Sri Muktsar Sahib

•28w

Dear Autocar India team, thank you for the guidance and advice you provide to car buyers and enthusiasts. My family is planning to replace our 2014 Hyundai Xcent SX(O) 1.2L VTVT Petrol (now at 1.3L+ km). There is no urgency, but with the rapidly changing market, we want to plan ahead. We are looking for a <4m city car with petrol (or flex-fuel), automatic transmission, and good fuel efficiency. A hybrid would be ideal, though we understand there may not be options yet. We are open to waiting for one from Hyundai or Maruti. Since we already have a 2023 Tata Safari XZA+ for highway trips, this car will mainly be a reliable city runabout. Budget: ₹10-15 lakh on-road.

•27w

There are no strong hybrid options available in your budget as yet, especially in the sub-4m segment. However, we do expect this to change over the next few years.

Renault Bridger has already been announced as a future sub-4m SUV and is expected to offer multiple powertrains, including a hybrid. That said, it’s still some time away from launch (likely around 2027), and given the cost of hybrid tech, it’s unlikely to fall within a Rs 15 lakh on-road budget. Similarly, there is industry buzz around a hybrid version of the Hyundai Venue, but again, pricing could be a challenge.

The best option for you today, and a logical upgrade from your Hyundai Xcent, is the Honda Amaze. Like your current car, it’s a compact sedan, so the form factor will feel familiar.

The Amaze CVT is particularly well-suited to your usage. The gearbox is smooth and stress-free in traffic, and the 1.2-litre petrol engine is refined and reasonably efficient in real-world city conditions. It’s also very easy to drive, with light controls and excellent visibility, ideal for daily urban use.

What stands out is how usable it is as an all-rounder. There’s good rear-seat space and a genuinely practical boot, making it feel like a proper step up rather than just a replacement.

Explore cars mentioned

Honda

Amaze

from ₹8.73 Lakh

Renault

Bridger

Hyundai

Venue

from ₹9.12 Lakh

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•1d

Hey, I’ve been thinking about purchasing a car for my parents. They’re first-time drivers, so they want an automatic. We live near a highway, so there will be a lot of driving on highways and decent roads. Our budget is up to Rs 12 lakh. I don’t want to consider the Baleno or Nexon. Which car would you suggest? I’ve been considering the Honda Amaze ZX CVT. Is its facelift coming soon?

•1d

Go for the Honda Amaze ZX CVT. It is one of the best choices for first-time drivers who will be doing a lot of highway driving. The CVT is smooth and easy to use; the car is reliable and comfortable, and Honda’s service experience is generally very good. This Honda car also offers a comfortable ride and a spacious cabin, making it a strong long-term ownership proposition.If you need the car now, there is no strong reason to wait. The current car is already a well-rounded package, and Honda’s updates are usually incremental rather than radical.If you want an alternative, the Maruti Suzuki Dzire AMT is worth considering. This Maruti Suzuki car is reliable, efficient and easy to drive, but the Amaze’s CVT is smoother and better suited to highway driving.

Honda Amaze

Maruti Suzuki Dzire

•1d

Hey, I am thinking of buying the new Honda Amaze ZX CVT 3rd generation but I was wondering when can we expect its facelift and should I wait for it?

•1d

The Honda Amaze 3rd gen was launched in December 2024, so a facelift is unlikely in the immediate future. Honda typically follows a 3-4 year product cycle, which means a facelift is more likely around 2028. If you need the car now, there is no strong reason to wait. The Amaze ZX CVT is a sensible choice for city driving, offering a smooth CVT, good fuel efficiency and Honda's reputation for reliability. Wait only if you are in no rush and specifically want the latest update that'll bring some cosmetic changes and feature additions.

Honda Amaze

•6d

I am planning to buy my second car, a sub-4m petrol automatic SUV, with a budget of around Rs 15 lakh. I currently own a WagonR, and my usage is primarily city driving, with occasional long trips. I am confused between the Kia Sonet, Kia Syros and Hyundai Venue. I particularly like the Syros, but I am concerned about its low sales figures and the positioning of its headlamps. I am also unsure whether a 360-degree camera is worth having, as it is available only in the top variant of the Sonet, while the Syros does not offer one. I would appreciate your guidance on which of these SUVs would be better suited to my requirements.

