Other cars in this comparison include the Skoda Kushaq, Maruti Grand Vitara, Toyota Hyryder, Tata Harrier, MG Astor and Hector.
BHPian RahulNagaraj recently shared this with other enthusiasts.
Honda Elevate
What you’ll like:
- Smart styling with the right amount of muscle and clean lines
- Reliable and proven 1.5L i-VTEC engine is rev-happy & delivers adequate performance
- Pick between a slick 6-speed MT for some engagement or a super-smooth CVT Automatic for effortless urban commuting
- Superbly tuned suspension! Comfortable ride quality with sorted handling
- Clean interior design with good cabin space. Has a big 458L boot too
- Honda’s proven reliability and after-sales service should ensure a fuss-free ownership experience
- Safety features include ADAS Level 2 tech, 6 airbags, hill start assist, lane watch assist, ISOFIX and ESP
What you won’t:
- 1.5L NA offers satisfactory performance, but the competition offers way more powerful turbo-petrol and faster dual-clutch automatics
- CVT is great for urban commuting but out on the open roads, it’s more suited to a sedate driving style
- No diesel or hybrid powertrains on offer. The competition offers both for those with high running. We can’t figure out why the City’s wonderful Hybrid system wasn’t adapted for the Elevate
- Lots of missing features by current standards. You don’t get auto wipers, ICE with a subwoofer, a 360-degree camera, a powered driver seat, ambient lighting and more
- Lacks the feeling of “contemporariness” or the “wow” factor, be it in styling, powertrain, features & technology
- The Honda Sensing ADAS system is intrusive at times on the highway; requires the driver to adapt to it and be comfortable using it
Kia Seltos Facelift
What you’ll like:
- A superbly engineered all-rounder that delivers a premium experience
- Handsome, contemporary styling. Looks very sharp
- We find the Seltos to be well-priced for what it offers
- Nice, user-friendly interiors with sufficient space & good quality
- Loved the 1.5L turbo-petrol & 1.5L diesel
- Both the automatics – Diesel AT & Petrol DCT – are simply fantastic!
- Mature on-road behaviour, including at highway speeds. A+ brakes as well
- Unusually wide variant offering. Seems there is something for everyone
- Standard safety kit includes 6 airbags, ESP, all-wheel disc brakes, hill start assist, TPMS, rear parking sensors, 3-point seatbelts for all, etc.
- Impressive kit (ADAS Level-2, panoramic sunroof, dual-zone climate control, 360-degree camera, HUD, front parking sensors, Bose sound system, wireless charger with cooling function, cooled seats, UV cut glass, & loads more)
What you won’t:
- Turbo-petrol are very sensitive to driving style. FE will drop drastically when you drive hard
- Back seat’s width makes it better for 2 adults and a kid, rather than 3 adults
- Firm suspension. Liveable, but bad roads will bother you
- Dual-clutch ATs (like the Petrol DCT) have a history of poor reliability in India
- Diesel’s 113 BHP & 250 Nm – although adequate – is the lowest in the segment
- Extremely confusing & complicated variant spread!
- You get bigger SUVs and crossovers for the same money (e.g. Hector, Harrier, XUV700)
Hyundai Creta
What you’ll like:
- A superbly engineered all-rounder that delivers a premium experience
- We find the Hyundai Creta to be well-priced for what it offers
- User-friendly interiors with sufficient space & good-quality parts
- Loved the 1.5L diesel. Will soon get the fast 1.5L turbo petrol too
- Smooth & competent automatic gearboxes available
- Sorted road manners & handling for a Hyundai, including on the highway. You will be surprised!
- The Creta’s safety package includes 6 airbags, ESP, all-wheel disc brakes, TPMS etc.
- Impressive kit (panoramic sunroof, paddle shifters, Bose sound system, cooled seats, cabin air purifier & loads more)
- Hyundai’s competent after-sales service, fuss-free ownership & up to 5-years standard warranty
What you won’t:
- Scored just 3 stars in the GNCAP crash tests
- Oddball love-it-or hate-it styling. We find the Creta’s exterior design to be too weird & futuristic
- Firmer suspension isn’t as cushy as the 1st-gen Creta
- Back seat’s width makes it better for 2 adults and a kid, rather than 3 adults
- Some misses (no auto wipers, 360-degree camera, illuminated window buttons, full-size spare tyre on top trims)
- Diesel’s 113 BHP & 250 Nm – although adequate – is the lowest in the segment
- You get bigger SUVs and crossovers for the same money (e.g. Hector, Harrier)
Volkswagen Taigun
What you’ll like:
- Has its own fresh, European character and complements its cousin (the Skoda Kushaq) nicely in a segment dominated by Indian, Korean and Chinese SUVs
- Unmistakably VW styling matched with solid European build quality
- Cabin has good legroom to offer, supportive seats, perfect ergonomics & lots of storage
- 148 BHP engine makes the Taigun one of the most fun-to-drive crossovers in the segment!
