Hi Autocar, I am planning to buy a new car (currently using an i10). I am from Delhi, and my budget is around ₹15-16 lakh on-road. My daily running is around 30 km, with highway trips only once every quarter. We are confused between the Skoda Slavia 1.0 Signature/Sportline CVT and the Honda Elevate VX CVT. We are planning to keep the car for long-term usage. Kindly suggest which one would be the better choice.

autocar.india

•17h

Consider the Honda Elevate V CVT. In Mumbai traffic, it is one of the smoothest, most stress-free automatics at this price, and the light controls make tight lanes and parking easy. It should fit within your Rs. 15 lakh on-road budget, and there are usually discounts to be had. It hasn't been crash tested in India, but the made-in-India Elevate has scored 5 stars in Japan NCAP tests. The engine also offers good performance for a naturally aspirated unit and returns decent fuel economy too.The catch is that it isn't as feature-packed as its rivals. However, being a Honda car, reliability is strong and service is generally well regarded, which is important for a first-time buyer.

Honda Elevate

autocar.india

•1d

With an annual running of less than 7,000km, fuel efficiency should not be the deciding factor. Instead, you should focus on comfort, reliability, ownership experience and how well the car will age over the next 12-15 years. That's why we wouldn't prioritise the Grand Vitara, Hyryder or Victoris Hybrid. Their hybrid systems command a price premium that you'll struggle to recover with such low annual usage.Between the remaining options, the Kia Seltos strikes the best balance. It offers a refined and proven naturally aspirated petrol engine, a smooth IVT automatic, a spacious and premium cabin, excellent comfort and a strong ownership experience. It also feels newer and more upmarket than the Elevate, while the Creta is due for a generational update sooner.The Honda Elevate deserves a mention for its simplicity and reliability. If absolute mechanical simplicity is your priority, it is arguably the safest long-term bet. However, it doesn't feel as premium as the Seltos. The engine and CVT combination isn't quite as refined, and Honda's dealer network is smaller.As for ethanol blending, we wouldn't let it influence your purchase decision. While there is plenty of discussion around E25, E27 and E30 fuels, there is currently no confirmed roadmap for such a transition. More importantly, all of these cars are E20-compliant, and manufacturers have engineered a degree of tolerance beyond that. The most likely effect of higher ethanol blends would be a small reduction in fuel efficiency and slightly accelerated wear of certain fuel-system components over a very long period, not a major reliability issue.

Kia Seltos

Honda Elevate

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

autocar.india

•2d

The Kia Seltos IVT would be our recommendation. While the Honda Elevate undoubtedly offers the best value for money at current prices, there are two factors working against it in your case. First, you don't have a Honda showroom in your city, which could make routine servicing and warranty-related work less convenient. Second, the Elevate facelift is expected in the not-too-distant future, which could impact resale values of the current model.Between the Seltos and Creta, we'd pick the Seltos. It feels a little more premium inside, has a richer feature set and remains one of the best-looking SUVs in the segment. It is also newer than the Creta and therefore likely to remain fresh for longer. The naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with the IVT automatic is smooth, refined and perfectly suited to your low daily running and occasional 400km trips.

Kia Seltos

Honda Elevate

Hyundai Creta