Practical No Nonsense Car in 15 Lakh to 18 Lakh Price Budget

Hi MyCarHelpline,

Additional point, should I consider Nexon Ev Max Dark edition?

Other option to consider
1) Nexon Ev Max (19.50Lakhs)
2) Hyundai Venue 1.0 Turbo SX(O) iMT (16Lakhs)
3) Seltos (current variant) either HTK Plus iMT 1.5 Diesel or HTX IVT 1.5 Petrol

Dear Basu Sahab,

Hi. Sure
As i understand and sum up your needs you need a
a. Practical Spacious Car for 4 members
b. Having all necessary modern age feature
c. Has acceptable Good Build
d. Available in Value Price Point

My Strong recommendation to book in Honda Elevate V CVT Automatic - whose exshowroom price likely to be around Rs 15 Lakh (expected with finger cross), and On road will cost in around Rs 18.5 Lakh zone in Karnataka

Reasons for Recommendation
1. Has near best in class spacious cabin for 4 members to be specific. Even after 10 yrs with grown up kids - they will never complain about seating sapce. If parent seating on 2nd row - ingress and egress is easier - only con is rear center middle seat which lacks headrest and has hard back base. This is an ideal 4 seater car but if need persist can occassionally be used as 4+1 with rear center middle seat only recommended for youngest member of family.

2. Honda Elevate V will come up with 6 Airbags, ESP, Honda impeccable build. Also will have Honda sensing ADAS, Touchscreen with Camera, Cruise, Alloy Wheels, Push Ignition, Halogen Projectors, LED DRL other than Auto climate control, Power steering, power window, remote lock. In short every necessary modern age feature will be what equipped in this model as what required as convenience and styling part too.

3. With 7 Speed CVT Gear Box with Sports mode, paddle shifters and 5.2 meter turning radius which is relative lower as against other car - you really will have ease of drive experience.

4. Honda offering 3 yr warranty as standard, extendable to 5 yr / 1 Lakh kms in just fraction Rs 12000 price ensuring pretty competitive experience. Till Bs4 service interval was once a year - in BS6 Service interval revised to 1 yr / 10,000 Kms which is at par. Spare parts although not economical but scheduled paid service cost would be in range of Rs 7000 to 8000 a year which is definitely competitive in present inflationary times (do note that significant charges are Honda Labor which is around Rs 3000)

5. With 3000 Kms a year driving on highway, expressway - somehow EV as a choice is still in nascent stage and limited real world range of sub 300 Kms do not make it as practical. Secondly EV as tech going to undergo considerable changes.
You can experience the smoothness and Honda Ivtec Petrol Engine which is best when drive in relaxed way (as what seen in City). Pls avoid Econ mode in day to day drive - as that makes car super dull as what seen in City. Only use Econ mode in cruise on expressway.

6. One more thing is to make expectation correct - Honda Elevate to come in same 1.5 Ivtec Petrol Engine in 7 Speed CVT as what seen in City and is not as quick or fun as what Turbo Petrol Engines or DCT gearbox or as scintillating pickup as seen in EV - but definitely not under-performer - you need to give in right amount of acceleration - rather shall say linear one to get the best from this car.

7. In Build Quality perspective - Honda offers superior build as against Kia or Hyundai. Let me tell you - its a Global SUV from Honda and expect build to be at par with near best.

Overall
If love relaxed drive and care for
> Safety
> Build
> Refined Engine
> Superior NVH
> Space for 4
> All Necessary Modern age features

essentially a no - nonsense practical car in defined budget.

upcoming Honda Elevate V CVT Automatic will make a strong point for need. Bookings open yesterday, with deliveries to begin from end August / Early September.

Hope should help !!

======================================
Hello Gagan Modiji,

Thanks for your valuable/expert information and suggestions.

I have pre-booked Honda Elevate Vx model but getting below doubts/confusions.

1) Based on HONDA Elevate Prices & features of SV, V, VX, ZX varinats leaks.
Not rear disk brakes in V, Vx
Not 6 air bags in V, Vx
Not good infotainment in V, Vx
... etc

2) "Honda providing kind of features of "2015 Honda City CVT" (now 8 years later ) in Elevate" some owner of 2015 City commented like this in review page.

3) Is Honda Elevate coming up as per your expectation after knowing its leaks of variants & features?

is it possible to revisit decision on Honda Elevate?
or should we stick to it?
or any other alternative to be considered like current Seltos with discount offers, Venue, Sonet, Creta, or any other practical cars
[Not interested in Turbo/DCT engines. Looking for smooth ride and efficient car].

