Amalner

•36w

Hi, I am currently driving a 2021 VW Taigun 1.0 MT with annual running of ~10,000 KM (60% City, 40% Highway). The car is running fine, but it becomes a pain in heavy city traffic due to constant gear shifting & turbo lag. I am confused between 3 options: (1) Get the cheapest possible city automatic like an S-presso AGS and use it with Taigun, (2) Get a proper AT like Amaze/i20 CVT or Brezza AT and upgrade Taigun after a few years, or (3) Sell Taigun and upgrade to a proper AT SUV. Please suggest.

•35w

The Maruti Suzuki S-Presso AGS, which has an AMT thought convenient, doesn’t offer a smooth driving experience because of the way AMTs work - their main weakness is that annoying pause in between gear shifts, which feels quite jerky and causes ‘head nod’, a term that is synonymous with AMTs.

Upgrading to a proper AT leaves you with very few options; some of the ATs are diesels, and the only mid-size SUV petrol AT is the Tata Sierra. Your option of getting a city-centric car, keeping the Taigun for highway driving, and upgrading it later makes the most sense.

The Honda Amaze, with its CVT transmission, makes the most sense as a city car. It is smooth and comfortable, taking the stress out of city driving, whilst the manual 1.0 Taigun is a solid highway car. The Taigun is due for a facelift around February–March 2026, and other new midsize SUVs, including an all-new Creta, are expected around 2027. So yes, hang on to your Volkswagen Taigun and pick up an Amaze for your city chores.

Explore cars mentioned

Maruti Suzuki

S-Presso

from ₹4.05 Lakh

Tata

Sierra

from ₹13.56 Lakh

Honda

Amaze

from ₹8.85 Lakh

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•19h

I am currently driving a 2022 Jeep Compass manual petrol and have been using it for four years. I am experiencing side hip and lower-back pain due to the manual clutch, especially with city and highway driving. In the future, I will be driving around 120km per day for work. Please suggest a premium SUV with good back support and high fuel efficiency.

•2h

Since your budget is over Rs 30 lakhs, we'd suggest waiting for the Kia Sorento. It is a three-row SUV that's likely to be launched with hybrid and diesel-automatic powertrain options. As expected from a Kia, the Sorento is likely to be feature-rich too, with a high-quality interior and comfy seats. This one could be a good upgrade from your petrol manual Jeep Compass.Alternatively, you could consider the top-spec Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel-automatic. It has comfy seats, an excellent suspension tune, and a spacious cabin. Also, the diesel-auto will be quite efficient.

Hello everyone, I am on a shoestring budget. We are a small family of three and live in Delhi/NCR. I need to replace my perfectly smooth-running Fiat Linea 1.3 MJD because of the old-car rule. I expect to drive around 3,000km a month. I am considering the Citroen C3 because its small size seems well-suited to packed city traffic. Would it be the right choice, and should I go for the NA or turbo engine? This will be my third car after a Palio and a Linea. Any fresh perspective would be welcome.

•3h

Coming from a Linea, you will appreciate the Citroen C3's ride quality, which is one of its strongest points and well suited to Delhi/NCR roads. The compact size makes it easy to manoeuvre in traffic and tight parking spaces, which is a big advantage in the city. However, Citroen's service network is limited, which could be a deal-breaker.Your monthly running of around 3,000 km is substantial; hence, we'd recommend that you consider either a diesel or a CNG option instead. You can consider the Tata Altroz, which is a tough, spacious and feature-rich hatchback with an excellent ride and handling balance. It also gets a CNG-AMT option, which brings you the convenience of an automatic along with the low running costs of CNG.

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•1d

I currently own a Baleno Sigma and want to upgrade to a small SUV with good ground clearance and mileage. I am open to both petrol and diesel. I don't drive every day as I usually use a two-wheeler for my daily commute, but I occasionally go on long drives of 100km or more in hilly areas. I am also not very tech-savvy. Which SUV would you recommend?

•4h

Given your usage pattern, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza petrol is the most sensible upgrade. You do not drive every day, and your long drives are occasional, so a diesel does not make financial sense. The Brezza offers good ground clearance, a reliable and proven 1.5 naturally aspirated, four-cylinder petrol engine, and Maruti's strong service network. It is also simple to use and not overloaded with unnecessary tech, which suits your preference. The ride is comfortable, the car is easy to drive, and ownership costs are low.If you want something slightly more premium, the Honda Elevate is also worth considering. It offers a more spacious cabin and a slightly more premium feel, but the Maruti car mentioned above remains the more practical and value-driven choice.

