Honda cars in India (8)

Since your usage is split evenly between city and highway and you plan to sell the car in about 3–4 years, choosing the model that feels the most modern and premium today would make more sense.

Among the three, we would suggest going for the Kia Seltos IVT. It is the newer car compared to the Hyundai Creta, and it is also slightly larger and more spacious, which helps it feel more premium overall. Both the Seltos and Creta share the same powertrain, so either car will offer a similar driving experience. The 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine is one of the most refined units in this segment and the IVT/CVT transmission is silky smooth, making it well suited for both city and highway driving.

Also, considering that the Creta is expected to be replaced early next year, it is unlikely to have a higher resale value compared to the Seltos in the coming years.

The Honda Elevate is also a safe and reliable option. However, compared to the Creta and the Seltos, it does not feel as premium and the engine is a bit noisier than the Hyundai/Kia unit. It is also an older product compared to the Seltos.

Your budget rules out the Honda Elevate V CVT in Mumbai (it sits around the Rs 15.5 lakh; check with the dealer for current pricing). But if you are able to get a good discount and stretch your budget a bit, it is definitely worth going for. 

The Elevate has a peppy 1.5 petrol engine mated to a seamless CVT gearbox, and being a Honda model, it will be reliable and stress-free to maintain. Getting in and out of the Elevate is also easy, and it has a comfy ride quality, which means your parents will be comfortable in this SUV. Being the V variant, it misses out on some feel-good features, but it does get all the necessary features. 

However, if you want to stick to your budget strictly, consider the Maruti Brezza. Although it is a smaller SUV than the Elevate, it still has a spacious cabin, a comfy ride quality, and a smooth engine-gearbox combination. Also, being a Maruti, it will be reliable and easy to maintain.

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. 

Since most of your driving is in the city, an automatic gearbox makes the most sense. Compared to a manual, it brings a lot more convenience and generally makes driving less stressful. ADAS is good to have, but it should be treated as an added safety net rather than something you depend on completely.

Between your two choices, the Hyundai Venue is a compact SUV, and the Honda Elevate is a midsize SUV. Naturally, the Elevate is the larger of the two, but if you want ADAS, you will need to opt for the top ZX trim, which costs around Rs 19.5 lakh on-road, putting it out of your price range. The new Venue HX10 with the turbo-petrol DCT combination is a good fit for your budget and even has more ADAS features than the Elevate. However, it cannot match the larger Elevate in terms of interior space, which is why we also suggest you take a look at the Kia Syros.

In the compact SUV segment, it is the most spacious vehicle. It uses the same powertrain and has most of the same ADAS features as the Venue. It is more expensive than the Venue, but it also gets features like a panoramic sunroof and ventilated rear seats.

The Honda Amaze CVT is a good pick for you. Its CVT gearbox is smooth and delivers a pleasant driving experience, superior to what you'd get with AMTs in the same price band. The Amaze CVT in fully-loaded VX form fits your budget and is worth a look. 

You could also look at the Tata Altroz DCT in Accomplished S trim. It's well equipped and, while performance is unexciting, the gearbox is very smooth. 

Other options we'd recommend considering include the Nissan Magnite CVT, Renault Kiger CVT and Hyundai i20 CVT. Do note, their top-end versions are pricier than Rs 11 lakh. 

Why don't you consider the Skoda Kushaq facelift instead? Being part of the VW group, the Kushaq will be a natural upgrade from your Polo - it is well-built, well-equipped and it drives well too. Both its engines (1.0L and 1.5L) deliver good performance. This should be high up on your shortlist.

The Honda Elevate is a no nonsense option with excellent ride comfort, and a strong naturally aspirated petrol engine. The seating position is good, and it is nice to drive too. Refinement however isn't its strong suit.

The Renault Duster also looks like a good option but we'll reserve our judgements till we actually drive it extensively.