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•19w

I have been driving a Volkswagen Polo 1.2 TDI for the past 13.5 years and have clocked around 1.2 lakh km with it. It is a car I absolutely love, and despite test-driving many newer vehicles while looking for an upgrade, I am still struggling to find something that matches its combination of punchy performance, handling, steering feel, solidity, and overall driving quality. I am now looking to upgrade to an SUV with a budget of around ₹25 lakh. So far, I have test-driven the following: Renault Duster 1.3 Turbo Petrol Manual - contrary to the hype, I found it quite disappointing Tata Sierra 1.5 Petrol Automatic - comfortable, but it felt underpowered MG Hector, MG Astor, and Mahindra XUV700 - none of them really connected with me as a driver Volkswagen Taigun 1.5 TSI GT - this came closest in terms of driving feel, but the build quality and solidity still did not feel as robust as my older CBU Polo Volkswagen Tiguan - liked it, but it is unfortunately beyond my budget I am not inclined towards the Hyundai Creta or Kia Seltos because build quality and safety are very important to me. My driving usage is around 70% city and 30% occasional highway trips, although I would like to increase my long-distance driving in the future. Could you please suggest some strong options that offer solid build quality, engaging driving dynamics, good safety, and an overall premium driving experience that could genuinely feel like a worthy upgrade from my Polo?

•19w

Do note, only the Volkswagen Polo GTI was brought to India as a completely built unit (CBU); the regular Polo was locally manufactured, although the localised content varied over time.

Coming to your question, you seem to have tried all the options available, and none have caught your fancy. In that case, we would recommend that you look at pre-owned options instead. A two- or three-year-old Skoda Kodiaq or Volkswagen Tiguan should fall within your Rs 25 lakh budget, and both have the same solid European build quality and are powered by a strong 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine.

You will enjoy driving both Skoda and Volkswagen cars, which will feel like a proper upgrade from your outgoing car. Look for a car that's still covered by factory warranty for greater peace of mind.

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•10w•

Go for Kodiaq because

•15w•

I have polo 1.2 tdi model 2014 with mileage of 310000 km on odometer. Still going strong. No match below 40 lacs

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•1d

I have owned a Polo 1.2 Petrol for over 8 years and am now looking to upgrade. My annual running is 6,000-7,000km, with 60% city driving in Delhi NCR and the rest on highways, including 2-3 mountain trips a year. With a budget of Rs 18 lakh, these are my options: Citroën Aircross X AT Škoda Kushaq 1.0 AT Renault Duster 1.3 DCT Pre-facelift Volkswagen Taigun 1.5 DSG (Rs 2.5 lakh discount) Which would be the best option for my requirements and long-term ownership?

•13h

If the pre-facelift Volkswagen Taigun 1.5 DSG falls within your budget, this is certainly the one to go for. The 1.5 TSI and DSG combination works brilliantly, feels best on the open road, and will feel effortless during your drives to the mountains. Given that you're upgrading from a Polo, this Volkswagen car feels like the most natural option for you. Do keep in mind that with the pre-facelift, you miss the upgraded aircon, which is available on the facelift as well as the updated Kushaq. The Citroen Aircross X AT is an excellent car with a strong AC, excellent 1.2 turbo AT combination, and fantastic driving dynamics. But given Citroen's limited service network, it isn't a car we can recommend easily.

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•4d

Hi, I have just sold my MG Gloster and am now looking for a new SUV. I need your guidance about which car should I buy among VW Tayron, Skoda Kodiaq or Kia Sorent.

•4d

As a replacement for your MG Gloster, the Kia Sorento is the most logical choice. You get a diesel, a familiar option if you’ve been happy with the Gloster’s powertrain, as well as a strong-hybrid variant that could make more sense for city use. Neither the Tayron nor the Kodiaq offers either: both are powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine.The Sorento also makes a strong case on features, comfort and value. But if driving enjoyment is higher on your list, the Skoda Kodiaq is the one to pick. Its sharper handling and more engaging character should make it the more entertaining SUV to drive. So, for a well-equipped, versatile replacement with a choice of diesel and hybrid power, go for the Sorento. If you want the more involving drive, choose the Kodiaq.

