Autocar India
•1d

I currently own a Honda Elevate (CVT). I have driven around 72k km so far, with a mix of daily commuting and frequent highway trips for work. I am now looking to upgrade. There is nothing wrong with the Elevate - it has been a solid car - but the CVT feels a bit too tame for me now. I am looking for a logical upgrade with significantly better performance than the Elevate. My requirements are an automatic transmission, and I am open to both petrol and electric options. What would you recommend?

Verified
•1h

Given your usage pattern of high daily running and frequent highway trips, the Honda Elevate has clearly done its job as a dependable and comfortable workhorse. That said, your need for a meaningful performance upgrade is understandable. The 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine paired with the CVT is smooth and efficient, but it does start to feel underwhelming once you begin to prioritise performance and responsiveness.
A logical step up on the ICE side would be the Mahindra XUV 7X0 petrol. Its 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine with 200hp delivers a strong jump in performance, and the 6-speed automatic is far more engaging than a CVT. Overtakes are effortless, and it brings a sense of urgency that the Elevate simply cannot match. The trade-offs, however, are worth noting. It is a larger car, so it won’t feel as nimble or easy to manoeuvre in tight urban conditions, and fuel efficiency can drop into the mid-single digits, especially with enthusiastic driving.
If you are open to going electric, the upgrade in performance becomes even more pronounced. The Tata Sierra EV stands out as a compelling option. Like the Elevate, it sits in the mid-size SUV space but offers significantly more performance and space. With a 0 - 100kph time of under 6 seconds, it delivers instant torque and strong, seamless acceleration, which will feel like a dramatic leap, particularly in city driving and quick overtakes. It is also shaping up to be a well-rounded EV with a usable real-world range and a ride quality suited to long highway runs.
In both cases, you are looking at a clear step up in performance, but the choice really comes down to whether you want the familiarity and refuelling ease of petrol, or the instant performance and lower running costs of an electric car.
 

Honda Elevate

Honda Elevate

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Honda Elevate

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More questions on similar cars

•1d

I am planning to buy a compact SUV for my father (65+ years old) and would like to get your advice. The car will be used mainly for commuting in rural towns, with occasional city drives and airport trips (around 2-3 times a year). My priorities are: petrol automatic, good space, comfortable seating for 5 people, good fuel efficiency, easy and stress-free ownership, long-term reliability, low maintenance, and comfortable ride quality for elderly passengers. I am considering Honda Elevate, Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Toyota Hyryder, Volkswagen Taigun, Skoda Kushaq, and also Tata Sierra. Do you think the Honda Elevate is still a good choice, or would you recommend another model that meets my requirements?

Verified
•2h

The Honda Elevate is still a very good choice for your requirements. It is a simple, reliable and easy-to-own car with a comfortable ride and a proven naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with a smooth CVT automatic. For your father's usage pattern - rural town commuting, occasional city drives and airport runs - the Elevate's fuss-free ownership experience, good ground clearance and comfortable seating make it a strong contender. It is, however, a bit on the noisy side.That said, the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder mild hybrid is also worth serious consideration. This Toyota car offers better fuel efficiency, a comfortable ride and Toyota's strong reputation for reliability and low maintenance. The mild hybrid system provides a noticeable efficiency advantage in mixed driving conditions, and the car is well-suited to long-term ownership. However, its back seat and boot space aren't as good as the Honda's.Between the two, the decision comes down to priorities. If you value hassle-free simplicity and a proven ownership experience, the Elevate is the safer bet. If fuel efficiency and Toyota's ownership reputation are more important, the Hyryder mild hybrid is the better choice. Both cars are well-suited to your father's needs, and you cannot go wrong with either.

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•2d

What's your opinion on the Honda Elevate? Is it a good choice for someone planning to keep a car for a long time?

