Mumbai

•7w

Dear Editor, I currently own a Ford Aspire Petrol (top-end but one variant) and am planning to upgrade to a more spacious car in around Rs. 20 lakh (ex-showroom). My daily city commute is between 10 to 20 km with an additional 50-60 km once a week. I also take occasional long drives of around 500-700 km. I travel with 3 passengers, but occassionally my parents join us. I have a dedicated parking slot with home charging setup capability. Coming from a Ford, I deeply value sharp handling, tight body control, and steering feedback. I am highly intrigued by the MG Windsor EV Pro through corporate car lease due to its incredible tax benefits, low running costs, and lounge-like rear seats for my parents. However, I am worried about its soft suspension and light steering that will feel too disconnected as compared to my Aspire. Does the MG Windsor EV Pro offer enough driving engagement, and are its drive modes sporty enough for a driving enthusiast? Please suggest some other option if I buy a car myself or choose a corporate car lease. Also, between turbo petrol or EV, which one will be fun-to-drive?

•6w

Go for the Volkswagen Virtus 1.5 TSI or Skoda Slavia 1.5 TSI. They're the closest to your Aspire’s feel for Rs. 20 lakh - quick turbo punch, crisp steering, and tight body control that stays clean at highway speeds. They're exciting enough to keep you connected, yet are easy in the city. They're spacious, have big boots for trips, and the rear benches will keep your parents happy, though they're not “lounge-like”. Do note, both sedans are due for updates soon, so its best to wait for the latest versions. If you'd prefer higher seating, the VW Taigun 1.5 TSI and Skoda Kushaq 1.5 TSI SUVs are good alternatives.

About the MG Windsor EV Pro: it's got an airy cabin, being an EV runs quiet, and your parents will love the sofa-like rear of this MG car. But if driver feel matters, you will miss your Ford. The steering of this MPV car stays light and a bit numb, and the soft suspension brings float over bumps. Drive modes mostly tweak weight and throttle, not real feedback. Lease it only if rear comfort and ultra-low running cost beat driving fun for you.

Explore cars mentioned

Volkswagen

Virtus

from ₹12.64 Lakh

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More questions on similar cars

•6d

Comparing VW Virtus Highline Plus 1.0 TSI Automatic with the Tata Safari Pure X turbo petrol manual. I understand segments are different. I am not confused about which car to buy. I need advice about "Should I push for the Tata Safari as I'll get a big SUV with just 2 lakhs extra" User case: I have a Tata Tiago, which I'm going to keep as 2nd car. Daily running is 15km with moderate traffic (Manual is not a problem) and monthly 1 highway trip of 200-300 kms. Family of 4 adults and a kid. Looking for best value proposition, longterm ownership, Family comfort with driving pleasure.

•22h

Given your usage and priorities, the Volkswagen Virtus Highline Plus 1.0 TSI automatic is the better fit. Your daily running is low, and the occasional highway trips do not justify the additional size and complexity of the Tata Safari. The Virtus offers a more refined driving experience, better fuel efficiency and a more manageable ownership proposition over the long term. It is also a more comfortable car for a family of four plus a child, with a spacious rear seat and a large boot. The Safari Pure X turbo petrol manual is a good value proposition for those who need the extra space and road presence, but it is not the best choice for your usage pattern. The manual gearbox will become tiresome in traffic, and the larger size will make it less convenient to live with on a daily basis. The Virtus is the more sensible and enjoyable choice for your needs. You can expect the Volkswagen Virtus mileage to be around 9 to 12 kpl in the city and 15 to 18 kpl on the highway.

Volkswagen Virtus

Tata Safari

•3d

How good is a budget EV on highways? Will it reasonably match a highway travel schedule?

•15h

Budget EVs can handle highway runs, but you need to plan your trip a bit differently. Most budget EVs like the Tata Punch EV or the MG Windsor have a real-world range of 200-300 km, so on longer journeys you will need to factor in charging stops.If you plan your route around fast chargers and start each leg with a full battery, you can keep your schedule fairly predictable. Charging times are the key variable. A 30-40 minute fast charge is typical, but availability and queue times can add up.In terms of performance, most budget electric cars can cruise at highway speeds comfortably, but you will see range drop if you drive aggressively or use the air conditioning heavily. Overall, a budget EV can do highway trips, but you need to build in charging time and be a bit more organised than you would be with a petrol or diesel car. If you are doing this kind of trip regularly, a diesel or petrol car is still the more convenient option. If it is occasional and you are happy to plan, an EV can work.

