than a direct replacement. The Toyota Innova Hycross hybrid is the closest alternative in terms of size and practicality, while offering a more modern cabin and a smoother petrol-hybrid driving experience that suits low running better.So, unless you specifically want newer features or a different driving experience, it is best to continue with the Crysta, as it already fits your needs very well.

Toyota Innova Crysta

Toyota Innova HyCross

View all Posts