I’m looking for a new automatic car (not AMT) that can seat five adults comfortably. Both my wife and I will drive it. I want good build quality, visibility, active safety features, usable boot space, reasonable maintenance costs and comfort for daily use and highway trips. I don’t care about features like a sunroof or multi-speaker audio. Budget is ₹15 lakh. Preference is an SUV like the Honda Elevate, but I’m open to sedans. Suggestions?

Autocar India

•6h

Go for the Honda Elevate VX MT. Within your ₹15-16 lakh on-road budget, it balances easy city driving and occasional hill trips with dependable performance and simple ownership.Your usage is 60-70% city and 30-40 km daily (roughly 900-1,200 km/month), so a straightforward petrol manual keeps things hassle‑free without turbo/DPF complexity. The Elevate’s upright seating and good visibility reduce fatigue in traffic, and its compact footprint makes tight parking simpler than bigger SUVs. For weekend runs to the hills, the manual’s engine braking and predictable throttle response give steady control on descents and hairpins.The one thing you give up is brisk turbocharged punch. Fast uphill overtakes will need a downshift, and the features list isn’t as flashy as some rivals at this price.If you want an automatic to ease your 60-70% city commute, consider the Maruti Suzuki Brezza ZXi AT instead. It’s smooth in traffic and climbs hills without fuss. However, between the two, the Elevate is a notch up in terms of comfort, fit-finish and refinement.

Honda Elevate

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Autocar India

•3h

The new Renault Duster 1.0 turbo-petrol should be acceptable in the city, but it is not the most effortless choice for predominantly urban use like yours.The 1.0 turbo makes about 99hp and 160-166Nm, and the torque comes in from around 2,000rpm, so performance at low revs will feel merely adequate rather than strong. You will need to work the gearbox to keep the engine in its power band, especially with a full load or on inclines, and that can get tiring in bumper‑to‑bumper traffic. The good bit is that the clutch is light and the engine reasonably refined, so it won’t feel cumbersome or heavy in daily use.However, there is no automatic with the 1.0 turbo. It comes only with a 6‑speed manual, which is a drawback for an 85% city‑running profile. If you prioritise smoothness and ease over outright punch, an automatic CVT in this segment will suit you better.The Kia Seltos 1.5 iVT offers seamless, jerk‑free power delivery and feels very smooth and responsive in typical city driving. Similarly, the Hyundai Creta 1.5 petrol CVT, which has the same gearbox as the Seltos, is another good option. Both the Kia Seltos and the Hyundai Creta make urban driving more relaxing, even if performance is only adequate rather than exciting.

Renault Duster

Kia Seltos

Hyundai Creta

Autocar India

•1d

The Honda Elevate is a sensible, no-nonsense pick. The visibility is good due to its high seating, the seats are comfy, and the ride quality is impressive. Its petrol engine is strong and responsive, and drivability is very good too. Fuel efficiency, however, isn't its strength, with the manual and automatic (CVT) both averaging around 11kpl. If you are a new user, though, we'd recommend opting for the CVT, simply because it is smooth and makes the driving experience much more convenient.The Elevate is equipped with standard kit such as ESP, 6 airbags, etc., and most variants also get camera-based ADAS, which further adds a layer of safety.Alternatively, you could consider the new Kia Seltos, which is newer, better equipped and more spacious.

Honda Elevate