I am a bit confused between the VW Taigun and the Creta N Line. My usage is 70:30 city-to-highway driving. I am coming from a Verna CRDi manual. I generally clock 10,000 km per year and am looking for the ideal combination of power and features. Kindly advise.

Autocar India

•2d

If your biggest complaint with the MG Astor CVT is performance, then we would look at something with a proper turbo petrol engine and a stronger automatic gearbox.Our first recommendation would be the Renault Duster 1.3 Turbo DCT. The turbo petrol engine is genuinely punchy, the wet clutch DCT is smoother and better suited to Bangalore traffic than many dry clutch DCTs, and the car has an excellent balance of ride comfort and handling. The only real drawback is that the rear seat is not as spacious as some rivals.Another excellent option is the Volkswagen Taigun 1.5 TSI DSG or the mechanically similar Skoda Kushaq 1.5 TSI DSG. The 1.5 TSI is one of the most enjoyable petrol engines in the segment and will feel like a huge step up from the Astor. If outright driving enjoyment is your priority, these are among the best options available. The caveat is that the dry clutch DSG is not as naturally happy in heavy stop go traffic as the Renault's wet clutch setup.

Renault Duster

Volkswagen Taigun

Skoda Kushaq

Autocar India

•2d

Coming from a VW Polo 1.6 petrol, it is clear that driving enjoyment matters to you. In that context, our first recommendation would be the Volkswagen Taigun 1.0 TSI automatic. The turbo petrol engine is punchy, the handling is among the best in the segment, and it still retains some of that solid Volkswagen feel that Polo owners tend to appreciate. The torque converter automatic is smooth and well-suited to Mumbai traffic, while remaining relaxed and effortless on highway drives.Another excellent option is the Volkswagen Virtus. In fact, with the facelift around the corner, there are some attractive deals on the current car, and you may even be able to stretch into a 1.5 TSI variant within your budget. The 1.5 TSI is genuinely quick, feels special every time you drive it, and if driving pleasure is your top priority, the Virtus would be our pick.On the EV side, the Mahindra XEV 9e and BE 6 are worth considering if you are open to making the switch. Both are packed with technology, deliver strong performance, have very low running costs, and currently, there are some attractive discounts available as well. They offer a very different experience from the Volkswagens, but if you are looking to embrace electric mobility without compromising on performance, they are among the strongest options in the market today.

Volkswagen Taigun

Volkswagen Virtus

Mahindra XEV 9e

Mahindra BE 6

Autocar India

•18h

Pick the Hyundai Creta diesel. For your kind of use - mostly highway and 1,000 km trips every few months - Hyundai’s diesel is relaxed, efficient and already proven, so you get long range and low-stress cruising. You also said the Creta gives you almost all the features you want within Rs. 16-16.5 lakh, which keeps the maths clean, and this is something you will enjoy each time you use your car. The Tata Sierra looks fresh, and your dad will love the design, but the diesel with a sunroof will likely sit well above your budget.Creta’s seats and ride are sorted for long runs, and Hyundai’s network makes life easier on the road. You do give up the Sierra’s stand-out look and bigger road presence, so if design is your number one goal and you can stretch the budget and accept potential first-batch rough edges, go Sierra. Otherwise, Creta diesel is the smarter highway pick.

Hyundai Creta

Tata Sierra