Hello Team, I am looking to buy a petrol automatic mid-size or compact SUV within a budget of ₹15 lakh. My priorities are safety, a good driving experience, comfort, and fuel efficiency. I am not particularly interested in features like a sunroof or cosmetic aspects. My usage will be around 100 km per week (4 days of driving), with a 60:40 mix of city and highway driving. I have previously used both hatchbacks and sedans.

Autocar India

•34m

The Skoda Kushaq will nicely meet most of your priorities. The car is very safe, with an extensive list of standard safety features. It includes 6 airbags, ESP, hill hold control, and multi-collision braking, which automatically applies the brakes after a severe accident to prevent the car from rolling further.

As for the driving experience too, you will find this very good with the Kushaq, the 1.5 litre unit is really very lively, and even the smaller 1.0 litre engine is peppy enough in most scenarios.

Mileage and space will not be as much as some rivals, but efficiency is quite acceptable; the 1.0-litre automatic should get you about 8 to 10 kpl in the city and 14 to 15 kpl on the highway, while the larger 1.5-litre TSI engine with the DSG gearbox, should also return similar figures.

As for comfort, there's a decent level on offer with adequate all-round room and supportive seats. Uniquely, the Kushaq also offer rear seat massagers. Since the Kushaq is also not as long as rivals like the Hyundai Creta, you should find it a bit more manageable, given you drive a bit more in the city.

Explore cars mentioned

Skoda

Kushaq

from ₹12.66 Lakh

Hyundai

Creta

from ₹12.78 Lakh

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More questions on similar cars

Tejas Gosai

•4d

Hi, I am planning to buy my first car and am a new driver. My budget is up to ₹17.5 lakh. Initially, I was considering the Honda Elevate, but I have now decided to go for a turbo engine option. My usage will be around 60% highway driving. I am currently confused between the Renault Duster, Skoda Kushaq, and Kia Seltos. Which of these would be the best choice for me and why?

Autocar India

•1d

A turbo-petrol is a good choice for your usage, as the strong mid-range makes highway overtakes and cruising more relaxed and confidence-inspiring.The new Renault Duster is a very solid highway option: its 1.3 turbo puts out about 160 hp, the most powerful in this group. Its ride comfort is arguably the best in class, which you’ll really appreciate over long distances. If you value a cushy, planted feel and don’t mind a slightly more old-school cabin experience, it’s a strong contender.If your highways are generally smooth, the refreshed Skoda Kushaq 1.5 TSI is also a great choice. It actually feels more tied down at high speeds than the Duster and has more responsive steering, which gives it sharper, more engaging handling. The 1.5 TSI with the quick-shifting 7-speed DSG is a very effective overtaking tool and feels properly sophisticated on the move.The Kia Seltos is the best all-rounder: it offers the most spacious cabin and the most premium interiors, with loads of features. However, while its 1.5 turbo-petrol is powerful on paper, it doesn’t feel as characterful or as enthusiastic as the Duster’s 1.3 or Kushaq’s 1.5 TSI in real-world driving.

Saswat Das

I am confused between the Skoda Kylaq 1.0 MT and the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 MT. Which of these offers better value for money and is the more sensible choice to buy?

Autocar India

•1d

Between the Skoda Kylaq 1.0 MT and Skoda Kushaq 1.0 MT, it’s less a straight value-for-money question and more about what your priorities are.The Kylaq, being a sub-4-metre car, benefits from a lower GST rate, so it’s obviously cheaper, with prices for the manual variants ranging from around Rs 8.8 lakh to Rs 14 lakh. If you’re mainly driving yourself with a few passengers or little luggage, the Kylaq is a good option, as the 1.0-litre engine in the lighter body makes it feel quite sprightly.The Kushaq is more expensive, with on-road prices for the 1.0 MT ranging from about Rs 12.5 lakh to Rs 20 lakh, depending on the variant. However, it is more spacious and a better pick if you need room for passengers and their bags. It has also received a facelift this year, so it feels fresher, and Skoda has improved some key areas like the air-conditioning.So, if you prioritise cost and mostly drive solo, the Kylaq makes sense; if space and comfort matter more, the Kushaq is the one to go for.

Skoda Kylaq

Skoda Kushaq

Balakrishna

•22h

Currently, we own a Hyundai Xcent and a Tata Tiago, both with manual transmission. We are now looking to buy an automatic SUV within a budget of ₹16-18 lakh. Which make and model would be most suitable for our usage of approximately 20,000 km per year?

Autocar India

•21h

Go for the Hyundai Creta diesel automatic. With your 20,000 km yearly usage and ₹16-18 lakh budget, it offers the best balance of comfort, space and running efficiency. The diesel engine suits high running, and the automatic gearbox is smooth in traffic while keeping the engine relaxed on highways. Compared to your current cars, it will feel like a proper upgrade with a higher driving position, a more spacious cabin and better ride comfort over long distances.If you are open to stretching your budget slightly, it is worth considering strong hybrid options like the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder or the Maruti Grand Vitara. With your kind of running, hybrids can make more sense today. They offer better real-world efficiency, especially in city conditions, along with a smoother and quieter driving experience without the concerns typically associated with modern diesel engines.

Hyundai Creta

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

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