Autocar India
1d

I’m planning to buy my first car and would appreciate some suggestions. My budget is around Rs. 13-15 lakh ex-showroom, and I’m planning to register the car under the BH series. Safety is my top priority, so I strongly prefer a car with a 5-star safety rating, preferably from Global NCAP. An automatic transmission is a must. The car will mainly be used for weekend family trips and highway drives rather than daily commuting. Since it will be a family car, I’d prefer something that looks classy and elegant while offering good comfort. A premium-looking interior would be a plus, and features such as leather/leatherette upholstery and ventilated seats would be nice to have, but they aren't deal-breakers. At the same time, I don’t want a car that is purely comfort-oriented. I enjoy driving, so I’d like something with a good engine, enjoyable handling, and a fun-to-drive character. Good rear-seat comfort and reasonable luggage space for family trips would also be appreciated.

Verified
48m

Based on your requirements, the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI automatic is the recommendation. It strikes the right balance between safety, driving enjoyment and family usability. The 1.0 TSI engine is strong, the handling is engaging, and the car feels solid and confidence-inspiring on the highway. The interior feels premium, and while it may not be the largest in its segment, overall comfort is quite good. If you prefer the look of the VW Taigun, it offers largely the same experience as the Kushaq. 

The Renault Duster 1.3 DCT is also a strong alternative, offering excellent driving dynamics and a larger cabin. Overall, though, the Kushaq 1.0 TSI automatic is the car that best aligns with your requirements.

Skoda Kushaq

Skoda Kushaq

3m

@user_p0admtwg Go with Renault Duster 👍

Help Amit Chatterjee with similar question

More posts on similar cars

2d

I’m planning to buy my first car and have a budget of around Rs 13-15 lakh ex-showroom. I also plan to register it under the BH series. Safety is my top priority, and I strongly prefer a car with a 5-star safety rating, preferably from Global NCAP. An automatic transmission is a must. The car will mainly be used for weekend family trips and highway drives rather than daily commuting. Since it will be a family car, I want something classy and elegant, with good comfort and a premium-looking interior. Leather or leatherette upholstery and ventilated seats would be nice to have, though neither is essential. At the same time, I do not want a car focused solely on comfort. I enjoy driving and would like something with a good engine, enjoyable handling and a fun-to-drive character. Good rear-seat comfort and reasonable luggage space for family trips are also important. In short, I am looking for a safe, automatic, classy and comfortable family car that is also enjoyable to drive, within Rs 13-15 lakh ex-showroom. What would you recommend?

Verified
10h

Based on your requirements, the Kushaq 1.0 TSI automatic is the best fit. It strikes the right balance between safety, driving enjoyment and family comfort. The Skoda Kushaq has a 5-star Global NCAP rating, which addresses your top priority. The 1.0 TSI engine is punchy, and the 8-speed torque converter automatic is smooth and reliable, making it enjoyable on highways and easy to live with. This Skoda car also has a premium interior with a classy design, good rear-seat comfort and a decent boot for family trips. It is not the most spacious car in the segment, but it is adequate for a family of four and the driving experience more than makes up for it.At your budget, you will get a lower-trim model, but it will have all the basics. We would, however, recommend you increase your budget slightly; if not, you can opt for the Mahindra XUV 3XO automatic, which is a good alternative. It is one of the most spacious compact SUVs, has a 5-star safety rating and is also enjoyable to drive. The only drawback is that the boot is smaller than the Kushaq's.Overall, the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI automatic is the best all-rounder for your requirements. It is safe, classy, comfortable and genuinely enjoyable to drive.

VehicleSkoda Kushaq
VehicleMahindra XUV 3XO
10h

I am planning to buy a new car under 20-25 lakh for the next ten years. I have considered two cars Seltos DCT GTX(A) and Kushaq 1.5 Monte Carlo DSG but am afraid of the mileage and if I go with an EV, I am afraid that infrastructure will not be that good. I drive daily for 10-15 km and take 2-3 trips in a year on highway. Should I buy the car now or wait for Seltos Hybrid? Will it cost an additional 2-3 lakh or will it be value for money for my driving. Should I consider another car?

Verified
6h

With a daily running of just 10-15 km and only a few highway trips a year, fuel efficiency and long-term reliability should be your top priorities. The Seltos DCT GTX+ and Kushaq 1.5 DSG Monte Carlo are both excellent cars, but their turbo-petrol engines and dual-clutch gearboxes are not the most efficient or the most stress-free choices for predominantly short city runs. The DCT/DSG gearboxes are at their best on open roads, and in stop-start city traffic they can feel a bit jerky and are not as smooth or as durable as a torque converter automatic over the long term.The Seltos hybrid is worth waiting for if you are not in a hurry. It is expected to be priced roughly Rs. 2-3 lakh above the equivalent petrol variant, and for your usage pattern it will make more sense than the turbo-petrol DCT. Hybrids deliver their biggest efficiency gains in city driving, and over a 10-year ownership period the fuel savings and smoother driving experience will more than justify the premium.If you want to buy now, the Kia Seltos IVT (naturally aspirated petrol with CVT) is the better choice for your usage. It is smooth, reliable and well suited to city driving, and you will not be paying a premium for performance you will rarely use. The Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI with the torque converter automatic is another good option if you prefer a more engaging driving experience, but the Seltos IVT is the more refined and hassle-free choice.EVs are not the right fit for you at the moment given your concerns about charging infrastructure and your low daily running. The savings are not significant enough to justify the compromises.

VehicleKia Seltos
VehicleSkoda Kushaq
6d

I am a retired person living in Bangalore and am 6 ft tall. I am planning to buy a midsize/compact SUV in 2027. My car usage will be around 40-50 km per week, with long-distance travel once every three months. I am not concerned about mileage. My priorities are comfort, easy ingress and egress to the driver’s seat, a good music system, safety, good high-speed handling, and a boot space of more than 450 litres. Please suggest a suitable vehicle.

Verified
2d

With your low weekly running, infrequent long trips, and no mileage concerns, a petrol automatic is the right choice. At 6ft tall, you will also appreciate a car with good headroom and a comfortable driving position.The Tata Sierra turbo-petrol automatic is the best fit. It has a high seating position and wide-opening doors that make getting in and out very easy, and the cabin is spacious with good headroom and legroom. However, it's easy to bump your knee on the dashboard, which sticks out quite a bit, so be careful of that. The ride is comfortable, and the car feels stable at highway speeds. The 450-litre boot (622 litres when filled to the roof) is large enough for your requirements, and the Sierra also comes with a good sound system and a strong safety package.The Kia Seltos petrol automatic is the alternative. It is a very comfortable and refined SUV with a large boot and a premium feel. It is also easy to get in and out of, and it has a good safety package. This Tata car is the better choice if you prioritise space and comfort, while this Kia car is the more premium and refined option. There's also the Renault Duster, which has the largest boot in the class, but passenger space isn't as good as the others.

VehicleTata Sierra
VehicleKia Seltos
VehicleRenault Duster

Curated collections

Popular discussions right now

Posted on: 31 Aug 2026