Mumbai

•8w

I have been driving a Datsun GO A for almost 7 years now, and I feel it is time for an upgrade. My budget is up to Rs. 12 lakh, although I can stretch it by around Rs. 1 lakh if needed. I drive approximately 400 km per month and take occasional outstation trips, usually once or twice a year. I am open to recommendations across all vehicle segments, but I am not particularly fond of large vehicles because of traffic and parking challenges in Bengaluru. One thing I really enjoy about the Datsun GO is its peppy engine, and I would love a car that offers a similarly engaging driving experience. I can also postpone my purchase by about a year if there is an upcoming model that would be worth waiting for, such as the Hyundai Bayon. Considering my requirements, which cars would you recommend?

•8w

Coming from a Datsun Go, you'll probably appreciate a car that feels light, easy to manoeuvre and has a responsive engine rather than a large SUV. Given your relatively low monthly running of around 400km and the fact that most of your driving will be in Bengaluru, a petrol automatic makes the most sense.

Our pick would be the Skoda Kylaq Signature AT. It is compact enough for city traffic, the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine feels genuinely peppy and the torque-converter automatic is smooth and easy to live with. It also offers a substantial upgrade over the Datsun in terms of safety, refinement and overall quality.

If you prefer a hatchback, the Hyundai i20 IVT is worth considering. It is easy to drive in traffic, has a smooth and refined powertrain and offers a premium cabin. While it isn't as punchy as the Kylaq, it remains one of the best all-round city cars in this price range.

As for the Hyundai Bayon, we wouldn't recommend delaying your purchase for it. Even if Hyundai decides to bring it to India, it is likely to be positioned above your budget and could end up closer to the Creta in terms of pricing.

Explore cars mentioned

Skoda

Kylaq

from ₹8.77 Lakh

Hyundai

i20

from ₹6.93 Lakh

Hyundai

Bayon

•8w

@sebastian_daniel If you want a fun drive, skip the CVTs. The i20 N Line is the most engaging compact here, turbo with a manual or DCT, and easy in Bengaluru traffic. Fronx 1.0 turbo is a peppy, cheaper option too. And dont wait for the Bayon, it'll likely be above budget.

More posts on similar cars

•22h

I am using a Datsun redi-GO 2016 model and am planning to upgrade to a 5-seater automatic car. I mostly use it in city traffic, with an average daily travel of 60 km. I have a bit of a back problem, so I need a car that is suited for long-term ownership. I am open to suggestions for current or upcoming cars, except Tata and Mahindra. I initially shortlisted the Creta S (O) and later tried the Kylaq, but the Creta is expensive for my budget. My budget is Rs. 15-18 lakh.

•21h

Given your requirements, the Skoda Kylaq automatic is the most sensible recommendation. Your daily running of 60 km in city traffic makes a petrol automatic the right choice, and the Kylaq's 6-speed torque converter automatic is well suited to stop-start conditions. The Kylaq also offers a comfortable ride and supportive seats, which is important given your back problem. It is also a more practical upgrade from your Redigo, offering a higher seating position and better overall comfort without stretching your budget.The Hyundai Creta S Optional is a good car, but it sits at the upper end of your budget and though it does offer additional value like a more spacious cabin. The Kylaq, on the other hand, offers a more engaging driving experience while still delivering a comfortable ride, making it better value for money for your requirements. If you are open to upcoming cars, the Honda Elevate facelift is worth considering as well, as it is expected to offer a comfortable ride and Honda's reputation for reliability. However, the Kylaq remains the stronger recommendation given your budget and requirements.

We are planning to upgrade from a Hyundai i10 to an automatic petrol compact SUV under Rs 14 lakh. We have shortlisted the Hyundai Venue Turbo DCT and Skoda Kylaq Prestige AT. We liked the Venue, but we are not sure about the maintenance cost of its DCT gearbox.

•1d

Yes, dual-clutch automatic gearboxes are more complex and can be expensive to repair if something goes wrong. That said, the Hyundai Venue Turbo DCT is quite well-sorted. However, do keep in mind that if you drive a lot in stop-start traffic, it might not feel as smooth as a torque converter.The Skoda Kylaq AT uses a 6-speed torque converter automatic, which is far better suited to Indian conditions. It is smoother, and the Kylaq is more engaging to drive, with a strong turbo petrol engine and a well-balanced chassis. Overall, the Skoda car seems to be the safer and more sensible choice for you.