•10h

For a second car that will primarily see city use with occasional long trips, the Kia Syros is the most interesting choice of the three. The Syros gives you a more substantial upgrade, with a spacious cabin, excellent rear seat comfort, a 465-litre boot and a premium interior while remaining under four metres. Its 2,550mm wheelbase is also longer than both the Kia Sonet and Hyundai Venue, which is why it feels particularly roomy inside.The low sales numbers would not be a major concern. The Syros uses familiar Kia powertrains and components, and Kia's service network is already well established. The headlamp position is unconventional and does expose the units to a greater risk of damage in a minor bumper corner impact, but it should not be a deal breaker if you like the car otherwise.The 360 degree camera is useful but not essential. It is particularly helpful in tight parking spaces and narrow city lanes, but a good rear camera and sensors do most of the job. It would not be worth choosing the Sonet's top variant solely to get a 360 degree camera. The Venue is the safer conventional choice if you prefer a newer, more established package, while the Sonet makes sense if you want a smaller, sportier-feeling cabin and more familiar product. But for your requirements, the Syros offers the most meaningful upgrade from a WagonR.

Kia Syros

Kia Sonet

Hyundai Venue

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Popular discussions right now

•2d

Hi, I am planning to buy a CNG SUV and am considering the Tata Nexon CNG and Maruti Suzuki Brezza CNG. I will be driving around 150km every day for office, so my main concerns are fuel economy and maintenance costs. Many people have suggested the Brezza because of its mileage and lower running costs, but Tata is also a large company and has a wide service network. So, why do buyers generally recommend the Brezza over the Nexon CNG? I personally prefer the Nexon, but I am confused about whether it would be the right choice for my daily usage. Which one would make more sense for my requirements?

•2d

Go with the Tata Nexon CNG if that is your preference. At 150 km daily, CNG is the right fuel choice, and both the Nexon and Maruti Suzuki Brezza are factory CNG cars, so reliability and safety are not a concern. The Nexon CNG is a strong product with good performance, a comfortable ride and a well-equipped cabin. The reason many people suggest the Brezza is Maruti's reputation for low maintenance costs, wide service reach and a long-standing reputation for hassle-free ownership. The Brezza CNG is also a very reliable and efficient package. However, the Nexon CNG is the more modern car and feels more premium inside.At 150 km daily, the key is to choose the car you will enjoy driving every day. The Nexon CNG is a solid choice, and there is no reason to change your decision.

Tata Nexon

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•1d

I am confused between Creta SX IVT and Elevate CVT for 8000 km of annual running with long trips of 1200 km 3-4 times in a year for a family of 4. Apart from this, day to day usage is less than 100km per month. I am looking for a car for long term ownership and travel comfort.

•1d

The Creta SX IVT is the better fit for your requirement. It offers a quieter, more refined cabin, comfortable rear seats and a smoother CVT, which are particularly valuable when spending several hours on the highway with four people and luggage. Autocar's long term experience with the Creta petrol IVT also found it refined, comfortable and particularly well suited to road trips.The Honda Elevate CVT has advantages of its own. Its 220mm ground clearance, long travel suspension and large 458-litre boot make it particularly good on poor roads, while its naturally aspirated 1.5-litre engine and CVT make for a relatively simple powertrain. However, the cabin is noticeably noisier, particularly when accelerating hard, and the CVT can produce the typical rubber band effect.

Honda Elevate

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•1d

I have a budget of Rs. 16 lakh and I am getting Victoris ZXI AT and Creta S (O) iVT automatic in petrol. My monthly running is around 1000 km. Please suggest as this will be my first car.

•1d

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Victoris ZXI automatic. It is a well-rounded SUV with a reliable naturally aspirated petrol engine, a smooth automatic gearbox and Maruti's extensive service network, which makes ownership stress free. The Creta S Optional IVT is a good car, but at this price point you are getting a lower variant with fewer features, whereas the Victoris ZXI is a higher trim with a better overall value proposition. The Victoris also offers a comfortable ride, good fuel efficiency and a hassle-free ownership experience, which is exactly what you want from your first car.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

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