Honda City

Autocar India

•3h

If you are looking for a strong hybrid under Rs 25 lakh and want to avoid Maruti, the Honda City e:HEV is currently the most complete and proven option available. Its hybrid system is very smooth and refined, especially in city driving, where it can run on electric power at low speeds, making it quiet and efficient. It also offers a comfortable ride and a spacious rear seat, making it a great everyday family car.That said, it is still a sedan, so ground clearance and rough-road ability are not its strengths. If you prefer an SUV form factor, the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder is the only real alternative in this price range. While it shares its base with a Maruti product, it uses Toyota’s hybrid system and is well-proven. It offers better ground clearance and a more SUV-like stance, though the overall experience is more comfort-focused than performance-oriented.Since you mentioned waiting, the Renault Duster hybrid is expected around the Diwali period. It is worth considering if you are not in a hurry, as it could combine an SUV form factor with a strong hybrid setup. However, since it is not yet on sale, real-world performance, pricing and ownership experience are still unknown.

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Renault Duster

Honda City

Autocar India

•1d

Your usage should determine which Honda you go for, as the City and Elevate are mechanically identical. Both are powered by a 121hp, 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine that can be had with either a 6-speed manual or a CVT automatic and are similar in terms of driving experience.If you're going to be primarily using the car in the city and if you are chauffeur-driven, go for the Honda City as it has a more comfortable rear seat and being smaller, it is easier to drive in the city. The City also benefits from a larger boot than the Elevate.However, if you want the elevated driving position of an SUV, the added practicality, more ground clearance, easier ingress/egress to the cabin and a more robust suspension, go for the Honda Elevate.

Honda City

Honda Elevate

Autocar India

•1w

A good choice for your wife is the Honda Amaze. You've owned a Honda City and are happy with it, so this would be a good option, as you're already in the Honda system. We'd recommend the CVT in the ZX variant if that falls in your budget. The smooth automatic gearbox will be a nice convenience in city traffic, and there are also ADAS features as a safety net for her and your child.It's comfy, spacious, efficient, easy to drive and even a bit of fun from behind the wheel. It comes with a robust 3-year/unlimited-km warranty as standard, which can be extended to 7 years/unlimited km, but what is more interesting is Honda's 'Anytime Warranty', which allows you to extend it in increments of 1-year/20,000km for up to 10 years. That should give you good peace of mind, and when you factor in Honda's reasonable maintenance and running costs, the Amaze CVT ends up being great value for money.

Honda Amaze

Honda City

Autocar India

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If you are considering NA versions, the Kia Seltos’ CVT is a better choice than the Tata Sierra’s DCA. The CVT is seamless in operation, similar to your Honda City’s CVT, and works well with the 1.5-litre engine, particularly in the city. While the Sierra’s DCA shifts are smooth, it can be slow to respond, with a noticeable pause between shifts.Within your budget, you can opt for the HTX trim of the Kia Seltos, which comes well-equipped with features, like a 12.3-inch HD infotainment touchscreen, dual-zone climate control, ventilated front seats and a Bose premium audio system. Do take a test drive before you decide.

Kia Seltos

Honda City

Tata Sierra

Autocar India

•2w

Go for the Honda City ZX CVT. For chauffeur‑driven parents, it offers the comfiest rear bench, ample legroom, and a smooth CVT for Bengaluru traffic within your ₹20-21 lakh budget.Rear comfort is its strength: the 2,600 mm wheelbase helps knee-room, the rear seat is well-cushioned with good thigh support, and the ride is tuned soft for long trips. The 506‑litre boot easily swallows luggage for highway runs. ZX adds 6 airbags and ADAS with adaptive cruise control, useful on long highways. The CVT’s smooth creep and no shift‑shock make occasional city use easy. Versus your shortlist, Elevate’s rear bench feels upright, while Slavia/Virtus ride firmer and are more driver‑centric for back‑seat comfort.The one thing you give up is ground clearance in comparison to the Elevate. Also, if getting in and out is a concern, the Elevate's high-set seats would make it easier. A test drive should sort that out. For now, we recommend the City for its hassle-free ownership experience, reliability and most of all, a refined and comfortable cabin.

