Hassan

•14w

Hi experts, I am planning to upgrade from my Maruti Suzuki Wagon R to a midsize SUV. My budget is Rs. 18 lakh. My usage will be primarily on highways, with very limited city driving. My priorities are safety, comfort, fuel efficiency and maintenance costs. Based on these requirements, could you please share your recommendations?

•13w

The Skoda Kushaq or Volkswagen Taigun 1.0 TSI Automatic would be the top recommendations here.

Since your usage is predominantly on highways, the strengths of these two SUVs align very well with your requirements. Both feel stable and confidence-inspiring at higher speeds, offer comfortable ride quality and have strong safety credentials. Their turbo-petrol engines deliver a good balance of performance and fuel efficiency, while the new 8-speed automatic transmission should further improve efficiency and drivability. They also represent a substantial upgrade over the Wagon R in terms of refinement, comfort and long-distance cruising ability.

Another strong option is the Honda Elevate CVT. It may not feel as sporty or engaging to drive as the Skoda and Volkswagen twins, but it excels in comfort, reliability and ease of ownership. The naturally aspirated petrol engine is smooth and proven, while maintenance costs are likely to be among the lowest in the segment.

Explore cars mentioned

Skoda

Kushaq

from ₹13.15 Lakh

Volkswagen

Taigun

from ₹13.53 Lakh

Honda

Elevate

from ₹14.53 Lakh

Maruti Suzuki

Wagon R

from ₹5.87 Lakh

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•2d

Hi, I have been using a sedan for the past 12 years. I want to purchase a midsize SUV for a usage of around 250 to 500 km per month and a long trip once in a quarter. I have shortlisted Creta, Kushaq, Elevate and Hyryder. My budget is between Rs. 16 lakh and 18 lakh. I want to use the car for the next 10 years. I want a car with a spacious cabin that has enough leg room and offers good riding comfort. Suggest me such a car.

•15h

With your low monthly running and long-term ownership plan, petrol is the right choice. The Honda Elevate is the best fit here. It offers a spacious cabin with good rear legroom, a comfortable ride and Honda’s reputation for long-term reliability. The naturally aspirated petrol engine is smooth and easy to live with, and the car is well suited to both city driving and occasional long trips. The Hyundai Creta is also a strong option with a more premium cabin and a slightly more comfortable ride, but the Elevate offers a bit more performance for highway use. The Skoda Kushaq is the driver’s car of the lot, but it is not as spacious as the rest. The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder hybrid is a good, no-nonsense altenative. Go for the Elevate petrol CVT if you want an automatic, or the manual if you prefer to drive. It is the car you are most likely to be happy with after 10 years.

Honda Elevate

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•2d

Hello, I am planning to buy an SUV with a budget of Rs. 25 lakh. My monthly usage is around 350-400 km. Should I prefer a petrol or diesel SUV? Also, should I go for a manual or automatic?

•1d

With a budget of Rs 25 lakh and a monthly running of just 350- 400 km, petrol is the clear recommendation. At this usage level, the cost savings from diesel simply will not materialise, and petrol engines are quieter, smoother and generally easier to live with in the long term. As for transmission, go for an automatic. Modern automatics are smooth, stress-free in traffic and make everyday driving far more comfortable, especially in city conditions.Now, on the car itself. At Rs 25 lakh, a strong recommendation would be the new Skoda Kushaq, which has just been refreshed. It gets a lot more features, like ventilated seats in the front, a panoramic sunroof, massage seats in the back, and a decent amount of room as well.However, it is also very nice to drive, and since your priorities are performance, it will definitely do the job perfectly for you. Driving between cities and on highways, it is extremely stable. It is light and convenient in the city, and it is planted on the highway. The 1.5-litre TSI engine is the one we recommend, which blends performance and refinement. In your budget, you can get the top-spec Monte Carlo trim that comes loaded with all the bells and whistles and still save a good amount of money. However, if you want an even bigger car with a lot more power and three rows of seating, then the Mahindra XUV700 in its AX7 guise is a good consideration. It comes with a more powerful engine, a lot more features, and a lot more space as well. If you don't mind a large car, then that is a good choice, but if you want to stick to the compact dimensions, then the Kushaq is a preferred option.

