[SaiChaithanya]

Hi Team

This is my first post and thank you admin team for approving my registration to such a wonderful library of automobile brains.

I’m planning to buy a new car which is going to be our first car & need opinions to decide the best one.

There’re twists & turns in my car search which might feel interesting when you read completely.

This post might be lengthy for someone but all my search experiences are mentioned so that forum members can share their opinions accordingly.

The search began in the beginning of COVID. Have searched each and every brand website, watched YouTube reviews after short listing few cars, read team-bhp user reviews and further short listed few cars.

My initial interest: A performance oriented car.
Wife’s interest: A practical family car.

I never know the value of Polo earlier and only came across when I was reading posts related to my short listed cars on this forum. Finally, I wanted only a Polo GT & forgot rest. Literally, I was like babies crying for toys what they’ve seen until we buy them.

However, these are the short listed cars based on our needs at that point of time.
1. Polo GT
2. Altroz
3. Glanza CVT
4. Jazz CVT

Started test driving each short listed cars and had to go to Altroz first as it was on the way to VW showroom.

Altroz TD:
• Entered showroom no one came forward to attend us for 10 minutes. SA was not good and not interested to take through us, I lost my 1st opinion about Tata there but still went further.
• Wife liked the car at first sight and factors like space, sound quality, ride comfort further impressed her.
• I personally interested in Automatic but had to go with as there was no option in Altroz.
• I felt gear shifting is not slick.
• SA restricted me to test drive for 2 kilometres only.
• Overall I didn’t want to go with Altroz as it’s a manual gearbox which is difficult for me to drive in Bangalore traffic conditions.
• DCA is underpowered and again didn’t want to go with when I myself set a desire to own a performance car.
• Moreover, ASS was a concern and behaviour exhibited by SA further strengthened my opinion not to go with Tata. Felt bad that reputation of great brand is going down because of bad behaviour of dealership.

Polo TD:
• Appealing welcome by SA & interest they’ve shown to take me through the product. Felt very nice.
• Test driven in areas where I often go through.
• I asked them how many kilometres I can test drive & answer surprised me. “Sir, it’s upto you & n number of times!”. This impressed me and this is what I expected.
• My opinion on Polo GT: No other words, It’s a gem!
• Wife’s opinion: She didn’t like rear legroom space and low height of the car. But she respected my choice as only I’ll be driving.
• I’ve mentioned below why we couldn’t get a Polo.

Glanza CVT TD:
• It’s a Baleno but I didn’t want to go with Baleno only because I’m getting same from Toyota.
• After sales service and peace of mind ownership with Toyota.
• Performance wasn’t bad but I felt like I was sitting in a boat as I’m only 5.5 feet height.
• Have understood Toyota’s quality & ASS after reading so many reviews related to Toyota products, I didn’t want a rebadged version.
• No other products in my affordable range from Toyota brand.
• Now with Glanza AMT & plenty of features, I’m yet to take TD but didn’t want to go further as I mentioned in above point.

Jazz CVT TD:
• SA was good in demonstrating product & follow up for my decision etc.
• I felt car is roomy with more glass area, sunroof, light theme interiors.
• First time I tried cruise control & loved it.
• Speed is not that great but one can stress the engine to the maximum.
• Loved the paddle shifters and helped in down shifting when required.
• Build Quality is good.
• Wife also liked the car in almost all the aspects.

Apart from above listed cars, have test driven Magnite, Kiger, Punch, Swift, i20 but didn’t like any of them except i20. Didn’t want to go with i20 as it was costlier than others and front design didn’t appeal to me.

Finally I decided to go with Polo GT for its performance and classic looks. Started getting to know the rumours about discontinuation and by the time I was ready with money, dealership stopped accepting booking. Tried almost with all the dealerships in Bangalore and Hyderabad but no luck. Was upset that I will never my hands on the GT as a first owner.

Whenever I see a GT/Legend passing by, I feel bad that I’m late to the party.

Couldn’t digest the Polo discontinuation and started searching on used car platforms considering I would get at least any colour with less driven.
Have found 1 Legend badged car with 2k kilometres on the odo but asking price was 15L.
Didn’t want to go with this price & love towards Polo remained in the heart and started looking at other cars.

When I started searching used cars and things changed from here.
Found a Toyota Liva with less driven and less price.
Knowing Toyota’s ASS & build quality, I started hunting for Liva though it’s a manual gearbox but easy to shift. Compromised on everything and thought this should be a good decision like this car will help me in understanding a car ownership, wife can learn driving, the duration of owning this car should act as a bridge by the time a Polo replacement comes. But checked details at a known Toyota service centre and understood this car met with an accident whereas seller agent said me this car is non-accidental and he’s having all service history.
Service centre guys whom I know well for 5 years advised me not to go with this deal.
Couldn’t find a similar good deal from then.

