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Bored of my used Honda City: Best SUV options between Rs 35-50 lakh

27th August 2024, 10:33 by Rahul Nagaraj

I would love to have an EV as a second car, but I’m not ready for it to be my primary vehicle just yet.

BHPian shobhit.shri recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Current car

The current car, a 3rd generation Honda City automatic, is now 12 years old. I bought it used in 2019 when it had only 45,000 kilometres on it. It currently has 95,000 kilometres. It has served me well, proving to be extremely reliable, convenient, and an incredible value for money. The only drawback is its suspension. While the car could still last for another 10 years, I’m just bored of it.

Purpose

I would love to go on long trips with my family. I've started doing this recently and would like to do it more frequently and for longer distances. Daily commute is about 10 KMs. I am willing to splurge a little and indulge

Budget

Budget: 35 lakhs is comfortable, 50 lakhs is a stretch.
Social Signaling: I know it's silly but I’m mindful of social signalling. An Audi would be over the top. I like the Jeep Compass because it’s nice without looking too expensive.

Shortlist

Jeep Compass - 35
Audi A4 - 55
Skoda Kodiaq - 48
Audi Q3 - 55
BYD Seal - 55
BYD Atto 3 - 30
VW Tiguan - 43

Needs, Wants and Desires

Safety: A top priority.
Handling: I’m nuts about cars with great handling. My first car was a Skoda Rapid 1.6 TDI, and I loved it. I crave cars with tight handling.
Suspension: No cars with a boat-like feeling. I need perfect suspension tuning.
Comfort: Must be comfortable, ideally with features that help with motion sickness. It's not opposed to my previous requirement of tight handling. I mean uncomfortable in the "Thar" way
Size: I dislike long, large cars. I didn’t enjoy driving the Honda Accord. We’re a family of three, so we don’t need a big car.
Power: The more, the better. I’m not obsessed with speed or 0-60 times under 8 seconds, but I love that occasional push-you-into-your-seat acceleration.
Reliability: Stating the obvious, but I don’t want to risk being stranded ever. A little extra maintenance cost should be fine
Speed: 120-140 km/h is my ideal driving speed on good, empty highways. I drive very carefully in the city.
Comfortable Seats: Proper thigh and lumbar support is crucial -- we’re aging.
Interiors: Nice interiors are important. I prefer beige but can live with black; grey is a no-go.
Must-Have Features: Apple/Android CarPlay, sunroof, all safety features, proper lights, 6-8 airbags, and a great sound system would make the deal sweeter
Nice-to-Have Features: ADAS (possibly?), ventilated seats, ambient lighting (daughter loves this), cruise control, 360-degree camera, leather seats.
Mileage: Doesn’t matter *that* much. My annual driving is less than 15k, mostly around 10-12k.

To EV or not to EV

I would love to have an EV as a second car, but I’m not ready for it to be my primary vehicle just yet.

My office has ample charging stations, so as long as I'm in the city, charging isn't an issue. Atto's ~350 km range is more than enough for my needs.

I love the power and quietness of EVs. I like to be an early adapter of technology too

The Atto offers incredible value for money, and the driving experience of the Seal was exceptional.

Used Car conundrum

You see I bought my current car used so I am not alien to the idea. But, and it's a big but, it was a Honda and 3rd gen City - a car known for its reliability and long term ownership. I am also mentally blocked on spending more than 30L on a used car. To be honest, and I am ready to change my opinion, I don't see many great, reliable options in the used segment.

I am also outraged by the used car pricings. How come a new Compass costs 35L and a 3 year old used one, driven for 30k KM, is quoted for 28L! I understand it for a Toyota or Honda, it definitely doesn't make sense for a Jeep, or Germans.

Following is my unfiltered opinion on all the cars I have evaluated. You see I have analyzed way too much and totally confused right now!

Jeep Compass

Fits the bill with great suspension, build quality, and high-speed handling. The acceleration from a standstill isn’t great but improves at higher speeds, aligning with GTO's 7/10 rating on the gearbox. However, it lacks paddle shifters or driving modes, and the back seats don’t have enough headroom, even for someone 5'10". The car is also small, though it’s currently available with great discounts.