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•1w

I am considering the Toyota Hyryder Hybrid top model. I have never owned an automatic car. I drove it and found it a bit underpowered. Will it be safe to take it to the mountains? Will it climb steep roads without any issues? Is overtaking at high speeds difficult? Is it worth buying? If not, please suggest another option.

•2d

The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder Hybrid is a very sensible choice for your first automatic. It is smooth, efficient and easy to drive in the city, and the hybrid system works well in stop-start traffic. However, your concern about feeling underpowered is valid. The hybrid system is tuned for efficiency rather than outright performance, and under hard acceleration, you will feel that the engine is straining a bit. Overall, performance feels adequate, and while it will climb hills and handle mountain roads without issue, performance doesn't feel particularly strong or effortless like some turbo-petrol or diesel cars.This Toyota car is a great choice if your priority is efficiency and ease of use, but if you want more performance and better overtaking ability, a 1.5 turbo-petrol automatic powered SUV like a Kia Seltos or Skoda Kushaq/VW Taigun would be a better fit.

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Popular discussions right now

•1w

I am confused between Taigun 1.5 Sport and Seltos Diesel X-Line top model. I have owned the Polo AT and Vento AT in the past, so my love for Volkswagen is making this decision difficult.

•6d

Go for the Volkswagen Taigun 1.5 TSI Sport. Coming from a Polo and Vento automatic, you already appreciate Volkswagen’s driving DNA, and the Taigun 1.5 TSI is a natural progression. The engine is punchy, the DSG gearbox is quick and engaging, and the overall driving experience is far more involving than the Seltos. The Taigun also feels more compact and agile in the city, while still being comfortable on the highway. The Volkswagen Taigun mileage is 19.54 kpl for the 1.0 TSI AT, 19.98 kpl for the 1.0 TSI MT, and 18.85 kpl for the 1.5 TSI DCT.The Kia Seltos diesel X-Line is a strong all-rounder with better space, a more premium cabin and a more relaxed long-distance character, but it does not offer the same level of driver engagement. The diesel engine is efficient and torquey, but it lacks the excitement of the 1.5 TSI. Given your history with Volkswagen cars, the Taigun will simply feel more familiar and more enjoyable to drive every day. The Taigun price starts at Rs 11.00 lakh for the base variant (ex-showroom).

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•6d

I want to buy my first car, and I have a strict budget of Rs 10 lakh. I will not use the car on a daily basis; I will drive it occasionally, and I live in Kolkata.

•5d

For a car under 10 lakh budget and occasional use, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno makes sense. It is a genuinely spacious hatchback with a comfortable ride. It's easy to drive in the city and has a proven ownership record. The naturally aspirated petrol engine is smooth and reliable, and Maruti’s service network in Kolkata is excellent, which keeps long-term running costs low.For occasional use, you want a car that is easy to live with, dependable and does not demand much attention, and the Baleno fits that brief perfectly. It also offers a good balance of features and practicality within your budget.If you prefer a slightly higher seating position, the Maruti Suzuki Fronx is worth considering.

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•1w

I am looking to buy an electric car in the Rs. 20-30 lakh price range. My driving is mostly within the city, with an annual running of only 5,000-7,000 km. Would you recommend buying an EV now, or would it be better to wait for the newer models that are expected to launch over the next few months?

•6d

With 5,000-7,000 km a year and mostly city driving, you are the ideal EV buyer. The Mahindra XEV 9S in its top-spec Pack Three guise will comfortably fit in your budget. With a 79kWh battery pack, you can easily expect a real-world range of around 480km in daily driving conditions. The 9S is also a full-size SUV with three rows, so practicality is excellent. There is a usable frunk as well, and the feature list is extensive with connected tech, panoramic sunroof, front and rear ventilated seats, drive modes, Level 2 ADAS and much more. Also, with 286hp, the 9S has plenty of performance for everyday needs. The overall package strikes a good balance and hence is our recommendation.

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