Autocar India
Mumbai
PS

Puneet Singh Gill

•1d

I am planning to buy a new SUV within a budget of ₹15-20 lakh (on-road) and would appreciate your expert recommendation. My key requirements are: Automatic transmission (due to heavy city driving) Strong performance (top priority) Good ground clearance and suspension for rough roads Solid build quality and high-speed stability Comfortable for both daily city use and occasional long drives I am not specifically looking for a 4x4 but want a car that can confidently handle most road conditions. I really like the new Renault Duster, but am also considering the Skoda Kushaq, Kia Seltos, and the new Hyundai Creta. I am open to better suggestions as well. Which would be the best overall choice considering performance, driving experience, and long-term ownership?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•3h

Given your requirements, the Skoda Kushaq 1.5 TSI seems like the best bet. It has the strongest real-world performance with an automatic in this price range, the 1.5 turbo engine feels quick the moment you press the accelerator, and the DSG is engaging and quick to shift. 

The Kushaq rides over broken roads without fuss, has good ground clearance, and stays stable at higher speeds, so both your city runs and long trips feel easy. Build quality is solid, and it has a 5-star crash test rating, which should add some peace of mind. However, Skoda only offers the 1.5 TSI powertrain in the top Prestige and Monte Carlo variants, which fall outside of your budget.

You might want to consider the Renault Duster, as the brand offers the more powerful 160hp 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine from the lower variants upwards. It's every bit a match for the Kushaq in most areas, and in fact, the ride quality is a bit better, and the boot space is massive, which should come in handy on your long drives. Its performance (and its DCT gearbox) err more on the smooth side, and aren't quite as engaging as Skoda's 1.5 TSI and DSG. 

If you can't stretch your budget for the Skoda, the Duster is a good bet.

Skoda Kushaq

Skoda Kushaq

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Skoda Kushaq

Skoda

Kushaq

from ₹12.66 Lakh

Renault Duster

Renault

Duster

from ₹12.43 Lakh

HG

Himanshu Goel

•2h

Honda elevate is a no nonsense car, comfortable , smooth , my mom always falls asleep on its rear seats That was my expectation was and it delivered

More questions on similar cars

SA

Saurab

•5d

I am looking to buy a new SUV and have considered options like the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Honda Elevate, Skoda Kushaq, Tata Sierra, Tata Harrier, Mahindra XUV 7XO, and the new Renault Duster. I have test-driven all of them and found the Creta to be the most comfortable, though it feels slightly outdated. The Elevate also seems to lack some modern features and feels a bit dated. The Kushaq/Taigun feel slightly small for five occupants, which is a concern. I really enjoyed driving the new Duster, but rear seat comfort seemed to be an issue. This car will be my primary vehicle for weekly Jaipur–Delhi trips and occasional long drives, while city usage will mostly be handled by my secondary car (Volkswagen Polo diesel). Based on this, which SUV should I choose, and which engine option would you recommend?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•1d

If you found the Hyundai Creta the most comfortable but too dated, the obvious answer is the new Kia Seltos. It gives you that same relaxed, easy-going ride but is more spacious than the Creta and feels more modern and upmarket inside, which will make your frequent Jaipur-Delhi runs nicer to live with.Given your usage is mainly highway with the Polo handling city duty, we would strongly recommend the 1.5 turbo-petrol Seltos. It has a strong mid-range punch, plenty of torque for effortless overtakes, and cruises very comfortably, which is exactly what you want for long, fast runs.The new Skoda Kushaq, Volkswagen Taigun and Renault Duster are all very good to drive on the highway and dynamically more engaging, but as you’ve noticed, their rear seats are tighter for three adults across, and that’s a compromise on long trips with family. That’s where the Seltos scores: it strikes the best balance between space, comfort and a properly fresh cabin.

VehicleHyundai Creta
VehicleKia Seltos
VehicleSkoda Kushaq
VehicleVolkswagen Taigun
VehicleRenault Duster
SU

Sudhir

•1d

I am planning to buy a car within a budget of ₹15 lakh and am confused between the Hyundai Venue HX6 DCT and the Skoda Kushaq Classic Plus automatic. My main requirement is an automatic transmission, and the car should comfortably accommodate three passengers in the rear seat. Please suggest which would be the better option.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•1h

Between your two options, neither is ideal if your priority is comfortably seating three people in the rear. The Hyundai Venue has a relatively narrow cabin, which makes it tight for three adults, while the Skoda Kushaq has a heavily contoured rear seat that is very comfortable for two, but not as accommodating for three.Between the two, the Kushaq is still the more comfortable car overall. It belongs to a segment above, so it offers more knee room and better overall comfort. Its torque converter automatic is also smoother and better suited to city driving compared to the Venue’s DCT, which can feel slightly jerky in slow traffic.If rear-seat comfort for three passengers is a key requirement, it is worth looking beyond your shortlist at the Mahindra XUV 3XO. It has a wider cabin than the Venue and the Kushaq, which makes it more accommodating for three passengers at the back. It also gets a smooth torque converter automatic paired with a strong turbo-petrol engine.

VehicleHyundai Venue
VehicleSkoda Kushaq
VehicleMahindra XUV 3XO
DA

Das

•4d

Hello, I am planning to buy my first car. Looking for a comfortable car for a family of four. Expecting 35-40,000 km drive in a year (90% road and 10% off-road type). I want something smooth, powerful, and fuel-efficient. We do have a small farm, so boot space needs to be considered for farm harvest. My budget is up to ₹18 lakh. Which car would be best? Thanks in advance.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•1d

We would recommend the Renault Duster 1.3 Turbo in the Techno trim. Engine refinement is very good, with no vibrations at idle, and it remains smooth even while driving. Power figures are class-leading at 163hp and 280Nm of torque, offering strong performance. Since you have some off-road driving to your farm, the Duster's generous ground clearance of 212mm will come in handy, and the boot space is also very large at 518 litres. So you should be able to carry some of your farm produce. The only downside is rear space, which is a bit tight, but since you are a family of four, it should not be too much of an issue.We are yet to put the Duster through our full instrumented test cycle, but efficiency should be at par with others in the segment, but certainly not class leading. However, given its other traits that suit your requirements, this is the car we would recommend.If you can stretch your budget to about Rs 20 lakh, you could consider the Mahindra XUV 7XO. While you may not need its seven-seat capacity, folding the third row gives you a very large boot, which is useful for carrying farm produce. The ground clearance is also good, and if your roads are difficult, you could even consider the AWD version, though this would come at a higher price still.

VehicleRenault Duster
VehicleMahindra XUV 7XO

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Posted on: 14 Apr 2026