Also, marketing does play on our minds, doesn’t it? Compass is pitched as a lifestyle vehicle for adventure-seekers, which appeals to my mid-life crisis!

Audi Q3

Mind-blowing handling, acceleration, and braking—more than enough car for me. There are a few missing features, but nothing I can't live without. Concerns include the expensive pricing despite heavy discounts, social signalling, and future maintenance costs, so basically, it comes down to money. I’m also worried about the potentially hard suspension. Daughter on the back seat did not like the drive. I liked it but not as much to stretch my budget so far.

Audi A4

Mostly similar to Q3, but I found it odd to feel steer while cornering. It was a brand-new car and I drove it for a long time. Somehow, the car was not very convincing. Daughter, again on the back seat, almost vomited, though I accept I was driving it too hard on sports setting. Again, probably not worth stretching the budget

BYD Atto 3

A cute, efficient car that drives well for its price, though I noticed some wheel spin during acceleration from a standstill. The build quality and space are great, and it’s crazy that I can get it for just 25L! I’m fine with the funky interiors—my daughter actually loved the quirky guitar strings. However, the Compass handles much better. I would have bought this as a city EV in a heartbeat.

BYD Seal

Mind-blowing interiors, design, and acceleration, but it doesn’t seem very practical for a family. Ground clearance might be an issue, and it’s both expensive and an EV.

Volvo XC40 Recharge

It’s a great car but doesn’t feel special for its price. The back seat has low thigh support and headroom. Plus, it’s expensive and an EV.

Tata Safari/Harrier

Probably the best-looking cars, but I didn’t enjoy driving them much. They offer ample space and practicality, and the price is reasonable, so that’s a positive.

Mahindra XUV 700

Similar to what I feel about Safari, except the looks. I did not particularly enjoy driving it.

Ioniq 5

Great interiors, design, and practicality, but too expensive for what it offers right now. The Seal is much better for a similar price.

Skoda Kodiaq

Very practical and sensible. My previous experience with Skoda service wasn’t bad, and the car was really great. The last two seats have limited usage, but they still make the car big. The Q3 at 55L, compared to the Kodiaq at 50L, is far more appealing.

Hyundai Tucson

Nothing particularly stands out. It seems like a boring, middle-of-the-road choice. The showroom had an old car for a test drive, and it still didn’t feel particularly attractive at this price point.

VW Tiguan

The hard suspension is a concern, but it seems more palatable at 42L. It’s not too far away from the Compass in appeal. Test drive pending.

Questions

Do I need AWD? I am not going for off-roading, but does it make any difference to handling, driving experience and safety on regular highways and bad roads?
Am I missing some car in my evaluation? Which car can I look at in the used market?
Which one do you recommend?

