Autocar India
PU

Purnaneel

1w

I have a Suzuki Ignis and want to replace it with a pure EV. I am looking for a small-sized car that feels easy to drive in the city. High range and top speed are not my requirements, but comfort and small size are my main priorities. Other than the Punch EV and Tiago EV, are there any more small EVs coming from Hyundai or Maruti? I do not want to go the MG route.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
41m

You’re moving from an Ignis and want a small, city‑friendly pure EV where comfort matters more than range or speed. Given that brief, we would pick the Tata Punch EV with the Standard battery in a mid trim, rather than the Long Range. It suits your use because the size is still easy to park, the higher seat makes it simple to get in and out, and the suspension feels more comfortable on broken city roads than most small cars. Compared to your Marutu Suzuki Ignis, the Tata Punch EV rides much better, and the cabin is far quieter, so your daily runs will feel calmer. Since you don’t need a big range, the Standard battery keeps price and weight down, which helps ride comfort too.

Two things to keep in mind. The Punch EV is a touch larger than the Tata Tiago EV, so in very tight parking, the Tiago is still the easier tool. Also, Tata’s charging network is improving, but still uneven by area, so check chargers near your regular routes before you decide.

On your question about more small EVs from Hyundai or Maruti, as of now, neither has a small, affordable city EV in showrooms. Maruti’s next EV is expected to be an MPV, and Hyundai too has nothing in the same bracket as the Punch EV. 

If you want the smallest footprint today, the Tiago EV remains the other good pick, but for comfort-first city use, the Punch EV fits your brief best.

Tata Punch EV

Tata Punch EV

PU

Purnaneel

27m

Following up on this. Could you help me with details on the reliability of TATA EVs, as in frequent shutdowns, service issues, electronic malfunction? This is because we would need a city car, both me and my wife would drive alternately and want to ensure a safe experience

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PB

P Bagga

1d

I am retired and planning to buy a new car in the ₹15-20 lakh range for city use, with very low running of around 100 km per month. Would an EV be suitable for my usage?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
20h

Since your running is very low and majorly in the city, a simple petrol automatic makes more sense for you. Consider the Maruti Suzuki Brezza ZXI+ automatic as it falls in your budget and fits your brief best. The high seating means its easy to get in and out of and the big windows make it easy to see all around, which you'll appreciate. The 1.5-litre petrol engine is refined and the torque converter automatic gearbox is smooth, which makes it relacing to drive. Maruti’s wide service reach keeps ownership simple and the Brezza has also proven to be a reliable SUV. With only about 100 km a month, you won’t save enough on fuel to offset the higher price of an EV. An EV can still suit you if you have a fixed parking spot with access to a charger and you want a quiet and easy drive. If that appeals, look at the Tata Punch EV. Do note the upfront price is higher, and long-term battery ageing and resale values are still settling in our market.

VehicleMaruti Suzuki Brezza
VehicleTata Punch EV
BM

B M SAHU

1d

I have a T-Roc manufactured in 2020, which I purchased in January 2021. I primarily do long highway trips, with almost no city driving. The T-Roc has been solid for the last five years, but during very long 8 to 10-hour drives, it does not feel very comfortable because of the seating position, and my legs start to hurt a bit. My height is 6 feet. Which SUV would be best for long drives with great driving dynamics? What about the Jeep Compass? Should I make the change? Are there any chances that Jeep will launch a new Compass in India? And what about Jeep’s quality issues in India?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
4h

Given your usage, we would not change the T-Roc unless the seating comfort issue is genuinely becoming a deal breaker, because the T-Roc is still a very solid long-distance machine with excellent driving manners. However, at 6 feet tall, if the seating position is causing leg fatigue after 8 to 10-hour drives, that is a legitimate reason to upgrade, and in that case, you need something with a more relaxed seating position, better thigh support and a roomier cabin.The Jeep Compass is a strong candidate if driving dynamics matter. It still has one of the best ride and handling balances in this segment. It feels planted at highway speeds and genuinely tackles poor roads brilliantly. It also offers a more upright SUV seating position than the T-Roc, which could suit you better for long hours. Build quality and overall solidity are still strong points.On the new Compass, there are no immediate plans for an all-new generation in India. Jeep is expected to keep the current line-up fresh with special editions and updates, with a genuinely new product likely only around 2027. So, waiting specifically for a brand new India-bound Compass does not make much sense right now.If your brief is purely long-distance comfort plus great driving dynamics, we would actually look beyond the Compass as well. The Skoda Kodiaq or the Volkswagen Tayron, as they feel like a more natural upgrade from a T-Roc, with much better long-distance comfort, stronger ergonomics for taller drivers and excellent highway manners.If you want something more SUV like, the Jeep Meridian deserves a closer look than the Compass because it offers similar Jeep dynamics along with more space and a more relaxed long-distance experience.

