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•21h

Why would anyone pay Rs 3-5 lakh more for a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol SUV like the Honda Elevate over a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol car like the Skoda Kylaq, especially when the Kylaq offers more torque and a torque-converter automatic? The turbo produces around 178Nm from 1,800rpm, while the naturally aspirated engine makes about 145Nm at around 4,300rpm. The turbo should also lose less power at altitude, and the torque-converter automatic avoids the concerns associated with a dry-clutch DCT. Is the Elevate really worth the premium for long-term reliability and refinement?

•7m

Whether it is worth paying the premium for a Honda Elevate over the Skoda Kylaq purely depends on your use case.

The Skoda Kylaq will appeal to those buyers who want a (relatively) compact car that's enjoyable to drive. It is well-built and has a strong 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine with a responsive 6-speed torque converter automatic that complements its taut chassis and excellent ride-handling balance. Being a sub-4-meter offering, it also falls in a lower tax bracket compared to the Elevate; hence it is more affordable too.

The Honda Elevate, on the other hand, is a larger car with more rear seat space and a bigger boot, which makes a difference for buyers who regularly travel with family and/or luggage. The price difference is not just for the engine; it is for the overall package, including space, comfort, higher ground clearance and Honda’s reputation for long-term reliability.

Also, do keep in mind that the Elevate's 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine is a proven, reliable unit, and the CVT makes the drive experience very seamless. The 1.5 NA engine's low-end pulling power is also stronger. Sure, at higher altitudes, the Kylaq's turbo-petrol engine is likely to lose less power than the Elevate's NA engine, but off-boost responses will feel noticeably duller because turbo lag in small-capacity turbo engines usually feels more pronounced. So both cars have their pros and cons while driving in hilly regions.

You're also getting more features with the Elevate, like ADAS, a 360-degree camera and front and rear seat ventilation, which the Kylaq doesn't get.

Lastly, as you go to higher-end segments, even though these might not offer outright value-for-money as offerings from lower segments, buyers are happy to pay the 'prestige' premium for driving a bigger car or a more luxurious car.

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Skoda

Kylaq

from ₹8.47 Lakh

Honda

Elevate

from ₹13.69 Lakh

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•3d

I recently bought a Tata Safari Stealth Black Accomplished+ and am very happy with its performance. It returns around 13kpl in the city and 14-15kpl on the highway. I also own a Maruti Suzuki Ritz diesel VDi, which I have used for 10 years and driven 2.3 lakh km with regular servicing and genuine synthetic oil. Is it time to replace the Ritz? If so, what would be a good diesel or petrol car around Rs 15 lakh? My usage is a mix of city and highway driving, around 75-100 km a day. I also have three older family members above 60 who will use the car occasionally. I am considering the 1.0-litre Skoda, the new Thar 1.5-litre and other options. I am not interested in a sunroof or other fancy features. I do track racing, so strong performance, suspension, stability and an engaging driving experience are important to me.

•1d

Yes, it's time to retire the Ritz. Of the two cars you're considering, the Skoda 1.0 TSI is the right one. Both the Kylaq and the Kushaq use it, and either suits an enthusiast far better than the Thar. The engine is eager, the steering is sharp, and the chassis feels planted when you push it. Those are the things you'll value as someone who drives on track.The catch is your mileage. At 75-100 km a day, you'll cover close to 30,000km a year, and the petrol Skoda will cost noticeably more to run than a diesel. If that bothers you, test-drive the Mahindra XUV 3XO diesel. Its 1.5 diesel is one of the punchiest in its class; it has a roomy rear seat for your parents, and it'll be much cheaper to run, though it isn't as sharp to drive as the Skoda.The new Mahindra Thar isn't a good fit. It's tall to climb into for older passengers, the rear is cramped, and it isn't as settled as a regular SUV over 100km a day.Your Ritz has done well. Its 1.3 diesel runs a timing chain rather than a belt, which is why it's lasted. Drive the Skoda car and the 3XO back to back, and decide how much the extra fun is worth to you.

I am a 6 ft driver who loves driving. I've driven the Swift 2013 petrol, Creta 1.6 Diesel Auto and the XUV500 the most on long trips. Now that I am planning to buy a car with a strict budget, do you think the 3XO AX5 TCMPFI petrol variant will be a wise decision to make, as I will be travelling once a month for short trips from Bangalore to Coorg, Pondicherry, GOA, and Mangalore? Which other car can be a perfect match for me, keeping a budget of 12 lakhs max? Also, the 3XO AX5 I'm getting from a friend who has hardly driven 6k km for 10 lakhs.

•2d

Go for the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 TCMPFI petrol from your friend for Rs 10 lakh. At that price, it is a very good deal and a sensible upgrade from your Creta 1.6 diesel automatic. The 3XO is one of the most spacious compact SUVs in the segment, with a wide cabin and good rear seat comfort, which will make your long drives to Coorg, Pondicherry, Goa and Mangalore more comfortable. The turbo petrol engine is smooth and is well suited to both city driving and highway cruising. At Rs 10 lakh for a car with only 6,000 km on the clock, you are getting a nearly new car at a significant discount, which makes it a far better value proposition than buying new.If you are looking for alternatives under Rs 12 lakh, the Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TSI manual is the best option for an enthusiast driver. The new Brezza turbo-petrol could also be a good choice. Overall, the 3XO from your friend is the most sensible choice. It offers a good balance of comfort, reliability and value, and will serve you well on your monthly road trips.