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Popular discussions right now

•3d

I am planning to buy a new car under 20-25 lakh for the next ten years. I have considered two cars Seltos DCT GTX(A) and Kushaq 1.5 Monte Carlo DSG but am afraid of the mileage and if I go with an EV, I am afraid that infrastructure will not be that good. I drive daily for 10-15 km and take 2-3 trips in a year on highway. Should I buy the car now or wait for Seltos Hybrid? Will it cost an additional 2-3 lakh or will it be value for money for my driving. Should I consider another car?

•2d

With a daily running of just 10-15 km and only a few highway trips a year, fuel efficiency and long-term reliability should be your top priorities. The Seltos DCT GTX+ and Kushaq 1.5 DSG Monte Carlo are both excellent cars, but their turbo-petrol engines and dual-clutch gearboxes are not the most efficient or the most stress-free choices for predominantly short city runs. The DCT/DSG gearboxes are at their best on open roads, and in stop-start city traffic they can feel a bit jerky and are not as smooth or as durable as a torque converter automatic over the long term.The Seltos hybrid is worth waiting for if you are not in a hurry. It is expected to be priced roughly Rs. 2-3 lakh above the equivalent petrol variant, and for your usage pattern it will make more sense than the turbo-petrol DCT. Hybrids deliver their biggest efficiency gains in city driving, and over a 10-year ownership period the fuel savings and smoother driving experience will more than justify the premium.If you want to buy now, the Kia Seltos IVT (naturally aspirated petrol with CVT) is the better choice for your usage. It is smooth, reliable and well suited to city driving, and you will not be paying a premium for performance you will rarely use. The Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI with the torque converter automatic is another good option if you prefer a more engaging driving experience, but the Seltos IVT is the more refined and hassle-free choice.EVs are not the right fit for you at the moment given your concerns about charging infrastructure and your low daily running. The savings are not significant enough to justify the compromises.

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•4d

I’m planning to buy my first car and would appreciate some suggestions. My budget is around Rs. 13-15 lakh ex-showroom, and I’m planning to register the car under the BH series. Safety is my top priority, so I strongly prefer a car with a 5-star safety rating, preferably from Global NCAP. An automatic transmission is a must. The car will mainly be used for weekend family trips and highway drives rather than daily commuting. Since it will be a family car, I’d prefer something that looks classy and elegant while offering good comfort. A premium-looking interior would be a plus, and features such as leather/leatherette upholstery and ventilated seats would be nice to have, but they aren't deal-breakers. At the same time, I don’t want a car that is purely comfort-oriented. I enjoy driving, so I’d like something with a good engine, enjoyable handling, and a fun-to-drive character. Good rear-seat comfort and reasonable luggage space for family trips would also be appreciated.

•2d

Based on your requirements, the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI automatic is the recommendation. It strikes the right balance between safety, driving enjoyment and family usability. The 1.0 TSI engine is strong, the handling is engaging, and the car feels solid and confidence-inspiring on the highway. The interior feels premium, and while it may not be the largest in its segment, overall comfort is quite good. If you prefer the look of the VW Taigun, it offers largely the same experience as the Kushaq. The Renault Duster 1.3 DCT is also a strong alternative, offering excellent driving dynamics and a larger cabin. Overall, though, the Kushaq 1.0 TSI automatic is the car that best aligns with your requirements.

Hi Experts! I am a first-time car buyer and a new driver. I want to buy a sub-4-meter SUV. My daily usage will be between 25- 30 km. It is mostly for city driving in Delhi NCR. I intend to buy an automatic and like the Kylaq as an option. But my understanding is that it is expensive to maintain. Among other options that I am considering are the Venue and the 3XO. However, Venue has DCT, which I understand is not great for city driving. Could you give me some more guidance on maintenance of the Kylaq and, generally, if I have to choose among these 3, what should be the best option? To clarify, my budget is 12-15 lakhs. I have already looked at the Brezza as an option but did not like the feel of it. Sonet has been disregarded because there is a new Sonet coming next year. Thank you for your input!

•6d

Go for the Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TSI automatic. This Skoda car is the best fit for your usage and budget. The Kylaq uses a 6-speed torque converter automatic, which is smooth, reliable and well suited to stop-start traffic. It is not a DCT, so you do not have to worry about overheating or jerkiness in city conditions. The 1.0 TSI engine is proven and has a good ownership track record. Skoda's maintenance costs are not significantly higher than Hyundai or Mahindra, especially with service packages available. The Kylaq is also one of the best driver's cars in the segment, with a solid, planted feel and good ride quality.The Hyundai Venue DCT is a good choice but not ideal for your usage, as DCT gearboxes are not ideal for heavy city traffic. The Mahindra XUV 3XO is a strong alternative. It is spacious, feature-rich and has a good torque converter automatic gearbox, but it does not feel as engaging to drive as the Kylaq. Since you have already ruled out the Brezza and Sonet, the Kylaq is the clear recommendation. It will give you the best ownership experience and driving enjoyment over the next 5-10 years.

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