KH

Khekale

6w

I want to decide on an SUV purchase between the Honda Elevate, VW Taigun, Skoda Kushaq and Grand Vitara. I value good features but no ADAS. Lower maintenance is also important. Please suggest in order of merit.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
5w
In terms of lowest maintenance, the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara will top the list. It doesn’t come with ADAS at all, so you can opt for the top Alpha+ variant with all the bells and whistles and still skip ADAS. If you choose the strong hybrid version, it delivers superb fuel efficiency in the city, while all versions have a comfortable ride and spacious cabin.
Among your other picks, the Volkswagen Taigun and Skoda Kushaq also don’t get ADAS and are otherwise well-equipped, particularly the newly facelifted Kushaq, though maintenance may be a bit more expensive.
The Honda Elevate gets ADAS on the top ZX variant, which means you will have to opt for the VX and miss out on some other features. For your needs, the Grand Vitara is the best fit, but do test drive all these cars before making a decision.
Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

SA

Sahil

5w

Thanks, great insights

RA

Raj

5w

Don't fall prey to the myth that Volkswagen cars are high maintenance. Nowadays, they have improved significantly. Their service interval is once a year (approx. ₹10,000), compared to Maruti's once every six months (approx. ₹14,000; 2 times * ₹7,000). I owned a Polo for six years and now own a Taigun, and I've never felt that maintenance was too high. For the initial cost, the vehicles are excellent to drive, handle well, and are very comfortable

SU

Sunil

5w

Which suv to buy in terms of mileage and performance. Skoda Kushaq or Seltos dct? 80% highway driving and 20% city.

SU

Sunil

5w

Should I buy New Škoda Kushaq or Seltos dct?My maximum usage is 80% highway and 20% city. Looking for better mileage also.

PA

Pavan

5w

Go for kylaq instead if you drive 80% on highway... it's very fun to drive but you might have to do some addons

SR

Sridhar

5w

Kylaq or Taigun are best options on highway due to their suspension setups tuned for a good balance between handling and ride, also 5 star safety rated. Seltos are softer suspensions and better suits city drives but not confident inspiring on highways (relatively).

More questions on similar cars

RA

Ram

2d

I am using the Honda Amaze diesel CVT. I plan to change my car. My average driving in a month is 1750km. I am going for a mid-size SUV. Kindly guide. Should I go for the Honda Elevate?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
6h

Budget permitting, you should go for the Honda Elevate ZX CVT. It is the easiest, most hassle-free upgrade from your Amaze for a mid-size SUV. You are used to a diesel CVT, and the Elevate’s CVT keeps that smooth, calm feel in traffic. The higher seat and good all-around view make city driving and parking simple, and the suspension handles bad roads well. Size-wise, it is not too big, so it is easy to live with, but it still gives you more space and ground clearance than your Amaze. Honda’s engines are reliable, and service quality is generally consistent in most cities.One thing to be aware of is that, coming from a diesel, the Elevate's naturally aspirated petrol engine will not feel as strong at low speeds with a full load or on steep hills, and you will need to press the accelerator more. Also, your monthly use is high, so petrol running costs will be higher than your Amaze diesel.If fuel cost is your top worry at 1,750 km a month, look at the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid, again, budget permitting. It is very smooth and uses a lot less fuel in the city. If you do frequent highway runs with family and luggage and want that strong pull you had in your diesel, the Kia Seltos diesel automatic is the better fit.Do a back-to-back drive. Take four people, climb a flyover and try a quick overtake. If the Elevate’s pull and refinement feel fine to you there, you’ll be happy with it.

VehicleHonda Amaze
VehicleHonda Elevate
VehicleKia Seltos
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Grand Vitara
AB

Abhi

1d

I currently own a 2017 Maruti Ciaz diesel, which has been very reliable and has covered around 99,000 km, including several long trips across states. I am now planning to upgrade to a new car within a budget of ₹20-25 lakh. However, I am concerned about switching to petrol, as my previous experience with a petrol car (Chevrolet Beat) resulted in higher fuel consumption. That said, I value good mileage, reliability, and easy availability of spare parts. I like options such as Volkswagen and the new Renault Duster, but both are petrol-only. Given my priorities, which car would you recommend?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
1d

Go for a diesel SUV in your case, but also consider a strong hybrid as a serious alternative. With your history of long-distance driving and ownership of a diesel like the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, you are clearly used to the strengths of a diesel: strong low-end torque, relaxed highway cruising and good real-world efficiency. At a Rs 20-25 lakh budget, options like the Mahindra XUV 7XO, Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos diesel will feel like natural upgrades, offering more power, space and features while retaining that effortless long-distance ability.However, it is worth noting that new-age diesels are not as dramatically efficient as older ones used to be, mainly due to stricter emission norms and heavier vehicles. While they are still more efficient than petrols, the gap has reduced compared to what you may have experienced with your Ciaz.This is where strong hybrids like the Toyota Innova Hycross and Maruti Grand Vitara come into the picture. They offer a very different ownership experience - smooth, quiet, petrol-like driving with excellent real-world efficiency, where you can expect to get in excess of 20 kpl not only on the highway but in the city as well, and without diesel-related concerns like DPF.

VehicleMahindra XUV 7XO
VehicleHyundai Creta
VehicleKia Seltos
VehicleToyota Innova HyCross
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Grand Vitara
AB

Akshay Bhat

1d

Which petrol automatic would you recommend for 60% city usage (daily 10-20kms) and highways 40%? My budget is around 16L. I need good mileage, a spacious boot and a commanding driving position. I need a reliable vehicle with good after-sales service. Resale value should also be good after 5 years. Should I consider an EV - the 8% road tax for EVs added in Karnataka is an added expense! OR do you suggest I should wait for some time, considering upcoming BS7 norms, % of ethanol blending madness, poor charging network, rapidly improving EV technology leading to poor resale, etc?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
2h

We would recommend the Honda Elevate V CVT for your needs. It fits your 60 percent city and 40 percent highway usage very naturally with a smooth, easy automatic that keeps daily drives stress-free and feels relaxed on longer runs. It also gives you that commanding driving position, a spacious cabin and a genuinely useful boot, and over time it will keep ownership simple thanks to Honda’s strong reliability and low maintenance reputation. It is a straightforward, no-drama car that focuses on comfort and ease rather than unnecessary complexity. Considering your usage, going electric right now does not make much sense due to the higher cost of buying in your location, charging dependency and resale uncertainty. As for BS7 or ethanol changes, there is no need to wait, as current petrol cars are already well adapted to future norms. If you are willing to stretch your budget, the Hyundai Creta is worth considering as it feels more premium and feature-rich, but in comparable automatic variants, it does sit noticeably higher on price and does not fundamentally improve your day-to-day usability. The only real downside with the Elevate is that the interior feels a bit plain for the price. But overall, it is an easy, dependable car that will just work for you every single day without fuss.

VehicleHonda Elevate
VehicleHyundai Creta

Posted on: 9 Mar 2026