Delhi

•9w

I live in Hyderabad and am looking for a 5-seater car with a manual transmission and a minimum boot space of 470 litres. I prefer a manual because I feel automatic transmissions are more complex and could be expensive to repair in the future. Another, slightly unusual requirement is that I want a car with a reliable engine and transmission that can last 12-13 years or more, provided it receives timely engine oil changes and regular maintenance. Can anyone suggest some good manual SUV cars with an on-road price below Rs. 20 lakh?

•9w

Given your requirements for a large boot, opt for the Honda Elevate. At 458 litres the boot is under your specific measurement but is very well shaped and can easily managed a lot of cargo. Honda are known for their engines and your second requirement of a very reliable engine and gearbox will also be met with the Elevate. If you must have a minimum boot space of 470 litres consider the Renault Duster. At 518 litres the boot is the largest in the mid-size segment and the roof rails are also functional and can hold up to 50kgs so should you need even more space you can opt for a roof box, however check with your local RTO as these are not legal in many instances. If you are not looking for a very peppy drive feel, opt for the smaller 1.0 liter engine which does quite well in everyday traffic and even at steady cruising out on the highway. The engine and gearbox as well as the entire car is built tough and will last you for the 12 odd years you are looking to keeping the car, provided of course all services are done in a timely manner and the car is well looked after.

Explore cars mentioned

Honda

Elevate (2023-2026)

from ₹13.70 Lakh

Renault

Duster

from ₹12.17 Lakh

More posts on similar cars

•2d

Hi team, I am planning to buy my first car and am looking forward to your recommendation. My budget is Rs. 20 lakh (on-road) that I can stretch slightly for clearly more value. I need a 5-seater that I can keep for more than 10 years. My running is around 8,000-10,000 km annually which is mostly within the city and I also travel occasionally on Ajmer-Noida highway (around 420 km one way). My hometown is Ajmer where I have my own parking and rooftop solar (6 kW sanctioned load). The car will stay there most of the time and will be registered in Rajasthan. But I have a doubt. I work in Noida where I have no parking or charging at home or at the office. I am not sure where my next job will be and I might have to take the car may move with me in a few years. My priorities are safety, reliability, low long-term ownership cost and good service support. Features come second in priority. I'm in no hurry to buy the car and can wait a few months. For this usage, which powertrain makes the most sense for an ownership of over 10 years among petrol, strong hybrid or EV? Which car and variant would you advise in this budget? Should I buy a car now, or is there an upcoming launch worth waiting for?

•21h

For your usage, a strong hybrid like the Maruti Suzuki Victoris makes a lot of sense. You won't have to worry about charging in Noida or during your long highway trips, while the hybrid system should help you save a considerable amount on fuel, given that most of your driving is within the city.Maruti has the widest service network in India, so no matter where your job takes you, a service centre shouldn't be too far away. Maruti also has a strong reputation for reliability, which is important since you plan to keep the car for a long time. The Renault Duster Hybrid is another excellent option. Although the brand's limited service reach could be an issue if you're transferred to a remote location.Among upcoming cars, the Kia Seltos Hybrid also fits your requirements, although it may stretch your budget. Overall, the Victoris is the best fit for your needs at this time.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Kia Seltos

Renault Duster

•1d

Hi, I want to buy a car within Rs 30 lakh that has space for five. I’ll use it mainly for a 30 km daily commute in Bengaluru traffic. I’m scared of EVs. I currently drive a Volkswagen Ameo 1.5 DSG and have loved it for ten years. My dilemma is that I want features like those on the Mahindra XUV 7XO, such as the automatic gearbox and the advanced suspension, but I can’t handle a vehicle that big. I’m also worried about E20 fuel. I’m a fan of Volkswagen and thought I’d go for the Taigun, but the lack of ADAS disappointed me. I compare power and torque curves, and I’m nervous that a new car will disappoint me compared with what I drive now. Which car would you recommend?

•1d

Given your experience with the Volkswagen Ameo 1.5 DSG and your preference for strong performance, good driving dynamics and a comfortable ride, the Renault Duster 1.3 Turbo DCT would be our recommendation. Its 163hp, 280Nm turbo-petrol engine offers strong performance, while the six-speed DCT provides quick shifts. The Duster's biggest strengths are its excellent ride comfort, high-speed stability and engaging handling. It should also be more manageable in Bengaluru traffic than a larger SUV such as the XUV 7XO.The Nissan Tekton T280 DCT is worth considering too. It shares the same engine and gearbox, but has a more contemporary cabin and a slightly different character. It feels more premium inside and offers good practicality, while the Duster has the edge in ride comfort and overall driving dynamics.Neither will match the fuel efficiency of your Ameo diesel, and both are turbo-petrol SUVs, so running costs will be higher.