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

That's a nice dilemma to have. Some answers to your questions:
The first step would be to clear the new v/s used conundrum. I would recommend you explore the used path first, for you could get some great cars with your budget! As for your concerns on reliability, just make sure you avoid German cars that are 5 years / 50,000 kms old and you're good. BMWs are relatively reliable, and you can get some great cars in 35-50 lakhs range. While looking for used cars, social signalling shouldn't be a reason for you to reject a car, because you could lose some competent cars in the process.
Today, EVs as primary cars are a lifestyle choice. Buy one ONLY if you are tech-savvy and want to be an early adopter. However, you need to do some serious running to make financial sense of the purchase. Also, as you rightly mentioned, they make better sense as beater cars, so I would ask you to lean towards gas-powered cars since you're looking for a primary.
AWD isn't a must-have. If the price delta between AWD and corresponding non-AWD variants isn't much, you can go for it. However, I'm not the best person to comment on it because I've never experienced an AWD. Fellow BHPians may be able to help you on this front.
Onto the cars:
The Compass is a dated product at this point. Although the engine is good and the cabin still looks nice, the dim-witted auto box + cramped rear seat + hit-or-miss ASS experience work against its favour, not to mention the high price. Moreover, Jeep's laid-back attitude in India isn't very confidence-inspiring. I wouldn't consider it today.
Similarly, the Tiguan and Meridian don't feel special, in spite of being relatively new. I don't think they are worth exploring, but you may check it out anyway. You never know what could click.
The Kodiaq makes a strong case for itself. It has a solid powertrain, fantastic suspension, good quality interiors, build quality, features and is practical too. The only thing to be worried about is the ASS. This should be on top of your shortlist.
I think you tried the petrol Tucson and that's why you weren't impressed. The diesel with 184 bhp and 416 Nm is fantastic to drive. Top pick if you're considering diesel.
The entry-level luxury SUV segment merely acts as an entry point to the luxury space IMO. The Q3 when compared to the Kodiaq has lesser features, space, practicality and shares the powertrain while being more expensive. Don't get me wrong, the Q3 is a great product and it's my pick in the segment, but I would avoid the segment altogether due to the above-mentioned reasons.
I would strongly suggest you take another look at the XUV700 because it is all the car you need! Plus, it is much more affordable than the other options. You can also check out the Harrier & Safari, but they are diesel-only and you'd have to deal with random niggles and Tata's poor ASS. I'm guessing most of the XUV700's niggles have been ironed out by now.
If you want an EV, the Seal should 'seal' the deal. At 55 lakhs OTR, you get 523 bhp (!!!), fantastic interiors, a spacious backseat... to be honest, I can go on and on! The only red flags are the low GC and brand presence, things that can be easily overlooked IMO considering the value proposition. At this price, it really is a steal.
Wild card entry #1 = Innova HyCross. It scores big on practicality, features and has a pleasant drive experience. You can take a look if you're okay with the van image, average interior quality, unexciting powertrain and high wait times.
Wild card entry #2 = Mahindra Thar Roxx :P. Since you mentioned about being attracted to the Compass because it's being pitched as an adventure vehicle, I couldn't help but mention the Thar since it is exactly that! Not only is it much cheaper, but it is also feature-loaded, powerful, capable and it has the desirability factor. The perfect YOLO vehicle!
To summarize:
Petrol:
Kodiaq @~50 lakhs
XUV700 @~30 lakhs
Diesel:
Tucson @~43 lakhs
XUV700 @~32 lakhs
EV:
BYD Seal @~55 lakhs
On a lighter note: Why didn't you check out the "best car in the segment", the Nissan X-Trail? Oh never mind, that 30 lakh car is sold for 60 here

Here's what BHPian Karthik1100 had to say on the matter:

Your 1st option is the best option. Your heart is more inclined towards Jeep Compass. You are a person who drives 10k kms/year. Mostly on highways and limited drives in the City. Compass fits both for city and the highway. Comfortable, Driver's car, and good for longer run, I am sure you will keep it for another 5-6 years. The space inside is not big, if your family is big, go for Meridian or else Compass is the best choice under 35L.

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

Kind of a dilemma I also am grappling with. Where to go next from a C Segment Sedan- Assuming this ~35 Lakh budget with maybe a 10-15% stretch(In my case).
I think few things you need to close on to make your decision process easier.
Are you ok with Pre-Owned? If so the 35L ideal budget will bring in a lot of options- from some of the cars in your list- Audi A4, Q3, Kodiaq + many other options including the BMW 3 Series, maybe a 5 Series to name a couple. On the downside, you may need to wait for a clean good option and no guarantee how long that will take. For my case, this is kind of the approach I want to start with.
It looks like you really are not ok with a primary car EV at this time- So the Atto 3 and Seal are taken out of the picture.
If you do not want pre-owned and your budget cap is 50L, then that takes out all the luxury cars starting from the Q3 and A4.
That actually leaves the Kodiaq, Tiguan and Compass from your shortlist. I think the Kodiaq is the best suited based on the requirements listed. It is probably the new car I would buy(Already thinking about it). It also comes with that Dynamic Suspension that would take care of your 'Sportiness when needed, comfort when needed requirement'. Of course, it will not handle like a sedan.
The other cars XUV700, Safari-Harrier, and even the Compass, in my view, won't feel like a good enough upgrade and there are plenty of them around- So no plus points on the social signalling.
I am a little biased here, but my recommendation for a new car is the Kodiaq. If Pre-owned: Kodiaq, A4, Q3, BMW 330Li, 520/530d are all options.

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