Suggest a family car for five members with good rear seat comfort within a ₹10 lakh budget. Is the Skoda Kylaq a good option?

Autocar India

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For your requirement, the 1.0-litre turbo petrol Renault Duster should be adequate for your usage, but there are a few things to keep in mind. Although we haven’t driven this engine in the Duster yet, we have experienced it in cars like the Renault Kiger and Nissan Magnite. In those cars, the engine feels peppy and responsive, especially in city conditions.Now, the Duster is a larger and heavier car, so performance will take a slight hit compared to those smaller SUVs. However, for city driving, it should feel more than sufficient, and thanks to the turbo, it will still offer good low-end torque, making it easy to drive in traffic. On the highway, it should be able to keep up with fast-moving traffic comfortably, and overtaking should not feel stressful.That said, we strongly recommend that you test drive the 1.0-litre version before deciding. Since it is a 3-cylinder engine, you may notice some vibration at idle and hard acceleration, something we have experienced in the Kiger and Magnite.If your priority is smoothness and refinement, you can also consider options like the Tata Sierra, Hyundai Creta or Kia Seltos, which offer more refined petrol engines. However, in terms of outright punch and torque feel, the turbo Duster will still feel stronger.

Renault Kiger

Renault Duster

Nissan Magnite

Kia Seltos

Hyundai Creta

Tata Sierra

Autocar India

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Go for the Skoda Kylaq Prestige AT; at your Rs 15 lakh budget, it balances excellent highway stability, 189mm of ground clearance for mild off-road use, and supportive seats for adults.With 90 percent highway driving, the Kylaq feels secure and planted, while its five-star Bharat NCAP rating adds peace of mind. The seats are comfortable and supportive for longer journeys, though you might find rear legroom a bit tight for taller folks. In our real-world testing, the 1.0 TSI AT managed 8.7kpl in the city and 13.36kpl on the highway.The one trade-off is outright boot space; at 360 litres, it is a bit smaller than rivals, so carrying five adults with large bags will be tight.If you regularly carry five adults along with large luggage, consider the Kia Seltos IVT instead; its 433-litre boot and slightly wider rear seat make packing and seating easier.On your test drive, seat two adults in the rear and do a 60-80kph run over patchy roads to assess ride comfort, cabin noise and stability.

Skoda Kylaq

Autocar India

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The Mahindra XUV 3XO in the MX2 Pro fits the brief very well. It gets a powerful 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine, and the 6-speed automatic is smooth, which makes stop-go driving easy and stress-free. It is also one of the most spacious cars in the segment, and its wide cabin makes it a proper 5-seater, so even when fully loaded, it remains comfortable and does not feel strained.Another good option, and a more affordable one, is the Skoda Kylaq automatic in the Classic+ variant. It comes with a strong 1.0 turbo petrol engine paired with a smooth-shifting 6-speed torque converter transmission. While it is not as spacious as the 3XO, it feels noticeably smaller to drive, which makes it easier to manage in tight traffic conditions. It also offers a comfortable ride and has a larger boot than the 3XO. Despite being more affordable, it also offers useful features like auto-dimming IRVM and cruise control.Between the two, if your priority is effortless performance and space, the 3XO is the better fit. If you want something easier to drive in the city with better value and practicality, the Kylaq makes a strong case.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Skoda Kylaq