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

•4h

Given your requirements, you should consider the Maruti Victoris VXI strong hybrid. It costs about Rs 20 lakh on-road, has a comfortable ride and cabin and offers excellent fuel efficiency (28.65kpl claimed). Given that your daily running is high, you'll benefit from the efficient, strong hybrid powertrain, and the eCVT automatic gearbox also makes it convenient to drive. The Victoris also comes with a full, 5-star crash safety rating from Bharat NCAP and being a Maruti, it will be reliable and stress-free to live with. A drawback worth noting, though, the Victoris strong hybrid has a smaller boot in comparison to rivals, given that it has the hybrid battery in the boot. Alternatively, if you want to stick to a diesel-manual, consider the Kia Seltos HTK(O) diesel manual.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

•9h

Given your intended use, the Kia Seltos HTK (O) IVT is the one we would pick. It gives you a rich-feeling cabin and good features for the price, the IVT automatic (CVT in Kia terminology) is very smooth in traffic, and its size and styling give you the “bigger car” feel you want after a Grand i10 Nios. It will also return sensible fuel economy in the city if you drive with a light foot, and it stays stable on the highway at normal cruising speeds. It's not the punchiest powertrain, but as you've mentioned, that's not a priority here. If fuel economy matters more than cabin flash, look at the Maruti Victoris ZXi AT. It is not as fancy inside as the Seltos, nor as spacious, but it is very easy to drive in town, uses less fuel in daily use, and has a calm, comfortable ride for family trips.

Hyundai Grand i10 Nios

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

•2d

Without knowing your budget or exact requirements, it will be hard to suggest the ideal car for you. If you're looking at an SUV to replace your Hyundai Creta, go for the Maruti Victoris ZXI+ (O) strong hybrid, which comes paired with an eCVT automatic gearbox. The Victoris' strong hybrid powertrain has an excellent claimed efficiency of 28.65kpl, and the top-spec ZXI+ (O) is packed with features like a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, 360-degree camera and much more. Furthermore, the SUV has also received a full, 5-star crash safety rating from Bharat NCAP and being a Maruti, it will be easy and stress-free to maintain too. You can even opt for the Maruti Grand Vitara or Toyota Hyryder strong hybrids as they are mechanically identical, but miss a few features.

Hyundai Creta

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Autocar India

•5d

You want a car that is comfortable in the city, easy to drive and capable of doing long trips for the next 10 years. The Toyota Innova Hycross fits this very well. The hybrid system makes it very smooth and quiet in city driving, and the automatic gearbox is effortless, which becomes more important with age. On highways, it is stable, comfortable and built for long-distance travel, which is what the Innova name has always stood for.What really works in your favour is long-term ownership. Toyota’s reliability, strong service network and resale value make it one of the safest bets if you plan to keep the car for many years. The Hycross also offers excellent space, easy ingress and egress and a comfortable ride, which are important for everyday use and for passengers as you grow older.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Autocar India

•5d

For your usage, a naturally aspirated petrol with a CVT or IVT is the best fit. These setups are smoother, easier to drive in traffic and more predictable, which matters far more in city conditions than outright performance. So yes, in your case, NA engines are better suited than turbo petrol.The Hyundai Verna IVT stands out as the most well-rounded option for city driving. The engine is smooth, the IVT gearbox is very intuitive in stop-and-go traffic, and the overall driving experience is effortless. It feels refined and easy to live with daily.The Honda City Hybrid is worth considering if your running is high. It offers excellent fuel efficiency, strong performance and is very easy to drive in the city thanks to its hybrid system. However, it comes with a higher upfront cost, and the battery placement results in a higher boot floor, which slightly affects practicality.Compared to the Verna, the standard Honda City CVT is also an option, but the engine feels a bit noisier, and the gearbox is not as intuitive as the Verna’s IVT in everyday use.

Hyundai Verna

Honda City

Autocar India

•1d

Consider the Maruti Suzuki Brezza ZXI+ AT for your requirements. The SUV comes with a refined 103hp, 1.5-litre petrol engine that's paired with a smooth 6-speed torque converter automatic that has a claimed mileage of 19.8kpl, though real-world numbers will be lower. The Brezza's cabin is comfy and spacious, and the rear seat can also accommodate three adults in relative comfort. While the Brezza is yet to be crash tested, it does come equipped with safety features like 6 airbags, traction control and much more. Being a Maruti, the Brezza will be reliable, and the widespread service network means your ownership experience will be stress-free.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza