Maruti Suzuki Ertiga vs Honda City vs Honda Elevate: A Comparison of Their Variants Priced Rs 10-12 Lakh for First-time Car Buyers

Buying a car for the first time, but confused about which are the best, or top cars for first-time buyers in India, and which option to choose? Let’s look at the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, Honda City and Honda Elevate, and find out which of their variants will be the best for you.

In this first-time car buyers’ guide, we will share

• What a first-time buyer should look for in a car
• Maruti Suzuki Ertiga vs Honda City vs Honda Elevate – an in-depth guide to their variants, features, cost, and driveability
• How to pick the right car for you

So, are these affordable cars for first-time buyers in India? And which variant of these models is the right car for a first-time car buyer? Let’s find out.

What a First-time Car Buyer Looks for in a Car

This is what a first-time buyer should look for in a car:

• Safety – What safety features does the car have? What is its safety rating?
• Affordability – The car should be well within budget and affordable.
• Fuel efficiency – The car should have good fuel efficiency, thereby reducing its running cost.
• Ease of driving – The car should be easy to drive, with features that help in driving and offer convenience for new drivers

A first-time buyer wants good mileage, safety features like airbags/ABS, automatic transmission option for easy driving, decent features but not too complex, good cabin space and responsive engine. They have a budget of around 11-12 lakhs and want good value alongside after-sales service quality.

Why Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, Honda City and Honda Elevate are popular

The Ertiga, City and Elevate strike a balance between space, features and pricing suiting new buyers. These models pack smart looks, latest creature comforts and safety kit even in base variants. The engine options are efficient while delivering good power. Plus, sales service network is wide.

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, Honda City and Honda Elevate variants shortlist in Rs 10-12 lakh range 

For Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, we have:

Variant	Price (INR) as on 23 February 2024
VXI AT	₹11,28,000

For Honda City, we have:

Variant	Price (INR) as on 23 February 2024
SV	₹11,71,000

For Honda Elevate, we have:

Variant	Price (INR) as on 23 February 2024
SV	₹11,58,000

Maruti Ertiga VXI AT

Key Features: Automatic transmission, Rear sensors, 2 Airbags, 20 Kmpl mileage

If you’re looking for a family car, you can check out our comparison of the Ertiga with Kia Carens.

Honda City SV

Key Features: Vehicle stability assist, Rear camera, Lane watch camera, 16.5 Kmpl mileage

If you’re a gadget lover, you can read our comparison of the City with Kia Seltos 2023.

Honda Elevate SV

Key Features: 6 airbags, Traction control, Rear camera, 15 Kmpl mileage

If you’re seeking value for money cars, you can read our comparison of the Elevate with Hyundai Verna.

These specific variants provide an optimal mix of features, safety and value. The Ertiga gets key goodies like automatic transmission and rear sensors. City provides added safety tech while Elevate packs ample safety kit.

Our Pick for the Best variant among Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, Honda City and Honda Elevate for First-time Car Buyers

The Maruti Suzuki Ertiga VXI AT is the best variant for a first car buyer. It stands out for its smooth 4-speed automatic transmission which simplifies driving in city conditions without need for gear shifts. Presence of rear sensors, 2 airbags and high ground clearance provides practicality.

Plus, it delivers 20+ Kmpl making it efficient to run. The responsive drive experience combined with Maruti’s wide service network also gives peace of mind to first time buyers. Plus, the auto transmission encourages the transition from automatic scooters to manual biased cars.

The 3 Variants Ranked in Order of Preference

1. Maruti Ertiga VXI AT
2. Honda Elevate SV
3. Honda City SV

Attributes	Ertiga VXI AT	Elevate SV	City SV
Auto Gearbox	Yes	No	No
15+ Mileage	Yes	Yes	Yes
2+ Airbags	Yes	Yes	No

How to Pick the Right Car for You

• The Maruti Ertiga VXI AT strikes the best balance as a first car with its automatic transmission, 20+ mileage and basic safety kit. 
• The Honda models provide added safety but compromise on convenience. However, both Elevate and City remain practical starters thanks to their efficiency and protection.

If you’re interested in reading more such face-to-face comparisons of popular car variants, head over to our Buying Advice section.