Delhi

•6w

I am planning to buy a car in the Rs 12-14 lakh price range. My usage will be around 70% in the city and 30% on the highway, with family comfort also being an important consideration. I am currently considering the Skoda Kylaq, Kia Sonet (petrol 7DCT HTK(O)) and Kia Seltos (base or second-base variant). Please suggest which of these would be the best pick for my usage, or recommend any other car that may suit my requirements better. Also, is it worth waiting for the new-generation Sonet?

•5w

For your 70 percent city and 30 percent highway usage, the Skoda Kylaq is the best fit of the cars you have shortlisted. Its 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine with a 6-speed torque-converter automatic is smoother in city traffic than the Sonet's DCT, while also giving you stronger performance for highway trips. It also has a good balance of ride comfort, cabin space and driving dynamics.

The Kia Seltos is the better choice if family space and a more premium cabin are your priorities, but at your budget you will be looking at the lower variants. The Sonet HTK(O) 1.0 DCT is feature-rich, but the DCT is not our first choice for predominantly city use. The Tata Nexon and Mahindra XUV 3XO are also worth considering, but the Kylaq offers a particularly good combination of refinement, performance and highway ability.

As for the Kia New Sonet, it is expected in 2027 and will move to the K1 platform, with improved rear-seat space and potentially more features. However, Kia has not given a precise launch date, so waiting only makes sense if you are not in a hurry.

Explore cars mentioned

Skoda

Kylaq

from ₹8.47 Lakh

Kia

Seltos

from ₹12.76 Lakh

Kia

Sonet

from ₹8.27 Lakh

Kia

New Sonet

Mahindra

XUV 3XO

from ₹8.69 Lakh

Tata

Nexon

from ₹8.26 Lakh

•5w•

@sj007

Go with Skoda Kylaq 👍

•5w•

@sj007

Go with Skoda Kylaq 👍

More posts on similar cars

•1d

Hello, I am searching for a sub-4-metre car under Rs 13 lakh. I am confused between a petrol automatic and a diesel manual, as a diesel automatic exceeds my budget. I liked the Brezza, but since we already own a Maruti and some interior parts have not changed in 10 years and resemble our older vehicle, I am not drawn to it. Our annual usage is about 8,000 kilometres. Because my parents will drive it mostly, I lean towards an automatic. Thank you.

•1d

Since your annual running is around 8,000km and your parents will be driving the car predominantly, we would suggest sticking to a petrol automatic rather than a diesel manual. The Hyundai Venue and Skoda Kylaq are both worth considering. If a premium looking cabin is important, the new Venue is one of the best in the segment. Its interiors feel modern, with good quality and fit and finish. However, the 1.0-litre turbo petrol paired with the DCT may not be the most natural choice for prolonged bumper to bumper traffic.The other option is the Skoda Kylaq Signature+ AT. Its six speed torque converter automatic is better suited to stop start city driving and makes it a smoother, more predictable car to drive. This Skoda car is also more engaging behind the wheel, although its interiors aren't quite as impressive as the Venue's. They will, however, feel more distinctive and premium compared to your existing Maruti Suzuki car.Our pick would be the Kylaq if gearbox smoothness and ease of driving for your parents are the priorities.

Hyundai Venue

Skoda Kylaq

•2d

I need a second car with a maximum budget of Rs 13.5 lakh (on-road). My top priorities are performance and driving feel. I am confused between the Hyundai i20 N Line and the Skoda Kylaq Signature+ (both automatics). Which one is better for pure driving pleasure, given my running split is 70% highway and 30% city?

•2d

Both models on your shortlist are enjoyable cars to drive. The Skoda Kylaq feels punchy and solidly put together and also offers a crucial bit more ground clearance than the Hyundai i20. It's also got the smoother gearbox. However, for someone buying a car primarily for driving feel with the majority of use on the highway, the i20 N line gets our vote. Performance is good but it's the tweaked suspension and steering that really uplift the N Line to make it feel properly involving to drive in corners. This Hyundai car also looks sportier thanks to the visual upgrades outside and inside, while the slightly enhanced soundtrack from the exhaust is a happy reminder that you are driving something special.

