Honda cars in India (7)

autocar.india

•4m

Wait for the Honda Elevate facelift if you are not in a hurry, as it is expected in the first week of October. The mechanical package is expected to remain unchanged - the proven 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine with a CVT automatic. The important additions are likely to be a 360-degree camera, ventilated front seats, a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen, revised styling and some ADAS updates.Given that you have owned Honda City automatics for 16 years, the Elevate is a natural choice. Its simple 1.5-litre petrol-CVT combination, comfortable ride, good visibility and proven mechanicals make it particularly well suited to long-term ownership.If you want to consider alternatives, the Toyota Hyryder/Maruti Victoris are worth looking at, particularly if fuel efficiency is important. The Kia Seltos is more spacious and feels more premium, while the Skoda Kushaq is the better choice if driving enjoyment matters.However, for your priorities and your long association with Honda, the Elevate remains one of the strongest choices.

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Honda City

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Kia Seltos

Skoda Kushaq

autocar.india

•7h

Go for the Honda Elevate CVT, as it is the most sensible choice. The naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with the CVT is smooth, reliable and easy to drive, which is exactly what you need as relatively new drivers. Honda’s reputation for long-term reliability and low maintenance costs also aligns perfectly with your needs, and you liked the Brio that you drove, so this feels like a logical upgrade.The Skoda Kushaq is a great driver’s car, but your concerns about higher maintenance costs and resale value are not entirely unfounded. Its turbocharged engines do require a bit of a learning curve to drive smoothly and efficiently compared to the naturally aspirated petrol engines of the others. The Kia Seltos is feature-rich, and while build quality issues aren't really an issue, what might be is its size, which could be a bit too large for urban Bengaluru use, considering you are both new drivers.The Honda car mentioned above may not have a 360-degree camera, but that is not a deal-breaker. The most important thing is that the Elevate offers a stress-free ownership experience, which is far more valuable over 10-15 years than a few extra features. The Elevate is also a comfortable family car with a spacious cabin and good ride quality, which makes it well-suited for a family of four and will be easy to drive for relative novices.

Honda Elevate

Skoda Kushaq

Kia Seltos

autocar.india

•7h

Go for the Honda Elevate petrol CVT. It is the best fit for your requirements. The Elevate’s CVT automatic is smooth and convenient, making driving in city traffic far less stressful. It is also a reliable, fuss-free car that will comfortably last 10-12 years with Honda’s strong service network and low maintenance costs. The cabin is spacious enough for a family of five, and the ride is comfortable on long highway trips. The petrol engine is refined and peppy enough for your usage, and you avoid the long-term concerns around diesel ownership as emission norms tighten.The Kia Sonet diesel is a good car, but it is smaller than the Elevate, and the diesel automatic doesn't make sense given your usage. The Honda car mentioned above is the more sensible, long-term choice.

Honda Elevate

Kia Sonet

autocar.india

•1d

Given your usage pattern, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza petrol is the most sensible upgrade. You do not drive every day, and your long drives are occasional, so a diesel does not make financial sense. The Brezza offers good ground clearance, a reliable and proven 1.5 naturally aspirated, four-cylinder petrol engine, and Maruti's strong service network. It is also simple to use and not overloaded with unnecessary tech, which suits your preference. The ride is comfortable, the car is easy to drive, and ownership costs are low.If you want something slightly more premium, the Honda Elevate is also worth considering. It offers a more spacious cabin and a slightly more premium feel, but the Maruti car mentioned above remains the more practical and value-driven choice.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Honda Elevate

autocar.india

•1d

Go for the Skoda Slavia 1.5 TSI manual. As a driving enthusiast, this is exactly the kind of car you should be looking for. The 1.5 TSI is a genuinely strong engine with excellent performance, and the manual gearbox makes it a far more engaging car to drive than the Elevate. The fact that it is a rare find in the used market only adds to its appeal.The car itself sounds very clean. Full service history at authorised Skoda workshops, an active AMC, extended warranty till 2029 and zero depreciation insurance all point to a well-maintained example. The only thing to check is the price. Rs 12 lakh is on the higher side for a second-owner 2023 Ambition (entry-level), despite the upgrades and warranty. Remember, the 1.5 TSI MT was discontinued because of low demand, and finding a buyer in the used car market isn't going to be easy unless, of course, a driving enthusiast like you shows interest. Realistically, if you can get the price down below Rs 11 lakh, it could be worth opting for. Else, the Elevate seems like the more sensible option.

Skoda Slavia

Honda Elevate