Hello Autocar Team, I’m planning to buy an EV in November 2026. Please suggest one between the following options: Hyundai Creta Electric 51.2kWh Smart (O) and Tata Nexon EV Empowered Plus

•3h

There's a substantial price difference between the top-end variants of the Hyundai Creta Electric and Tata Nexon EV. But since you're comfortable with spending more for the Hyundai, we'd certainly recommend it over this Tata car. The Creta Electric is the more mature product, with a larger battery, a more spacious cabin and a more premium overall feel. Also, you're likely to get an additional 100km (or more) real-world range with the Creta Electric, and its DC fast charging capability is also better than the Tata's. Additionally, it also benefits from Hyundai's strong service network which is important for long-term ownership.We would also recommend you to consider a Kia Syros EV, that is a compact offering with a large battery, excellent cabin space, a posh interior, and is priced a bit more affordable than the Creta Electric.

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Popular discussions right now

•5d

Hi Autocar Team, I am confused between the XUV 7XO AX7T diesel manual and automatic. My current ride is a Fluidic Verna diesel manual, which is nearing 15 years of ownership and has clocked nearly 2.5 lakh km. My usage consists of mixed city and highway driving, with around 40km daily and weekend highway runs of about 400km. For long-term ownership, which would be the better choice: the manual or automatic?

•5d

Go for the XUV 7XO AX7T diesel automatic. The diesel engine is well suited to your high running, and the automatic gearbox is a proven torque converter unit that is reliable and well matched to the engine. This Mahindra car will make your daily city driving far less tiring, while still being smooth and efficient on the highway. Coming from a 15-year-old Hyundai Verna diesel manual, the automatic will feel like a significant upgrade in terms of comfort and ease of use, without compromising on long-term reliability. The manual is still a good option if you strongly prefer the engagement, but for your usage and ownership horizon, the automatic is the smarter choice.

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•2d

I am a 6 ft driver who loves driving. I've driven the Swift 2013 petrol, Creta 1.6 Diesel Auto and the XUV500 the most on long trips. Now that I am planning to buy a car with a strict budget, do you think the 3XO AX5 TCMPFI petrol variant will be a wise decision to make, as I will be travelling once a month for short trips from Bangalore to Coorg, Pondicherry, GOA, and Mangalore? Which other car can be a perfect match for me, keeping a budget of 12 lakhs max? Also, the 3XO AX5 I'm getting from a friend who has hardly driven 6k km for 10 lakhs.

•19h

Go for the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 TCMPFI petrol from your friend for Rs 10 lakh. At that price, it is a very good deal and a sensible upgrade from your Creta 1.6 diesel automatic. The 3XO is one of the most spacious compact SUVs in the segment, with a wide cabin and good rear seat comfort, which will make your long drives to Coorg, Pondicherry, Goa and Mangalore more comfortable. The turbo petrol engine is smooth and is well suited to both city driving and highway cruising. At Rs 10 lakh for a car with only 6,000 km on the clock, you are getting a nearly new car at a significant discount, which makes it a far better value proposition than buying new.If you are looking for alternatives under Rs 12 lakh, the Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TSI manual is the best option for an enthusiast driver. The new Brezza turbo-petrol could also be a good choice. Overall, the 3XO from your friend is the most sensible choice. It offers a good balance of comfort, reliability and value, and will serve you well on your monthly road trips.

I currently drive a 2018 Hyundai Creta 1.6 petrol automatic, which is very comfortable. Its mileage is around 7-8 kpl, and my monthly running is 1,000-1,200 km. Please advise on a good vehicle with decent mileage and comfort. I look forward to your advice.

•4d

With 1,000-1,200 km a month and a 7-8 km/l Creta 1.6 petrol automatic, the priority should be better fuel efficiency without sacrificing comfort. The Maruti Suzuki Victoris Hybrid is the most sensible upgrade. It delivers significantly better real-world fuel economy, especially in city driving, while still offering a comfortable ride and a well-equipped cabin. The hybrid system is proven and reliable, and the ownership experience is straightforward.If you want a more premium feel and are willing to accept slightly lower fuel efficiency, the Kia Seltos petrol IVT is a strong alternative. It offers a more upmarket cabin and a comfortable ride, but it will not match the Victoris Hybrid on fuel savings.The Hyundai Creta petrol IVT is also worth considering if you want to stay within the Hyundai family. It offers a familiar ownership experience and a comfortable ride, but again, it will not be as efficient as the Victoris Hybrid.Overall, the Victoris Hybrid strikes the best balance between fuel efficiency, comfort and long-term ownership costs for your usage pattern.

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