- Sporty 1.0L & 1.5L turbo-petrols are mated to slick 6-speed MTs & smooth ATs
- Sorted suspension offers a balanced ride & handling package
- Safety features include up to 6 airbags, ESC (all variants), 3-point seatbelts for all, electronic differential lock, brake disc wiping, multi-collision brake and more
- Features like active cylinder tech, ventilated seats, sunroof, 10-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and CarPlay, auto headlamps & wipers etc.
- Advantages over the Kushaq = design that stands out more, cabin ‘feels’ better, fabric seats are executed in a nicer manner…
- 5-star GNCAP safety rating
What you won’t:
- No 1.5L diesel is a major disadvantage in a world where petrol costs over 100 bucks/litre
- Narrow cabin width makes a 5th adult completely unwelcome. Best for 4 onboard
- Interior colour scheme and quality don’t feel up to traditional VW standards. Some polarising details too (chrome outside, painted plastics inside…)
- Sure lacks the street cred/presence offered by some competitors
- VW’s after-sales service can be a hit or miss. Many VW owners find it expensive too
- Missing some now-expected features such as a subwoofer, driving modes (sport), panoramic sunroof, 360-degree camera, electric driver’s seat adjustment & rear window blinds
- Turbo-petrol are very sensitive to driving style. FE will drop drastically when you drive hard
- Kushaq’s ‘clever’ touches are missing = no spot on top of the dashboard to place a deity, no smartphone holders on the front seatbacks, no ticket clip on the windshield, no elastic band in the door pad to keep items in place, or even something as simple as the small reflective tapes on the door pads
Skoda Kushaq
What you’ll like:
- A breath of fresh (European) air in a sea of Korean, Chinese & Indian SUVs
- Classy exterior & interior styling matched with solid European build quality
- Cabin has good legroom to offer, supportive seats, perfect ergonomics & lots of storage
- 148 BHP engine makes the Kushaq one of the most fun-to-drive crossovers in the segment
- Sporty 1.0L & 1.5L turbo-petrols are mated to slick 6-speed MTs & smooth ATs
- Sorted suspension offers a balanced ride & handling package
- Safety features include 6 airbags, ESC, 3-point seatbelts for all, electronic differential lock, brake disc wiping, multi-collision brake and more
- 6-year extended warranty & 4-year all-inclusive service packages available
- Features like active cylinder tech, ventilated seats, sunroof, wireless Android Auto and CarPlay, auto headlamps & wipers etc.
- 5-star GNCAP safety rating
What you won’t:
- No 1.5L diesel is a major disadvantage in a world where petrol costs over 100 bucks/litre
- DQ200 DSG transmission has a history of poor reliability & breakdowns in India
- Narrow width makes a 5th adult completely unwelcome. Best for 4 onboard
- At 385 litres, boot space is lesser than its direct rivals (Creta & Seltos = 433L)
- Sure lacks the street cred/presence offered by some competitors
- Skoda’s notorious dealerships & after-sales horror stories
- Missing some now expected features such as driving modes (sport), panoramic sunroof, 360-degree camera, electric driver’s seat adjustment & regular USB ports
- Turbo-petrol are very sensitive to driving style. FE will drop drastically when you drive hard
Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara
What you’ll like:
- A competent hybrid car for the mass market
- 20+ km/l FE in city driving conditions makes the Grand Vitara cheaper to run than a diesel!
- Lower emissions will appeal to environmentally-conscious buyers. And those who aren’t ready for an EV yet
- Toyota’s reliability & expertise in hybrid systems is very reassuring in the Maruti
- Seamless Hybrid system that makes driving a breeze. A car you will enjoy driving in traffic
- Maruti’s AWD system provides impressive soft-roading capabilities. Can get you out of tricky situations when touring
- Compliant ride quality coupled with balanced driving dynamics
- Well-equipped with features such as driving modes, panoramic sunroof, 360-degree camera, ventilated seats, wireless smartphone charging, connected car features, wireless Android Auto + Apple CarPlay and more
- Maruti’s excellent after-sales service, wide dealer network & fuss-free ownership experiences
- Does most things well, but doesn’t excel in any particular area (other than fuel economy)
What you won’t:
- Practicality is compromised due to reduced boot space in the full-hybrid variant
- Interior quality and fit & finish are underwhelming at this price point
- AllGrip AWD is only available in a single MT trim. Missed opportunity to market a USP
- Interior is narrow and doesn’t feel as roomy as some competitors. Rear seat is best for 2 adults
- Lacks the outright performance of the competition. Runs out of steam above 110 km/h
- Not as engaging to drive as the German competitors or the Creta / Seltos turbo-petrol
- NVH levels from the drivetrain are surprisingly poor for a hybrid. Sounds from the 3-cylinder engine, electric motor and brake vacuum pump filter into the cabin
- The Honda City’s Hybrid system is smoother, more sophisticated & more refined
- Missing features such as rain-sensing wipers, premium audio + subwoofer, electric seats, electric parking brake, LED interior lighting, etc.
