I have been using a Maruti S-Cross since January 2016. It has been a very stable, low-maintenance, and no-nonsense car, although it lacks power. I am now looking to buy an SUV with similar qualities that is easy to drive in the city, offers at least a 4-star safety rating, has low maintenance costs, and stays strictly below ₹22 lakh on-road. Please suggest.

Autocar India

•8h

If you're only commuting in Bengaluru traffic with no highway use, the Maruti Victoris ZXI+ (O) Strong Hybrid fits your brief best. It is built for city use, is very fuel-efficient in stop-go traffic, and comes from a brand known for easy, low-stress ownership.In your kind of traffic, the strong-hybrid system spends a lot of time running on its electric motor. As a result, the car feels very smooth and quiet at low speeds and uses less fuel than a regular petrol automatic. The e-CVT removes the usual shift shocks, so crawling through traffic feels far less jerky. Moving from a Nexon, you will also appreciate the easy step-in height, good ground clearance for speed breakers, and the clear outward visibility. Maruti’s service network in Bengaluru is excellent, and the car also covers the essential safety basics with stability control and multiple airbags.There are a few trade-offs to keep in mind. The hybrid battery takes up a significant amount of boot space, so it is less spacious than some other cars of this size. It is also not particularly exciting to drive, if that matters to you.Alternatively, if you're open to the idea of an EV, you can also consider the Hyundai Creta Electric. The top-spec Excellence LR variant should fit within your budget. It is more spacious than the Victoris, arguably more comfortable, reliable, and uses no fuel. It is also exceptionally efficient among EVs in its class. The main drawback, of course, is charging, so you will need to ensure that you can install a charger at home.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Hyundai Creta Electric

Autocar India

•5h

At your budget, there aren't many hybrid options. You could consider the Maruti Suzuki Victoris, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara or its sister model the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder. The top variants of all these cars would come at ₹20 lakh (on road) mark. There's really not much difference between the Grand Vitara and Hyryder, so pick the one that you prefer in terms of style or on which one you are getting a better deal. If you want a few more features, opt for the Victoris as you would get features like a larger touchscreen and instrument panel, a branded audio system and level-2 ADAS. However, do bear in mind that rear headroom is a bit tighter in the Victoris. Technically, it shares its platform and powertrain with the other two hybrids, so it is also powered by the 1.5 litre 3 cylinder petrol hybrid unit.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Autocar India

•5h

Between the two Tata cars that you've shortlisted, go for the Sierra. Considering you will be using the SUV in the city, it's relatively more compact and easier to drive, with lighter controls, yet doesn't give up too much in terms of space. It also has more features than the Harrier, including a three-screen setup on the dashboard in top trims. Both cars have 5-star crash test ratings from Bharat NCAP, since safety is a concern for you. The Sierra also has an edge on comfort, with the softer, more compliant suspension setup, while the Harrier feels firm, comparatively.However, being large and heavy SUVs, neither is particularly good on fuel economy, especially if you drive mostly in the city. Tata's new 1.5-litre petrol engine feels smooth and powerful in both SUVs, but in our real-world tests, returned poor figures in the Sierra. The diesel might be the better choice if fuel economy is a criterion, though beware of the additional maintenance required, such as DPF regeneration.With mostly metro-city use at 25-30 km a day and rare highway runs, a strong-hybrid like the Maruti Suzuki Victoris might make more sense. It uses far less fuel in stop-go traffic, it is very quiet and smooth at low speeds, and it is easier to park than bigger SUVs. Coming from a Honda City, you will like how calm and smooth it feels, and the ride is comfortable over broken roads. Moreover, it too has received a 5-star crash test rating from Bharat NCAP. The trade-off is space, which isn't as much as you'll find in the Harrier or Sierra, and performance, which compared to the turbo-petrol engine, isn't as strong. For your usage though, we would recommend the Victoris strong hybrid.

Tata Harrier

Tata Sierra

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Autocar India

•6d

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

Going by your shortlist, you want a bigger family car on a tight budget and are looking at base trims. If you need the car in the next couple of months for mostly city use with some weekend trips, pick the Kia Seltos HTE (O) IVT. It is well equipped and, compared to the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, gives you more back-seat space and boot room.The Brezza update will be relatively minor, though we expect the 1.5 NA engine to make way for the 1.0 turbo-petrol from the Fronx. Waiting for it only makes sense if you mainly drive in tight city areas and want an easier-to-park car.Overall, for a near-term purchase and everyday comfort, the Seltos lines up best with what you’re considering.

Kia Seltos

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Autocar India

•1d

You’re after a no-drama, long-term family car that is easy to drive, comfortable and roomy. For that brief, the Honda Elevate VX CVT is a good fit. The VX CVT is the sweet spot because the automatic keeps the engine smooth in traffic, and the VX trim gets the useful features without pushing the price too high.Why it fits your list: Honda’s simple 1.5 petrol has a long, clean track record, so it suits your “no issues for 10+ years” aim. The driving position is high, the steering is light, and the CVT makes stop-go city work very easy. Space is good for four adults, the seats are supportive, and the suspension deals with broken roads well, so daily comfort is strong.Trade-offs to note: it is not the quickest for fast highway passes, and rivals offer more flashy features. If you expect a lot of high-speed use with a full load, you may want more punch.Regarding waiting for a facelift, while it may launch this year, there is no confirmed date or list of changes. An update usually brings small styling tweaks and a few extra features, and prices can go up too. The basics you care about are space, ease of driving, Honda’s engine and service and these are unlikely to change much.If you do want to look around, pick the Kia Seltos IVT for more features and a more modern cabin. Overall, for your needs, the Elevate VX CVT lines up best right now.

Honda Elevate

Kia Seltos