I bought a Honda City ZX CVT (5th generation) in July 2025. At low RPMs and during stop-and-go traffic, the engine and acceleration noise are quite audible and unpleasant, and the NVH levels feel poor. What can I do to reduce this?

Autocar India

•11m

The Kia Sonet diesel AT is a great car - compact, frugal, smooth and efficient - and feels like a logical compact upgrade to your Figo TDI. However, the fact that you're even considering the drive quality on your long journey to your hometown means you should go for the Skoda Slavia instead. Yes, the fuel efficiency won't be as good as the diesel, and it is a larger vehicle, which you might feel during your use in the city. But other than that, the driving pleasure it offers is on a different level, and will remind you fondly of your Ford, which is also a great handler. Its punchy 1.0 TSI makes a strong 115hp and 178Nm of torque, which are comparable to what you get in the Figo, and comes with a slick 6-speed MT or smooth 6-speed AT. Whichever you choose, you'll get a car that's fun to drive, stable out on the highway and friendly to use around town.

Kia Sonet

Skoda Slavia

Autocar India

•42m

We would recommend you look at the new upcoming Skoda Kushaq. It sits above the compact SUV segment but is still not too large and is among the smaller of the mid-size SUVs, thus it remains quite easy and manageable in the city. The Kushaq is well equipped with many standard safety features and has scored a 5-star crash rating in the GNCAP tests, thus it meets your priority of safety too. Since you are driving in the city and looking for fuel efficiency too, we would suggest the 1.0 litre engine, which will launch with an 8-speed torque convertor automatic transmission. Torque convertors are the smoothest type of automatic transmission around, which you will appreciate in the city stop-and-go traffic. Being an 8-speed (earlier was a 6-speed unit), mileage should also improve over the previous car. It returned a figure of 8.5kpl in the city, 12.4 kpl on the highway, in our standard test cycle. Stay tuned to our channel as we will be driving the car shortly.

Skoda Kushaq facelift

Autocar India

•1h

Of the options you've listed, you should consider the Kia Seltos, given that it is the best all-rounder that fits your wide range of requirements. You can pick from one of three engines that suit your needs best. The turbo petrol has the strongest performance, the diesel has the best fuel efficiency, and the naturally aspirated petrol is the best compromise between the two. It's also the most spacious and comfortable of the three, and though it hasn't been awarded a safety rating yet, its new K3 platform is engineered for a high score, and it has all the necessary safety features. Sadly, it is highly unlikely that Honda will launch the Elevate Hybrid, as the company has stated it is moving straight to an EV, which should be here in 2027.

Kia New Seltos