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Shravan Tallam

12w

I have been driving a Santro for 24 years, and it is still running well. I now plan to change to a 1.5-litre car, either a sedan or an SUV. I am considering the Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid Alpha Plus, Honda Elevate ZX, and Creta SX. My usage will be daily solo driving and 2–3 long drives with my family of five. Comfort with family on long trips is a priority, and low running cost and maintainability are important for daily use. Above all, good looks matter. Please suggest the best choice among these.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
11w

According to your requirement and among the options you have selected, we would suggest you to go for the Hyundai Creta SX. It scores well above the other options because of the space that it offers. 

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara's second row is good for 2, and a squeeze for 3. Honda Elevate's central console protrudes prominently in the second row, compromising rear passenger space.

The Hyundai Creta looks good, is feature-rich, and delivers a comfortable experience for family use, both in city driving and on long journeys. You are familiar with Hyundai’s ecosystem, adding to the ease of ownership.
 

Hyundai Creta

Hyundai Creta

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I want to buy a petrol automatic SUV in the range of 17 to 18 lakh. I am considering the Grand Vitara Zeta AT, Victoris ZXI, and Creta S(O) IVT. My annual average usage is between 5000 and 6000km. Please suggest a good option among the three vehicles in terms of smooth journey, mileage, and maintenance cost.

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The Hyundai Creta is the better all-rounder and offers more space, a stronger and smoother powertrain (1.5 P IVT) and marginally better comfort. However, given your priorities of mileage and maintenance costs, it's hard to beat Maruti Suzuki on these fronts.Whether you choose the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara or Victoris is a matter of preference (and which dealership is more accessible to you - Arena or Nexa), as they are essentially the same car underneath, using the same 1.5-litre petrol engine and 6-speed AT gearbox. Despite using a torque converter automatic gearbox, which is not typically associated with good mileage, both Maruti SUVs offer exceptional fuel economy, and maintenance costs over the course of their lives will be among the lowest in the segment.

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Please advise which car I should buy. I am confused between the Hyundai Creta EX(O) IVT, Kia Seltos HTE(O) IVT, and Honda Elevate V CVT, all 2026 models. My usage will be 50% city and 50% highway. I plan to sell the car in 3 to 4 years, so good resale value is important. Which of these cars would be the better value for money and easier to resell later? Please suggest.

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Since your usage is split evenly between city and highway and you plan to sell the car in about 3–4 years, choosing the model that feels the most modern and premium today would make more sense.Among the three, we would suggest going for the Kia Seltos IVT. It is the newer car compared to the Hyundai Creta, and it is also slightly larger and more spacious, which helps it feel more premium overall. Both the Seltos and Creta share the same powertrain, so either car will offer a similar driving experience. The 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine is one of the most refined units in this segment and the IVT/CVT transmission is silky smooth, making it well suited for both city and highway driving.Also, considering that the Creta is expected to be replaced early next year, it is unlikely to have a higher resale value compared to the Seltos in the coming years.The Honda Elevate is also a safe and reliable option. However, compared to the Creta and the Seltos, it does not feel as premium and the engine is a bit noisier than the Hyundai/Kia unit. It is also an older product compared to the Seltos.

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For a chauffeur-driven family of 4, which is the more comfortable car under a ₹35 lakh budget: Innova HyCross, the Skoda Kodiaq 5-seater variant, or the Jeep Meridian 5-seater variant? Which one offers the best second-row legroom?

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Of these three, your best bet is the Toyota Innova HyCross. Apart from being the most affordable of the three, its MPV shape allows for maximum interior space and flexibility, and it has the best second row. It's flexible, too, with seats that slide, fold and flip. This Toyota car also has the most comfortable suspension and will transport your family comfortably and relatively silently.The Skoda Kodiaq Lounge, sadly, is outside of your budget. Although it's more luxurious and equally refined, it's simply not as spacious as the Toyota.The Jeep Meridian has strong badge value and a luxurious interior, but it's not as spacious, comfortable or refined as the Innova Hycross. Both SUVs are high on road presence, but just can't match the packaging superiority of the Toyota MPV.

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Posted on: 24 Dec 2025