[Shreyans_Jain]

Originally Posted by robby0707

Upgrade in any sense is possible only if you go the pre owned route.
I would suggest a tucson diesel.
Elantra diesel/ petrol
Wouldn’t suggest the octavia as the diesels will be steeply priced and the petrol dsg won’t be reliable
The tucson has a surprisingly spacious and comfortable rear seat with proper reclining function.

This doesn’t work for us Delhi NCR people. Diesel cars that you suggest will be 5-6 years old already to make the budget. Diesel is capped to 10 years, and BS4 diesels have additional restrictions during winters.

As for petrol models, they will all be limited to E5 or E10 max, which means the OP can expect to face all kinds of long term maintenance issues, when running on E15 and E20 petrol in future.

Either way, it is a loose loose scenario. He might as well continue using his old City for as long as he can.

[bansal.sushant]

Thank you everyone!

I should clarify that the intent is not to 'upgrade', but more so to 'replace' the current car and so not considering anything beyond 15L.

I am surprised by the number of people suggesting the City 5th. Honestly, it was not on my list earlier, since sedans are kind of a dying breed now and the boot space is rarely used, but now I will seriously consider it.

The next step is to take test drives of all the machines in the coming few weeks. I will update the thread as we make progress.

FYI - not considering the following:
1. Diesel vehicles due NGT in Delhi.
2. VAG twins due to concerns over long term reliability (we like to keep our cars for long).
3. XL6 since will prefers a modern looking 5-seater with better boot.

[robby0707]

Originally Posted by Shreyans_Jain

This doesn’t work for us Delhi NCR people. Diesel cars that you suggest will be 5-6 years old already to make the budget. Diesel is capped to 10 years, and BS4 diesels have additional restrictions during winters.

As for petrol models, they will all be limited to E5 or E10 max, which means the OP can expect to face all kinds of long term maintenance issues, when running on E15 and E20 petrol in future.

Either way, it is a loose loose scenario. He might as well continue using his old City for as long as he can.

That’s true actually. I feel that we are in a transition period. Where in technologies are fast changing. If you are looking for a long term solution, my advise would be to wait and watch a bit longer and see how the automotive sector develops. Who knows what further restrictions may come up in the new future not just in Delhi/NCR but other cities too.

[shancz]

Originally Posted by bansal.sushant

I am surprised by the number of people suggesting the City 5th. Honestly, it was not on my list earlier, since sedans are kind of a dying breed now and the boot space is rarely used, but now I will seriously consider it.

I would suggest the 5th Gen City too

When it comes to rear seat comfort I find the sedans like the City to be way more comfortable than any CSUVs most of which behave like hatchbacks with more GC and stiffer suspension.
Sedans have the benefit of better recline angle and larger bootspace. To better that you'll have to venture into the proper SUV space and that too need not be more comfortable but will cost you upwards of 20 lakhs with lower FE. Although they have their own advantages and attractions.

[NH08]

Originally Posted by bansal.sushant

Is it worth waiting for Honda's CSUV?

This is what I had been doing since eternity, waiting, waiting and waiting for Honda SUV as I wanted to replace my Brio. But this time, as Honda has given a timeline i.e. summer of 2023 for launch, I will wait further till May/June this year to see if Honda launches an SUV at a reasonable price point (not the updated WRV). If not, will have to take a call among existing SUVs.

[true_sedan]

There are quite a number of cars that satisfy your criteria:
1) 1.0 VW Virtus
2) 1.0 Skoda Slavia
3) Kia Seltos
4) Hyundai Creta
5) 1.5 NA Honda City
6) 1.5 NA Hyundai Verna(to be launched)
7) Grand Vitara Mild Hybrid
8) Toyota Hyryder
9) MG Astor
10) 1.0 Kushaq and Taigun

And many more. But if you want long term reliability and peace of mind it will always be the Honda city. Grand Vitara and Hyryder are new kids in the block with new technology and only time will speak to its reliability. I’m speaking about reliability here because your old 3rd gen Honda city is a gem of a vehicle and most cars released today have a big question mark over long term reliability. The most fun to drive would be 1.0 TSI engine in the VAG group of vehicles. You have 9 months to decide but picking a car is an emotional process so I would suggest you to start early.