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•2d

I am looking for a mid-size SUV that is not too large, is reliable, and is fun to drive. Price is not a primary consideration. I am considering the Skoda Kushaq and Honda Elevate. Which one would you recommend? I would also appreciate suggestions for other SUVs that fit these requirements.

•1d

Go for the Skoda Kushaq 1.5 TSI DSG. It is the better fit for your brief. The Kushaq is one of the most fun-to-drive SUVs in the segment, with strong performance, sharp handling and a genuinely engaging driving experience. The 1.5 TSI engine is punchy and refined, and the DSG gearbox delivers quick, seamless shifts. It is also not a large SUV, so it remains easy to manoeuvre in the city while still offering a comfortable ride and decent space for a family of four.If you are open to alternatives, the Volkswagen Taigun is mechanically identical to the Kushaq and worth considering if you prefer its styling or interior. The Honda Elevate is a sensible choice. It is reliable, easy to own and has Honda's reputation for long-term durability. But the Skoda Kushaq and VW Taigun 1.5 TSI are more compact and fun to drive.

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Popular discussions right now

•5d

I am planning to buy a naturally aspirated petrol automatic car and have shortlisted the Toyota Hyryder mild hybrid and Honda Elevate. Which one would be the better choice?

•5d

Go for the Honda Elevate CVT. Both the Elevate and the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder mild hybrid use naturally aspirated petrol engines, but the Elevate’s 1.5-litre engine is more refined, and the CVT gearbox is silky smooth, making it a more relaxed car to drive in everyday conditions. The Elevate also benefits from Honda’s strong reputation for long-term reliability and low maintenance costs, which is exactly what you want from a naturally aspirated petrol automatic. The Hyryder is still a good car, but the Elevate is the more complete package for this brief.

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•1w

I am new to driving and am looking for a sub-4-metre petrol SUV with a torque converter automatic gearbox. My budget is around Rs 12-13 lakh on-road. I have shortlisted two options: the Skoda Kylaq Signature automatic and the Mahindra XUV 3XO MX2 Pro automatic. We are a family of five. My current usage is mostly within the city, but based on my future work requirements, it could shift to an 80:20 mix of city and highway driving.

•6d

Go for the Skoda Kylaq Signature AT. For a new driver with predominantly city use, its 1.0 TSI with a 6-speed torque-converter automatic is smooth and easy to drive, while the compact dimensions make it relatively easy to manage in traffic. It also has a more mature, planted feel on the highway.The Mahindra XUV 3XO MX2 Pro AT is the better choice if rear-seat space is the priority. Its cabin is wider and more accommodating for a family of five, and its 1.2 turbo-petrol makes 200Nm, giving it stronger low-end and mid-range performance than the Kylaq.However, the 3XO's boot is also one of its compromises, while the Kylaq offers a better balance of driving dynamics, boot space and highway manners. With your usage potentially becoming 80:20 city/highway, the Kylaq's combination works particularly well.

Skoda Kylaq

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•1w

Which car should I buy among Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Petrol base or Kia Seltos petrol base? And also tell me if anyone has faced power issue or pickup issue while overtaking as I want the car for long term.

•6d

Between the two, the Seltos is the better choice, especially if you are looking at the base variant. It feels more premium, is the newer product and offers a more complete package even in its lower variants.The 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol makes 115hp and 144Nm. It isn't a particularly powerful engine, but it is smooth and refined and is perfectly adequate for normal city driving.For overtaking, it won't have the punch of the Seltos turbo, but it isn't underpowered either. With a full load and during quick highway overtakes, you may need to plan ahead and use higher revs. The Grand Vitara's 1.5 petrol is also a smooth, simple powertrain, but its performance is more relaxed and the base variant is quite sparsely equipped.

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