Mumbai

Rajendra Chitara

•13w

I want to buy an automatic SUV and have shortlisted a few names: the new Kia Seltos IVT, Honda Elevate CVT, and Grand Vitara Smart Hybrid AT. The confusion is that everyone says that the Honda Elevate CVT engine is good, but is it the right choice to buy the Elevate in today's time? Should I buy the Kia Seltos IVT? Is the Grand Vitara also competitive? Which of these three SUVs is best if I want decent performance, decent mileage, suitability for both traffic and highways, and occasional hill drives? Which automatic NA engine is best when travelling with five people and luggage? Please guide me.

Autocar India

•13w

The Kia Seltos IVT is the best pick for your needs. It's got the smoothest engine-gearbox combo, performance is decent both in town and on highways, and fuel economy is also reasonable. What also makes the Seltos easy to recommend is the fact that it's the roomiest of the three SUVs on your shortlist, making it best for 5 people and luggage.

The Honda Elevate is a practical choice, but is essentially let down by average refinement and an inferior CVT gearbox (versus the Kia's CVT). The Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Smart Hybrid is an alternative though cabin space is down on rivals, and performance is dull, especially on highway drives.

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More questions on similar cars

Nitish

•5d

Hello Team, I am looking forward to buying a car, probably a mid-sized SUV. I am presently driving a WagonR and occasionally a Tata Punch and i20. The cars in my mind are Creta, Seltos, Kushaq, Taigun and Elevate. I mostly drive within the city (Hyderabad and Mumbai) and 1-2 long drives per month. I am looking for an all-rounder vehicle which gives me a good driving experience, efficiency and accommodates a family of 4-5. I have gone through all vehicles, but couldn't decide on one( planning to test drive all vehicles soon). I also heard that Creta and Elevate are getting an upgrade/facelift by the end of this year. Should I wait for them to decide or go ahead with these? Looking forward for expert opinion.

Autocar India

•2d

Buy the Kia Seltos; it hits your mix of big-city commuting in Hyderabad/Mumbai, and 1-2 highway runs a month better than the others. The 1.5 petrol with the automatic is easy in traffic, returns sensible mileage, and the light controls make it a painless jump from the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R. Cabin space and boot are genuinely family-friendly for 4-5 with luggage, and higher trims add city-friendly kit like the 360 camera and ventilated seats that you will actually use in summer. The only real trade-off is a slightly firm low-speed ride, and that top trims can stretch the budget.The Hyundai Creta is a close second if you prefer a softer, comfier feel. The Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun are the most fun to drive, but the rear seat and boot are tighter for five. The Honda Elevate is simple and efficient, but it feels a step behind on features.About waiting: the next-gen Hyundai Creta is expected early next year. Test mules have been spotted in India, which usually means it is in the final testing stages. It will move to the current Seltos K3 platform, which should mean a roomier cabin. It will also feature a new design language and a significantly improved interior. It's worth remembering that new launches are frequently delayed, and it's hard to be certain until an official confirmation from Hyundai. If you need a car soon, then get the Seltos now.

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Subramanian S

I currently own a 16 years old Honda City SV MT and am planning to upgrade to a hybrid SUV with a budget of around Rs. 20 lakh. Could you suggest the best options currently available in the market? Also, would it make sense to wait until Diwali 2026 for any upcoming hybrid SUV launches?

Autocar India

•7m

Buy the Maruti Suzuki Victoris VXI strong-hybrid, because it is the only true hybrid SUV you can get within about Rs. 20 lakh on-road today and its smooth, quiet drive will feel natural coming from a Honda City. You will see big fuel savings in traffic, and Victoris also comes with a comfy cabin and a stable ride quality.The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder and the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara strong-hybrid are the same underneath, so if you prefer their styling or cabin look, that works too. I would still pick the Victoris as its the newest of the lot.One honest caveat: the hybrid’s boot is smaller than the regular petrol variant and performance is calm rather than quick. Also, top trims cross Rs. 20 lakh on-road, so stick to the base hybrid for your budget.If you can wait till Diwali 2026, Renault will launch the Duster strong hybrid and you may also see facelifts of the Hyryder and Grand Vitara, but that is yet unknown.