Thanks
Basu

Dear Basu Sahab,

Indeed disappointed by seeing Honda Elevate Features line up

Shocking to see what Honda was thinking. Restricting
a. ADAS
b. 10.25 Inch Touchscreen
c. 6 Airbags

only in Elevate Zx CVT - takes away the USP of car in lower end variants.

Now - only charm could be if Honda can price it real well, else would surely be difficult time.

With this - are you getting straight 1.85 Lakh discount as on road price discount ?
Even after taking away inflated insurance premium in price - Seltos HTX IVT appears value (only major difference with upcoming Seltos is that this variant comes with Electric sunroof, while new one comes with Panoramic one. ADAS is only available in GTX Plus and onwards). Although structurally not very sound - but do remember for calling a car safe - first comes driver skills, then are speed limit, then are active and passive safety spces with build quality

Considering On Road Prices in Karnataka - a final price of 18 Lakh for Seltos HTX IVT as on road price can well make a decent pick, provided structural build / Global NCAP rating do not put you backward.

Else - only choice left would be Tata Nexon EV Max - where space although compact on rear seat but build, performance, running cost and zero road tax on EV Cars in Karnataka can make it an interesting choice.

Hi Gagan Modi

Havn't purchased any car yet. was waiting for Honda Elevate varients/price.
with available cars in market currently, which one should selected for my requirement? Please suggest.

1. Honda Elevate ZX CVT 16.5/17.0 Lakhs ex-showroom)
2. Facelift Seltos HTX IVT
3. Creta SX IVT
4. Tata Nexon Max EV Lux (top varient)

Thanks
Basu

Basu Sahab,

Elevate prices to come only next month as deliveries will commence then only
Zx CVT can yes start around 17 Lakh exshowroom, unless Honda mess with same and raise it to 18 Lakh
With 17 to 18 Lakh exshowroom - On road price with 5 yrs warranty and zero dep will be like close to 21 Lakh to 22 Lakh in Karnataka

If you are flexible with this price point - it makes all sense to wait for Honda Elevate Zx CVT in September.

Basu sahab. I think Creta sx ivt petrol can fulfil your requirements. Go and check it out. One of my friend bought last year creta sx ivt petrol and he is fully satisfied.

Quoted from Guest on Friday, 04 August 2023

Basu sahab. I think Creta sx ivt petrol can fulfil your requirements. Go and check it out. One of my friend bought last year creta sx ivt petrol and he is fully satisfied.

Thanks a lot for sharing the info.

Quoted from Gagan Modi on Thursday, 03 August 2023

Basu Sahab,

Elevate prices to come only next month as deliveries will commence then only
Zx CVT can yes start around 17 Lakh exshowroom, unless Honda mess with same and raise it to 18 Lakh
With 17 to 18 Lakh exshowroom - On road price with 5 yrs warranty and zero dep will be like close to 21 Lakh to 22 Lakh in Karnataka

If you are flexible with this price point - it makes all sense to wait for Honda Elevate Zx CVT in September.

@Gagan Modi sir,

Now the prices of Honda elevate are out.
As per the current price and available option in the market, please suggest practical car.
Option 1) Elevate ZX or KIA Seltos HTX CVT or Hyndai Creta CVT ?
Option 2) KIA Seltos HTX CVT or Hyndai Creta SX CVT?
Option 3) is there any other car in the same price bracket?

Excellent pricing for Elevate Zx CVT @ 16 Lakh Exshowroom with all features, practicality
Should block it immediately as the value quotient is highest in Elevate at these prices.

Hi Gagan Modi,
Please advice on buying current Hyundai Creta Sx CVT and KIA Seltos HTX IVT. which one would be better with reasons.
No time to wait for new facelift Creta planned on Q1 2024. Thanks Basu

Hi Gagan Modi Sir,
Please advice on buying current Hyundai Creta SX CVT and KIA Seltos HTX IVT. which one would be better with reasons.
No time to wait for new facelift Creta planned on Q1 2024.
Looking for reliable, comfort ride and all rounder city car (85% city + 15% highway)

Dear Sir,

Premium Support Plan you have availed is for 1 question with followups related to original question only, and for a month
The same is already over on 3rd August 2023

Seek you to kind upgrade to
> Premium Annual Support - if have multiple queries as no restriction on number of questions
or
> Renew Premium Support for 1 question - if has latest one only as single new query

