I prefer sedans to the pseudo SUVs available in the market. Does this make sense in 2026? In sedans, my preference is the Hyundai Verna. Should I go for the Hyundai Verna HX10 DCT or the Hyundai Verna HX10 IVT? I drive the car myself, and my running is intercity, with roughly 80% of it on highways. I drive around 2,500-3,000 km a month. Safety, mileage, performance, and easy, pocket-friendly maintenance are my main concerns. At present, I own a Hyundai i20 Asta (O) DCT.

autocar.india

•1d

Given your 2,500km monthly running, we'd actually recommend looking at a strong hybrid rather than a diesel. Our pick would be the Maruti Suzuki Victoris Hybrid. It fits within your budget, has a 5-star Bharat NCAP safety rating, offers excellent fuel efficiency in both city and highway driving and is backed by Maruti Suzuki's extensive service network. It also provides the kind of smooth, refined driving experience that should feel like a natural progression from your Civic and Ciaz. While it isn't a sedan, it offers generous interior space and excellent long-distance comfort.Another advantage is that, being a petrol hybrid, it is a more future-proof choice for Delhi NCR. With increasing scrutiny on diesel vehicles and evolving regulations in the region, a petrol hybrid offers greater long-term peace of mind while still delivering running costs that are comparable to many diesel SUVs.The City Hybrid would have been another obvious recommendation given your preference for sedans, but as you've mentioned, it stretches your budget.Among your shortlisted cars, we'd still lean towards the Verna Turbo DCT if you want to stay with a sedan. However, with your annual running, fuel costs will be significantly higher than with a strong hybrid.We would also be cautious about choosing the Seltos, Sonet or Venue diesel purely for efficiency. While all three use the same proven 1.5-litre diesel engine paired with a torque-converter automatic, it isn't the most fuel-efficient diesel automatic in real-world conditions.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Hyundai Verna

Hyundai Venue

Kia Seltos

Kia Sonet

autocar.india

•2d

Pick the Honda City, ideally the petrol automatic, because it is the smoothest and easiest to drive in traffic. Its engine is very calm at low speeds and the automatic glides along without fuss, the steering is light, and the big glass area makes it simple to place in tight streets. Coming from a Ritz, the driving position and light controls will feel natural, and the cabin is roomier, so family runs are easier too.The Verna is a strong second option if you want a sharper look and extra features. The 1.5 petrol with the automatic is smooth enough, but the turbo with the automatic can feel a bit snappy in stop-go, which takes away from that easy driving you want.If your priority is a relaxed, fuss-free sedan for city use with occasional highway trips, go City. It just feels effortless.

Honda City

Hyundai Verna

autocar.india

•5h

Pick the Kia Seltos HTX diesel automatic. It is the nicer feeling of the two Seltos' and is worth the extra money. You get better night visibility from the LED headlamps and fog lamps, a roomier-feeling cabin thanks to the panoramic sunroof and nicer interior, and a more modern, larger infotainment setup. The core mechanics are the same, so the HTK(O) drives just as well and saves you cash, but you will miss these daily comforts, and it will feel basic faster over a 5-7 year ownership.One catch with HTX is that a larger wheel setup makes the ride a touch firmer on bad roads. If your budget is tight, the HTK(O) makes sense because you keep the same engine-gearbox and safety kit. Otherwise, it's worth stretching for the HTX.

Kia Seltos