As I mentioned earlier that after understanding Toyota ASS & build quality, I slowly started digging at Toyota own products in my affordability. As Yaris is discontinued, I can only go with used car market. Considered Yaris VX as it is having 6 airbags, now we’ve a infant and safety concern increased. Good that I’m getting ISOFIX in this car.

Have test driven Yaris CVT from Spinny recently but didn’t like the engine noise, unable to trust used cars, I’ll be 3rd owner. Spending huge amount for a used car, why can’t I take a look at new car with same price bracket.

Started news for HyRyder launch but worried on the pricing. Later understood it’s more of Maruti than Toyota on the inside. Don’t know if I have to wait or I should go with other reliable car or brand.

Then I looked at our short listed cars again and finally left with Jazz considering reliability, build quality, engine refinement, ASS. Started seeing rumours about discontinuation of Jazz and this time I didn’t want to lose a good product.
Altroz was a strict no for me as I’m particular for ASS & peace of mind ownership as well.

Was going through Honda website casually and found there’s a City in manual gearbox offering for lower price than Jazz CVT. I was wandering why such a good car is priced below Jazz CVT & wanted to understand by seeing physically.

Have visited same Honda showroom again.
City 4th Gen TD:
• Driving seat comfort is good in City than Jazz.
• Didn’t feel as airy as Jazz but still ok.
• Liked the engine pickup even in lower gears.
• Easy shifting gearbox and I loved immediately.
• I took to crowdy places to TD this manual gearbox and to understand if I can manage traffic.
• I could easily go in stop-go traffic.
• Easy pass over speed breakers.
• Impressed with manual gearbox and asked SA for a Jazz CVT TD to understand differences.
• I couldn’t love Jazz performance after driving City manual.
• Considering the point having a baby in our family now and need for more boot, I felt this package is very VFM at this price point.
• SA asked me to check out 5th gen base model.
• After sitting in a base variant demo car, I was shocked that I’m getting almost all essential features even in the base variant.
• Right from beginning of car search I never wanted to go with a base or mid variant but this car really impressed me with the package being offered.
• Yet to test drive 5th gen but after experiencing 4th gen I feel 5th gen would be same or more good than 4th gen, so there’s nothing to worry.
• Couldn’t look back at 4th gen city as 5th gen looks and design felt more appealing to me.
• VX variant offers few important features like 6 airbags, sunroof which I’m thinking but need to stretch budget. When my kid grow up and sunroof could be a nice feature for him to enjoy.

Here’s my experience with car search and landed up with a sedan & CSUV which I never thought of.

Currently, HyRyder prices are not out and unable to decide on which car.

If I have to with HyRyder, I will be able to go with only base variant Hybrid version, will miss lot of essential features & lots of boot space. Have considered this only for Toyota’s peace of mind ownership.

If I have to go with 5th gen City, should I go with V or VX variant - both are manual as shifting gears is easy for me here and can’t stretch the budget for a CVT. VX variant itself is out of budget but considered as Honda added important features over V variant.

Or, should I wait for few more months so that there’s any chance for these 2 brands to launch much better products at affordable range.

[AJ56]

Originally Posted by SaiChaithanya

If I have to go with 5th gen City, should I go with V or VX variant - both are manual as shifting gears is easy for me here and can’t stretch the budget for a CVT. VX variant itself is out of budget but considered as Honda added important features over V variant.

Or, should I wait for few more months so that there’s any chance for these 2 brands to launch much better products at affordable range.

Get the VX CVT, trust me after a few hours in traffic your left leg will thank you every day for years to come. Hondas are very reliable and chances are you’ll keep this for 10-12 years, don’t let 50-80k sway your decision and get the variant you want and I’d highly recommend the CVT over the manual. I doubt Honda is going to launch any new sedan anytime soon so no point waiting.

[Small Bot]

Originally Posted by SaiChaithanya

• Right from beginning of car search I never wanted to go with a base or mid variant but this car really impressed me with the package being offered.
• Yet to test drive 5th gen but after experiencing 4th gen I feel 5th gen would be same or more good than 4th gen, so there’s nothing to worry.
• Couldn’t look back at 4th gen city as 5th gen looks and design felt more appealing to me.
• VX variant offers few important features like 6 airbags, sunroof which I’m thinking but need to stretch budget. When my kid grow up and sunroof could be a nice feature for him to enjoy.

