Autocar India
31w

Hello, I'm a Honda fanboy and looking to buy a new vehicle in 2026. Inclined towards a subcompact SUV. Will Honda launch the WRV? I have checked the Elevate and really liked it. But the automatic variant is above my budget. My regular usage will be on the highway, going to my hometown and back. Plus, once or twice a month 200 km one-sided and basic city runs on the weekends.

Verified
31w
While there are plans for Honda to eventually re-enter the compact SUV segment, they are unfortunately very far away. While Honda is reportedly planning 10 new model launches for India by 2030, the compact SUV will likely be one of the last of these. Honda plans to first launch CBU-imported halo products, followed by a localised midsize electric car based on the Honda Zero Alpha, then new-gen ICE and hybrid replacements for the City and Elevate on a new platform. Finally, after these, there is a chance this new platform could be scaled down to a compact SUV once the development costs have been absorbed, but given the expected launch cycle, this won't be before 2028-29.
If you're really a fan of the Honda Elevate, see if you can stretch your budget to buy one new. Or better yet, check out the used market for a lightly-driven example that's not too old, which you should get at a better price. Check out Spinny for vetted and approved used examples.
Honda Elevate

Honda Elevate

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2d

I have been driving a Skoda Rapid Ambition Diesel for the past 13 years. It has been a great car with excellent fuel efficiency, although I wouldn't rate the after-sales service very highly. I now want to add another car to the family. My usage is 95% in the city, with a monthly running of 500-600 km, mainly for dropping my kids to school and tuition classes. Please suggest a car that suits this kind of usage. My priorities are fuel efficiency and safety. I am not looking for an SUV, as I feel they are more about show than practicality. I am also not interested in an electric vehicle, as charging availability is still a concern for me, and I feel most Indian EVs are still in the trial phase.

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1d

Given your usage of 500-600 km per month with 95 percent city driving, a petrol sedan is the most sensible choice. Diesel does not make financial sense at this running, and EVs are rightly ruled out given your concerns about charging infrastructure. The Honda City is the most balanced recommendation here. It is spacious and comfortable, with a proven naturally aspirated petrol engine that is smooth and efficient in city driving. The CVT automatic is particularly well suited to stop-start traffic, and Honda’s reputation for long-term reliability makes it a safe ownership proposition. The Hyundai Verna is also worth considering if you want a more engaging driving experience and more features, but given your usage pattern, the City’s comfort and reliability are more relevant. Overall, the Honda City offers the best balance of efficiency, comfort, and long-term peace of mind for your usage.

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2d

Hi Autocar, I own a Nissan Magnite CVT and am very happy with it, as it perfectly suits my usage of 20 km daily in Bengaluru's bumper-to-bumper traffic and 500 km of highway driving per month for weekend trips. I am now planning to upgrade to a larger car with a spacious rear seat that can comfortably accommodate three passengers. I recently test-drove the Nissan Tekton, but I found the DCT unsuitable for my daily city driving. It also doesn't offer the CVT that I have grown to like in the Magnite, although the dealer mentioned that a CVT variant may be launched soon. Would it be worth waiting for the Tekton CVT? I am not in a hurry and can wait for around six months. Or should I consider alternatives like the Hyundai Creta CVT or the Honda Elevate CVT? Are there any other automatic SUVs that would suit my requirements for daily city commuting while also being comfortable for regular weekend highway trips?

Verified
1d

Given your usage pattern of heavy Bangalore traffic and monthly highway trips, the priority should be a smooth, reliable automatic gearbox and a spacious rear seat for three.The Hyundai Creta IVT (CVT) would be the most sensible upgrade for you. The IVT gearbox is smooth and well-suited to stop-start traffic, and the Creta offers a genuinely roomy rear seat that can comfortably accommodate three adults. This Hyundai car is also a proven, reliable package with good highway manners for your weekend trips.The Honda Elevate CVT is also worth considering. The CVT is equally smooth in traffic, and Honda’s long-term reliability is a strong point. However, the rear seat is not as wide as the Creta’s, so it is not as comfortable for three adults on longer journeys.Overall, the Creta IVT is the most balanced upgrade from your Magnite CVT, offering the right combination of gearbox smoothness, rear seat space and long-term ownership confidence.

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Posted on: 27 Dec 2025