I am planning to upgrade from Skoda Rapid Monte Carlo 1.0 AT (2020) to a family-friendly SUV. Considering the new Renault Duster Hybrid and Hyundai Creta IVT/Turbo Petrol. With ageing parents and a 9-month-old baby, my priorities are easy ingress and egress, spacious rear seats and good boot space. My annual running is around 5,000 km which mostly involves city driving. Which SUV would you recommend?

•2d

The Renault Duster (non-hybrid) has a large rear boot and the car is also newer and fun to drive, however your priorities of spacious rear seats and easy ingress/egress would be better met in the Creta and we would suggest the IVT as its smoother than the DCT autobox for everyday family use. Given that an all new Creta is around the corner you should bargain hard for a good deal and you could have a significantly lower purchase price too.

Renault Duster

Hyundai Creta

View all Posts

Has E20 fuel affected your mileage?

Curated collections

SUVs under ₹20L

80 CARS

Manual Cars under ₹20L

75 CARS

Is ADAS worth paying extra for in a car?

Popular discussions right now

•1d

I’m a first-time car buyer and I’m confused between the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Delta (Rs 12.7 lakh on-road), the Brezza VXi automatic (Rs 11.4 lakh) and the Brezza ZXi manual (Rs 11.5 lakh). I’m not sure how much of my driving will be in the city and how much on the highway. If I choose the automatic, I’ll miss out on many features that come with the Brezza ZXi and the Grand Vitara Delta. Is it okay to give up those features and choose the VXi automatic?

•1d

It is a tricky choice, but we would lean towards the Maruti Suzuki Brezza VXi automatic. In today's increasingly congested traffic conditions, the convenience of an automatic transmission is something you will appreciate every day. The additional features on the Brezza ZXi manual or Grand Vitara Delta may seem attractive initially, but over the years, the ease of driving an automatic is likely to matter more.The Brezza VXi AT is not poorly equipped either. It gets a touchscreen infotainment system, automatic climate control, six airbags, ESP and hill-hold assist. You will miss out on features such as cruise control, a rear parking camera and a sunroof, but some convenience features can be added later through accessories.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

•3d

What are Mahindra’s plans for an ICE SUV positioned above the XUV 7XO? Specifically, does Mahindra plan to launch any ICE SUVs in the Rs 30-40 lakh bracket?

•2d

Mahindra has not yet confirmed an all-new ICE SUV positioned above the XUV 7XO in the Rs 30-40 lakh bracket. However, there are some interesting developments on its future product roadmap. The company has outlined plans for 10 new ICE models by 2031, including nine new nameplates, with several expected to use its upcoming NU_IQ platform. The Vision X and Vision SXT concepts are among the products to watch, although their final positioning and specifications are yet to be revealed. A more immediate development is the possibility of a strong-hybrid version of the XUV 7XO, which Mahindra is evaluating and could introduce around 2027. This would potentially sit above the current petrol and diesel variants, offering better fuel efficiency and a more sophisticated powertrain. Mahindra is also working on a coupe-styled hybrid SUV, internally codenamed W623, which could arrive around 2028, although its positioning is not yet clear.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

•2d

I want to buy a compact SUV (petrol, automatic) under a budget of Rs. 12-13 lakh. Help me decide between Brezza, Venue, Kylaq, XUV 3XO and Amaze (since it is a compact Sedan) considering that the mileage within city should not be less than 13-14kpl.

•19h

Between your picks, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza 1.5-litre automatic is your best bet since city fuel efficiency is your main priority. The Hyundai Venue, Skoda Kylaq and Mahindra XUV 3XO all use turbo-petrol engines, which aren't particularly known for their fuel efficiency in the city. That said, achieving your target of 13-14kpl in city driving with any of these cars will require a very sedate driving style.The Brezza also comes with a smooth-shifting 6-speed torque converter automatic, which makes driving in the city very easy. One drawback is that, its interior won't feel as modern as the Hyundai Venue. The Honda Amaze is another good choice, but being a compact sedan, it won't feel as spacious as the Brezza.

View all Posts

Upcoming launch buzz

Community discussions on upcoming launches