Skoda Kylaq

Hyundai Venue

•1d

I am thinking of buying a Skoda Kylaq automatic for family use. I’m confused between the Signature and Signature Plus variants. Which one is better value for money, and are the additional features in the Signature Plus really useful in practical use? Please suggest.

•1d

Go for the Skoda Kylaq Signature automatic. It is the better value-for-money variant and the one we would recommend for family use. The Signature already gets all the essentials you need for a comfortable and safe ownership experience, including the automatic transmission, key safety features and a decently-equipped cabin. The Signature Plus adds a few extra features, but none of them are essential for everyday family use. The money is better spent on the Signature, and you will not feel like you are missing out on anything important. The Kylaq itself is a great choice for family use, with a comfortable ride, decent rear seat space and a proven 1.0 TSI engine paired with a smooth 6-speed torque converter automatic. It is also one of the best value compact SUVs on the market right now.

Skoda Kylaq

View all Posts

New car launches to explore

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

₹7.40 - ₹13.55 Lakhs

Mahindra Scorpio N

₹13.69 - ₹25.49 Lakhs

Toyota Hilux

₹31.99 - ₹36.69 Lakhs

Tata Tiago

₹4.70 - ₹8.55 Lakhs

Tata Tiago EV

₹6.99 - ₹9.99 Lakhs

View all

Popular discussions right now

•1w

Hi, I have been using Honda City CVT for the past 10 years and now, I am looking for an SUV with similar comfort but with the latest technology. My monthly running is approximately between 700-800 km mostly within Delhi.

•6d

Given your usage of 700-800 km a month in Delhi and a 10-year ownership of a Honda City CVT, the Honda Elevate CVT is the most natural upgrade. It retains the same Honda ownership experience, offers a comfortable ride and the CVT gearbox is smooth and well-suited to city driving. The Elevate also sits at a sensible price point and is backed by Honda’s strong reliability record, making it a stress-free long-term ownership proposition.If you want a more premium experience with a richer feature set, the Kia Seltos IVT is a good option. The IVT gearbox is smoother in traffic, the cabin feels more upmarket and the Seltos offers a wider range of modern features. However, it does come at a higher price point. The Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI automatic is worth considering if you enjoy driving, as it offers a more engaging experience and the torque convertor gearbox is also the smoothest around. The ride is a bit firmer and the ownership experience is not as straightforward as Honda or Kia, so make sure the dealer in your area is well reputed.

I want to buy a car for 40% city use and 60% long trips. I own a 2015 model of Celerio AGS. Should I buy Baleno AGS considering E20 fuel in the future.

•6d

Given your usage pattern of 40% city and 60% long trips, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno AGS is actually a sensible upgrade from your 2015 Celerio AGS. The Baleno offers a more comfortable cabin, better highway stability and a more refined driving experience, which will make those long trips far more enjoyable. The AGS gearbox is also well suited to your occasional city use, keeping things simple and efficient.On the E20 front, there is no reason to worry. The Baleno is E20 compliant, and modern engines are engineered to handle this blend without any long-term reliability concerns. Maruti has also stated that their E20 engines are built for a material tolerance of slightly more than E20, so on the material front the car should be good for something like E22 for example. The main impact of a higher blend would be a reduction in fuel efficiency.The only thing to consider is whether you want to stick with AGS or move to a more conventional automatic. If you are happy with how AGS behaves, the Baleno is a solid choice. If you want a smoother and more premium automatic experience, you could look at something like the Hyundai i20 IVT or the Honda Amaze CVT instead. Both offer a more refined automatic gearbox, which can make a difference on long highway drives.Overall, the Baleno AGS is a good fit for your usage and there is no E20-related reason to avoid it. The decision really comes down to whether you are happy with AGS or want to move to a more conventional automatic.

I am confused between the Tata Safari and Mahindra XUV 7XO, and I also like the XUV700. My budget is approximately Rs. 18 lakh. Can you suggest which one I should choose?

•3d

With a budget of Rs. 18 lakh, you're likely to get the entry-level variants of the Mahindra XUV 7XO and Tata Safari. Between the two, the Tata Car has a more spacious third row; however, the XUV 7XO is the better all-rounder.The XUV 7XO is essentially the facelifted XUV700, so you get the same proven mechanical package, along with a more modern interior, updated features and a more premium feel. The 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine is strong and refined, making this Mahindra car well suited to both city and highway driving, while the manual gearbox is smooth and easy to use.The Tata Safari is still a good car, with a comfortable ride and a spacious cabin, but the XUV 7XO feels more modern and premium inside.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Tata Safari

View all Posts

Upcoming cars to explore