Mumbai

•13w

Hi, I am currently using a 2017 Maruti Wagon R AMT, which has run around 84,000 km. I am planning to upgrade within a budget of ₹16 lakh and have shortlisted the Tata Nexon Creative Plus (1.2 DCA), Kia Sonet 1.0 GTX Plus, and Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TC. My usage will be approximately 70% highway and 30% city, mostly on weekends. My key priorities are driving comfort, safety, and real-world mileage. I would appreciate your expert advice on which option would be the best fit for my needs.

•12w

We would suggest going for the Skoda Kylaq. With your 70 percent highway use, it is the most comfortable and fun to drive compared to the Tata Nexon and Kia Sonet. Coming from a Wagon R AMT, you will notice a big step up in how stable and secure it feels at 80-100 km/h. Also, how well it absorbs bad patches, and how smoothly the 6-speed torque converter automatic shifts without the slight jerk you sometimes feel in an AMT. The 1.0 turbo petrol also has strong mid-range pull, so overtakes are easy even with family and luggage. Safety is another strong point, and its high-speed stability stands out on long drives.

Do keep in mind that Skoda’s service network is smaller than Tata's and Kia's, and since all three are turbo petrols, fuel efficiency will not be very high. Also, the rear seat in all three cars is best suited for two adults rather than three, unlike your Wagon R.

Explore cars mentioned

Skoda

Kylaq

from ₹8.77 Lakh

Tata

Nexon

from ₹8.55 Lakh

Kia

Sonet

from ₹8.56 Lakh

Maruti Suzuki

Wagon R

from ₹5.77 Lakh

•12w

Thank you for your reply, what is the other alternative to skoda kylaq, I may consider.

•12w

I am planning to buy Maruti Dzire ZXi Plus - wanted to the car stab it during driving

•12w

I am a beginner and want to buy car . Bit confusing whether I should go with new or used car.. please suggest and also if any one option than give me a good car for budget around 5lac

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More questions on similar cars

•1d

I am a new driver and am looking to buy my first new car for a family of five. It will be used for both city and highway driving. I have shortlisted the Honda Amaze VX, Maruti Suzuki Dzire ZXi, Maruti Suzuki Baleno Zeta, and Skoda Kylaq Signature. My priorities are comfort, safety and value for money. Also, should I choose a manual or an automatic?

•1h

Go for the Skoda Kylaq Signature automatic. It is the most complete package here, offering a higher seating position, better visibility and a more confidence-inspiring driving experience, which is especially helpful for a new driver. The Kylaq is also a genuinely safe car with a strong crash-test rating, and the 1.0 TSI engine, paired with the 6-speed torque-converter automatic, is smooth, reliable, and well-suited to both city and highway driving. The Signature trim is well-equipped, so you won't miss out on key features.Between a manual and an automatic car, go for the automatic. It removes the stress of clutch control in traffic and makes driving far easier, especially as you build confidence. The Kylaq’s automatic is a conventional torque converter, which is smooth and proven.The Honda Amaze VX and Maruti Dzire ZXi are both good value, reliable and comfortable, but they are smaller inside and do not offer the same level of driving experience as the Kylaq. The Baleno Zeta is spacious and feature-rich, but as a hatchback, it does not offer the same visibility or ground clearance as the Kylaq.Overall, the Kylaq Signature automatic is the best fit for your priorities of comfort, safety and value for money.

I'm having a Maruti Suzuki Fronx Delta Plus 1.2 MT, which I bought in June 2024 and have driven around 29,000 km. I was a first-time buyer, so I received a lot of advice from everyone, which left me confused. Eventually, I chose Maruti because of its low maintenance and fuel efficiency. However, I'm now bored with its performance as well as its mileage. I'm getting only 16-17 kpl on the highways, whereas I used to get over 20 kpl initially. My driving is 60% highway and 40% city. Is it worth upgrading to a new car, or when would be the right time to upgrade?

•12h

With 29,000 km on your Maruti Suzuki Fronx in just over a year, you are clearly a high-usage driver, and your 60% highway usage is the key factor here. The 1.2 petrol is a reliable and efficient engine, but it is not particularly exciting on the highway, and that is likely why you are feeling bored with this Maruti Suzuki car. The bigger question is whether it is worth upgrading now. Financially, the car is still relatively new, and you will take a depreciation hit if you sell it this early. However, given your usage pattern, it may actually make sense to upgrade sooner rather than later. A diesel SUV like the Mahindra XUV 3XO or the Tata Nexon would be a much better fit for your driving style, offering stronger performance on the highway and better fuel efficiency at higher speeds. Alternatively, if you want to stick with petrol, something like the Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TSI would offer a much more engaging driving experience without sacrificing too much on efficiency.Ultimately, the decision comes down to how much the current car is bothering you. If you are genuinely unhappy with the performance and fuel efficiency, it is better to upgrade now rather than wait another year or two and continue to be dissatisfied with the car. If you can live with it for another year or two, you will get more value out of the car before upgrading.