VehicleJeep Compass
VehicleSkoda Kodiaq
VehicleVolkswagen Tayron
VehicleJeep Meridian

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Sam

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Should I wait for the Honda Elevate 2026 facelift? I have shortlisted the Elevate based on reliability (“no issues” ownership for 10+ years), brand trust, good drivability, comfort, and spaciousness. Or should I consider other options currently available in the market?

Autocar India team

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You’re after a no-drama, long-term family car that is easy to drive, comfortable and roomy. For that brief, the Honda Elevate VX CVT is a good fit. The VX CVT is the sweet spot because the automatic keeps the engine smooth in traffic, and the VX trim gets the useful features without pushing the price too high.Why it fits your list: Honda’s simple 1.5 petrol has a long, clean track record, so it suits your “no issues for 10+ years” aim. The driving position is high, the steering is light, and the CVT makes stop-go city work very easy. Space is good for four adults, the seats are supportive, and the suspension deals with broken roads well, so daily comfort is strong.Trade-offs to note: it is not the quickest for fast highway passes, and rivals offer more flashy features. If you expect a lot of high-speed use with a full load, you may want more punch.Regarding waiting for a facelift, while it may launch this year, there is no confirmed date or list of changes. An update usually brings small styling tweaks and a few extra features, and prices can go up too. The basics you care about are space, ease of driving, Honda’s engine and service and these are unlikely to change much.If you do want to look around, pick the Kia Seltos IVT for more features and a more modern cabin. Overall, for your needs, the Elevate VX CVT lines up best right now.

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Hi, I am a bit confused about whether I should wait for the Maruti Brezza facelift or go ahead and buy the Kia Seltos HTE(O) or the Hyundai Creta E Summer Edition.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
6d

Going by your shortlist, you want a bigger family car on a tight budget and are looking at base trims. If you need the car in the next couple of months for mostly city use with some weekend trips, pick the Kia Seltos HTE (O) IVT. It is well equipped and, compared to the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, gives you more back-seat space and boot room.The Brezza update will be relatively minor, though we expect the 1.5 NA engine to make way for the 1.0 turbo-petrol from the Fronx. Waiting for it only makes sense if you mainly drive in tight city areas and want an easier-to-park car.Overall, for a near-term purchase and everyday comfort, the Seltos lines up best with what you’re considering.

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Vasu

5d

I own a Honda City 4th Generation and have been getting an average fuel efficiency of 16.1 km/l over 85,000 km. Would it be worth installing a CNG kit to improve the mileage further? Please suggest.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
4d

With the kind of mileage you are already seeing from your 4th generation Honda City, I would not rush to fit a CNG kit. Around 16 kpl over 85,000 km is actually a healthy real world figure for a petrol sedan, and since the City is known for its smoothness and refinement, adding an aftermarket CNG kit will inevitably change the character of the car. Honda does not offer a factory CNG option for the City, so any retrofit will be third party, which means compromises in boot space, some loss in outright performance and the added variable of installation quality and long term reliability. Honda also recommends using fuel that meets the vehicle specifications, and aftermarket modifications can complicate warranty or support considerations on newer cars.A CNG conversion only starts making strong financial sense if your running is very high and you plan to keep the car for several more years to recover the kit cost. If your annual usage is moderate, the payback period can be longer than expected. The only real case for going CNG here is if fuel cost reduction is your absolute top priority. Otherwise, given how well your City is already performing, I would leave it as is and enjoy the refinement rather than fixing something that is not really broken.

VehicleHonda City

Posted on: 13 May 2026