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•19h

I am looking for an SUV under Rs. 30 lakh for a monthly running of around 2,500 km, mostly in city conditions. The vehicle will be chauffeur-driven most of the time, with a few long self-driven trips each year. I intend to keep the vehicle for around 5-7 years.

Autocar India

•47m

Pick the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder strong-hybrid or its sister model the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara; with 2,500 km a month in city and a chauffeur, it will slash fuel costs and stay smooth and quiet in traffic. In real city use, you can see around 20kpl, the automatic is seamless, and the hybrid system is proven for long, low-hassle ownership over 5-7 years. The back seat is comfy enough for daily commutes, ride quality is calm, and for your few self-driven highway trips it cruises easily and has the range of a petrol without the diesel DPF worries.One point to note: the hybrid’s boot is smaller than some rivals, so two big suitcases plus soft bags is about it. Also, it isn’t the quickest for fast hill overtakes, though it’s perfectly fine at normal speeds. If you need a bigger rear seat and huge boot above all else, MG Hector is roomier, but its city fuel costs will sting. For your use, the Maruti or Toyota Hybrid is the sweet spot under Rs. 30 lakh.

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Balaji

•1d

I am looking to buy a 6/7-seater EV. My primary usage will be as a 4-seater, with occasional 6-seater use. I will mainly drive it in the city for my daily office commute and undertake long-distance trips of around 500 km once every two months. I have a solar setup at home and can charge the vehicle comfortably. My budget is Rs 30-40 lakh, although I can stretch it slightly if required.

Autocar India

•11h

You should go for the Mahindra XEV 9S. It's a proper three-row EV, and it fits your use case perfectly. With home solar charging, your running costs are very low, and the smooth, quiet drive is just right for city runs as a 4-seater. When you do need six or seven seats, the third row is reasonably spacious, and for your 500 km trip every couple of months, you’ll need just one quick top-up at a highway charger.Do note that with all three rows up, boot space is tight, so your highway trips will require some planning.Alternatively, consider the Kia Carens Clavis EV. It isn't as feature-rich and doesn't have as much range as the XEV 9S, but its third row is more comfortable for adults.

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Zorro

•1w

Hello Experts, I recently test drove the Citroen C5 Aircross, and my primary concern was the price, around 41-42 lakhs for a diesel model. I'd appreciate your expert opinion on whether it's worth the investment.

Autocar India

•6d

The Citroen C5 Aircross diesel automatic is worth it if your top priority is comfort and a calm drive. It rides over broken roads better than almost anything at this price, the seats are soft and supportive, and the diesel is quiet and smooth, so long trips feel easy. Space is good, the back seat is friendly for three, and the boot is big for airport runs or weekend bags.The catch is value. At this price, others give more showy features and tech. Also, the Citroen brand has a small dealer network, so ready service is available only in pockets. Further, the Citroen brand is not very strong at the moment, and this will impact resale value down the road.Also note, the diesel engine is best suited for longer runs. If your daily life includes rough roads and frequent highway trips, pay for the comfort. If you want rich features, badge pull, or mostly city use, the price feels high.

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Arun Sharma

•5d

I am looking to buy a new car, preferably an EV or a strong hybrid, mainly for my daily office commute. My monthly running is around 600–700 km, and I rarely take my own car on outstation trips, as I usually prefer to hire a cab or a chauffeur-driven vehicle for long journeys. I currently drive a Maruti Wagon R CNG and want to upgrade to an automatic car for a more premium, comfortable experience. My budget can stretch up to around ₹22-25 lakh, and my main priorities are: Hassle-free long-term ownership for the next 8–10 years Reliability and low maintenance Comfortable automatic driving experience Practical and sensible design without unnecessary gimmicks or flashy features Good efficiency and peace of mind

Autocar India

•5d

Pick the strong-hybrid variants of the Maruti Grand Vitara, Victoris or Toyota Hyryder. The hybrid powertrain is very efficient; it is an automatic, and Toyota’s hybrid tech has a proven track record worldwide, so keeping it for 8-10 years should be stress-free.Since you don't drive out of the station at all, you could also consider the Hyundai Creta Electric with a 42kWh battery. For your daily office commute, it is a smooth, reliable option.

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Posted on: 28 Feb 2026