Mumbai

•14w

I am planning to buy a new touring car and want a naturally aspirated petrol manual. The cars I have shortlisted are: Suzuki Jimny, Honda Elevate, Tata Sierra (maybe diesel?), Hyundai Creta/Kia Seltos, and Suzuki/Toyota Grand Vitara. I need advice on the best price-to-value, and general service-related problems are not an issue (I usually service my car myself). If possible, please explain the compromises, both mechanically and feature-wise.

•13w

Of your shortlist, it comes down to the Honda Elevate, Maruti Suzuki Victoris/Grand Vitara, or Toyota Hyryder, and finally the Kia Seltos.

The Maruti Suzuki Jimny is simply not practical enough for the money, and its ride isn't suitable for touring. The Sierra's 1.5 NA petrol is its weakest engine, and the diesel is expensive, and between the Creta and Seltos, we'd pick the newer Seltos as it is more modern, larger and more spacious. And though we would recommend using the official service outlets, if you are interested in servicing the vehicle yourself, the naturally aspirated petrol manual is the best bet. The good news is that all these cars will fall comfortably within your budget, too.

The Maruti and Toyota SUVs are superbly reliable and incredibly efficient, though rear-seat space is not as good as the others. The power figure is not great either, and though sufficient in the city, for your highway touring use, you might feel it wanting slightly.

The Kia Seltos' 1.5-litre petrol engine produces slightly more power, but the vehicle is also heavier, so it does not feel dramatically quicker on the highway. It is larger than the others, though, offering noticeably more cabin space, better interior quality and a stronger feature list. While it costs roughly Rs 1.5 lakh more in higher trims, you do get more for your money.

In terms of outright value, though, the Honda Elevate strikes the best balance. It is more spacious than the Maruti/Toyota, cheaper than the Seltos, and has the most powerful engine, which is also fuel-efficient and legendarily reliable. The 1.5-litre i-VTEC remains tractable at low speeds as well as strong enough on the highway. It is also backed by solid ride and handling dynamics. Downsides are that refinement isn't as good as the others, and even in top-spec guise, the feature set is not as good, though you do get the essentials. We would recommend the Honda over the others for your needs.

Explore cars mentioned

Honda

Elevate

from ₹13.94 Lakh

Maruti Suzuki

Jimny

from ₹14.80 Lakh

Maruti Suzuki

Victoris

from ₹12.39 Lakh

Maruti Suzuki

Grand Vitara

from ₹12.71 Lakh

Toyota

Urban Cruiser Hyryder

from ₹13.31 Lakh

Kia

Seltos

from ₹12.98 Lakh

More posts on similar cars

•1d

I am looking to upgrade to a petrol automatic car in Pune. My current car is a Ford Figo, and the new car will primarily be driven by four adults for city use, with occasional outstation trips. The overall running will be moderate rather than very high, so reliability is an important consideration. I have shortlisted the Maruti Suzuki Fronx 1.0 Turbo AT in the Alpha or Zeta variant, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza ZXI AT, and the Skoda Kylaq AT in the Signature Plus or Sportline variants. Please suggest the most suitable model and variant based on these requirements, and also recommend any other options from different brands within a budget of around Rs 15 lakh on-road in Pune.

•1d

Go for the Maruti Brezza ZXI AT. It is the most reliable and hassle-free upgrade from your Ford Figo, especially given your usage pattern of city driving with four adults and occasional outstation trips. The Brezza’s naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with a torque converter automatic is smooth, predictable and well-suited to city conditions, while also being robust and easy to live with over the long term. It is also a comfortable five-seater with good ride quality and Maruti’s extensive service network, which adds to peace of mind ownership.The Fronx 1.0 turbo AT is a good car, but the turbo petrol engine paired with an automatic is not as proven or as effortless in the long run as the Brezza’s setup, especially for a buyer prioritising reliability. The Skoda Kylaq is the better driver’s car and offers a more engaging experience, but in low speed traffic feels eager and can be jerky, so you need a lighter foot.If you are open to a slightly different approach, the Honda Elevate CVT is also worth considering. It is a simple, reliable and comfortable SUV with Honda’s reputation for longevity, and the CVT is very smooth in city traffic. Overall, the Brezza ZXI AT remains the most sensible and dependable choice for your requirements.

