•2d

My monthly running is 1000 kms in the city and 300 kms on the highways. I currently own a Creta IVT. It's a good daily rider, but I miss the joy of driving. I like Kushaq, but my family doesn't like the stiffness in suspension. I like the new duster too. I need a car to satisfy the thrill of riding and handling. Kindly suggest any existing or upcoming car for my needs. I'm ok to wait till next year too to get it right this time.

•1h

Since you're coming from a Creta IVT, it's understandable that you're looking for something that feels more engaging to drive while still keeping the family happy.

The Skoda Kushaq remains the driver's choice in this segment. It has the sharpest steering, excellent body control and feels the most rewarding to drive. If outright driving pleasure is your top priority, it is still hard to beat.

However, based on your requirements, we'd recommend the Renault Duster. In our comparison, it struck an excellent balance between ride comfort and handling. It feels composed and confidence-inspiring on a twisty road, yet its suspension is more forgiving over broken surfaces, making it a better fit for family use without sacrificing too much driver involvement.

That said, we'd strongly recommend taking a test drive before making your final decision. No matter how good a car looks on paper, it's important that both you and your family experience it first-hand and make sure it feels right for your needs.

Hyundai Creta

Skoda Kushaq

Renault Duster

More questions on similar cars

•3d

Hi, I have owned a Hyundai Grand i10 Petrol Manual for the last 10 years. My car is still running smoothly and has not given me many problems. I have a daily city commute of 60-70 km. Please suggest which automatic car I should buy within a budget of Rs. 10-12 lakh. I am looking for a value-for-money car with good legroom. I have the Hyundai Venue, Hyundai Creta, Honda Amaze, and Skoda Kushaq in mind.

•19h

Go for the Honda Amaze automatic. It is the only one from your list that cleanly fits Rs. 10-12 lakh with a true automatic, and it makes daily 60-70 km city runs easy and stress free.In traffic, its automatic is smooth and predictable, so your right foot and left knee get a break compared to your Grand i10. Real-world city mileage is sensible, so your fuel bills stay in check even with that long commute. Space is a strong point too - the back seat has generous legroom, actually better than the Venue, and the boot is big for weekend trips. Ride is comfy, steering is light, and Honda’s simple, fuss-free ownership suits a 10-year keeper.Only catch is the feel. It is not SUV-tall, and the engine won’t thrill on fast highway overtakes. Venue automatic stretches past your budget, and Creta or Kushaq automatics are well over. If you must have the higher seating, you will need to spend more. Otherwise, the Amaze gives you the best value now.

Hi, I live in Bengaluru. I will be superannuating in a few months. I want to buy an automatic car or SUV for local use. My average daily running will be around 20 km. I want to buy a car with a 1.5-litre engine. Should I choose a petrol or a diesel? I am considering the Kia Seltos, Hyundai Creta, and Honda Elevate, but I am unable to decide. Please suggest.

•20h

Pick petrol, and from your shortlist buy the Seltos 1.5 petrol automatic. With 20 km a day in Bengaluru traffic, diesel won’t pay back its higher price and short city runs can mess with modern diesels’ particulate filters. The Seltos 1.5 with the IVT automatic is smooth and quiet at low speeds, and its roomier than the Creta. For daily errands, the Seltos’ light steering, easy ingress and calm cabin make life simpler. The Elevate CVT is also fuss free and very dependable, but it feels a touch firmer and it’s not as relaxed. The catch is mileage will be in the low double digits in town, and fast highway passes need a firmer press.

My budget is around Rs. 17-17.5 lakh, and I am planning to buy a Kia Seltos. However, I am confused between the HTE (O) Diesel Automatic and the HTK Petrol Automatic. My annual running is around 10,000 km, mostly within the city, with occasional expressway trips. I want an automatic transmission. Please also suggest any other cars from other brands around Rs. 17 lakh that match my requirements.

•1d

Pick the Kia Seltos HTK Petrol automatic. With just 10,000km a year and mostly city use, the petrol auto is smoother and quieter in traffic, costs less upfront, and you avoid diesel DPF hassles that can crop up without sufficient highway use. For your occasional expressway trips, the petrol IVT is more than sufficient and has enough punch for quick passes. The diesel auto is stronger and more efficient on long highways, but it’s pricier and a bit gruff in town. The only downside of petrol is that you will use more fuel than diesel. Plus, the HTK will get you far more features than the HTE (O).If you want to cross-shop in the same ballpark, try the Hyundai Creta petrol automatic for a comfier city ride, or the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 automatic if you prefer a tighter, more fun drive. Depending on your city and discounts, the exact variant that fits into your Rs 17-17.5 lakh on-road budget will vary, but these match your brief well.

