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

You can get the HX6+ variant of the Verna with the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol-manual powertrain, which is pleasant to drive, stable on highways, and paired with a comfortable, soft suspension setup. Being a Hyundai car, it also has reasonable maintenance costs.The Hyundai Verna has also scored a perfect 5-star rating in the Global NCAP crash tests, so you can rest assured about safety. The Skoda Slavia is due for an update very soon, but in this budget you will have to settle for entry-level variants that don't offer much equipment. The Verna, on the other hand, will get you LED headlamps, front ventilated seats, a single-pane sunroof and others. All things considered, the Hyundai Verna is the best choice for your requirements.

Hyundai Verna

Skoda Slavia

autocar.india

•2d

Given your priorities, the Honda City is the clear recommendation. It is a proven sedan with a comfortable ride, excellent reliability and low maintenance costs. The suspension is well-tuned for city use, and it handles speed breakers and potholes with a level of composure that many compact SUVs struggle to match. Honda's service network is strong, and ownership experience is generally hassle-free. The petrol engine is smooth and efficient, making it a great fit for predominantly city driving.Your observation about sedans is largely correct. A well-engineered sedan like the City often delivers a smoother and more settled ride than many compact SUVs, especially over broken city roads.If you want a more premium feel and a slightly softer ride, the Hyundai Verna is also worth considering. It is a comfortable and refined sedan with good service support, but the Honda City remains the more proven long-term ownership proposition.The key is to avoid turbo petrol engines with DCT gearboxes, as they can be less suited to stop-start city traffic. The naturally aspirated petrol engines in the City and Verna are smooth, reliable and well suited to your usage.Overall, the Honda City is the most sensible and satisfying choice for your requirements.

Honda City

Hyundai Verna

autocar.india

•5h

Go for the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic. With your monthly running of 600-800 km and frequent highway trips, you are exactly the kind of user for whom a modern diesel makes sense. The XUV 7XO diesel has a strong, refined engine that offers excellent highway performance and efficiency, and the automatic gearbox is well matched to it. Your usage pattern is also ideal for DPF health: frequent highway runs allow the system to regenerate properly, so DPF issues are extremely unlikely. The petrol is a good engine too, but it will not deliver the same torque-rich, effortless highway performance or the same fuel economy on long runs. If you love diesel, this is the right car for you. Just make sure you are doing at least one decent highway run every couple of weeks, and you will not have any DPF concerns.

Mahindra XUV 7XO