I’m confused between the Kia Seltos HTK Optional 1.5 NA IVT and 1.5 Turbo DCT. I plan to keep the car for 5-8 years. For the first 1-2 years, it will stay in my Tier-3 city for my parents for their daily use. Later, I may take my car to Pune for my daily commute. Overall, I expect around 80% city and 20% highway/outstation driving with occasional Pune-Vadodara trips, Goa/weekend trips, holiday road trips, and sometimes 4-5 people with luggage. My main questions are for the NA IVT. Does the 1.5 NA feel underpowered in the Seltos, especially with 4-5 people and luggage? How good is it for highway overtaking and quick acceleration? How useful are the paddle shifters/Sport mode for improving responsiveness? When accelerating hard, how noticeable is the high-RPM engine noise/CVT drone, and does it become annoying on highways? For the Turbo DCT, how does it behave in prolonged bumper-to-bumper/crawling traffic? Is clutch heat/wear or low-speed jerkiness/hesitation a genuine long-term concern over 5-8 years? What is the best way to drive it in heavy traffic to minimize clutch wear? How significant are the differences in real-world city mileage and long-term maintenance cost? Considering this usage pattern, which transmission would you recommend and why? I’m particularly interested in the real-world ownership experience rather than just performance figures.

•2h

For your 80 percent city usage and 5–8 year ownership, the NA IVT is the better fit. The 1.5-litre engine is not particularly powerful on paper at 115hp and 144Nm, but the IVT masks its weaknesses well in normal driving. It is smooth, jerk-free and relaxed in traffic, while the new Seltos has a much more comfortable ride than the previous generation.With four or five people and luggage, it will feel slower, particularly when overtaking on the highway. The CVT rubber-band effect does appear when you accelerate hard, but it is less pronounced than in many other CVTs. Sport mode and the paddles do help by keeping the engine more responsive, although they cannot turn it into a performance SUV.The turbo DCT is considerably quicker and is the obvious choice if spirited highway driving is important. However, for your predominantly urban use, the IVT's seamless low-speed behaviour is a significant advantage. A DCT can feel hesitant at crawling speeds, whereas the IVT avoids that characteristic.The IVT also returned 10.3kpl in the city and 14.2kpl on the highway in testing, with better efficiency than the turbo DCT.

Kia Seltos

•9h

I’m looking for a spacious, comfortable 5-seater that I can keep for 8-10 years. My priorities include excellent fuel efficiency, low maintenance, reliable ownership, good safety, comfort, strong resale value and essential features only. I’m happy to skip gimmicky features. My monthly running will be around 600-1,000 km that includes daily office commute and one long trip every 1-2 months. I’m confused between petrol, diesel, CNG and hybrids, especially considering the E20/E30 discussion going on. My budget is Rs. 8-15 lakh on-road, with Rs. 12 lakh being the sweet spot. I’m also open to spending less if a lower-priced car offers the right combination of mileage, safety and space. Based on my usage, budget and priorities, which car, variant, engine and fuel type would you recommend? Also, when would be the best time to buy it?

•5h

Based on your usage, budget and priorities, the Maruti Suzuki Victoris mild hybrid petrol is the best fit. Your running of 600-1,000 km a month is not high enough to justify the premium you pay for a strong hybrid, and diesel does not make sense at this usage level. The Victoris mild hybrid petrol offers excellent fuel efficiency, low maintenance costs and Maruti’s strong reliability and service reach, which aligns perfectly with your ownership plan of 8-10 years. It is also a spacious and comfortable 5-seater with good safety credentials and a strong resale value. The mild hybrid system provides a useful efficiency boost without the complexity or cost of a full hybrid system, making it the most sensible choice for your usage pattern. The Victoris also offers a good balance of essential features, and the overall ownership experience is likely to be hassle-free over the long term. In terms of timing, there is no need to wait as the Victoris is a new product with no major updates expected in the near future, so you can buy with confidence now. Go for the VXi trim as it gets all the necessary features and can be had either with a manual or an automatic gearbox option. If you want something more affordable and are willing to compromise on space, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza is a good alternative, but the Victoris is the more complete package for your requirements.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

View all Posts

Expert reviews worth reading

Maruti SuzukiVictoris

Read expert review

Maruti SuzukiGrand Vitara

Read expert review

ToyotaUrban Cruiser Hyryder

Read expert review

KiaSeltos

Read expert review

Popular discussions right now

•6d

I am confused between the Elevate and the Creta. I understand that the Creta is the more established one, but with Honda, the value it brings is amazing, while the price of the Creta is a bit higher than the value it offers. I am mostly a city driver, with around 95% of my driving in the city and occasional highway trips, covering around 10,000km per year. Can you help me get some perspective?

