[Ripcord09]

Citroen Basalt

What you'll like:

• Good road presence and unique SUV Coupe styling make the Basalt stand out from the crowd
• Nice-looking cabin that's spacious & practical. Plenty of storage spaces
• Peppy 1.2L turbo-petrol mated to the 6-speed MT (great to use!) or AT is fun-to-drive
• Sorted suspension offers an excellent ride & handling package. Again, a great driver's car!
• 470-litre boot can accommodate a healthy amount of luggage
• Features like the 10.2-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay, connected car tech, 7-inch digital instrument cluster, rear seats with adjustable under-thigh support, soft & bolstered headrests and more
• Safety features such as 6 airbags, ESP, hill-hold, TPMS, 3-point seatbelts + reminders for all 5 occupants, ISOFIX, etc.

What you won't:

• SUV Coupe styling can polarise opinions; this body style is not for everyone
• Missing plenty of features - sunroof, ventilated seats, keyless entry & go, 360-degree camera, cruise control, auto headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, auto-dimming IRVM...
• Only petrol powertrains on offer. No Hybrid, diesel or EV options
• Quality of cabin materials doesn't feel great; cost-cutting is pretty evident in certain areas
• As is typical of SUV Coupes, rearward visibility is poor
• Long-term reliability & after-sales service quality are big unknowns; dealer network is small. Example, a metropolitan city like Mumbai has just 2 outlets in the far suburbs, while Bangalore has 1

Citroen Basalt Review Link

Hyundai Creta

2024 Facelift Review Link

First Review Link

Kia Seltos

2023 Facelift Review Link

First Review

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-petrols 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. 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
• Honda Sensing ADAS system is intrusive at times on the highway; requires the driver to adapt to it and be comfortable using it

Review Link

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-petrols
• 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)

Review Link

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

What you'll like:

• Very good attempt at making a mass-market hybrid car
• 20+ kmpl 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 kmph
• Not as engaging to drive as the German competitors, or the Creta / Seltos turbo-petrols
• 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)

Review Link

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 (all variants), 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, audio system with a punchy subwoofer, auto headlamps & wipers etc.
• 5-star GNCAP safety rating - full details here!

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
• Lovely 1.5L TSI is only available on the top variant
• 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, panoramic sunroof, 360-degree camera & regular USB ports
• Turbo-petrols are very sensitive to driving style. FE will drop drastically when you drive hard

Review Link

Volkswagen Taigun

What you'll like:

• Has its own fresh, European character and complements its cousin (the recently launched 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 = a top AT variant with 6 airbags, design that stands out more, cabin 'feels' better, fabric seats are executed in a nicer manner...
• 5-star GNCAP safety rating - full details here!

What you won't:

• No 1.5L diesel is a major disadvantage in a world where petrol costs over 100 bucks/litre
• GT customers will need to choose between the rock (potential DQ200 transmission problems) and a hard place (GT manual variant misses out on many top-end features)
• 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 driving modes, panoramic sunroof, 360-degree camera, electric driver's seat adjustment & rear window blinds
• Turbo-petrols 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 doorpad to keep items in place, or even something as simple as the small reflective tapes on the doorpads

Review Link

Citroen C3 Aircross

What you'll like:

• Well-sized crossover with a funky yet likeable design
• Offers the practicality of a 5+2 seater. Many families will like having that option
• Good-looking cabin that's practical too. Plenty of storage spaces
• Quick 1.2L turbo-petrol mated to the 6-speed MT or AT is fun-to-drive
• Sorted suspension offers a very good ride & handling package
• Massive 511-litre boot that can be expanded to 839 litres. Flexible cargo and seating options are available
• Features like a 10.2-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay, connected car features, a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, indirect TPMS, and a rear parking camera with sensors
• Lots of customization options and accessories to make your car truly unique

What you won't:

• Missing plenty of features = side & curtain airbags, ISOFIX child seat anchors, sunroof, climate control, wireless charging, cruise control, rear AC vents, auto headlamps and more
• Single powertrain on offer. No Hybrid or diesel engine options
• Quality of cabin materials doesn't feel great; cost-cutting is pretty evident in certain areas
• Third row of seats is best for kids / children only
• Cabin width makes the middle row seat suitable for 2 adults, not 3
• Very sad audio. 4 speakers + 2 tweeter system feels very basic
• Long-term reliability & after-sales service quality are big unknowns; dealer network is tiny

Review Link

MG Astor

Review Link

[Aditya]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!

[antz.bin]

Where is the Tata Curvv.EV?

It has the power of the fastest ones here
It has the cargo room of the largest ones here
It is top of the pile in terms of style
Its running costs are lower than anything else here
Its features are at par with the most feature rich ones here
It costs at par with and sometimes lower than the market leaders for the features and power outputs
It has more than enough highway range (55 kWh versions)

With the teeny tiny problem of rear headroom which most nuclear families will probably not need for 350/365 days of the year.

Another notable miss in this price and size range is the Thar Roxx.

[Col Mehta]

Voted for Seltos X-line, but the heart is still with the FL Creta (took it off our list for its underwhelming interiors with cheap plastics) and the Thar ROXX (took if off as it's not a very practical car for our daily use - old birds in family would find it difficult).

Wouldn't consider Tata Curvv for its pathetic rear seat space management with hilariously bad headroom and under thigh support. Plus Tata's QC and after sales service are still a huge gamble. Beautiful design though.