If I have to go with 5th gen City, should I go with V or VX variant - both are manual as shifting gears is easy for me here and can’t stretch the budget for a CVT. VX variant itself is out of budget but considered as Honda added important features over V variant.

Originally Posted by AJ56

Get the VX CVT, trust me after a few hours in traffic your left leg will thank you every day for years to come. Hondas are very reliable and chances are you’ll keep this for 10-12 years, don’t let 50-80k sway your decision and get the variant you want and I’d highly recommend the CVT over the manual. I doubt Honda is going to launch any new sedan anytime soon so no point waiting.

I'd second AJ56's opinion. Even if you'd have to stretch your budget a bit now for the VX CVT, you'll end up loving the car more.
And most folks are switching to automatics these days and for good reason. I'd also suggest to take the CVT. Honda's CVTs are very reliable, have been proven over the decades, are very smooth shifting in traffic, and you'll probably not need another car than the City CVT for the next decade, post which the Indian car scene would be vastly different. While you'd feel like you'd have more fun with the MT, if your usage is mostly within the city (pun unintended), City CVT could be the ideal car for you.
And even if Honda ends up leaving India in that time (which I doubt), your local mechanic would still be able to address most common issues, as the NA CVT Honda Citys are not nearly as complex as the turbocharged petrol + dual clutch cars in the market at that price point.

[Kosfactor]

Originally Posted by SaiChaithanya

If I have to go with 5th gen City, should I go with V or VX variant - both are manual as shifting gears is easy for me here and can’t stretch the budget for a CVT. VX variant itself is out of budget but considered as Honda added important features over V variant.

Or, should I wait for few more months so that there’s any chance for these 2 brands to launch much better products at affordable range.

Some of the features in the top variant of city are rather poorly done, like the camera assist features. What is good however is the drive train (MT), it now pulls well in city traffic, I would say it is the best driver centric City in a long time. Avoid going anywhere near the Jazz, you'd get bored of it within days.

[greenhorn]

Just curious why you've ruled out the i20 n line DCT ? Also venue n line is also coming up.

[bijims]

The Honda City 4th gen is a really good car, which is on the verge of discontinuation, Honda Cars India are discontinuing all their existing models other than the City 5th gen and the Honda Amaze, with that in mind, if you are alright with a manual transmission sedan in a market skewed towards SUVs/Crossovers, I would recommend the Honda City 4th Gen as it is truly a value for money sedan under 10 lakh ex-showroom.

[AutoConsultant]

Stick to the 5th gen City

VX CVT - If you are planning to keep it long term (8 - 10 years) and will be driven primarily in city traffic. The budget stretch would be worth it for sure. I got ZX MT 2 years back and still sometimes wonder if I should have stretched for the CVT as I drive 90% of the time in peak Delhi traffic

VX MT - If you are not planning to keep it for very long term (5-6 years), no history of knee/spine issues and you are mentally prepared to drive an MT in today’s traffic (assuming you don’t have much experience as this is your first car)

V CVT - Assuming the car structure is safe, 4 or 6 airbags are not going to make much of a difference. Rest of the addictions in VX over V are primarily cosmetic. This one provides the most value for your buck.

Since you are already thinking about VX MT, I would recommend you remove V MT from your short list.

You have to now decide between features and driving comfort (VX MT vs V CVT). If you can stretch your budget to VX CVT then there’s no debate.

[cule1899_bhp]

The clutch of the 5th gen City is neither heavy nor too long, so if you're not relatively new to handling manual transmission you'd be fine. otherwise go with the CVT.
If budget is a constraint, go with the VX-MT or V-CVT. Else choose VX variant of any transmission you prefer as the difference is not just cosmetic but also 16'' wheels, auto dimming IRVM etc.,
Anything among the combination will give you a good value for money.

[SedateGuy]

Originally Posted by AutoConsultant

Stick to the 5th gen City

V CVT - Assuming the car structure is safe, 4 or 6 airbags are not going to make much of a difference. Rest of the addictions in VX over V are primarily cosmetic. This one provides the most value for your buck.

.

I am considering V CVT due to budget constraints and a particular dislike for sun roofs. The only fly in the ointment are the 15 inch wheels. If they were 16 inchers i would go for it without hesitation. Not been able to find much information on the 15 inchers. I plan to keep the car 10 odd years.

The alternate I am considering (and hoping it comes in my budget) is the Grand Vitara AT Zeta variant. If this is out of my budget then fall back to an i20 ivt top variant.

