I want to switch from my current car to a small SUV like the Kushaq, Taigun, or Nexon. I’m not a fan of Mahindra, Kia, or Hyundai, so their cars are not under consideration. Among the options mentioned, which one is better suited to current Indian road conditions and also offers good after-sales service, resale value, reliability, and a hassle-free ownership experience? I prefer an automatic, so which gearbox is more reliable from a maintenance perspective?

Of the three you’ve mentioned, we would rule out the Tata Nexon, as the after-sales experience can vary significantly from dealer to dealer, and in some cases, it can be quite poor.

Skoda and Volkswagen may not offer the absolute best after-sales service, but among the listed options, they are a more dependable choice.

Since you prefer an automatic, it’s worth noting that the 1.0-litre engines in both the Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun come paired with a torque-converter (planetary) gearbox. This is a very smooth and reliable gearbox to have.