[Voodooblaster]

Originally Posted by bansal.sushant

He is in no rush, but needs the car delivered within the next 9 months (that's when the current car will expire). We have not taken any test drives yet, and planning to do so in the coming 2 weeks.

Please factor in the waiting period also in your 9 month window. Some popular AT CSUV’s have an average of 3 months waiting period. And if you are looking for any particular Color, time period may again rise

In the meanwhile do go for E20 compliant petrol engine (since Diesel and NCR can’t exist in the same sentence)

What is the plan for the old car ? Selling or scrapping?

[inwester]

Originally Posted by bansal.sushant

He does not want a lot of gadgets, just wants a decent car, which is nice to drive, looks good, and has a great back seat. He has a driver so he is not keen on spending 2L extra on AT, though I am pushing for it.

Apart from the usual suspects and what other forum members have recommended I would have your uncle test drive Maruti XL6 and Kia Carens, just because you said rear seat comfort is of importance and he's going to be chauffeur driven.

They both can be had for around 15 lakhs and would be much spacious and comfortable than any of the compact SUVs. Not to mention cheaper than several SUVs.

And btw I would not recommend a Honda City. Please read my review in the Honda City thread (The 5th-gen Honda City in India. EDIT: Review on page 62).

Disclaimer: In India, I own a 2021 Honda City XZ CVT and 2022 Kia Carens Diesel Auto.

[souvikjana83]

If back seat comfort is a priority and since the car is chauffeur driven, you can also look at Ciaz. While it's technically a downgrade from the Honda City but it is still quite a good spacious car and you will get it without much delay as well. I think it now gets a 6 speed automatic and the mild hybrid makes it a perfect car for the daily office commute and the top end automatic will cost below ₹15 lakhs. IMHO under ₹15 lakhs, this is the best car today in terms of space, comfort, features, mileage and drivability among all other cars in this budget.

[pyrodrive]

It is nearly impossible to upgrade from the 3rd gen honda city in the 15L budget. You may get better interiors, better features etc but not the entire package of engine, looks, status and reliability. Not to speak of extremely low maintenance.
I was in the similar dilemma 2 years ago with my 2013 city. I ended up getting a pre worshipped audi A3 with a budget a little above your one. It was a proper upgrade in terms of engine, power, brand pull, built etc.
Incidentally the city was still too good to let go and hence my current garage looks like this



The city is still with me and I got a waxoyl coating done. Not too shabby for a ten year old car is it.

[bansal.sushant]

Update:

Test drove all the above-mentioned cars.

My uncle found the Grand Vitara a little underwhelming - I am not sure what was the exact reason but it did not appeal to his heart. He has straight away rejected the car.
He however really loved Creta! He almost booked it but Verna was launched at the same time.

He had decided to buy an SUV and not consider a sedan at all but the new Verna has his smitten.

So now it is between Creta and Verna. They have a difference of ~1.5L compared with variant - this makes it a stronger case for the Verna.

We are just waiting for the Honda Elevate to be launched on June 5th before we make the final booking!

[Proud BRV Owner]

Hello,

Looking at the "Must Have" features listed by you; I have a very practical "Middle Class" suggestion.

In fact, let me draw you in towards my suggestion....

1. ABS, Air Bags, Blue Tooth, Steering Mounted Controls would be pretty much the standard even at 15 L budget.

2. That leaves us with : Reliability, Great Back Seat and Fuel Efficiency. All this under 15 L budget - there is only one brand that comes to the mind; which is our very own Maruti Suzuki Ciaz. For less than your budget, you can get the top end variant.

All those who deny this, please do share your thoughts - why Ciaz is not a good choice at this price point?