Honda Petrol Cars in India (4)

autocar.india

•6h

We would recommend the Renault Duster with the turbo-petrol engine paired with the six-speed manual. It is the best fit for the stated usage and priorities. With relatively low annual running, a petrol engine makes more sense, and while the Honda Elevate’s naturally aspirated engine is smooth, reliable and easy to live with, it does not have the Duster’s sense of toughness.The Elevate also feels less modern inside compared with the Duster. The Duster has a strong SUV stance, a commanding driving position and good ground clearance, which should provide greater confidence on rough patches and light off-road trails. Its handling and suspension are particular strengths, while the overall build quality also feels reassuring.Renault’s service network is not the strongest, but support should be better in Bengaluru, given that it is a major city. As an overall package, and considering the requirements, the Duster makes for the better choice. A relatively limited service network for Renault cars is a drawback, but the Duster’s strengths make it a more suitable option for this particular usage.

Renault Duster

Honda Elevate

autocar.india

•23h

You should consider the Honda Elevate ZX CVT. As far as reliable, no-nonsense midsize SUVs go, this Honda car is among the best. Honda's 1.5-litre i-VTEC is a great mix of smoothness, reliability and efficiency, and with 120hp on tap, it has enough punch to handle the hills of Uttarakhand and Himachal when you need it to. It's a fuss-free SUV that will serve you well over a long period of time; Honda's service is known to be of high quality, and you get quite a few features within your budget of Rs 18-19 lakh.Other options you could look at are the Maruti Suzuki Victoris/Grand Vitara, which use a similarly reliable 1.5-litre petrol engine with a torque-converter automatic, but it isn't quite as punchy as the Honda engine and may feel lethargic in the hills if the car is loaded up. In a similar vein are the Hyundai Creta/Kia Seltos, which also use a 1.5 petrol engine and CVT, though these aren't quite as efficient, and in your budget you'll only get the base models of these cars. Overall, we feel the Honda Elevate is the best bet for you.

Honda Elevate

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Kia Seltos

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Hyundai Creta

autocar.india

•4d

Based on your requirements, the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder Strong Hybrid is the most sensible upgrade. Your concerns about the 3-cylinder engine are understandable, but in the hybrid, the petrol engine is assisted by the electric motor, which smooths out the power delivery and reduces the typical 3-cylinder vibrations. This Toyota car also delivers excellent fuel efficiency, especially in city driving, which will make a significant difference over a 10-year ownership period. While it may not be a "proper" SUV in the traditional sense, it offers a higher seating position, good ground clearance and a comfortable ride, making it a practical and premium upgrade from the Ritz.The Honda City e: HEV is a strong alternative, but the higher price pushes it into a different budget bracket, and the cost-benefit equation becomes harder to justify. The Skoda Slavia is a great driver's car with a smooth 4-cylinder engine, an extremely practical cabin and strong performance, but if efficiency is a high priority, it is best to stick to the strong hybrid. The Slavia will receive an update soon, which will also feature a new gearbox which replaces the earlier Aisin-sourced 6-speed torque converter (AQ250) with a newer Aisin 8-speed torque converter (AQ300). This will be exclusive to the 1.0-litre engine and will be a bit more efficient too. However, in comparison to a strong hybrid, nothing really comes close. Overall, the Hyryder Strong Hybrid offers the best balance of efficiency, reliability and ownership experience for your needs.

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Honda City

Skoda Slavia

autocar.india

•4d

Given your usage pattern of 40% city and 60% long trips, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno AGS is actually a sensible upgrade from your 2015 Celerio AGS. The Baleno offers a more comfortable cabin, better highway stability and a more refined driving experience, which will make those long trips far more enjoyable. The AGS gearbox is also well suited to your occasional city use, keeping things simple and efficient.On the E20 front, there is no reason to worry. The Baleno is E20 compliant, and modern engines are engineered to handle this blend without any long-term reliability concerns. Maruti has also stated that their E20 engines are built for a material tolerance of slightly more than E20, so on the material front the car should be good for something like E22 for example. The main impact of a higher blend would be a reduction in fuel efficiency.The only thing to consider is whether you want to stick with AGS or move to a more conventional automatic. If you are happy with how AGS behaves, the Baleno is a solid choice. If you want a smoother and more premium automatic experience, you could look at something like the Hyundai i20 IVT or the Honda Amaze CVT instead. Both offer a more refined automatic gearbox, which can make a difference on long highway drives.Overall, the Baleno AGS is a good fit for your usage and there is no E20-related reason to avoid it. The decision really comes down to whether you are happy with AGS or want to move to a more conventional automatic.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

Hyundai i20

Honda Amaze