Autocar India
•48w

I am looking to replace my 2021 Tucson. My current usage is not more than 1,000 km a month, mostly on the highway. My budget is ₹50-60 lakh, and I have shortlisted the Mercedes-Benz GLA, BMW X1, and Audi Q3. Looking for your guidance.

Verified
•47w
We'd recommend you narrow down your options to the Mercedes GLA 220d and Q3, both of which have strong powertrains and are a touch nicer to drive than the BMW X1.
Between the two, the Mercedes-Benz car has a more well-appointed cabin and a spacious interior. The Audi Q3's cabin is also high on quality, although it lacks flair. Where this Audi car shines is the ride comfort. Go for the Mercedes if you are willing to pick a diesel engine - you will appreciate the 220d's effortless performance on the highway.
However, if you need a petrol, the Audi Q3's turbo petrol is far superior to what Mercedes and BMW offer, hence it gets our vote.
Mercedes-Benz GLA

Mercedes-Benz GLA

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•1d

Dear Autocar team, I have just returned to India and am looking to purchase a compact SUV just for the two of us for 60-40% city and highway split. I want a car that feels lovely to drive and is engineered well. I am not into "features" for the sake of it. I almost bought the Sierra/Creta EVs, then realized that I don't want to spend so much, and haven't seriously thought about highway charging. I've tried the Kushaq/Taigun and really loved their built and handling. This is when I realized that I really care about the feel of driving. Only issues are firmer suspension and fuel economy. I've also booked the Duster hybrid which should solve these two problems, but I haven't test driven the petrol Duster long enough to know if I get a similar feeling on the drive. What I did feel was a cramped cabin on the duster as my left knee was on the center console and right knee was on the door. This was not a concern with the Kushaq and Taigun. I'll try the Duster petrol again, and then also the hybrid. But I wonder if I should just get the Skoda/Volkswagen since I love them. I should perhaps think about resale, maintenance etc.

Verified
•22h

If you loved driving the Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun, go with one of them rather than settling for the Duster hybrid purely for its expected fuel efficiency and softer ride. You have already discovered that driving feel matters to you, and that is something you will notice every time you use the car. The Kushaq and Taigun feel solid, handle confidently and have well sorted turbo petrol engines. In our opinion, the ride is on the firmer side, but perfectly acceptable, and fuel economy for the 1.5 turbo petrol is not bad either, with around 9kpl possible in the city.Resale and maintenance costs matter, but they should not outweigh comfort and enjoyment in a car you intend to keep for years. Drive the Duster hybrid and the Kushaq or Taigun back to back, including a rough road stretch and some highway driving. If the Duster still feels cramped and the VW twins put a smile on your face, trust that feeling. You do not need to buy a more expensive EV or the newest hybrid simply because it promises better efficiency.

VehicleSkoda Kushaq
VehicleVolkswagen Taigun
VehicleRenault Duster

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Posted on: 29 Nov 2025