I live in Bangalore. My primary use is an office commute (only 2 km) on narrow, congested roads, with occasional road trips. Our family is two adults and two children, and safety is my top priority. I want a car with strong driving experience and road presence. I previously used a Duster 110 PS and currently drive a Magnite, but am unhappy with its engine performance. My budget is ₹15 lakh, and I can stretch up to ₹20 lakh. Please suggest suitable cars.

Autocar India

•15w

Between Rs 15-20 lakh, the best choice for your needs would be the Skoda Kushaq 1.5 TSI with the automatic DSG gearbox.

Being a mid-size SUV, the Kushaq gets plenty of practicality, but the highlight is its powertrain that has a 150hp turbo-petrol engine and a 7-speed DSG gearbox that is quick to shift.

Also, the handling manners and chassis tuning make it enjoyable on long trips and around twisty roads. The feature list is also impressive, and you get a lot of kit for the money. The sound system is worth a mention too, and the overall build quality is excellent. The Kushaq would be the right choice and a great replacement for the Nissan Magnite.

Explore cars mentioned

Skoda

Kushaq

from ₹12.42 Lakh

Nissan

Magnite

from ₹6.25 Lakh

Was this helpful? Ask a follow-up

Got a suggestion for Datta?

Add a Comment

Latest questions people are discussing

P Kumar

•1w

I am planning to buy the Kia Seltos HTX (A) with the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine and automatic transmission. What are your thoughts on this variant? Is it a good choice, or would you recommend any other cars in the same segment?

Autocar India

•21h

The Kia Seltos with the 1.5 NA petrol engine is a nice pick if you are not necessarily looking for exciting performance. Power delivery is smooth, refinement is good, and there's enough performance for average city driving. There is enough power for gentle cruising on the highway, too. You will miss the punch from the engine when you want a fast overtake, though. The 1.5 NA petrol engine works particularly well with the IVT auto gearbox. If it's a punchy performance you are looking for, the Seltos with the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine is worth a look. Alternatives include Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun, whose 1.0-litre/ 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engines feel strong and exciting.

Yogesh

Hi all, I have been using a Skoda Rapid for the last 12 years, and it has amazing power and stability on the highway. I generally drive at the highest permissible speed on the expressway, and my Rapid has never disappointed me. Now it has started ageing and I am looking for a 5-star NCAP-rated SUV. Any recommendations for me, considering I drive weekly 150km in the city and occasional outings? The budget is around ₹30 lakh. Thanks for your recommendation.

Autocar India

•2d

Since you have had a positive experience with the Rapid, sticking to a Skoda would be ideal. The updated Skoda Kushaq was recently revealed, and the price launch is just around the corner. It will continue to get the 1.5 TSI engine that is unanimously loved for its performance inside the city and out on the highway. The facelift has not been tested for the Global NCAP rating, but the old Kushaq had scored a perfect 5-stars and the facelift is likely to follow the same.The new Kushaq is a facelift that brings with it new equipment and refreshed design, but mechanically, it has carried over its powertrain for the bigger engine. The smaller 1.0-litre TSI will feature a new 8-speed torque converter automatic gearbox, but since you are a keen driver, we would recommend you stick to the 1.5.The engine also features cylinder deactivation, which helps save fuel in the city, and the DSG gearbox is smooth and effortless. The top-spec version would be well under your budget when it gets launched.

Skoda Kushaq

Yuvraj Shrivastava

•1w

I am planning to buy a car around ₹11 lakhs. I prefer top-end variants with automatic transmission. I tried Hyundai AMT, which I didn't like at all because of the jerks in gear shifts. Currently, I have a 2022 Venue Top End, so coming from DCT, AMT seems so sluggish. Please suggest some good options.

Autocar India

•22h

The Honda Amaze CVT is a good pick for you. Its CVT gearbox is smooth and delivers a pleasant driving experience, superior to what you'd get with AMTs in the same price band. The Amaze CVT in fully-loaded VX form fits your budget and is worth a look. You could also look at the Tata Altroz DCT in Accomplished S trim. It's well equipped and, while performance is unexciting, the gearbox is very smooth. Other options we'd recommend considering include the Nissan Magnite CVT, Renault Kiger CVT and Hyundai i20 CVT. Do note, their top-end versions are pricier than Rs 11 lakh.

View all Posts