I wish to buy a new mid range automatic petrol SUV. Had been owner of Honda Amaze for 11 yrs. Low maintenance, less service costs, happy ownership. So planned to buy Elevate CVT but found it lagging in power. Test drove Citroën Aircross/Basalt Turbo AT, found them to be more powerful. But lack confidence to buy due to other ownership reasons. Can you suggest a Automatic SUV in range of 17 to 19 with usage of 80% Bangalore city drive?

Autocar India

•7w

If you are looking for something with similar performance to the Citroen Basalt/Aircross, you should consider the Volkswagen Taigun or the Skoda Kushaq with the 1.0 TSI and torque converter automatic. The facelifted Kushaq now gets an 8-speed automatic replacing the old 6-speed unit, and the Taigun will get the same when it is facelifted later this year.

The 1.0 TSI makes a healthy 115hp and 178Nm, which delivers better performance than the naturally aspirated engine in the Elevate and is on par with the Basalt. The 6-speed torque converter automatic was also smooth-shifting and very convenient to use, and we expect the 8-speed to be more of the same. With 80 percent of your driving in heavy Bengaluru traffic, this transmission will be a boon.

Prices for the facelifted Kushaq will be announced later this month, and we expect our first drive reviews to drop around the same time. Before you decide, take a test drive, of course.

Explore cars mentioned

Citroen

Basalt

from ₹10.03 Lakh

Citroen

Aircross

from ₹10.42 Lakh

Volkswagen

Taigun

from ₹13.02 Lakh

More questions on similar cars

Kesar

•2d

I have upgraded from a Fiat Punto 90 HP to a Fronx because of spares issues, as my car had clocked 2,50,000 km. But the ride on the Fronx is not as nimble as compared to the Punto. Can you recommend an upgrade, as I do a lot of highway runs, mostly in the mountains? My budget is approximately ₹18 lakh.

Autocar India

•1d

Check out the the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI Signature. It will feel closer to your old Punto than the Fronx does. The steering has good weight and the car turns in eagerly, so it is easy to place in tight bends and hairpins. The suspension takes rough patches well without tossing you around, and the car feels steady at highway speeds. The 115hp turbo petrol has strong pull once spinning, so quick overtakes on climbs are simple, and with the manual, you have full control of gears on steep sections. It also has a solid safety record, which matters on hill roads.A couple of things to note. At very low revs, you may need a downshift to get going cleanly on an uphill, so keep it in the right gear. Also, Skoda’s service reach is not as wide as Maruti’s, so check dealer support in your town.Other alternatives include the Renault Duster Techno Plus 1.3 Turbo, which feels tough, comfortable and characterful, but not as nimble, and as it's a brand new product which means its reliability is yet to be proven. You could also check out the Citroen Basalt X 1.2 Turbo AT, which is excellent value for money, but its dealer network is even smaller than Skoda's, so that needs to be borne in mind.

Siontan Ghosh

I am planning to buy an SUV that is safe, has good driving dynamics, is comfortable, and economical in terms of maintenance. My driving will be 70% city and 30% highway, with a monthly running of less than 500 km. I am confused between the Honda Elevate, Skoda Kushaq, and Volkswagen Taigun. I am very interested in German cars but would like your suggestion.

Autocar India

•8h

With a majority of city use, short monthly running, clear focus on safety, driving dynamics and comfort, we will suggest the Volkswagen Taigun 1.0 TSI automatic or equivalent Skoda Kushaq. You will like it for three reasons. First, it feels sure-footed and is a pleasure to drive. Second, the 1.0 turbo petrol is smooth and quick enough for gaps in city traffic, and the automatic here is a regular torque-converter unit, which means gears changes are very smooth. It also handles slow, stop-start roads without fuss. Third, safety is strong - the Taigun and Kushaq have a 5-star crash test rating and are well equipped with safety features. A couple of trade-offs to note. The back seat is not very wide, so three adults will be snug. And the ride at very low speeds, can feel a bit firm over sharp bumps. Service costs are a bit higher than Honda car, but VW now offers long warranty and service packs that keep bills predictable, so do ask your dealer about it.

Skoda Kushaq

Volkswagen Taigun

Rengaraj K

•2d

I live in Bangalore, and my usage is around 800km in a month, 70% in the city and 30% on highways. I have shortlisted Toyota Hyryder Hybrid (eCVT), Taigun 1.5 DSG, and Seltos 1.5 DCT. Help me choose one. Currently, I own a Toyota Yaris CVT.

Autocar India

•1d

The Toyota Hyryder Hybrid is the better fit for you. It suits your pattern of 70% city use in Bengaluru traffic and about 800 km a month, and will feel familiar coming from your Yaris CVT.The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder does a lot of running on the battery at low speeds, so it pulls away smoothly and cleanly, and feels very quiet and refined to drive in the city. It will also use less fuel in the city than the two turbo-petrol options you've listed, and you are already familiar with Toyota's reputed after-sales service. As per Toyota, its fuel efficiency is 29.97kpl.Trade-offs to note are that it doesn't have the outright performance, such as the Taigun or Seltos, and the boot is smaller than the other two, thanks to the hybrid battery.

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Volkswagen Taigun

Kia Seltos

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