Kia Seltos

Hyundai Creta

Skoda Kushaq

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Popular discussions right now

•1w

Hi, I have a budget of Rs. 40 lakh and am confused between the Skoda Kodiaq Lounge, the Toyota Innova Hycross ZX(O), and the Toyota Fortuner Petrol. I am 28 years old and want a car that is fun to drive but also comfortable for my family. My driving will be split 80:20 between on-road and off-road use.

•4d

Pick the Innova HyCross ZX(O). For a hard Rs. 40 lakh cap it fits cleanly, it is the most comfortable and spacious for family, and it is far easier to live with daily. The smooth hybrid makes city drives effortless and quiet, and on broken roads, it just takes the abuse without rattling everyone. Your 20 percent off-road sounds like rough trails rather than rock crawling, and the HyCross will handle that sort of bad-road stuff better than you expect. But, the Innova isn't particularly fun to drive.If you really crave driver fun, the Kodiaq is the one that puts a smile on your face. The 2-litre turbo petrol and AWD make it genuinely enjoyable on highways and hills and the cabin feels richer. Two catches, though. It likely stretches past Rs. 40 lakh on-road in most cities, and its third row is tighter, and you have to be a bit careful off the beaten path.The Fortuner petrol is the most capable off-road, but for 80 per cent on-road use, it feels heavy and bouncy, the steering is not friendly in town, and it guzzles fuel.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Toyota Fortuner

Skoda Kodiaq

•4d

I am planning to buy an SUV and prefer the German twins Škoda and Volkswagen. Which one is better? Also, how significant is the DSG issue in bumper-to-bumper traffic in the NCR region? This will be my fourth car, so I want to try a German brand.

•2d

Between the German twins, the choice largely comes down to personal preference, as they share the same engines, gearboxes and underpinnings. We slightly prefer the Kushaq for its cleaner design, excellent ride and handling balance and overall value proposition.As for the DSG, it isn't as big a concern as it once was. The current DSGs are far more robust than the earlier units, but if your driving is predominantly in bumper-to-bumper NCR traffic, a torque-converter automatic is still the smoother and more relaxed option over the long term. If you want to stay with a German SUV but avoid the DSG altogether, the 1.0 TSI automatic in the Kushaq and Taigun now comes with an 8-speed Aisin torque-converter, which is smooth, refined and better suited to heavy city traffic.Coming from the S-Cross Petrol, you'll notice a significant step up in performance, cabin quality, safety and driving dynamics with either car.

Skoda Kushaq

Volkswagen Taigun

•4d

I have a Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid, and I am extremely satisfied with its mileage (900-1000 km from 45 liters). However, I am losing the joy of driving. I migrated to this car after owning a Swift Dzire Diesel and an XL6. The mismatch between engine revs and acceleration is becoming unpleasant. Overtaking feels riskier, and even the brakes feel spongy. I have experienced a few unpleasant situations because of this. As a result, I have reduced my overall speed, making the safety of my family a bigger priority. But the driver in me is unhappy. Should I upgrade to the Duster Hybrid, the Hycross Hybrid, or the newly launched Sierra EV? Also, do diesel engines still make sense today?

•3d

From what you've described, the Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid has impressed you with its efficiency but left you wanting more from behind the wheel. If driving enjoyment is back on your priority list, the Duster Hybrid looks like the most natural upgrade. It is expected to offer a much more engaging driving experience while retaining the fuel efficiency benefits of a strong hybrid.The Toyota Innova HyCross Hybrid will certainly improve on comfort, refinement and performance, but it won't fundamentally change the character you're looking for. It is still geared towards relaxed family motoring rather than enthusiastic driving.The Tata Sierra EV is an interesting option and has now been launched. It promises strong performance, a premium cabin and a spacious interior. However, if the "driver in you" misses the involvement and confidence of your earlier diesel cars, we'd still wait to experience how the Duster Hybrid drives before making a decision.As for diesels, we don't think they should be ruled out altogether. With the right usage, they continue to make sense. However, given your appreciation for the fuel economy of your Grand Vitara and the direction the market is heading, we'd lean towards a strong hybrid rather than going back to diesel.

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Toyota Innova HyCross

Tata Sierra EV

Renault Duster

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