I’m looking to buy a car for my father, who does not have extensive experience driving in city traffic. My priority is a smooth and easy-to-drive automatic car with good visibility, light steering, and comfortable driving dynamics. My budget is around Rs. 10-15 lakh on-road. So far, I have shortlisted the Hyundai Venue HX5/HX8 DCT and the Skoda Kylaq Automatic. Are these good options, or are there any other cars in this price range that I should consider?

autocar.india

•7h

Given your priorities of comfort, longevity, low maintenance and value for money, the Skoda Kylaq Signature AT would be the recommendation from your shortlist.The Tata Punch EV is actually one of Tata's more sorted products, and the instant torque will certainly make overtaking effortless. However, if you're planning to keep the car for the next 15 years, there are still some unknowns around long-term battery technology, resale values and how EVs will evolve over such a long ownership period. It makes sense as an EV, but perhaps not as the safest long-term bet.The Mahindra XUV 3XO offers more space and feels like a bigger vehicle, but its fuel efficiency is likely to be lower than the Kylaq's, and it doesn't feel quite as polished from behind the wheel.The Kylaq strikes a sweet spot. Its turbo-petrol engine provides the performance you're looking for, the torque-converter automatic is smooth and reliable, and the car feels well engineered. It is also likely to be easier to live with over the long term than an electric car if your goal is to keep it for 15 years.As for manual versus automatic, for a predominantly city-driven car in 2026, an automatic is increasingly becoming the default choice. Modern torque-converter automatics such as the one in the Kylaq are smooth, reliable and remove much of the fatigue associated with urban driving.

Skoda Kylaq

Tata Punch EV

Mahindra XUV 3XO

autocar.india

•23h

The Skoda Kylaq has the most enthusiastic driving character of the three. Its turbo-petrol engine feels punchy, the steering is well judged, and the overall chassis feels more eager and involving than the Seltos or Sonet. The torque-converter automatic gearbox is also very well calibrated, making it both enjoyable on open roads and effortless in city traffic. Given your usage, it is worth stretching to the automatic rather than opting for the manual.The Kia Sonet Turbo DCT would be the second choice. The turbo-petrol engine is lively and the DCT adds to the fun factor, while the feature list is impressive. However, rear-seat space and ride quality aren't quite as accommodating as the Skoda's.The Kia Seltos Manual is the more mature and spacious option, but if you're already unconvinced by its styling, there's little reason to force the issue. It is a great family SUV, but it doesn't feel as engaging to drive as the Kylaq.

Skoda Kylaq

Kia Seltos

Kia Sonet

autocar.india

•1d

Despite the mixed opinions surrounding electric cars in general, the Tata Punch EV has emerged as one of the most popular electric cars in the country and feels more sorted than many of Tata's other products. It offers strong performance, good space for a small SUV and low running costs.The reality is that at Rs 10-12 lakh, Tata is effectively your only choice if you want a mainstream EV, and the products themselves are fundamentally good. The bigger question is whether you're comfortable with the ownership experience and service network, which is where opinions tend to vary more than the cars themselves.If you're open to petrol power, the Skoda Kylaq Signature AT deserves serious consideration. It is a genuine driver's car with a smooth torque-converter automatic, strong safety credentials and enough space for a family of four. It also benefits from Skoda's improving service experience and avoids any uncertainty around charging infrastructure or battery technology.

Tata Punch EV

Skoda Kylaq