Honda cars in India (7)

Autocar India

•7h

The Honda Amaze CVT would be the recommendation here. For a beginner driver with predominantly city usage, the Amaze's CVT automatic is a major advantage. It is smoother, more refined and easier to drive in stop-start traffic than the AMT offered in the Exter. The sedan also offers a more comfortable ride, a larger boot and a mature driving experience that will remain satisfying even as your driving skills improve.The Hyundai Exter counters with its higher seating position, which some new drivers find reassuring, along with better ground clearance for rough roads and speed breakers. However, its AMT gearbox is not as seamless as the Honda's CVT.

Honda Amaze

Hyundai Exter

Autocar India

•2d

The Skoda Kushaq or Volkswagen Taigun 1.0 TSI Automatic would be the top recommendations here.Since your usage is predominantly on highways, the strengths of these two SUVs align very well with your requirements. Both feel stable and confidence-inspiring at higher speeds, offer comfortable ride quality and have strong safety credentials. Their turbo-petrol engines deliver a good balance of performance and fuel efficiency, while the new 8-speed automatic transmission should further improve efficiency and drivability. They also represent a substantial upgrade over the Wagon R in terms of refinement, comfort and long-distance cruising ability.Another strong option is the Honda Elevate CVT. It may not feel as sporty or engaging to drive as the Skoda and Volkswagen twins, but it excels in comfort, reliability and ease of ownership. The naturally aspirated petrol engine is smooth and proven, while maintenance costs are likely to be among the lowest in the segment.

Volkswagen Taigun

Skoda Kushaq

Honda Elevate

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R

Autocar India

•1d

Get the Honda Amaze and opt for the top spec ZX variant, which is the most affordable ADAS-equipped car in India.The ADAS suite is a camera-based system that includes lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, and blind-spot monitor, among others. Adaptive cruise control works well in stop-go conditions, and besides the ADAS, the Amaze is also a calm, easy drive in traffic, will give you good mileage, and you will benefit from Honda’s fuss-free ownership.If you want an SUV instead, consider the Mahindra XUV 3XO, which also offers an ADAS suite; bear in mind that fuel efficiency will not be as good as the Amaze. One thing to know: adaptive cruise is most useful on open highways. In messy city traffic, it will brake often, and you may switch it off.

Honda Amaze

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Autocar India

•3h

There is no reason to avoid either a petrol or a diesel car purely because of future fuel-blending plans.Just as modern petrol cars are being engineered to handle higher ethanol blends, any future diesel blend regulations will be accompanied by corresponding changes from vehicle manufacturers. If isobutanol blending is introduced, it will be done in a controlled manner, and vehicles sold in the market will be calibrated accordingly. There is currently no evidence to suggest that such blends would cause adverse effects on modern diesel engines when used within the prescribed limits.The more important question is whether a diesel suits your usage pattern. If your running is high and includes regular highway trips, the Altroz Diesel remains a compelling option. However, if your usage is predominantly urban, the Honda Amaze CVT is still the more sensible choice. It offers a smoother driving experience, lower complexity and none of the DPF-related concerns associated with modern diesel engines.

Tata Altroz

Honda Amaze

Autocar India

•2d

The Honda Amaze V CVT would actually be the strongest recommendation here, even if it stretches your budget slightly. For Bangalore's traffic, the CVT automatic is significantly smoother and more pleasant to use than the AMTs offered on cars like the Punch and Altroz. The Amaze is also comfortable, easy to drive, fuel efficient and backed by Honda's reputation for reliability. Safety is solid, and there are no concerns regarding ethanol-blended fuel as the car is designed to run on the fuels currently available and planned for India.If the budget is absolutely non-negotiable, then the Tata Punch facelift AMT would be the alternative to consider. It offers a strong safety package, a commanding driving position and good practicality for city use. Just keep in mind that an AMT will never feel as smooth as the Honda's CVT in stop-start traffic.

Honda Amaze

Tata Altroz

Tata Punch

Autocar India

•26m

Consider the Hyundai Venue HX5+ with the 1.2 petrol manual. It fits comfortably in your budget, has a spacious and comfortable back seat and gets features like rear AC vents and a rear window sunshade. If you'd like, and even a roomier rear seat, the Kia Syros is a great choice, but it only comes with the turbo petrol, which will be slightly less fuel efficient.Stretching your budget to Rs 14 lakh gets you options from the midsize SUV segment. Among these, the Kia Seltos and the Honda Elevate 1.5 petrol manuals are strong choices. The will be roomier than the Venue, with more comfortable rear seats, and will be relatively fuel efficient in the city. However, your budget will get you the lower-end trims, which may lack some features. Alternatively, you could consider the Honda City.Overall, for your budget, the Venue is a great fit.

