I want to change my car and am considering a compact SUV with a petrol CVT automatic. My annual running is 10,000-15,000 km (about 80% city, 20% highway). My budget is up to ₹20 lakh, and the car should have the latest safety features. What is the best option?

autocar.india

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Go for the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Zeta AT. It is the better fit for your requirements. The naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with the torque converter automatic is a proven, reliable combination that will serve you well over a long ownership period. The Grand Vitara also offers a comfortable ride, good rear seat space and a spacious cabin. Maruti's service network and low maintenance costs further strengthen its case for long-term ownership.The Honda Elevate VX CVT is also a good car, but Honda's CVT is not as refined as a torque converter automatic. The Grand Vitara's automatic is smoother and more predictable in everyday driving. Fuel efficiency between the two will be broadly similar, with the Grand Vitara having a slight edge in real-world conditions.Given your preference for a non-sunroof variant, the Grand Vitara Zeta is the more suitable choice. The Honda Elevate VX comes with a sunroof, which you specifically want to avoid. Overall, the Grand Vitara Zeta AT is the more complete package for your needs.

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Honda Elevate

autocar.india

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The Kylaq 1.0 TSI Prestige+ AT makes more sense for your requirements. Your daily commute involves significant city driving, so the compact dimensions and torque-converter automatic make it easier to manage Bengaluru traffic. The 1.0 TSI does have some initial turbo lag, but it isn't significant enough to be a deal-breaker. Once the turbo is on boost, the engine has good mid-range performance, while the automatic makes progress smooth and effortless.The Kushaq 1.0 AT is the more mature and comfortable car, and its new 8-speed torque-converter automatic is a considerable improvement, particularly in low-speed traffic. It also offers more space and feels more substantial. However, spending around Rs 5.5 lakh more is difficult to justify when the Kylaq already meets your requirements well. The presence of an Elevate in the family also reduces the need to pay extra for the larger SUV.

Skoda Kylaq

Skoda Kushaq

Honda Elevate

autocar.india

•2d

At merely 500km a month in Delhi traffic, your usage is quite limited. The Hyundai Venue N Line N6 MT is a sportier-looking version of the Venue, that is bound to stand-out in a crowd. The turbo-petrol engine is smooth and refined, and the 6-speed manual gearbox is slick too. Do note, that its clutch effort is low, however the travel is on the longer side and the action is a bit springy - this might take some time to get used to. Overall though, it is quite user-friendly with a light steering, good visibility and its relatively compact dimensions. Also, being a Hyundai, you're backed by its widespread support network, and the ownership experience is likely to be fuss-free.Go for the Honda Elevate only if you value cabin and boot space more. An added advantage of the Elevate is its more responsive naturally aspirated petrol engine, as well as its excellent ride-handling balance. And being a Honda Jazz owner, you're likely to be familiar with Honda's sorted service experience too. The Elevate is a fuss-free, sensible choice, but for a sportier driving feel, and its uniqueness, the Venue N Line gets our vote.

Hyundai Venue

Honda Elevate