I am considering buying a used MG Hector Savvy Pro CVT or a Hyundai Creta IVT. Which one would be the better choice, especially considering I have back and knee issues?

Autocar India

•1h

Given your usage of around 3,000 km a month, mostly on highways, with two people on most days and five at times, the Hyundai Creta diesel automatic fits your criteria the best. It suits your usage pattern because the diesel uses less fuel on highways, and it feels calm and relaxed even at higher speeds. The ride quality is comfortable on rough patches, it stays steady on open roads, and the seats are supportive for long hours. The automatic also makes your 20% city driving more convenient.Do note, though, the diesel isn't as quiet or refined as a petrol. Alternatively, if you prefer a sportier look and want something slightly bigger than the Creta, the Kia Seltos diesel automatic is the closest alternative in the same price range. But Kia's aftersales network is not as widespread as Hyundai’s.

Hyundai Creta

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

•2d

Yes, in good condition and well maintained, an old Creta petrol with a 6-speed torque converter and 30,000km on the clock is not a bad idea, at a good price. However, just bear in mind that the old 1.4 and 1.6 naturally aspirated petrol engines will have nowhere near as much pep as your Octavia TSI. As for BS4, while there have been some restrictions in the Delhi-NCR area regarding older vehicles, thus far, there haven't been too many in other states, and assuming the car you are looking at is 6-7 years old, it should definitely have some good years left in it for use in Bengaluru. That said, however, on a budget of Rs 12 lakh, there could possibly be newer, BS6 options you can look at, like a Maruti Suzuki Brezza, XL6 or, for a small stretch, a Grand Vitara. The 1.5 petrol in these isn't very powerful, but it does come with a torque-converter automatic. Alternatively, you could go down the diesel route, in which case a newer Hyundai Creta or Kia Seltos with a torque-converter auto also come into the picture, though then the associated shortcomings of a diesel come with it. The Creta is a good idea, but consider moving up to a BS6 model just to avoid potential future restrictions.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Maruti Suzuki XL6

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Hyundai Creta

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

•2d

You are right that there are very few genuine options in this price band if you want a proper full-size SUV experience, which is why the Jeep Meridian ends up making a lot of sense within your stated budget. The Longitude Plus manual offers a premium enough cabin, strong road presence and a far more sophisticated driving experience than most ladder frame SUVs. But there are a few things to keep in mind. Jeep ownership will mean higher service costs as compared to the Hyundai Creta that you own, resale will not be as strong as Toyota, and while the Meridian is capable on rough roads, it is still a monocoque SUV rather than a true, rugged body-on-frame machine.Which is why, for your exact brief, the Toyota Fortuner is still the best answer. That extra stretch over budget hurts today, but it pays you back over time with excellent resale, stronger service support, lower ownership anxiety and genuine go-anywhere toughness. Coming from a Creta, it will feel like the full-blown SUV upgrade you are actually looking for.If you are open to waiting, the Jetour T2 is worth keeping an eye on as well. It is expected to come in as a plug-in hybrid with potentially AWD, rugged styling and a more premium positioning, which could make it an interesting alternative in this space. The catch, of course, is that it is an all new brand for India, so ownership confidence, service support and resale remain complete unknowns.

Toyota Fortuner

Jeep Meridian

JSW Motors Jetour T2

Hyundai Creta

Autocar India

•5d

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.

Honda Elevate

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

•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.

Kia Seltos

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Autocar India

•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.

Honda City