Honda City

Honda Elevate

Skoda Slavia

Volkswagen Virtus

Autocar India

•3w

If an upgrade necessarily means a larger car for you, the Mahindra 3XO won't be the right move after a Honda City. You'd be best served by midsized SUVs, which measure between 4.3 and 4.5m. Of the current crop of mid-sized SUVs, the Kia Seltos, Hyundai Creta and Tata Sierra are the best-rounded. The new-gen Renault Duster that launches on March 17 also has promise.If vehicle size isn't a dealbreaker, the Mahindra XUV 3XO is a good pick. It's got powerful petrol engines, feels solid, and ride and handling are also impressive. The interior is also spacious for what is a compact SUV, and higher-spec versions pack in loads of equipment too. In fact, a fully-loaded 3XO is better equipped than a fully-loaded City.Within the compact SUV segment, you could also consider the Hyundai Venue, which is a well-rounded package.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Honda City

Kia Seltos

Hyundai Creta

Tata Sierra

Renault Duster

Autocar India

•4w

In terms of choosing between manual and automatic, it largely comes down to usage and personal preference. The convenience that an automatic transmission brings in stop-and-go traffic is undeniable, making it the better choice for those with long urban commutes. However, if a manual is what you prefer and the extra effort it requires in the city doesn’t bother you, then that is what you should get.It’s true the Honda City doesn’t sell as well as it once did in a market dominated by SUVs, but it remains a competent, if somewhat underwhelming, car. If you like the Honda experience and want to upgrade to an SUV, the Elevate is worth considering. It’s a spacious vehicle with good ride and handling and a slick gearbox; however, it is down on features compared to the competition.If you’d prefer to stick with the sedan formula but want something more engaging to drive, the Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Virtus should be right up your alley. They are currently among the most enjoyable sedans to drive in the segment and, even in 1.0-litre TSI form, offer more performance than the Honda City. They are also available with a manual, although Volkswagen has recently discontinued the manual on the 1.5 TSI.Finally, a sunroof is a luxury feature, not an essential. If you don’t find any practical value in it, it’s best avoided.

Honda Elevate

Honda City

Skoda Slavia

Volkswagen Virtus

Autocar India

•4w

Without knowing your budget, it's hard to guide you to the best option for your needs. However, among the shortlisted models, we'd avoid the Ford EcoSport. It is a solid product, and Ford does have a functioning service network, but spare parts may not be as easily available in the future.The Honda City and Hyundai Verna are good options, but we're leaning towards the City for a few reasons. Hondas typically run trouble-free over a long period, provided you take care with routine service and maintenance. The 1.5 i-VTEC engine is also bulletproof and delivers more exciting performance than a Verna petrol.

Honda City

Hyundai Verna

Autocar India

•4w

The Honda City CVT is a good car; however, even the base version would be over the Rs 13 lakh mark. You could thus consider the Honda Amaze CVT instead. The top-end version will come in under your budget, and you will get a well-equipped car with features like an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless phone connectivity. It also has in cabin air purifier, automatic climate control with rear AC vents and even an ADAS system, which can come in handy on your highway drives. The Amaze is also quite spacious inside, and the boot, too, is large and should accommodate any weekend luggage you may have.

Honda City

Honda Amaze

Autocar India

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You could look for a 12 or 13-year-old Honda City. It is a spacious and comfortable sedan with a huge boot. Additionally, it is good to drive, and its petrol engine is likely to be very fuel-efficient too. Try searching for a top variant with all the safety and convenience features that it has to offer. Alternatively, a 14-year old Toyota Corolla Altis will also be a reliable, sensible option.

Honda City