Budget 15 lakh: Need suitable replacement for a 3rd gen Honda City

He is primarily looking at CSUVs like the Creta and Grand Vitara, but is open to sedans if it provides a higher value.

BHPian bansal.sushant recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hi,

My uncle currently owns a 2009 3rd Honda City AT. That car has covered 1.6L kms and still runs like a gem. Unfortunately, due to the NGT rules, he is forced to let it go.

He is in the market for a new car with a budget of 15L.

He is primarily looking at CSUVs like the Creta and Grand Vitara, but is open to sedans if it provides a higher value.

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.

Must have:

• ABS, Airbags, etc.
• Great backseat.
• Reliable.
• Fuel efficient.
• Basic gizmos like Bluetooth, navigation, steering mounted controls, etc.

Good to have:

• Alloy wheels.
• Reverse camera.

Don't want:

• Sunroof.
• ADAS, other connected car tech.

Cruise control.

• I have suggested him the following cars:
• Creta EX: Has all the basic features, and is VFM, but does not have any AT option. ~13.6L
• Grand Vitara Delta: Has everything right, but does only has 2 airbags, as opposed to 6 in the Creta EX. ~13.7L
• Grand Vitara Zeta AT: This is the perfect car, considering it is AT too, but don't know if it is worth the 4L premium over the previous 2 options. ~17.7L
• Grand Vitara Hybrid: With the current usage of ~20k/year, it will break even in 3 years or so.

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.

What does the forum recommend? Should we consider some other options? Is it worth waiting for Honda's CSUV?

Also, he is also open to a 1-2 year old used vehicle, but all the ones I saw are priced steeply with barely any depreciation.

Thanks in advance!

Here's what BHPian kosjam had to say on the matter:

If you are open to sedans, then the VAG twins, The Virtus and the Slavia are good options. They are VFM, with all basics covered, good engine, good fuel economy, good driving as well as rear seat comfort, and they will be much better suited for city/highway driving. On top of that, they have good ground clearance, so the infamous speed breaker damage is also less probable.

Best part is, the sedans, are better priced than their CSUV siblings, offering a much bigger bang for the buck. Final icing on the cake is, you should be able to get them without much waiting!

Alternatively you can go for the shortly launching Verna. Almost similar advantages, though ground clearance might be lesser than its CSUV cousin the Creta.

Here's what BHPian jai_asnani98 had to say on the matter:

Welcome to the infamous Honda City upgrade dilemma! What the City has been offering at it's price point is truly exceptional as compared to cars today.

Now, coming to your question:

So you mention 'great backseat' - I wouldn't recommend Creta/Seltos/GV aka Hyryder for this demand at all!

I too own a the 4th Gen BS6 City and am used to driving it myself. It just so happened that on a road trip, I let someone take over the wheel and sat in the rear seat for the first time and boy, I was overwhelmed at the amount of leg room. The City simply sniggers at it's European counterparts in that aspect.

So I think Creta shouldn't be considered if you want to stretch your legs after "a hard day's night".

I would strongly recommend the VAG twins. If the service and reliability aspects scares you, tell him to buy a manual strictly. It's anyway chauffeur driven, yeah?

I'd insist that you urge him to check out the XL6! It's not as powerful as the City, but is easily the best bang for your buck that you can get. Captain seats with ample legroom will make you never want to get out of the car. So XL 6 over the Korean brothers and Japanese twins.

Looking at the mileage of his existing City, I suppose he frequents the highways? So DPF issues shouldn't happen and you can increase your budget a little and eye the XUV700 5 seater, AX3 variant.

All the best and keep us updated. Excited to see which car is a 'worthy' upgrade to the City as I anticipate myself to be in those boots soon.

Cheers!

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