Hello, With the new Honda Elevate now launched, how would you suggest choosing between the Kia Seltos and the new Elevate? I had finalised the Seltos HTK(O) six months ago, but I was not able to purchase it for some reason. Now, I am keen to book a new car next month, around Diwali. My primary usage will be commuting to and from the office, which is around 20km daily. There will also be occasional highway trips of around 200km from Mumbai to small hill stations. Which car would you recommend for a 6ft-tall person? I will definitely go for a petrol automatic, but I’m confused between the two.

•1d

Go for the Honda Elevate VX CVT. At 6ft, the driving position matters most to you, and that's where this Honda car wins. Its seat is upright, and there's plenty of headroom. The new Seltos's front seats, by comparison, feel a bit snug, and the seat base is short for taller drivers. For 20km a day in Mumbai traffic, get the CVT. It's smooth in stop-go conditions, and you won't miss working a clutch.The VX is the sweet spot in the range, and it costs about the same as the Kia Seltos HTK(O) CVT. The Honda Elevate facelift launched this week and fills many of the old car's equipment gaps. It also has a bigger boot than the Seltos.

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•6d

I currently drive a 2018 Hyundai Creta 1.6 petrol automatic, which is very comfortable. Its mileage is around 7-8 kpl, and my monthly running is 1,000-1,200 km. Please advise on a good vehicle with decent mileage and comfort. I look forward to your advice.

•5d

With 1,000-1,200 km a month and a 7-8 km/l Creta 1.6 petrol automatic, the priority should be better fuel efficiency without sacrificing comfort. The Maruti Suzuki Victoris Hybrid is the most sensible upgrade. It delivers significantly better real-world fuel economy, especially in city driving, while still offering a comfortable ride and a well-equipped cabin. The hybrid system is proven and reliable, and the ownership experience is straightforward.If you want a more premium feel and are willing to accept slightly lower fuel efficiency, the Kia Seltos petrol IVT is a strong alternative. It offers a more upmarket cabin and a comfortable ride, but it will not match the Victoris Hybrid on fuel savings.The Hyundai Creta petrol IVT is also worth considering if you want to stay within the Hyundai family. It offers a familiar ownership experience and a comfortable ride, but again, it will not be as efficient as the Victoris Hybrid.Overall, the Victoris Hybrid strikes the best balance between fuel efficiency, comfort and long-term ownership costs for your usage pattern.

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•3d

Hello, I want to upgrade from my current Dzire diesel (2009 model). My running is nearly 7 thousand which is very low. My budget is 10 lakh mostly within city driven but with few highway trips every quarter. So please suggest some reliable comfortable car. I have taken the test drive of Maruti Suzuki Fronx AGS but space in the back is also an issue. I have also taken the test drive of Brezza Turbo and I found it smooth and easy . Anything else I should go for ?

•3d

With just around 7,000km a year, mostly in the city, a simple petrol car makes much more sense than a diesel. Since you have already driven the Brezza and found it smooth and easy to drive, it would be my first choice. The new 1.0 litre Booster jet is refined, has good low speed tractability and is more than adequate for your occasional highway trips. We also found it impressively efficient, with the onboard computer showing 11 to 14kpl even during hard driving.One important point, though: the new Brezza 1.0 Turbo is manual only. If you are looking for an automatic, the 1.5 litre petrol is still the only Brezza powertrain with an automatic, and that pushes the price beyond your Rs. 10 lakh budget.

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•4d

I currently own a Tata Manza Diesel, and our car has been amazing so far, (clocked in 2L+ km) but we are planning to buy a new one under a budget of Rs. 25 lakh that is a step up from Manza in all areas. We are a family of four, but occasionally 5 passengers travel in the car. So, we want a car with a comfortable 2nd row that fits three occupants. We want a car with 600L+ big boot space (preferably) measured by depth instead of height. Our daily running is mostly within the city, but we like to drive, so occasional highway trips are always going to be on the cards. Between the powertrains, we prefer diesel, but are open to electric as well since we have a parking spot where we can easily install a charging point. Our shortlisted cars so far include XEV 9e and Kia Seltos.

•4d

Between the XEV 9e and Seltos, the XEV 9e is the better fit for your requirements, particularly because you have a dedicated parking spot where a home charger can be installed. It is a much bigger and more substantial upgrade from the Manza, with a spacious cabin, a genuinely comfortable second row that can accommodate three adults, and a 663 liter boot. The rear seat also gets a reclining backrest, and the wide cabin avoids the knees up seating position found in some EVs.The Seltos diesel AT is the more conventional choice and would be preferable if you want to stay with diesel. It has a comfortable rear seat that can accommodate three average sized adults, and the diesel AT is refined and well suited to long distance driving. However, its 447 liter boot is significantly smaller than your preferred 600 liters or more and the boot itself is not very deep.

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