Any thoughts suggestions on this are welcome

[RT13]

First off, get the automatic. I love Honda’s manual gearboxes but in Bangalore traffic, the automatic reduces stress by more than half. Trust me, I thought I was a manual guy but once I tasted an auto in traffic, even though it was the humble first gen celerio AMT back then, there was simply no denying how much tension it relieved - tension that I’d become so used to that I didn’t even know it. Never going back. Second, go for the 5th gen, no question. So, stretch the budget and get the 5th gen auto. Blindly. It may pinch a bit now but you won’t kick yourself for not having done it, six months down the line. Btw I hate sunroofs too and find them utterly idiotic for most Indian driving conditions but it sadly seems to be a major factor for most family cars (so that irresponsible parents can let their kids stand up and stick their heads out while driving) so we are unfortunately stuck with them. You can live with it though as do we with our Hector Plus.

Now that you’re more open to options, if outright performance isn’t the consideration (and sadly there really are no such options post the Polo - no matter how much Hyundai tries to dress models up with an N Line tag), and the budget has been stretched already, then the S Cross and Ciaz are also very very good options. Notwithstanding the older 4-speed ‘non enthusiast’ tag the TC gets, they offer stunning value for money, particularly today.

The new Brezza is also good value.

[RRU]

VW Polo is a gem....but prefer buying a new one unless you have known the seller (and the car) or it is certified by OEM (like Toyota trust).

Honda City - MT or CVT - it's a legend. You can go for it. However, being a Bengalurean, i would suggest go for for a reliable compact SUV (over a low GC sedan like City) - this is especially true for this city (perhaps most). Personally, i love sedans and drive too.

On SUVs - I would say try out the New Brezza - the K15C mated with 5-speed MT or 6-speed TC AT are great - enthusiasts will not like it though - the new avatar is more tuned for FE than outright performance. As a package, it's very good if not full VFM - carries Maruti's relaibility and 4 star NCAP rating. If, however, you have budget constraints then you can look at the previous avatar, the Toyota one (Urban Cruiser with 5-speed MT) - a VFM product with Toyota's assurance.

Good luck!

[aravindhunt]

Here is my few cents being an owner of 5th gen City VX MT

I would prefer 5th gen over 4th gen for the following reasons. Improved ground clearance. I'm yet to scrap the belly in the 4k ownership till now. Improved fit and finish quality and perceived belief of owning a latest car. This is more important if you are planning to keep the car for a long time.

I would prefer VX over V variant for the following reasons. 6 Airbags. Cant compromise safety especially when you are a family man with a toddler. (I'm also in the same boat as you). Also the sunroof will help in a lot of situations when you have a toddler. 8 speakers will give you decent audio, if you dont want to do aftermarket speakers. The halogen projectors are better than LEDs in rain and fog.

Anyhow, you cant go wrong with a Honda product. Enough has been already said about manuals and automatics. I preferred manual for driving pleasure and since i am living in a place without much traffic.

Happy Car Hunting. Let us know what you choose.

[UD17]

Originally Posted by SaiChaithanya

1. Polo GT
2. Altroz
3. Glanza CVT
4. Jazz CVT

• Couldn’t look back at 4th gen city as 5th gen looks and design felt more appealing to me.

I can second the thoughts given by many members in above posts regarding the City CVT. CVT is must in current scenario of traffic which is not limited to Bangalore.

If City CVT is not fitting into your budget then I would say Jazz CVT is the next best option for the value it provides as compared to other selected cars above. Jazz has advantage of space, build quality, reliability, maintenance expenses and fuss free ownership.

Please let us know about your decision and the main contributing factors for that decision. It will help members to build a perspective.

Thanks
UD

[Indepth]

Despite being a executive sedan, City is not as composed on high speeds as it should be. However, VCVT is sheer VFM.

I would recommend also check MG Astor 1.5 CVT Super. Not as well equipped as city, but a v good product overall.

Besides the ride quality might be better than city. Test drive both and see for yourself.

[AutoConsultant]

Originally Posted by SedateGuy

I am considering V CVT due to budget constraints and a particular dislike for sun roofs. The only fly in the ointment are the 15 inch wheels. If they were 16 inchers i would go for it without hesitation. Not been able to find much information on the 15 inchers. I plan to keep the car 10 odd years.

The alternate I am considering (and hoping it comes in my budget) is the Grand Vitara AT Zeta variant. If this is out of my budget then fall back to an i20 ivt top variant.

Any thoughts suggestions on this are welcome

You can check with the dealer if they are willing to swap 15” set with 16” at an added cost or you can get that done aftermarket. A lot of VX/ZX owners have also replaced their stock tyres with wider ones. This would add some cost to your overall budget but might still be cheaper than the Grand Vitara AT Zeta.

Please don’t go for i20 ivt top variant, it is just not worth the money imo.