Currently, we have a Renault Kiger RXT Option manual with a naturally aspirated engine. We want to upgrade to a bigger car. My family is considering the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Victoris petrol/CNG, or Hyundai Creta petrol. Our budget is 13-15 lakh. We want a reliable car for long-term ownership of around 15 years, as we are a middle-class family and cannot easily replace the car if we are not satisfied. We are also worried about the possibility of E85 petrol in the future. So we are confused whether to go for CNG. However, I have heard that CNG cars still need to start or run a few kilometres on petrol. If E85 comes, will that harm the car? Our usage is mostly in the city, with one highway trip per year.

autocar.india

•1d

Given your usage pattern of highway and long drives with a mix of Bangalore city traffic, the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder Hybrid S is a sensible upgrade from your Renault Kiger. The strong hybrid system delivers excellent fuel efficiency in city conditions, where the car can run on electric power at low speeds and in stop-start traffic. On highways, the hybrid system still contributes to efficiency, though the gains are less dramatic than in the city. The Hyryder also offers a more comfortable ride, better refinement and a more premium ownership experience compared to the Kiger.However, it is worth considering the Maruti Suzuki Victoris Hybrid as well. It is essentially the same car underneath, but the Victoris gets a slightly more premium interior and a richer feature set, including Level 2 ADAS, at a similar price point. If you are open to the Maruti badge, the Victoris Hybrid is arguably the better value proposition.The only caveat with the Hyryder Hybrid is that the boot space is compromised due to the battery pack, which may be a consideration if you regularly carry a lot of luggage on your long drives. For the added practicality and a plusher interior we would recommend the Maruti Suzuki Victoris.

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Renault Kiger

autocar.india

•12h

The Hyundai Venue and Volkswagen Taigun GT Line are quite different propositions. The Hyundai car is a compact SUV, while the Taigun GT Line is a midsize SUV with a stronger focus on driving dynamics. If your priority is a comfortable, easy-to-drive city car with good features and a strong ownership experience, the Venue is the better fit. However, if you enjoy driving and want a more engaging car with a stronger turbo petrol engine and a better ride and handling balance, the Volkswagen car is the clear choice. The Taigun also offers slightly more space too and feels more composed on the highway. The only drawback is that it is a more expensive car, so the decision really comes down to whether you value driving enjoyment more over outright value. If you do, go for the Taigun GT Line. If not, the Venue is the more sensible choice.

Hyundai Venue

Volkswagen Taigun

autocar.india

•13h

For your usage, the Honda Amaze VX CVT is the more practical choice. Your 20km daily commute in Pune traffic means you need a car that is smooth, reliable and easy to live with, and the Amaze’s CVT gearbox is far better suited to stop-start conditions than the Venue’s DCT. The Venue HX6 DCT is a good car, but the 1.0 turbo petrol paired with a dual-clutch automatic of this Hyundai car is not the most efficient setup in heavy traffic, and the gearbox can feel a bit jerky at low speeds. The Amaze’s naturally aspirated petrol engine is also simpler and more predictable in terms of power delivery and mileage. This also helps with long-term ownership, and Honda’s reliability record is strong.On ethanol blending, both cars are E20-compliant and there is no official roadmap beyond E20, so it should not be a deciding factor. Higher ethanol blends will reduce fuel economy, but most cars are built with higher materials tolerances to handle slightly higher blends, should they be introduced. Honda, especially, has been at the forefront of compliance, being among the first brands to introduce E10 and E20 compatibility, well before their official introduction.The only reason to pick the Venue would be if you specifically want the SUV body style, a more feature-rich cabin or a more premium feel, but for your usage the Amaze is the better fit. The Venue HX6 DCT is also far more expensive than the Amaze VX CVT.

Honda Amaze

Hyundai Venue