Hi, I am confused about whether to buy the Altroz diesel or the Kylaq.

Autocar India

•15h

Mostly city use with CNG and an automatic points to the Tata Punch Accomplished Plus S AMT CNG. It suits daily traffic better because the higher seat and compact size make it easier to see out of, slot into gaps, and park. Bad roads and tall speed breakers are less of a worry too, thanks to its extra ground clearance and suspension that handles bumps well. With Tata’s twin‑cylinder CNG setup, you still get usable boot space for weekly shopping or a couple of small bags.One trade-off to note: The Punch’s back seat is not as wide as the Altroz's, so three adults will be a squeeze.Pick the Altroz Accomplished Plus S AMT CNG only if you do more highway runs or often carry five. It feels steadier at higher speeds, the cabin is wider for the rear bench, and the lower stance gives a more settled long‑distance feel.For your brief though, the Punch Accomplished Plus S AMT CNG lines up best. Do confirm CNG‑automatic availability and wait times with your Tata dealer.

Tata Punch

Tata Altroz

Autocar India

•17h

With a Rs. 12 lakh cap, mostly city use and the odd highway trip, comfort first, the Hyundai Venue fits your brief best. It is easy to drive and park, and tackles bumps well, taking the sting out of daily commutes. Cabin insulation is good for this price, which helps on longer runs too.Your budget means you have to choose between features and power. The base 1.2-litre petrol engine is fine for city duties but feels underwhelming out on the highway. The 1.0-litre turbo-powered Venue is punchier and nicer to drive but also pricier. The DCT auto gearbox on the Venue Turbo drives the price further up, and is just out of your budget. If you are not bothered by high-end features, you could get the Skoda Kylaq AT in a low trim. It's a great compact SUV to drive, and you'll value its solid build on long highway runs.

Hyundai Venue

Skoda Kylaq

Autocar India

•22h

If you are coming from a VW Polo and are considering the Skoda Kylaq largely because of how it drives, we completely understand the appeal. It is one of the few compact SUVs in this price bracket that still carries that solid, European driving feel that Polo owners tend to appreciate.The ethanol question is valid, though, especially with the recent discussion around E25 fuel compatibility. As things stand, the Kylaq’s 1.0 TSI is E20 compliant, which means it is fully compatible with the current fuel ecosystem. The recent move to study how E25 affects existing E10 and E20 compliant cars simply tells us that the next phase is still being evaluated rather than finalised.The practical reality is that if India eventually moves meaningfully beyond E20, it is unlikely to be a sudden switch where current petrol owners are left stranded. Beyond a certain ethanol blend, manufacturers would need proper flex-fuel compatible engines, and the transition would almost certainly involve continued availability of lower-blend fuels for existing vehicles. Governments cannot realistically force an overnight incompatibility for millions of current petrol cars.So should a buyer delay a purchase today because of this? We would say no. If you keep waiting for complete certainty, there will always be another policy shift, EV push or emissions update around the corner.

Skoda Kylaq