Hello Autocar Team, Good day to you. I am planning to purchase the Skoda Kylaq Automatic (Signature Plus variant) within a maximum budget of ₹15 lakh (through a bank loan). However, a friend has suggested that I wait for the upcoming 2026 Kushaq model, which is expected to be available in March 2026. I am concerned about service costs, real-world mileage, and the new 8-speed automatic system that may be introduced in the 2026 model. Given my budget and concerns, should I proceed with the current Kylaq, or is it worth waiting for the Kushaq 2026 model?

Autocar India

•3w

The Skoda Kylaq is enjoyable to drive, and performance is strong too. Moreover, it's compact, solidly built, and its suspension strikes a good balance between ride comfort and handling.

The Skoda Kushaq is relatively more spacious, particularly at the rear, so if you travel with four passengers regularly, the Kushaq is the better pick. We are yet to get behind the wheel of the Skoda Kushaq with the new 8-speed automatic transmission, so we recommend you wait for our review if you are keen on the Kushaq.

Alternatively, you could avail some mouth-watering discounts on the pre-facelift Kushaq, because of which you could get a higher variant in your budget. If resale value isn't something you're concerned with, this is an option you could explore for the considerable savings upfront.

Explore cars mentioned

Skoda

Kylaq

from ₹8.62 Lakh

Skoda

Kushaq facelift

from ₹12.75 Lakh

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abdul latief sulaiman

•3w

Dear Autocar Team, Well noted below yours with thanks Please also note that I have pre-booked the Kushaq online in order to avail the online booking discounts. After reviewing the final price, offers, and overall benefits, I will decide whether to proceed with the Kylaq or the Kushaq, depending on which option provides better value and worthwhile pre-booking advantages. Kindly confirm if this approach is appropriate. Best regards, Abdul Latief Sulaiman

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Srujan

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I really like the Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TSI AT, but I am unable to finalize my decision because of the rear seat space and a few other compromises. My other options within a ₹14 lakh budget are the Mahindra XUV 3XO RevX and the Nissan Magnite CVT. Considering these choices, which would be the best option overall? Also, what should I prioritise more in this segment - space and practicality or driving performance?

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It's a shame that the Skoda Kylaq's rear seat space is not quite up to the best in the segment, because otherwise it is a superb compact SUV that scores highly on most other counts. Of the other options, the Nissan Magnite, while capable and a great value for money, feels like a sub-segment lower in terms of quality, space and performance. The Mahindra XUV 3XO RevX should be your best bet because it offers both - performance and rear-seat space. In fact, it has one of the most spacious cabins in the segment, although the boot is a bit smaller than others. The RevX offers a good feature set as well, along with a few unique styling embellishments, and overall, we feel this is the one you should pick.

Tarangkumar Patel

Hi, I currently own a Honda Amaze diesel 2014 model. Now, after using it for so long, I want to upgrade to a 7-seater. I shortlisted the Hyundai Alcazar and Kia Carens Clavis and have done test drives for both vehicles. My daily usage in the city is 25 km, and I occasionally do long family trips. Now I am super confused between both cars, as one has premiumness and the other has space. Please suggest the best vehicle for me. Is the turbo petrol good? Now I am super confused.

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Both cars are quite closely matched on premium feel, though one aesthetic seems to have worked better for you than the other. It's more a contest of road presence versus space, as the tall, SUV body style of the Hyundai Alcazar makes a strong impression on the road. It is boxy and upright and has the edge on ground clearance, as well as larger wheels.The price you pay is in the third row, where the Kia Carens Clavis' practical MPV shape liberates more space, and there's better ease of access too. Both cars have the same powertrain options, except that the Carens Clavis offers an additional engine option - the 1.5 naturally aspirated petrol. It also gets an iMT automated manual gearbox with the Turbo Petrol engine instead of a conventional manual, which the Alcazar gets.Yes, the Turbo Petrol is a good option, as given your relatively low usage, a diesel doesn't feel necessary. The 160hp, 1.5-litre turbo feels strong enough to haul 7 people and is quite enjoyable to drive too.As for which of the two you wish to buy, if you simply must have an SUV for its visual appeal and ground clearance, that is the only reason to choose the Alcazar. If that is not a bother, then the lighter, more spacious, more practical Kia Carens Clavis is the one we recommend.

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Ajinkya Sonar

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I am looking for a 7-seater manual car which is easy to maintain. My budget is around ₹15 lakh. My annual running is 80% on the highway and 20% in the city. I am confused between two options: Carens or Clavis. Please advise which one I should pick and whether to go for a petrol manual or a diesel manual.

Autocar India

•2h

With your budget of Rs 15 lakh, you can move past the Kia Carens and up to the Carens Clavis, which is essentially a facelift of the Carens, with more features and an additional engine option. The trickier choice is which engine to choose, between the 1.5-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel, both of which are available with a manual.The diesel is the more obvious choice, given that your usage is 80% on the highway, where the additional torque will be beneficial, not to mention the better mileage. However, in your budget, you'll only get it in the base HTE spec. If that's fine with you, then you should go ahead with that; otherwise, note that the Carens 1.5 petrol MT is available in the higher HTE (EX) trim, with more features.You could also consider the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, which comes in petrol and CNG guises, has lower maintenance costs, and is far more affordable than the Kia.

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