Mumbai

•5h

Hi Autocar India Team, I am planning to buy first car for my family and would really appreciate your guidance. Our budget for a used car is up to Rs. 8 lakh, although we are open to stretching it if there is a significantly better long-term option. We are a family of five members, including my elderly grandmother. Both my brother and I are over 6 ft 2 in and lean, so front and rear seat space is a very important consideration. My grandmother should be able to get in and out of the car comfortably, so a higher seating position would be preferable. The car will be used primarily for city driving, with one or two trips every month to our village, which is around 200 km one way. We are looking for a car that is safe, reliable, easy to maintain, comfortable on highways, and inexpensive to own over the long term. Since this will be our family's first car, hassle-free ownership is very important to us. We would prefer an automatic transmission, but we are open to a manual if it is a much better overall choice. So far, we have shortlisted the first-generation Hyundai Creta petrol, as it seems to meet most of our requirements. However, we are completely open to other suggestions if there are better options in the used car market. Could you please recommend the best used cars for our requirements and explain why you would choose them over the Creta? Also, considering the current E20 mandate, would you advise stretching our budget and buying a new car instead? If yes, which new cars would you recommend that offer the best value, comfort, safety, and long-term ownership experience for a family like ours?

•2m

Given your requirements, the first-generation Hyundai Creta petrol is actually a very sensible choice. It offers a comfortable ride, a higher seating position for your grandmother, good reliability and a proven ownership experience.

In that context, a 2020-2021 Maruti Suzuki Brezza or Toyota Urban Cruiser petrol automatic is also worth serious consideration. Both these offer meet all your requirements, and will also be reliable and inexpensive cars to own over the long term, with excellent service reach and low maintenance costs. Additionally, they're likely to be newer than a Creta petrol-automatic available at this price point.

As far as E20 goes, most pre-2023 cars are not compatible with this fuel type, however the impact of using E20 in these older cars is not likely to be immediate. But if you can stretch your budget sligthly, for peace of mind, get a new car instead. You could consider a base Mahindra XUV 3XO Turbo-Petrol AT, which will cost you around Rs. 11.50 lakh (on-road). It is safe, spacious, and it meets all your requirments.

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More questions on similar cars

•2d

Hi Autocar, I own a Nissan Magnite CVT and am very happy with it, as it perfectly suits my usage of 20 km daily in Bengaluru's bumper-to-bumper traffic and 500 km of highway driving per month for weekend trips. I am now planning to upgrade to a larger car with a spacious rear seat that can comfortably accommodate three passengers. I recently test-drove the Nissan Tekton, but I found the DCT unsuitable for my daily city driving. It also doesn't offer the CVT that I have grown to like in the Magnite, although the dealer mentioned that a CVT variant may be launched soon. Would it be worth waiting for the Tekton CVT? I am not in a hurry and can wait for around six months. Or should I consider alternatives like the Hyundai Creta CVT or the Honda Elevate CVT? Are there any other automatic SUVs that would suit my requirements for daily city commuting while also being comfortable for regular weekend highway trips?

•22h

Given your usage pattern of heavy Bangalore traffic and monthly highway trips, the priority should be a smooth, reliable automatic gearbox and a spacious rear seat for three.The Hyundai Creta IVT (CVT) would be the most sensible upgrade for you. The IVT gearbox is smooth and well-suited to stop-start traffic, and the Creta offers a genuinely roomy rear seat that can comfortably accommodate three adults. This Hyundai car is also a proven, reliable package with good highway manners for your weekend trips.The Honda Elevate CVT is also worth considering. The CVT is equally smooth in traffic, and Honda’s long-term reliability is a strong point. However, the rear seat is not as wide as the Creta’s, so it is not as comfortable for three adults on longer journeys.Overall, the Creta IVT is the most balanced upgrade from your Magnite CVT, offering the right combination of gearbox smoothness, rear seat space and long-term ownership confidence.

Dear Autocar Team, I already own a Kushaq 1.5 TSI Manual, and I am looking to buy a B-segment SUV. I am confused between the Hyundai Creta IVT and the Kia Seltos Turbo DCT. Could you please help me choose the better option?

•22h

Since you already own a Skoda Kushaq 1.5 TSI manual, you are already enjoying a strong turbo petrol engine and a genuinely engaging driving experience. The Creta IVT is a naturally aspirated petrol with a CVT, which is smooth and easy in traffic but will feel like a step down in performance and driving enjoyment compared to your Kushaq. The Seltos turbo petrol DCT is the better fit here. It gives you the performance you are used to, a more premium cabin, and a genuinely enjoyable driving experience. The DCT is not as smooth as the IVT in stop-start traffic, but it is the more engaging car overall and will feel like a proper upgrade rather than a compromise. The Seltos also feels more premium inside and is the more satisfying car to own alongside your Kushaq.

My budget is Rs 18.5 lakh, and I am getting the Creta S(O) IVT and Kushaq Signature AT. I am confused between the two. Around 90% of my usage is in the city, and I need a good automatic car. My preferences are: 1. Three people should be able to sit comfortably in the rear seat. 2. Good driving quality and build quality. 3. Good AC performance. 4. Low maintenance and peace of mind. Could you please suggest one between these two? Thank you.

•1d

Between your picks, the Hyundai Creta fits your needs better. Its rear seat is wider than the Kushaq's, the IVT is seamless and very relaxing to drive in the city, and Hyundai has a great reputation for after-sales service. The AC is also strong, and the build quality is solid.The Skoda Kushaq is the better choice for highway use. Its turbo-petrol engine offers stronger performance for quick overtakes, the 8-speed automatic feels more responsive than the Hyundai's IVT, and it is more engaging to drive. The Skoda Kushaq mileage ranges from 18.72 kpl to 19.66 kpl, depending on the chosen powertrain option. Its AC performance has also improved significantly with the recent facelift, but the cabin is not as roomy as the Creta's.Overall, the Hyundai car mentioned above is the better fit for your needs.

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•6d

I want to buy a seven-seater car for my family. It will be used by my uncle and me, and my budget is Rs. 25 lakh. I am looking for an automatic transmission, a panoramic sunroof, and good fuel efficiency.

•5d

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