Hyundai Venue

Kia Syros

Kia Seltos

Honda Elevate

Autocar India

•4d

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Victoris strong hybrid. It keeps the SUV ground clearance that's beneficial on hill trips, yet gives real 20-plus-kpl economy and an smooth, refined automatic driving experience. As retirees you will like the relaxed drive, light controls and the long features list - ventilated seats, 360 camera, EPB with auto hold, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay - so you still get your bells and whistles without the size and thirst of your XUV700. And though the Victoris gets ADAS features, they aren't offered on the strong hybrid, but you do get cruise control, which should be helpful on long drives.While the Honda City Hybrid is an excellent option, and possibly more fuel efficient than even the Maruti Suzuki car, but its sedan shape works against it. Ground clearance is nowhere near as good, and ingress and egress could be an issue. Plus, as its hybrid system isn't localised like Maruti and Toyota's, the City Hybrid is very expensive. While the electric assist helps, as you've noted, hybrids in general are not as quick as a powerful turbocharged car like your XUV700, and the engine can sound strained when wrung out, such as on steep climbs. Also, the hybrid variant does not get AWD or hill descent. If you truly need extra grip in slush, the AWD mild-hybrid manual exists, but you will lose the auto hold feature.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Honda City

Autocar India

•4d

Pick the Hyundai Venue automatic - it will make your 30 km daily city drive far easier and still handle your once-in-3-months trips calmly. Two-pedal ease in traffic saves fatigue, it’s compact for tight parking, and Hyundai’s service reach is wider than most, so ownership is simple. It also gives you a change from your old Sonet without feeling alien.If you loved your Sonet’s feel and features and don’t mind a repeat, the Sonet automatic is still a strong pick. Choose the Venue if you want a slightly more relaxed ride and a fresh cabin and more space. Amaze works if you really want a sedan’s boot and lower price, but you’ll miss the higher seat and ground clearance that help on bad roads and speed breakers.Go automatic for your usage. The manual is cheaper and can return a bit better kpl, but in stop-go traffic the automatic is worth the extra Rs. 1-1.5 lakh and a little fuel penalty.

Hyundai Venue

Honda Amaze

Kia Sonet

Autocar India

•4d

Modern cars from both Honda and Hyundai have significantly improved corrosion protection, and under normal ownership conditions, rust should not be a major concern.If the Honda City was your preferred choice after the test drive, there is little reason to change that decision based on a single comment. The City remains one of the most well-rounded sedans in the segment, offering excellent ride comfort, rear-seat space, visibility and a proven naturally aspirated petrol engine that is smooth, refined and reliable.The Hyundai Verna offers a more modern interior, a stronger feature list and a wider powertrain choice. While the turbo-petrol version grabs most of the attention, the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol paired with the CVT is also a very smooth and relaxed combination. It is easy to drive in traffic and suits buyers looking for comfort and refinement rather than outright performance.

Honda City

Hyundai Verna

Autocar India

•4d

Go for the Hyundai Creta because your 70% highway use and family of five will benefit most from its space, calm cruising and real-world efficiency. The 1.5 NA petrol with the automatic is smooth, stress-free and proven reliable, and the Creta’s big cabin and boot make family trips easy. Real-world mileage should be good too, and maintenance should be relatively low. In your budget, you should be able to get the mid-range S (O) CVT. Coming from a Maruti Jimny AT, you’ll love the greater refinement, more comfortable ride and stronger high-speed performance.From Maruti Suzuki, there are the Grand Vitara and Victoris, which are both excellent options too. Great mileage, smooth gearboxes and exceptional reliability, but for a family of five, space in the back seat isn't as good as the Creta, and the 105hp 1.5-litre petrol can feel overwhelmed under heavy load, especially on the highway, where you do 70% of your driving. Honda's 1.5-litre petrol in Elevate doesn't have this issue, but compared to the Creta, space and comfort aren't quite as good, and it lacks the same wow factor. However, if you don't mind a sedan, the City is a more compelling choice.Overall, though you won't get it in a higher variant with as many features as others, we feel the Creta is the best all-rounder for the money.

Hyundai Creta

Maruti Suzuki Jimny

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Honda Elevate