[akash_v12]

Hello BHPians!

A gent I know is on the lookout for a new car. Before the pandemic started, he would travel by train/office cabs, but now he has no other option. A 2010 Manza occupies his garage (just short of 40K KMs) currently. He will be looking to exchange it.

His requirements are:

1. Has to be automatic - Absolutely no compromise on this. He is just over 50 and the Manza has been giving him knee pains over his 75KM round-trip under heavy Bombay traffic.

2. Open to both sedans & SUVs although an SUV would be preferred to tackle the monsoons.

3. Has to be petrol. Again, no compromise on this.

4. He is a bit worried about certain brands pulling out of the market in the near future.

5. Should be relatively easy to get it serviced anywhere in Mumbai.

6. A budget of ₹12-15 Lakhs. Lesser the better.

7. Has to have a minimum of 4* in GNCAP. Unless, it is a really VFM Product worth looking at.

8. Majority of the usage would be in Mumbai traffic, more so during peak traffic hours. Would see very little highway running. But with the pandemic, there is a possibility of it changing. In the last 15 years that I've known him, he has taken none of his cars on the highway. Not a very enthusiastic driver as well. Rather a calm, sedate driver.

I had short listed a few cars for him earlier, but would love to hear all of your thoughts. Please help BHPians.

Thanks in Advance to all who respond!

[Leoshashi]

Do drive the the S Cross and XL6 ATs once without any prejudice of them running 4 speed gearboxes. The entire package is very competent and has pleasantly surprised people in the AT guise.

[sandeepmohan]

Is this gentleman open to the idea of an EV? For anything that operates under chock-a-block traffic, an EV is best. The Nexon or Tigor.

I was recommending the same to another FM just yesterday.

[akash_v12]

Originally Posted by Leoshashi

Do drive the the S Cross and XL6 ATs once without any prejudice of them running 4 speed gearboxes. The entire package is very competent and has pleasantly surprised people in the AT guise.

Already listed both of them to him
People don't realise just how good Maruti's 4-Speed AT is for non-spirited drivers. The only grouse with these 2 is that they are not safety-tested (Although the Ertiga is).
Shashi, how good would you reckon the build of the XL6 is compared to Tatas of yore?

Originally Posted by sandeepmohan

Is this gentleman open to the idea of an EV? For anything that operates under chock-a-block traffic, an EV is best. The Nexon or Tigor.

He is, but his building isn't
Also, the Tigor won't be the best whenever, if ever he does take it out on the highways. Moreover, the Nexon also does somewhat exceed the budget. Although he has assured that his next move would be an EV.

[Leoshashi]

Originally Posted by akash_v12

The only grouse with these 2 is that they are not safety-tested (Although the Ertiga is).
Shashi, how good would you reckon the build of the XL6 is compared to Tatas of yore?

The Brezza scored 4 stars, so the S Cross being on same platform wouldn't be hugely different. The XL6 has a few minor structural additions over the Ertiga, so we cannot be sure what score it will get.

If by build you mean the exterior feel and heft, there is simply no comparison with any Tata. Even the S Cross feels light when compared to something like a Nexon. The XL6 feels well built than your regular Marutis like the Swift/Baleno etc.

But then in reliability and niggle free ownership, the Marutis fare much better. Hence car purchase today is all about a calculated guess and there is no one PERFECT product which does it all.

Regards,
Shashi

[TrackDay]

If he is okay with sedans, would suggest the City (V CVT) and Ciaz (AT). However if he is uncomfortable driving sedans which are naturally longer in Mumbai traffic, would definitely suggest the S Cross automatic. If he wishes to lower the budget, also consider the Jazz or the (Magnite/Kiger) twins.

[abhishek46]

In my opinion, the Honda City CVT is the best petrol automatic in the 12-15 Lakh range.
It is very smooth in operation & very reliable too.

It has not been tested by GNCAP though.

[akash_v12]

Originally Posted by TrackDay

If he is okay with sedans, would suggest the City (V CVT) and Ciaz (AT). However if he is uncomfortable driving sedans which are naturally longer in Mumbai traffic, would definitely suggest the S Cross automatic. If he wishes to lower the budget, also consider the Jazz or the (Magnite/Kiger) twins.

Originally Posted by abhishek46

In my opinion, the Honda City CVT is the best petrol automatic in the 12-15 Lakh range.
It is very smooth in operation & very reliable too.

It has not been tested by GNCAP though.

The City does look like an attractive option. Priced just right and is pretty loaded even in the lower trims.

Trackday: How stable does the City feel on the highway? Also, how good is the build relative to VAG Products? Is it filmsy and light or solid. Could you also confirm whether or not the V CVT gets alloys and was the dealership willing to get the alloys changed to the top-spec ones?

[abhishek46]

Originally Posted by akash_v12

Also, how good is the build relative to VAG Products? Is it filmsy and light or solid.

I think, I can comment on this part of the question, due to prior experience with VAG.

VAG, Fiat vehicles are built heavy.
Doors, Bonnet, Boot etc., on VAG vehicles are all distinctly heavier than ones on Suzuki, Hyundai & Honda.

[akash_v12]

Originally Posted by abhishek46

I think, I can comment on this part of the question, due to prior experience with VAG.

VAG, Fiat vehicles are built heavy.
Doors, Bonnet, Boot etc., on VAG vehicles are all distinctly heavier than ones on Suzuki, Hyundai & Honda.

So, there's still no change from how it was back in '16. The very reason we didn't go ahead at that time was because of the City's filmsy build. The Vento still feels solid as a rock to be honest.

Guys, will list a few options. Can anyone who owns these give their opinion on them here?

1. Tata Nexon XZ+(O) AMT
2. VW Vento 1.0 TC
3. Renault Kiger Turbo CVT

Familiar with build and all other factors of both cars, except the powertrains. So, specifically looking for views on the engine-gearbox combo.

[Kosfactor]

Sub4M SUVs - Brezza, Sonet, Venue - should be at the top of the list for very nice automatic vehicles that are city traffic friendly. A test drive should seal the deal as to which one of these three feels the easiest to drive in city traffic for the prospective customer.

[IamNikhil]

In the sedan space, the City and Ciaz automatics would be a good fit for his requirements.

In the crossover space, maybe the Nexon and Venue.

In the hatchback space, the Altroz or the i20.

[CEF_Beasts]

Would suggest the Maruti Suzuki S-Cross, Brezza/Urban Cruiser, XL6, Honda City and Hyundai Verna ATs.

In AMTs the Mahindra XUV3OO and Tata Nexon, although their petrol engines are not the best.

[asit.kulkarni93]

Scross is best suited for the given requirements not only for him but 90% of the public wanting to buy a car in that segment. It’s the want of bling and negligence towards mechanical robustness which makes people choose the Korean twins.

[RR96]

Originally Posted by akash_v12

Hello BHPians!

1. Has to be automatic - Absolutely no compromise on this. He is just over 50 and the Manza has been giving him knee pains over his 75KM round-trip under heavy Bombay traffic.
...

6. A budget of ₹12-15 Lakhs. Lesser the better.

7. Has to have a minimum of 4* in GNCAP. Unless, it is a really VFM Product worth looking at.

You could add Kia Seltos HTK+ iMT to your list. Its isn't an automatic but would solve the left knee pain issue. Its 3 Star rated and costs around 14.5 lakhs on road. Has good road presence and all necessary features. The after sales department is also fine.