After 13 years of driving a Jazz, I want to buy a new car for my family of three plus a dog. We live in a small city and drive very little, but take occasional weekend trips. My budget is flexible, ideally around ₹15 lakh. I’d like space, a premium feel and good ride quality. Please recommend 2–3 best options. Should I consider a sedan or stick to SUVs? I like the Alcazar but I’m unsure about spending over ₹20 lakh for my needs.

Autocar India

•19h

In your budget, the Hyundai Venue and the Kia Syros are good options. Both come with the 1.0-litre engine and DCT gearbox, which should be a good fit for your usage. The engine offers good performance, and the DCT is generally quite smooth, with only occasional hesitation.In terms of safety, both come very well equipped, with six airbags as standard, and a 360-degree camera and ADAS available on the top variants. The Syros has also scored five stars in the Bharat NCAP crash tests, and while the Venue is yet to be officially tested, it is based on the same platform as the Syros.

Hyundai Venue

Kia Syros

Autocar India

•23h

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.

Kia New Seltos

Skoda Kushaq

Volkswagen Taigun

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