Skoda Kylaq

Hyundai i20

•3d

Hi, I am confused between the new Hyundai Venue HX5 AT and the Skoda Kylaq Signature+ AT. I am purchasing this car for my father, so the running will be low and mostly in the city. However, I will occasionally take it on highways and hills. Comfort and future maintenance are my main priorities. Which of these according to you is the best in the segment? Please provide a brief comparison of both models.

•3d

Between the two, we would suggest you going for the Skoda Kylaq Signature+ AT, particularly if you enjoy driving and will occasionally take the car on highways and hills. Its six speed torque converter automatic is smoother and more predictable in stop start traffic than the Venue's seven speed DCT. The Kylaq's chassis and suspension also make it more engaging to drive, with good composure on winding roads.The one consideration is after sales and maintenance. Hyundai has the advantage of a wider service network, while Skoda ownership costs can be higher. Since this car will primarily be used by your father, take him along for a test drive of both and pay particular attention to ease of ingress and egress, ride comfort and gearbox smoothness.

Skoda Kylaq

Hyundai Venue

View all Posts

Has E20 fuel affected your mileage?

Expert reviews worth reading

Is ADAS worth paying extra for in a car?

Popular discussions right now

•6d

I am planning to buy the top-end Hyundai Creta Turbo Petrol DCT variant. My daily running is around 50–100km, which adds up to approximately 25,000–30,000km annually. I am looking for a car that offers strong performance and quick acceleration, along with a comprehensive set of comfort and convenience features. Should I buy the current Creta Turbo Petrol DCT top variant or wait for the 2027 Creta? For context, I currently own a 2024 Maruti Suzuki Dzire Hybrid and a Volkswagen Virtus GT 1.5 TSI.

•5d

The 2027 Hyundai New Creta will be thoroughly updated inside-out, and it'll have more tech and features. If you don't mind waiting, it makes sense to get the 2027 new-gen model. Do note, its powertrain options are likely to be carried forward from the current version. If you can't wait, but still want the performance as well as the latest in terms of tech and features, consider the Kia Seltos turbo-dct instead, which packs in more or less everything the next-gen Creta is likely to offer.

Kia Seltos

•6d

Which SUV would you pick for a family of 5?

•5d

I’m planning to buy a new car, and my annual running is around 40,000km, primarily involving highway drives and ghat sections. I have shortlisted the Kia Seltos Diesel HTX and the upcoming facelifted Toyota Innova Hycross ZX. I’m considering two approaches: either buy the Innova Hycross and keep it for the next 10 years, given its reputation for longevity and the expectation that its engine can last at least 4 lakh kilometres, or buy the Seltos, drive it for around 2 lakh kilometres over 4–5 years, sell it and upgrade to a brand-new Seltos or another car of a similar price and size. On paper, the Innova Hycross Hybrid seems like the better choice, considering its long-term reliability and features such as the Ottoman reclining seats. However, I’m concerned that I might get bored of it after four years or that it may start feeling outdated as newer technologies and features enter the market. This makes the second option appealing, as it would allow me to upgrade to a brand-new car every 4–5 years. Which approach would make more sense in the long run, considering my high annual running and ownership costs?

•5d

It seems like you're leaning towards the Kia Seltos Diesel HTX, and we think it is a good choice. The diesel engine feels adequately powered for highway usage and ghat driving, and it is likely to return respectable efficiency too. Moreover, despite being modern with all the latest tech and features, the Seltos will be substantially more affordable than the Toyota Innova Hycross hybrid. So unless you need the Innova's extra space, or you frequently travel with six or seven passengers, the Kia Seltos diesel is your best bet.

Kia Seltos

Toyota Innova HyCross

View all Posts

Upcoming launch buzz

Community discussions on upcoming launches