Thanks

Kia seltos Exterior looks. Enough said.
The quality of interiors. That adjustable shutter just reeks of quality. The dashboard looks slick. The gear lever is a joy to hold.
Electric seat adjustment. Superb!!!
Paddle shifters were pure joy. Gear Lag- what is that?
Mid-range and those paddle shifters. D4,5,6 are fun if you play with those shifters.
Slick infotainment system. That screen is the cleanest implementation in sub 20L range.
High-speed stability. I touched 120 km/h and it can go all day long without breaking a sweat. The car masks speed as well so you don't feel nervous. Straight-line stability is top-notch.
Average
Elephant in the room is ride quality on those 18 inchers. It's stiff. TPMS in the test drive car showed 36 psi all around. Don't get me wrong here. The ride quality is not harsh in these new vehicles, but it's stiff and you will feel every patchwork on the road. Since my primary ride is comparatively softly sprung, I could immediately notice the difference. If I end up buying GTX+, the first thing that will happen is a tyre swap to UC6 or a softer tire set.
Both previous iterations of Sonet and Seltos are stiff and the ride quality becomes progressively harsher as the tires become hard with time. The result is that these cars have to get new shoes in a quicker span of time. To conclude, the ride is stiff, you feel everything under the tire albeit in an acceptable manner. My humble Dzire irons out the expansion joints on flyovers at 100kmph. Seltos will need to be slowed down over those expansion joints.
The 1.5 turbo engine is not brutal - it's linear. Let me explain!!! I already have tasted Diesel Auto in my existing garage. That 115bhp motor can put much bigger combos to shame. It's not the number of horses that the motor has, it's how it puts it to wheels. In my experience, Sonet D AT triumphs Seltos D AT even in the existing avatar. It pushes you back the moment you press the pedal. However, this 1.5GDI doesn't do that on its own unless you want it to. Put the car in Sports mode and use those paddle shifters. That's where the joy is!!! The downside is that, unlike diesel motors, this joy mode will kill your mileage in the petrol motor.
To conclude, unless you are living in NCR and have even 40% regular highway travel to take care of DPF issues, my suggestion will be to pick 115 diesel over 160 petrol. It's the best of both worlds.

Quoted from Guest on Saturday, 18 November 2023

Kia seltos Exterior looks. Enough said.
The quality of interiors. That adjustable shutter just reeks of quality. The dashboard looks slick. The gear lever is a joy to hold.
Electric seat adjustment. Superb!!!
Paddle shifters were pure joy. Gear Lag- what is that?
Mid-range and those paddle shifters. D4,5,6 are fun if you play with those shifters.
Slick infotainment system. That screen is the cleanest implementation in sub 20L range.
High-speed stability. I touched 120 km/h and it can go all day long without breaking a sweat. The car masks speed as well so you don't feel nervous. Straight-line stability is top-notch.
Average
Elephant in the room is ride quality on those 18 inchers. It's stiff. TPMS in the test drive car showed 36 psi all around. Don't get me wrong here. The ride quality is not harsh in these new vehicles, but it's stiff and you will feel every patchwork on the road. Since my primary ride is comparatively softly sprung, I could immediately notice the difference. If I end up buying GTX+, the first thing that will happen is a tyre swap to UC6 or a softer tire set.
Both previous iterations of Sonet and Seltos are stiff and the ride quality becomes progressively harsher as the tires become hard with time. The result is that these cars have to get new shoes in a quicker span of time. To conclude, the ride is stiff, you feel everything under the tire albeit in an acceptable manner. My humble Dzire irons out the expansion joints on flyovers at 100kmph. Seltos will need to be slowed down over those expansion joints.
The 1.5 turbo engine is not brutal - it's linear. Let me explain!!! I already have tasted Diesel Auto in my existing garage. That 115bhp motor can put much bigger combos to shame. It's not the number of horses that the motor has, it's how it puts it to wheels. In my experience, Sonet D AT triumphs Seltos D AT even in the existing avatar. It pushes you back the moment you press the pedal. However, this 1.5GDI doesn't do that on its own unless you want it to. Put the car in Sports mode and use those paddle shifters. That's where the joy is!!! The downside is that, unlike diesel motors, this joy mode will kill your mileage in the petrol motor.
To conclude, unless you are living in NCR and have even 40% regular highway travel to take care of DPF issues, my suggestion will be to pick 115 diesel over 160 petrol. It's the best of both worlds.

Will consider the above detailed advice for my car purchase. Thanks a lot!!!