Buy Honda Elevate ZX or extend my budget for Hyundai Creta SX Tech

I feel that ADAS is not a very useful feature in Indian conditions but I definitely would rate Creta's radar-based of more use than the camera-based ADAS of Elevate, specifically in heavy rains and fog.

BHPian motographer recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I'm looking to buy a new car in the compact SUV segment. I've tried almost all offerings in the segment except Seltos and have shortlisted the Honda Elevate CVT and Hyundai Creta 1.5 CVT. Safety, reliability and a few features are the important requirements. Exterior design-wise, I like both and both offer similar driveability.

Things found better in Creta:

• Back seat comfort is better for 3 people in Creta with the seat being a tad bit wider and with a flat bench, the middle passenger is going to be more comfortable than the central bump in Elevate. Also, the sun blinds on the rear seat add to the comfort for the rear passenger.
• Cabin insulation appeared better in Creta & with less engine & road noise, the cabin appeared quieter. It was not too bad in Elevate, but don't know how much noisy that cabin is going to be at highway speeds.
• Creta definitely has the upper hand in terms of some important basic features like USB ports for rear passengers & TPMS. I am not a fan of panoramic sunroof, so not counting it as an advantage in Creta. Ventilated seats are definitely an advantage but I don't find powered seats of much use unless they come with memory function.
• I also feel that ADAS is not a very useful feature in Indian conditions as of now but I definitely would rate Creta's radar-based of more use than the camera-based ADAS of Elevate, specifically in heavy rains and fog.

Things found better in Elevate:

• Riding position is definitely better with Elevate.
• Found Elevate's interior to be better.
• I am assuming Honda to be more reliable in the long run. Also, the urge to own the famed iVtec before the age of ICE engines ends.

To me, it appears that Elevate ZX CVT is a better bet than Creta S(O) IVT in the same price bracket. Creta appears to make more sense in the higher-priced SX Tech variant. My running is predominantly going to be in the city with occasional highway drives and some mountain & hilly runs (definitely hoping to drive to Spiti next year)

Conundrum:

Should I go for Elevate ZX or push the budget and go for Creta SX Tech (if it's really worth it)? However, pushing the budget would be better avoided.

Any suggestions from forum members are welcome.

Here's what BHPian 07CR had to say about the matter:

Of the two, I would suggest the Creta SX Tech for the following reasons-

• NVH is way better than Elevate. Moreso on the highways, I found Elevate's NVH in a sorry state as the speeds crossed 80 KPH.
• Few missing essentials in Elevate compared to Creta- Dual Zone AC, Rear window curtains, a faster HU and better sound quality too, EPB with Auto Hold
• Ride quality was better in the Creta
• Creta's resale would be much better than Elevate's. With the drastic fall in Elevate's sales figures, I fear for its future (And Honda's future in India too).

Also as a Seltos Facelift DCT owner, I am curious to know any reason to avoid the Seltos.

Here's what BHPian naru80 had to say about the matter:

A friend recently booked the S(O) IVT. According to multiple dealers, for automatics, S(O) is the most in-demand, followed by SX(O) top variant. Buyers don't see the value proposition in SX Tech IVT. All dealers we approached in NCR had SX Tech IVT readily available since there are few takers for this variant.

We extensively tried out both Seltos and Creta. My friend really wanted to get the Seltos since it looks better, but there are subtle differences that add up against Kia:

• Creta's cabin has lighter colors that make it feel airier and gives a sense of being in a more spacious car
• Hyundai's suspension is better especially over potholed roads, making the ride plusher
• The seats felt marginally better, making it seem to be a better place to be seated in
• Even though the engine and transmission are the same, Creta seems to be pulling with less effort. I don't know if it is a mechanical difference or placebo but Creta did come across as more effortless of the two.

In the end, even though Kia is better designed outside and inside, and it has a bigger feature list, and with discounts, it is better bang for the buck, we just connected with Creta more. And I think that's the case with most buyers.

I feel Hyundai is ripping off customers with exorbitant pricing for Creta's higher variants. If you want an automatic, you have to pay Rs 5 lakh over the base variant! The S(O) IVT at 18.5 lakh OTR is just crazy pricing. It is the opposite of VFM - it has the same El cheapo instrument cluster that comes in models that cost half.

The SX(O) at ~22 lakh is plainly unbelievable! You can get the XUV700 2 litre turbocharged 200 hp beast of an engine with a proper TC, 7 seats and 5-star safety for the kind of money. Hyundai is charging for a wheezing 1.5 NA engine and a 3-star safety rating.

I hope the bubble pops fast for Creta.

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