Autocar India
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Aishwarya

23w

Hi, I’m confused between the Honda Elevate and the Honda City. My basic requirements are safety, comfort and reliability, especially on highways. I have heard that the Elevate has high NVH levels, while the City’s ground clearance and narrow tyres could be problematic. I don’t plan to do any off-roading but want to drive comfortably on ghats and long distances. I am very confused and would appreciate any advice.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
22w

Yes, NVH levels in the Honda Elevate are quite high, and thus, if it's only the ghats and long drives that you are considering, the Honda City will do just fine. 

Moreover, the City will be more fuel efficient than the Elevate, even more so if you get the hybrid version, thus you will save on fuel bills during your long-distance travels. The only downside of the City is that its ground clearance is low, which can be a problem on bad roads. 

However, if you are not going to go off-roading and the roads in your area are generally in good condition, this should not be a deal-breaker.

Honda Elevate

Honda Elevate

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Deepak Jain

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I am planning to buy the Honda City facelift that was launched yesterday. How does it compare with the Volkswagen Virtus? I am also assuming that the government will continue supporting E20 fuel even if E85 is introduced in the future. So, is it still safe to buy a petrol vehicle in Delhi/NCR?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
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The new City facelift does make a stronger case now because Honda has added genuinely useful features like a larger infotainment screen and ventilated front seats, while pricing has remained fairly sensible. But fundamentally, the character of the car has not changed.Against the VW Virtus, the choice still comes down to personality. The Virtus is the more fun to drive option, especially with the turbo petrol engines, because it feels stronger, more eager and more engaging from behind the wheel. The City, on the other hand, is the more balanced sedan. The 1.5 naturally aspirated petrol is smooth, refined and easy to live with, but if outright performance is your priority, it will not feel as quick as the turbo Virtus. The City hybrid changes that equation because it is genuinely quick and can match the 1.5 TSI for straight line pace, but it is still not what you would call an enthusiast’s car.On the fuel front, yes, it is safe to buy a petrol car in Delhi NCR. Current mainstream petrol cars are already E20 compatible, and even if India eventually pushes toward higher ethanol blends, that transition will be gradual rather than an overnight switch. Beyond a certain point, if the country were to move meaningfully toward very high blends like E85, manufacturers would need proper flex fuel engines engineered for that fuel, and the government would also need to continue offering lower blend fuel options during any transition.

VehicleVolkswagen Virtus
VehicleHonda City

Posted on: 18 Dec 2025