•5d

The Hyundai Creta is the more premium product with a richer feature list. Since your usage is mainly in the city, you are likely to appreciate the Creta's smoothness and refinement, as well as the additional features it offers. Sure, this Hyundai car might cost a bit more, but it is a proven product that commands strong brand equity, which is likely to translate to higher resale value. The Honda Elevate gives you most of what you need at a significantly lower cost, and Honda’s service network is strong enough to make ownership hassle-free. Go for the Elevate if you value its stronger engine performance, else for a refined drive experience, pick the Creta.

Hyundai Creta

Honda Elevate

•6d

Help me choose the right car for my usage. Please be practical and challenge my assumptions. My situation: I am 31 and work as a software developer. I currently work from home in Balsane, Dhule, but I am moving to Mumbai around March. My wife and I are expecting a baby in February. My parents live in a village where local transport is poor. My Mumbai office is near Powai, but parking is difficult. I prefer a manual car. Usage: My current running is around 10,000 km per year, but it may increase. I travel between Mumbai and Balsane, which is around 400 km one way, around 5-7 times a year, along with Dhule/Sakri and local trips. I also drive around Mumbai on weekends. The AC is usually on, and on long trips, the car will have my wife, baby, and luggage. Budget: Rs. 6-9 lakh on-road. I am willing to spend more only if it is genuinely worth it. Shortlist: - Tiago XE Petrol - Punch Pure+/Smart Petrol - Punch Pure+/Smart CNG - Brezza LXi turbo-petrol Please tell me: 1. Which one should I buy and why? 2. Petrol vs CNG for my usage? The CNG premium is around Rs. 1 lakh, and the nearby village pump may open around Diwali, but this is not guaranteed. 3. What real-world mileage can I expect with the AC on? 4. Please consider loan interest, fuel costs, maintenance, depreciation, and resale value. 5. Is the Brezza worth the extra money? 6. Give me one final choice and tell me what I should avoid.

•5d

The Brezza LXI Turbo is far superior to the Punch and Tiago as far as smoothness, performance, and cabin space are concerned. It is also backed by Maruti's widespread support network, and the ownership experience is likely to be fuss-free. The on-road cost of the Brezza LXI will fall within your Rs 9 lakh budget, and even though you might miss a few features, it still feels worth opting for. Alternatively, you could also consider the Maruti Dzire VXI MT for its large boot, comfy ride and strong fuel efficiency.

I am planning to buy a new SUV under Rs 30 lakh and am open to both five- and seven-seater options. I have tried the Toyota Innova HyCross non-hybrid, Mahindra XUV 7XO, Hyundai Alcazar, Kia Seltos and Renault Duster, but I am confused about which one to choose. My main priorities are space, comfort and a good engine. My running is not very high, at just under 1,000km a month. Please advise.

•6d

Go for the Toyota Innova HyCross non-hybrid. Your priorities are space, comfort and a good engine, and the HyCross delivers on all three. It is one of the most spacious cars in the segment, with a genuinely usable third row and a comfortable ride that makes it an excellent family car. The petrol engine is smooth, refined and well suited to your running of under 1,000 km a month, where the hybrid premium is harder to justify.The Mahindra XUV 7XO is a strong alternative with a more powerful engine and a more feature-rich cabin, but the HyCross has the edge on space, comfort and long-term ownership experience.The Hyundai Alcazar and Kia Seltos are good cars, but they do not offer the same level of space or comfort, and the Renault Duster is more of a driver's car than a family car. The Toyota car mentioned above is the car you will be happiest with after five years of ownership.

Toyota Innova HyCross

View all Posts