Hi Autocar, I heard that the Verna Turbo facelift coming in March 2026 could offer a hybrid powertrain. Is this true? Also, is there any ICE performance car coming in 2026 below ₹40 lakhs that will be faster than the Verna Turbo?

Autocar India

•11h

Yes, priced at Rs 39.99 lakh, ex-showroom India, the Skoda Kodiaq Lounge represents great value for money. It's a full Rs 4 lakh cheaper than the Kodiaq Sportline and Rs 6.5 lakh cheaper than the L&K variant, and you don't miss out on that much. The main difference, of course, is the lack of a third row, though these seats were quite small to begin with. It misses some features too, but none of them is essential. For instance, the boot is still powered but loses its hands-free-opening function, the touchscreen is slightly smaller, the front passenger seat is not powered, there's just a rear-view camera instead of a 360deg camera, and the 13-speaker Canton audio system is replaced by a simpler one with 9 speakers. What remains unchanged is the powertrain - a 204hp, 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine with AWD and a 7-speed DSG gearbox. Also unchanged is the well-sorted chassis, high interior quality and solid build, which is really what you're getting a Kodiaq for in the first place.

Skoda Kodiaq

Autocar India

•12h

The Kia Seltos 1.5 petrol HTK (O) MT fits your brief best. In daily traffic, the Seltos will be easy to drive thanks to its smooth, naturally aspirated petrol engine and light gearshift and clutch, and the higher seat makes getting in and out easy. It also rides over bad roads and tall speed breakers without worry, which matters on mixed city-highway use. Space is good for four and fine for five for shorter trips, and the boot will take a family’s weekend bags.The HTK (O) MT is a good value for money as it offers quite a few features for the price. Just bear in mind that, on the highway, the engine will require a bit more effort to make easy overtakes. If your trips are often with four adults and lots of luggage, and you value a bigger boot and stronger pull on the highway, look at the Skoda Slavia 1.0 TSI Sportline MT. Its small turbo engine gives more punch. But it is a lower car, so entry is not as easy, and you have to be a bit more careful on rough roads. Compared to the Seltos' naturally aspirated 1.5, you'll also experience some turbo lag at city speeds, and at your budget, you won't get as many features. Overall, for your mix of city and highway and firm budget, the Seltos HTK is the most practical pick.

Kia Seltos

Skoda Slavia

Autocar India

•12h

Given your usage, the Maruti Brezza ZXi AT fits your brief best within Rs 12-14 lakh on-road. Pick it because the cabin is roomy and the seat is set high, so getting in and out is easy, and there is good headroom for your height. Its 6-speed automatic is the smooth, torque converter type (not an AMT or DCT). Coming from your Nissan Magnite’s CVT, this will feel natural and calm in stop-and-go traffic and on slopes. Ride comfort is good over broken roads, and its simple 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine allows a vehicle of its size to be unstressed, fuel efficient and sufficiently powerful. Do note: The Brezza automatic is tuned for easy driving, not fast pick-up, so it feels relaxed rather than quick, and it hasn't been crash tested by any NCAP agency, though it has all the requisite safety features. The Mahindra XUV 3XO is also a decent option, though it's not quite as spacious as the Brezza, and in your budget, you'll have to settle for a mid-spec automatic model. Most of all, though, it is nowhere near as fuel-efficient. The Maruti Suzuki Fronx, while also good, won't feel like as much of an upgrade from your Magnite as the others, especially in terms of size and space. Overall, for comfort, smooth driving and sensible running costs in your budget, the Brezza ZXi AT is still your best bet.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Autocar India

•6d

Between the two, the Tata Safari does a great job of projecting toughness. It feels solid, has that reassuring heft, and its suspension setup really shines on broken roads and you can carry speed with confidence and it just shrugs off rough patches.That said, the Mahindra XUV 7XO is the more rounded package overall. Its 2.2-litre diesel is not just more modern, but also noticeably smoother and stronger than the older Fiat-sourced 2.0-litre unit in the Safari. It delivers better drivability in everyday conditions, which makes a difference in city use as well as on the highway.Mahindra car has also worked well on the suspension, and the improvements show. The 7XO feels more composed, offers better ride comfort over a wider range of surfaces, and is simply easier to drive. It has lighter controls, better balance, and a more user-friendly nature overall.Where the Safari still holds an edge is in the third row. It’s more usable and accommodating, whereas the 7XO’s last row is quite tight and best reserved for occasional use.So unless third-row space is a priority, the 7XO stands out as the better all-rounder. It’s more refined, easier to live with, and ultimately the more modern SUV.

Tata Safari

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Autocar India

•4d

If you're comparing ride comfort, the Skoda Kylaq is easily the better pick, particularly variants with 16-inch wheels. Skoda has got its suspension tune spot on, its relatively softer setup makes it more suited to our road conditions. It rounds off speed breakers and rough patches better at slow speeds. Furthermore, the Kylaq feels stable at speeds and is surprisingly nimble and fun-to-drive around corners, too.In contrast, the Kushaq’s suspension feels a little firm at low speeds, so sharp bumps and small potholes do come through more in the cabin.

Skoda Kylaq

Skoda Kushaq

Autocar India

•5d

With around 1,000 km a month, two young kids and a cap of ₹14 lakh on-road, the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 is the one that fits your brief best. It rides comfortably over broken city roads and speed breakers, and the rear seat is more than spacious enough for your kids. Safety is a strong point too, with a solid feel, good driver aids for this price, and mounts to fix child seats in the back. It also fits your budget in a well-equipped trim, so you are not forced into a bare-bones version. A trade-off to note: The boot is not the biggest in this price range, so if you often carry a full-size stroller plus luggage, do a quick fit check. If you prefer a more contemporary looking cabin, the Tata Nexon Creative Plus is your alternative from your list. It offers a slightly roomier boot and a very nice interior, and is easy to drive in the city, but the petrol engine feels a bit less smooth at low speeds and Tata service quality can vary by city. The Skoda Kushaq facelift would be a good pick, but only if you can stretch your budget, as within ₹14 lakh you’ll only get the base manual model, and Skoda’s service reach is smaller. Overall, for your family use and budget, the XUV 3XO AX5 lines up best.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Tata Nexon

Skoda Kushaq