CVT cars in India (16)

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Go for the Seltos HTX(A) diesel manual. With about 40km of city driving a day plus a few highway runs, you'll cover roughly 17,000- 19,000 km a year. At that mileage, the diesel's better fuel efficiency adds up to a real saving, enough to recover its price premium over the petrol IVT within a few years. It also lets you keep the manual gearbox you prefer.Be aware that the diesel is relaxed rather than punchy, and its clutch is heavier than the petrol's, so daily city traffic will take a bit more effort. Your regular highway trips will also help keep the diesel particulate filter healthy.If you'd rather not spend extra on the diesel, there's another option. Buy the HTX(A) petrol manual and fit good aftermarket alloys for a fraction of the price difference. You keep the manual and save around Rs 2 lakh upfront, but at your mileage, the diesel will win on running costs over the long term.

Kia Seltos

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With your requirement of keeping the purchase cost as low as possible while also getting something reliable, go for the Honda Amaze CVT. The CVT is smooth, the car is easy to drive, and Honda’s ownership experience is among the best in the segment. It will also be the most affordable option on your shortlist, which fits your budget constraint perfectly. It should be more than sufficient for your parents and their usage, but bear in mind, it's not much larger than the Figo they're moving from, so it may not feel like as much of an upgrade. Also, make sure entering and exiting the vehicle are not an issue for them, as it is quite low-slung.The Elevate CVT is the largest vehicle here, and as such gives a bit more space and comfort than the others, and it meets your other requirements, but if you're locked in on the V CVT variant, it might feel a bit barebones. The V CVT is well within your Rs 17 lakh budget, so consider going up a variant, as that would make it worth your while.The Maruti Suzuki Brezza, however, might be your best bet. The ZXi AT is great value for money; efficiency and hassle-free ownership are Maruti hallmarks, and the 6-speed AT gearbox is as smooth, if not smoother, than Honda's CVT. It's compact enough to be easy to drive, yet almost as spacious as the Elevate, with easy ingress and egress. We feel this will be the best fit for your parents.

Honda Amaze

Honda Elevate (2023-2026)

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

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The Honda Elevate CVT is actually a very good choice for a new driver who is not very confident. The CVT automatic is extremely smooth and easy to drive, with no perceptible gear changes, which makes it very forgiving in stop-start traffic. The steering is also light at low speeds, making it easy to manoeuvre in tight spaces and heavy traffic. The only concern you have is the length, but the Elevate is not excessively long for its segment and visibility is good, so it should not be a major issue once you get used to the car.If you are still concerned about size, you could consider the Maruti Suzuki Brezza automatic. It is more compact, has light steering and is very easy to drive in the city. Overall, the Elevate CVT remains a strong recommendation. It is easy to drive, reliable and confidence-inspiring. If size is a major concern, the Brezza auto is the best alternative.

Honda Elevate (2023-2026)

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

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For a first car that will primarily be used in Bangalore, the i20 Sportz IVT is the most suitable choice within your budget. The 1.2-litre petrol engine paired with the CVT is smooth and easy to drive in traffic, while the i20 offers a comfortable, refined cabin and enough space for a small family. The Sportz IVT is also well equipped without requiring you to stretch to the higher variants.The Honda Amaze V CVT would be our second choice. Its 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine and CVT are similarly smooth, and the sedan offers a 416-litre boot and a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating. It is particularly worth considering if you expect to carry luggage on your occasional long trips.

Hyundai i20

Honda Amaze

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For a first-time driver who is not very confident, the Nissan Magnite CVT and Renault Kiger CVT are the most natural fits, while the Honda Elevate CVT remains a good choice if the extra size is manageable. The Magnite and Kiger are compact, have light steering, good all-round visibility, around 205mm ground clearance and 360-degree cameras, making them particularly easy to place in tight traffic and parking spaces. The CVTs are also smooth and predictable, which is useful for a new driver. The Kia Seltos 1.5 IVT is another good option, and its IVT is essentially a CVT in operation, but the Seltos is larger and therefore not quite as unintimidating as the Magnite or Kiger. The Honda Elevate CVT has several advantages for a new driver, particularly its good bonnet visibility, upright driving position, 220mm ground clearance, light and predictable CVT and 5.2m turning circle. Its 4.3m length, however, will make tight parking slightly more challenging than in the Magnite or Kiger. The current Elevate's lack of a factory 360-degree camera is also a drawback, although the upcoming Elevate facelift is expected to get a 360-degree camera, which would make it a considerably better match for this requirement. An EV can be even easier in traffic because there is no gear changing and the response is very smooth, so the Punch EV is worth considering if home charging is available.

Nissan Magnite

Renault Kiger

Honda Elevate (2023-2026)

Tata Punch EV

Kia Seltos