Verified
•3h

Yes, the Honda Elevate is a very sensible long-term ownership choice. Honda’s biggest strength is its reputation for reliability and durability, and the Elevate follows that philosophy. The naturally aspirated petrol engine is simple, proven and free from the complexity of turbocharging or hybrid systems, which makes it a low-stress ownership proposition over 8-10 years. The CVT automatic is also a reliable and smooth unit, well-suited to city driving.The Elevate is not the most feature-rich or the most exciting car in the segment, but it is a genuinely well-rounded SUV. It has a comfortable ride, good ground clearance and a spacious cabin, and Honda’s service network is strong in most major cities. The only real drawback is that the engine of this Honda car is not as punchy as some turbocharged rivals, so highway overtakes require a bit more planning, and cabin refinement is not as good as rivals.Overall, if your priority is a dependable, fuss-free car that you can keep for a long time, the Elevate is one of the best choices in the segment. It may not grab headlines, but it is exactly the kind of car that keeps owners happy for years.

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•4d

Hi, I live in Ahmedabad. My daily travel is around 85 km. I already own a Maruti Suzuki Baleno and a Hyundai Accent. My budget is Rs. 25-27 lakh. Kindly suggest a few good options.

Verified
•16h

With a daily commute of 85 km, your running is very high, so fuel efficiency and running costs become the most important factor. At the same time, you already own a Baleno and an Accent, so this car should feel like a meaningful upgrade in terms of comfort, space and overall ownership experience.The best option for your usage is the Maruti Suzuki Victoris Hybrid. The hybrid system delivers excellent fuel efficiency in city and highway conditions, and the petrol engine ensures long-term reliability and low maintenance costs. The Victoris is also a very comfortable and spacious car, making it well-suited for long daily commutes. The hybrid system of the Maruti Suzuki car is particularly effective in stop-and-go traffic, where it can significantly reduce fuel consumption.If you are open to diesel, the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel is also a strong option. It is a larger and more powerful SUV with excellent highway performance and a comfortable ride.Overall, the Maruti Suzuki Victoris Hybrid is the best fit for your needs. It offers the right balance of fuel efficiency, comfort, reliability and ownership experience for a high-mileage daily commuter.

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•4d

I currently own a Toyota Innova Crysta 2.8 ZX Variant AT, which has covered 55,000 km and has been an absolute peace of mind. I am now planning to upgrade my vehicle with a budget of around Rs. 30 lakh. Which car would you recommend?

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I'm planning to buy a small automatic car for my wife, who is 5'1" tall. The car will be used mostly in the city, with occasional highway trips. Which would be the best option?

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For your wife, consider the Hyundai Exter. At 5'1", she will benefit from its good all-round visibility, light steering and compact dimensions, which make it very easy to manoeuvre in city traffic and tight parking spaces. This Hyundai car also gets driver's seat height adjustment from the base trim, which will be very handy for your wife. The AMT gearbox is smooth enough for daily commuting, and the car is very easy to drive. Fuel efficiency is decent; expect 9 to 10kpl in the city and 15kpl on the highway.If you want something a bit more efficient, consider the Maruti Suzuki Swift. In our testing we managed 12.7kpl in the city and 19kpl on the highway with the AGS. However, height adjustment for the driver's seat is only available on the ZXi trim onwards.Overall, the Hyundai Exter AMT is the better fit for your requirements. It is simple, reliable, easy to drive and well-suited to both city use and occasional highway trips.

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•6d

Is it worth waiting for the new BREZZA, or are there better alternatives for Mumbai city use and a few random trips outside, say 2 to 3 in a year, up to Pune, Panchgani, etc

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•5d

Go for the Brezza, but wait for the new model as it's just a few weeks away. The Brezza is easy to drive in traffic, rides well over broken roads and speed breakers, and the automatic is smooth and stress-free. The cabin is airy, the visibility is good, and Maruti service reach in the city makes ownership simple. For the odd Pune or Panchgani run, it feels stable enough if driven in a relaxed manner. A point to consider if you often go up the ghats with four people and luggage: the 1.5 petrol is smooth but not very strong, so overtakes need a little planning.If that bothers you, the Skoda Kylaq with the automatic is the better alternative. It feels quicker in the hills and in gaps, and the gearbox responds a bit faster, which helps both on the ghats and in stop-go Mumbai traffic. You will trade a slightly firmer ride and a lower city mileage for that extra shove.For mostly city use, though, buying the Brezza is the sensible call.

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Posted on: 16 Jul 2026