- Does most things well, but doesn’t excel in any particular area (other than fuel economy)
Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder
What you’ll like:
- Very good attempt at making a mass-market hybrid car
- 20+ km/l FE in city driving conditions makes the Hyryder cheaper to run than a diesel!
- Seamless hybrid system that makes driving a breeze. A car you will enjoy driving in the city
- Lower emissions will appeal to environmentally-conscious buyers. And those who aren’t ready for an EV yet
- Toyota’s reliability & expertise in hybrid systems is very reassuring
- Compliant ride quality coupled with balanced driving dynamics
- Well-equipped with features such as driving modes, panoramic sunroof, 360-degree camera, ventilated seats, wireless smartphone charging, connected car features, wireless Android Auto + Apple Carplay and more
- Only Crossover in this segment to provide AWD capability
- Toyota’s after-sales quality is usually regarded as top-notch by owners
- Does most things well, but doesn’t excel in any particular area (other than fuel economy)
What you won’t:
- Practicality is compromised due to reduced boot space in the full-hybrid variant
- Quality of interior plastics feels more “Maruti” than Toyota. Frankly, the S-Cross cabin feels better in quality
- Interior is narrow and doesn’t feel as roomy as some competitors. Rear seat is best for 2 adults
- Missing features such as rain-sensing wipers, premium audio + subwoofer, electric seats, electric parking brake, LED interior lighting, etc.
- Lacks the outright performance of the competition. Runs out of steam above 110 km/h
- Not as engaging to drive as the German competitors or the Creta / Seltos turbo-petrol
- NVH levels from the drivetrain are surprisingly poor for a hybrid. Sounds from the 3-cylinder engine, electric motor and brake vacuum pump filter into the cabin
- AWD available only on the MT (not the AT) and the mild-hybrid (not full-hybrid)
- The Honda City’s Hybrid system is smoother, more sophisticated & more refined
- Does most things well, but doesn’t excel in any particular area (other than fuel economy)
MG Astor
MG Hector
What you’ll like:
- Big size & lots of bling for the money! We find the Hector to be well-priced
- A spacious cabin that can easily seat 5 adults. Massive 587-litre boot too
- Refined 1.5L petrol is mated to a smooth CVT
- Fiat-sourced 2.0L diesel is simply fantastic
- Compliant ride quality. The suspension is tuned for comfort
- Lots of kits (panoramic sunroof, ADAS tech, 360-degree camera, electric seats & tailgate etc.)
- ‘Connected’ Tablet ICE with an embedded SIM & lovely sound quality
- 5-year / unlimited km warranty with roadside assistance
- Top safety equipment includes 6 airbags, ESP, HSA, all-wheel disc brakes, TPMS & more
What you won’t:
- Awkward styling on the side & rear profiles. Looks weird from some angles
- Sloppy high-speed handling, noticeable body roll & easy understeer
- The turbo-petrol engine is “adequate” at best. Nothing for enthusiasts here
- Petrol CVT combination is a gas guzzler. Realistically, you can expect ~10 km/l
- No Diesel AT (Creta, Seltos, Harrier, Compass and XUV700 offer this combination, which we love)
- Some annoyances like the ~6-meter turning radius, strange rpm meter (digital)…
- Small after-sales network. Service quality & long-term reliability are big unknowns
- Don’t get blinded by the British branding. This is a Chinese car
Tata Harrier
What you’ll like:
- Stunning looks & strong road presence. Solid build too
- Well-priced for the package on offer
- Classy, spacious cabin with comfortable seats & a chilling air-con
- Fantastic 9-speaker audio system. Sound quality & bass are enjoyable
- The 168BHP, 2.0L diesel offers good performance
- Smooth & competent 6-speed automatic transmission
- 205 mm of ground clearance + terrain response system. the latter will make monsoon driving safer
- Topnotch safety kit includes 6 airbags, ESP, break reminder, hill hold, brake disc wiping & more
- Features such as the panoramic sunroof, Eco & Sport modes, auto headlamps & wipers, cruise control…
What you won’t:
- Concerns over niggles & long-term reliability. Few customers have reported problems
- Heavy steering gets cumbersome at parking/u-turn / crawling speeds (<5 km/h)
- Although improved, the Harrier’s steering @ 120 km/h is still a level too sensitive
- The diesel engine does get loud at 3,500 rpm & its engine note is quite sad too
- No petrol option (almost all competitors offer it). No AWD for enthusiasts either
- Harrier AT’s focus is on smoothness & comfort; gearbox is not the most responsive
- Service visit every 6 months / 7500 km (12-months is the norm today)
- Tata’s after-sales service quality is a hit or miss. Remains a gamble
Keyword: Honda Elevate vs Kia Seltos vs Hyundai Creta vs VW Taigun vs others