Autocar India
Introducing Badges

Every helpful action can earn a badge.

•43w

My wife doesn’t like the comfort of the Jimny - the seats hurt her back and neck, and she dislikes the bouncy ride on highways. She wants to sell it and get something like a Creta or an Innova for comfort in the city and smooth highway drives. I want a vehicle that can handle 4x4 duties (winter Spiti trips) and take a beating. Is there a car that can strike that balance, ideally under ₹25 lakh? We drive in the city about 75% of the time and take highway trips 25% of the time.

Verified
•43w

Yes, the Maruti Suzuki Jimny is very adept off-road, thanks to Suzuki's All-Grip Pro 4X4 system, which also features a low ratio. However, it does feel bouncy on regular roads - just like most 4X4s. Thus, we would recommend you look at the all-wheel-drive (AWD) versions of the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara / Toyota Hyryder or the Maruti Suzuki Victoris. 

These SUVs use Suzuki All-Grip Select, which does not have a low ratio but has a Snow mode and also allow you to lock AWD. For the winter Spiti trails, this should suffice. Moreover, these SUVs will be far better in terms of ride comfort in the city and on the highway.       

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

More posts on similar cars

•20h

Hi, I am thinking of replacing Toyota Corolla (2006 model) with a car under the budget of Rs. 20 - 22 lakh. Which car do you suggest replacing the trustworthy Corolla with as it has served me very well. I am considering the VW Virtus/ Skoda Slavia, VW Taigun /Skoda Kushaq and Honda City Hybrid.

Verified
•13m

The Honda City Hybrid is the closest modern equivalent to your Corolla. It offers a similar ownership philosophy: reliable, comfortable, easy to live with and efficient. The hybrid system delivers excellent fuel economy in city driving, and Honda's long-term reliability record is strong. The only drawback is that the boot is smaller than the standard City due to the battery pack.The Skoda Slavia and VW Virtus are both excellent sedans with strong turbo petrol engines and good driving dynamics, but they do not offer the same ownership simplicity or efficiency as the City Hybrid. The Skoda Kushaq and VW Taigun are more practical and offer better ground clearance for Indian roads, but they are not as refined or as comfortable as the City Hybrid.However, the City Hybrid is expensive, and will fall outside of your Rs 22 lakh budget. If you're okay with that and sold on the city, you should go ahead. There is another car to consider, however, and that's the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder Hybrid. Not only does it come from the same reliable house of Toyota, but it gets you the practicality of an SUV and also falls within your budget. Do note, however, that its rear seat is not as spacious as what you'll get in the City hybrid.

VehicleHonda City
VehicleSkoda Slavia
VehicleVolkswagen Virtus
VehicleVolkswagen Taigun
VehicleSkoda Kushaq
VehicleToyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Has E20 fuel affected your mileage?

Is ADAS worth paying extra for in a car?

Popular discussions right now

•1w

I currently own a Jeep Compass and want to get an additional car for my father, with good reliability, unlike the Jeep. My father still drives a 2008 Honda City, and I am torn between a few choices: the Honda City, Skoda Slavia, Nissan Tekton and Toyota Hyryder. Or should I wait for the Virtus facelift or the new-generation Creta? His usage is low, at almost 500 km per month. Please suggest.

Verified
•4d

With just 500km a month, petrol is the clear choice, and reliability and ease of ownership become the most important factors. The Honda City is the safest recommendation here. It is a proven product with a strong reliability record, a comfortable ride and a familiar ownership experience that your father will appreciate, especially coming from a 2008 City. The Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Virtus are both excellent to drive, but the 1.0 TSI engine can feel a bit laggy at low speeds, and the 1.5 TSI is overkill for this kind of usage. The Nissan Tekton is a good value proposition, but engines are not responsive at low speeds and Nissan's service network is not as strong as Honda's, which matters more for a low-running, long-term ownership scenario. The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder is a solid option if you specifically want an SUV, but the hybrid premium does not make financial sense at this running, and the naturally aspirated petrol is not as refined as the City's engine. The new-generation Hyundai Creta is worth waiting for only if your father specifically wants an SUV; otherwise, the City remains the more sensible choice. Overall, the Honda City is the most reliable, comfortable and hassle-free option for your father's usage.

VehicleHonda City
VehicleSkoda Slavia
VehicleVolkswagen Virtus
VehicleToyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder
VehicleNissan Tekton
•1w

I’ve almost finalised the Skoda Kylaq Signature Automatic, and I really like the car. However, I’m a little worried about Skoda’s long-term service and maintenance costs, especially after the warranty period. I’m planning to keep the car for around 7–8 years. Would you recommend taking the Service Maintenance Package (SMP) along with the car? Is it worth the additional cost considering regular servicing and potential maintenance expenses? Also, compared with the Brezza and Nexon, how is the Kylaq Signature Automatic in terms of long-term reliability, service costs and parts replacement? Would really appreciate your advice before I make the final purchase decision.

Verified
•4d

If you like the Skoda Kylaq Signature Automatic, go ahead and buy it. It is a genuinely good car and one of the best driver’s cars in the segment. The 1.0 TSI engine paired with the 6-speed torque converter automatic is a proven combination, and Skoda’s reliability has improved significantly in recent years. The bigger concern is not reliability but long-term maintenance costs, which can be higher than Maruti or Tata once the car is out of warranty.This is where the Service Maintenance Package (SMP) makes sense. It locks in your service costs for the first 4-5 years, covers all scheduled maintenance and gives you peace of mind during the most expensive ownership period. If you are planning to keep the car for 7-8 years, it is worth the additional cost because it protects you from unexpected bills and helps you budget ownership costs more accurately.Compared to the Brezza and Nexon, the Kylaq is the better driver’s car with a more engaging driving experience and a stronger engine. The Brezza is the benchmark for long-term reliability and low maintenance costs, while the Nexon sits somewhere in between. The Kylaq is not unreliable, but parts and service can be more expensive once you are out of warranty.If you are buying the Kylaq, take the SMP and enjoy the car. If long-term ownership costs are your absolute priority, the Brezza is the safer financial choice.

VehicleSkoda Kylaq
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Brezza
VehicleTata Nexon

Upcoming launch buzz

Community discussions on upcoming launches

Want to sell your car?

Sell your car at the right price, without the stress.

Add a photo of your Creta

First sightings, real road conditions, delivery buzz

Posted on: 15 Dec 2025