[wheelguy]

Voted for Honda Elevate. If one is not going for the diesel or turbo petrol, then Elevate is the top choice with its segment's best 1.5 liter naturally aspirated engine. It is a no-nonsense car with the cleanest design and all the necessary features.

Originally Posted by antz.bin

Where is the Tata Curvv.EV?

Me too surprised that Basalt is included but Curvv is left out, while cars with hybrid engines too are included. Coming to Curvv, rear seat space is less compared to its competition but not a big deal breaker, bad headroom in sunroof variants of GV/Hyryder duo did not stop people from buying those cars, so I think Curvv's rear seat experience wont be a big issue.

[Abhisheknott]

Surprised to see that Creta is not leading the poll. Best overall package but somehow cant put money down for it.
My choice will be the Grand Vitara despite the weak engine.
Elevate loses out on looks and interior space - should have named it Elongate.
VW twins drive well but lack of a cylinder seems weird and peace of mind ownership is suspect.
I wish Citroen came out with decent NCAP results which will hopefully increase their sales as they have the best ride of the lot.

[the.dogfather]

Voted for the Basalt. It has the right mix of reliability , ride quality, features and looks. Though I am not in the market for a car, if I were to buy a crossover/SUV in this price range the main contenders for me would be the Basalt, Elevate and Jimny. The Elevate, though a great package, in terms of drive trains and space, the ADAS is something I would avoid. The Jimny has everything, but the 4AT I drive often, sometimes makes overtaking tough.
The Basalt, with a 6AT, the 1.2T petrol is quite a great package. They have now loaded it just with the right amount of features, without going overboard, and has really nice styling. Being a sedan person in general, I am not a fan of most SUV styling, so the SUV Coupe styling is somewhat a compromise. The basic mechanicals for the Basat are quite a good combination and the pricing makes it even more tempting. The service is the only worry, but as they are present in most major cities, and with their expansion plans I would be okay taking the risk.

[Aakash118]

To me, Basalt in no way is a rival to any of these. Every single car here is a segment above than Basalt. Does any other car here comes with a 1.2 NA petrol? Basalt’s real competition is with CSUVs like Brezza & Nexon. And in that segment my top pick is Sonet followed by 3XO. So voted for others.

[xway]

Its funny that all these cars are placed along with humble Basalt.

Basalt starting 7.99 and all other choices starting 11 lacs.

Some of the cars listed are not one but two segments above Basalt.

Just because Basalt is above 4meters does not make it a contender to compete or even compare with this set of cars.

Basalt is better suited to be compared cars around 7 to 9 lacs at most, so Brezza, Sonet, Nexon would be more appropriate.

[ferrarirules]

Originally Posted by Ripcord09

Comparison

Why is Cruvv.EV missing from this poll? It is a vehicle in the same segment and is at the same price point as the others.

For that sake, XUV400 and MG ZS EV should be included as well

[anu21v]

Of the choices, with the free flow of Money I would have picked Suzuki Grand Vitara with Strong hybrid only due to quality, mileage and ASS reliability it offers.


If I have to buy having lets say exactly 12.00 lakh of Funding (bank & self) available to me (i.e. Constrained), I have no doubt I would have picked the Basalt as no other car offers bang for the buck despite all other weakness such as features and ASS and network.

Basalt to me still offers everything that is needed by me.

[saikishor]

Voted for the Astor, as it brings a truly premium experience to the table. The interior quality is just much better than the ones on this list. Remember this is a proper european car( I am aware of the chinese roots) and sells well there too AFAIK. I like the crossover looks of the car as it does not pretend to mimick an SUV. This failed due to the premium price.

[Vikki@Hyderabad]

Originally Posted by Aakash118

Does any other car here comes with a 1.2 NA petrol?

It does come with a 1.2 Turbo, and an AT as well. When I bought the Slavia 1.0 AT earlier this year, I seriously considered the Aircross, as I would have Basalt if it had been launched at that time. More than the segment itself, I would like to see how practical a vehicle is for me and if it's within my reach. With 6 airbags, a 470-liter boot, and all that it's offering, including that ride quality that's better than a Skoda, it would have definitely been a strong contender.

So, that's my personal opinion. Peace!

[theabstractmind]

Voted for Basalt as that could likely be my family's choice. Else would have picked Aircross. Crash rating and 60:40 split on rear seats are all that is missing on both these cars for me to give them a try. Apart from Vitamin M, that is.

[SoumenD]

Voted for Elevate

Personally prefer simple reliable AT cars and for this segment can't imagine paying anything more than 20L OTR & in that budget only 1.5NA CVT or 1.0L/1.2L turbo TC options are available.

Having used 2 Hondas in the family(Brio sold at 80k mark after 10 years & Jazz CVT chugging along at 26k after 5 years), I have no doubts what will be my go-to car if I were to upgrade today. Drove it and loved the ride quality as well as the performance which while not explosive like the turbo-petrols, isn't really a slouch in-city. Probably the best 1.5NA CVT combo out there. Interiors & features too are decent.

Only thing left is GNCAP test results, hope it returns atleast 4* with stable bodyshell.

P.S: Surprised to see Elevate leading the poll but usually whichever car wins these team-bhp polls turns out to be laggard in real world sales which is actually the case here as well