Hybrids like the Grand Vitara sit in an odd tax bracket compared to full EVs despite genuinely lower emissions in daily use. Should India's policy incentives treat strong hybrids closer to EVs instead of clubbing them with regular petrol cars.

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•1h

Panoramic sunroofs have become almost mandatory marketing on every new SUV above 12 lakhs. Wondering if this is genuinely what buyers want or just an easy box to tick against competitors.

•1h

Every new EV launch this year, keeps getting announced ahead of any real improvement in public charging density. Should manufacturers be slowing down EV rollouts until infrastructure actually catches up?

•2d

Hi all. I am looking to buy my first car with a budget of under Rs. 15 lakh on-road. My daily usage would be around 20–30 km for office commuting, along with occasional long trips to my hometown, around 3-4 times a year. I am looking for an automatic transmission only, i.e. TC/CVT/DCT, and do not want an AMT. I am currently posted in a Tier 3 city, and my job is highly transferable, with postings every 3-4 years, mostly in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. I want a car that is reliable, easy to drive, and offers good safety and convenience features such as a 360-degree camera.

•15h

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Brezza automatic. With your budget of under Rs 15 lakh on-road, the Brezza is the most sensible choice given your requirements. Your daily usage is modest, and your job involves frequent transfers to tier 2 and tier 3 cities, so reliability, low maintenance costs and a strong service network are far more important than chasing the most feature-rich or premium option. The Brezza’s 1.5-litre petrol engine paired with the 6-speed torque converter automatic is smooth, easy to drive and well suited to both city commutes and occasional long trips. This Maruti Suzuki car is also one of the most comfortable compact SUVs in the segment, with a compliant ride and a spacious cabin that makes it a genuinely good family car. Maruti’s service reach is unmatched, which is a huge advantage given your transferable job. While it may not have the most premium interior or the longest feature list in the segment, it covers all the essentials very well and is likely to be the least stressful ownership experience over the long term.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

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Popular discussions right now

•2d

I am planning to buy a new car under 20-25 lakh for the next ten years. I have considered two cars Seltos DCT GTX(A) and Kushaq 1.5 Monte Carlo DSG but am afraid of the mileage and if I go with an EV, I am afraid that infrastructure will not be that good. I drive daily for 10-15 km and take 2-3 trips in a year on highway. Should I buy the car now or wait for Seltos Hybrid? Will it cost an additional 2-3 lakh or will it be value for money for my driving. Should I consider another car?

•1d

With a daily running of just 10-15 km and only a few highway trips a year, fuel efficiency and long-term reliability should be your top priorities. The Seltos DCT GTX+ and Kushaq 1.5 DSG Monte Carlo are both excellent cars, but their turbo-petrol engines and dual-clutch gearboxes are not the most efficient or the most stress-free choices for predominantly short city runs. The DCT/DSG gearboxes are at their best on open roads, and in stop-start city traffic they can feel a bit jerky and are not as smooth or as durable as a torque converter automatic over the long term.The Seltos hybrid is worth waiting for if you are not in a hurry. It is expected to be priced roughly Rs. 2-3 lakh above the equivalent petrol variant, and for your usage pattern it will make more sense than the turbo-petrol DCT. Hybrids deliver their biggest efficiency gains in city driving, and over a 10-year ownership period the fuel savings and smoother driving experience will more than justify the premium.If you want to buy now, the Kia Seltos IVT (naturally aspirated petrol with CVT) is the better choice for your usage. It is smooth, reliable and well suited to city driving, and you will not be paying a premium for performance you will rarely use. The Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI with the torque converter automatic is another good option if you prefer a more engaging driving experience, but the Seltos IVT is the more refined and hassle-free choice.EVs are not the right fit for you at the moment given your concerns about charging infrastructure and your low daily running. The savings are not significant enough to justify the compromises.

Kia Seltos

Skoda Kushaq

•3d

I’m planning to buy my first car and would appreciate some suggestions. My budget is around Rs. 13-15 lakh ex-showroom, and I’m planning to register the car under the BH series. Safety is my top priority, so I strongly prefer a car with a 5-star safety rating, preferably from Global NCAP. An automatic transmission is a must. The car will mainly be used for weekend family trips and highway drives rather than daily commuting. Since it will be a family car, I’d prefer something that looks classy and elegant while offering good comfort. A premium-looking interior would be a plus, and features such as leather/leatherette upholstery and ventilated seats would be nice to have, but they aren't deal-breakers. At the same time, I don’t want a car that is purely comfort-oriented. I enjoy driving, so I’d like something with a good engine, enjoyable handling, and a fun-to-drive character. Good rear-seat comfort and reasonable luggage space for family trips would also be appreciated.

•1d

Based on your requirements, the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI automatic is the recommendation. It strikes the right balance between safety, driving enjoyment and family usability. The 1.0 TSI engine is strong, the handling is engaging, and the car feels solid and confidence-inspiring on the highway. The interior feels premium, and while it may not be the largest in its segment, overall comfort is quite good. If you prefer the look of the VW Taigun, it offers largely the same experience as the Kushaq. The Renault Duster 1.3 DCT is also a strong alternative, offering excellent driving dynamics and a larger cabin. Overall, though, the Kushaq 1.0 TSI automatic is the car that best aligns with your requirements.

Hi Experts! I am a first-time car buyer and a new driver. I want to buy a sub-4-meter SUV. My daily usage will be between 25- 30 km. It is mostly for city driving in Delhi NCR. I intend to buy an automatic and like the Kylaq as an option. But my understanding is that it is expensive to maintain. Among other options that I am considering are the Venue and the 3XO. However, Venue has DCT, which I understand is not great for city driving. Could you give me some more guidance on maintenance of the Kylaq and, generally, if I have to choose among these 3, what should be the best option? To clarify, my budget is 12-15 lakhs. I have already looked at the Brezza as an option but did not like the feel of it. Sonet has been disregarded because there is a new Sonet coming next year. Thank you for your input!

•5d

Go for the Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TSI automatic. This Skoda car is the best fit for your usage and budget. The Kylaq uses a 6-speed torque converter automatic, which is smooth, reliable and well suited to stop-start traffic. It is not a DCT, so you do not have to worry about overheating or jerkiness in city conditions. The 1.0 TSI engine is proven and has a good ownership track record. Skoda's maintenance costs are not significantly higher than Hyundai or Mahindra, especially with service packages available. The Kylaq is also one of the best driver's cars in the segment, with a solid, planted feel and good ride quality.The Hyundai Venue DCT is a good choice but not ideal for your usage, as DCT gearboxes are not ideal for heavy city traffic. The Mahindra XUV 3XO is a strong alternative. It is spacious, feature-rich and has a good torque converter automatic gearbox, but it does not feel as engaging to drive as the Kylaq. Since you have already ruled out the Brezza and Sonet, the Kylaq is the clear recommendation. It will give you the best ownership experience and driving enjoyment over the next 5-10 years.

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Posted on: 2 Sept 2026

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Hybrids like the Grand Vitara sit in an odd tax bracket compared to full EVs despite genuinely lower emissions in daily use. Should India's policy incentives treat strong hybrids closer to EVs instead of clubbing them with regular petrol cars.

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