Honda City

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You are spot on in your observation about the high engine noise during hard acceleration on the Honda City CVT. That is a function of its CVT gearbox and the notorious 'rubberband effect' in which the revs rise sharply without a correspondingly quick increase in road speed. The CVT gearbox does have its advantages, with a smoother drive experience in city and low-speed conditions, but it's not the exciting choice.The Volkswagen Virtus is the superior driving car, thanks to its turbocharged engines and torque converter automatic and dual-clutch automatic gearboxes, depending on the engine you opt for. The Virtus is due for an update in the weeks to come, which will see the move to an 8-speed torque converter automatic transmission for the 1.0 TSI engine. We've experienced the same engine and gearbox combination on the Skoda Slavia and found it to have uplifted the overall drive experience. In terms of cabin insulation, ride comfort, and even highway stability, the Virtus does feel superior to the Honda City. Fuel economy, however, is entirely dependent on your driving style. Drive with enthusiasm, and you'll see fuel economy dip quickly, which is something true for all turbo-petrol engines.While both the Honda City and Volkswagen Virtus are sound products, the City does have the more proven track record for reliability. That being said, there are no fundamental areas of concern on the Virtus. The upcoming update will also address the mediocre cooling, which has been a bugbear for the product since launch.To us, the Volkswagen Virtus is the car that will put a bigger smile on your face.

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The Maruti Suzuki Swift VXI AMT would be the right car for your requirements. The Swift is the newer car and feels better outside and inside. It also feels better suited to city use. The Z12E engine is tuned for low-end power and works well enough with the AMT gearbox. While the Z12E is a relatively new engine, you shouldn't have any trouble with long-term reliability. Suzuki's engines are renowned to be reliable and go on for years and years, provided you stick to regular maintenance schedules. The Z12E engine is also refined for a three-cylinder unit. It runs quiet and you can only feel a buzz at idle if you really pay attention. The engine will thrum when you rev it hard but that will be a rarity in your use case.Go ahead with the Maruti Suzuki Swift VXI AMT. It'll be a good second car to your Honda City.

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The Honda City Hybrid is the closest modern equivalent to your Corolla. It offers a similar ownership philosophy: reliable, comfortable, easy to live with and efficient. The hybrid system delivers excellent fuel economy in city driving, and Honda's long-term reliability record is strong. The only drawback is that the boot is smaller than the standard City due to the battery pack.The Skoda Slavia and VW Virtus are both excellent sedans with strong turbo petrol engines and good driving dynamics, but they do not offer the same ownership simplicity or efficiency as the City Hybrid. The Skoda Kushaq and VW Taigun are more practical and offer better ground clearance for Indian roads, but they are not as refined or as comfortable as the City Hybrid.However, the City Hybrid is expensive, and will fall outside of your Rs 22 lakh budget. If you're okay with that and sold on the city, you should go ahead. There is another car to consider, however, and that's the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder Hybrid. Not only does it come from the same reliable house of Toyota, but it gets you the practicality of an SUV and also falls within your budget. Do note, however, that its rear seat is not as spacious as what you'll get in the City hybrid.

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The Tata Sierra Pure 63 makes you feel like you've spent your money well thanks to a rich cabin experience. Coming from a Honda City, it'll feel like a proper upgrade as far as space, comfort, performance and ride handling go.The Mahindra BE 6 Pack One is an interesting option from a design and technology perspective. It feels like the sportiest one to drive of the three; however, cabin space feels cramped given its exterior dimensions. The Windsor EV is the most affordable of the lot, and even though it is more compact than the others, due to its excellent packaging, cabin and boot space are better than the others. Do keep in mind, though, that the Windsor's battery is the smallest and its real-world range will be much lower than the others. Also, its DC fast-charging speeds don't match the others. Lastly, its ride comfort isn't as plush as the Tata's either. In summary, the BE 6 is the sportiest to drive, the Windsor is good value, but given its excellent comfort, range and driving manners, the Sierra EV is our pick of the lot.