I have a budget of 13 lakh. Please suggest the best petrol SUV I can buy within this budget.

•23h

The Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TSI is the best petrol SUV to buy with a budget of Rs 13 lakh, provided driving experience is a priority. If long-term reliability, low maintenance and a wide service network matter more, the Maruti Brezza is the better choice.At this budget, the Skoda Kylaq stands out for its excellent steering, confident handling and proven 1.0 TSI engine paired with a well-sorted chassis. It also undercuts many rivals while offering a premium feel and remains the enthusiast's choice in this segment. The only compromise is that the rear seat is better suited to two adults than three, and it misses out on a few convenience features offered by rivals.For buyers who simply want hassle-free ownership, the Brezza deserves serious consideration. Its naturally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol engine is smooth, reliable and inexpensive to maintain, while Maruti Suzuki's service network and strong resale value make it one of the easiest compact SUVs to own over the long term.

Skoda Kylaq

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

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Popular discussions right now

•4d

Is it worth waiting for the new BREZZA, or are there better alternatives for Mumbai city use and a few random trips outside, say 2 to 3 in a year, up to Pune, Panchgani, etc

•3d

Go for the Brezza, but wait for the new model as it's just a few weeks away. The Brezza is easy to drive in traffic, rides well over broken roads and speed breakers, and the automatic is smooth and stress-free. The cabin is airy, the visibility is good, and Maruti service reach in the city makes ownership simple. For the odd Pune or Panchgani run, it feels stable enough if driven in a relaxed manner. A point to consider if you often go up the ghats with four people and luggage: the 1.5 petrol is smooth but not very strong, so overtakes need a little planning.If that bothers you, the Skoda Kylaq with the automatic is the better alternative. It feels quicker in the hills and in gaps, and the gearbox responds a bit faster, which helps both on the ghats and in stop-go Mumbai traffic. You will trade a slightly firmer ride and a lower city mileage for that extra shove.For mostly city use, though, buying the Brezza is the sensible call.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Skoda Kylaq

•5d

I am planning to purchase a new SUV. I have shortlisted two vehicles. Toyota Hyryder non-hybrid top model (manual) and Kia Seltos manual top model. Which one should I prefer? My daily running is very less around 10-15 kms.

•4d

With a daily running of just 10-15km, there's little benefit in stretching to a strong hybrid, and since you've shortlisted the non-hybrid Hyryder, the Seltos is the more complete package. It offers a more premium cabin, better performance from its naturally aspirated petrol engine, a stronger feature list and an overall more polished driving experience.The Toyota Hyryder still has its strengths. Toyota's reputation for reliability and aftersales support is second to none, and if long-term peace of mind is your top priority, it remains a very sensible choice. However, the non-hybrid petrol doesn't offer a significant efficiency advantage over the Seltos, so you miss out on the biggest reason to buy a Hyryder in the first place.Given your low running, we'd simply choose the SUV that you enjoy driving and living with every day. The Seltos also feels a little more modern inside and delivers a better overall ownership experience without asking you to compromise on reliability.

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Kia Seltos

•4d

Please suggest a car between the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos in a budget of 16-18 L?

•3d

Go for the Kia Seltos. While they are both similar SUVs that use the same engines, the Seltos is a larger vehicle built on a newer platform. It thus offers better space and comfort, as well as new-generation tech, which the Creta will only get when its next-gen model is launched in 2027. It also has a higher-quality interior with better fit and finish. Depending on the engine, gearbox and variant you choose, you may find a few more features in the equivalent Creta compared to the Seltos, but overall value for money, the Seltos should still come out on top, considering its inherent benefits. That said, some reasons you might want to opt for the Creta is because you already own a Hyundai and are already in their system, and have an established relationship with the service centre. Also, if you are planning to exchange your i20, ask the dealer for a loyalty bonus or any other deal they might have; this could swing the purchase in favour of the Creta.

Kia Seltos

Hyundai Creta

Hyundai i20

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Posted on: 14 Apr 2026