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•5h

I am a 46 years old man based in Noida and have a family of 3. I’m planning to buy a car in a budget of Rs.15 - 20 lakh and have shortlisted Virtus and Slavia. Should I go for an earlier or 2026 cars that are being offered at Rs. 1 - 1.5 lakh discount. Should I wait for the facelift? I am worried if the 2026 version of Virtus still has the AC issue mentiond in some of the reviews. Should I spend an additional 2.5-3.5 lakh for the 1.5 engine? My driving involves 80% running within NCR and 20% outstation.

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•11m

With your 80 per cent NCR driving and a family of three, the 1.0-litre Virtus or Slavia makes more sense for everyday use, but waiting for the Virtus facelift is worth considering if you aren't in a hurry. The current cars are good to drive, and a discount of Rs. 1-1.5 lakh makes the outgoing version attractive.

However AC concern is worth taking seriously, especially in NCR summers. The facelifted Slavia now gets a variable-displacement compressor, intended to improve AC performance. The Virtus facelift is expected in the fourth quarter of 2026, and a similar AC upgrade is likely, but its final specification should be confirmed when it launches.

As for the 1.5 TSI, the extra performance is enjoyable on highways, but the 1.0 TSI is sufficiently punchy for daily NCR use. The 1.5's DSG also adds complexity and cost, so it isn't essential for your driving pattern.

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Volkswagen

Virtus

from ₹12.43 Lakh

Skoda

Slavia

from ₹11.15 Lakh

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•3m•

@sumitagrawal Go with salvia 1.5 Tsi, because they have active cylinder technology and 8speed Dsg , such a great car that price point under 15-20lac.good mileage as well.

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•4d

Hi Autocar, when is the Virtus facelift expected to be launched?

•1d

Volkswagen is expected to launch the Virtus facelift in the coming weeks. The update will be a mid-cycle refresh, so expect revised bumpers, new alloy wheels, updated lighting elements and some tweaks to the interior, including an updated touchscreen and a revised digital instrument cluster. The engines of Virtus are expected to remain unchanged, with the 1.0 TSI and 1.5 TSI continuing as before. However, the 1.0 TSI will be offered with a new 8-speed automatic gearbox in place of the earlier 6-speed automatic unit. The changes will mirror Skoda's update of the Slavia and you can read Slavia facelift review. If you are considering the Virtus, it is worth waiting a bit longer for the updated car.

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Volkswagen Virtus facelift

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•2d

Two days back, you guys had suggested me Kylaq Sportline AT. I was checking Slavia Classic+ AT and it is almost the same price. It has all the basic features that I need including infotainment and rear view camera that I can get installed either from outside or from the showroom itself. Is it a good idea?

•2d

Yes, the Skoda Slavia Classic+ AT is a very sensible alternative to the Kylaq Sportline AT. The Slavia offers a more spacious rear seat and a larger boot, making it a better choice if rear passenger comfort and practicality are priorities. The Kylaq, on the other hand, offers a higher driving position which some buyers prefer.What we aren't entirely comfortable with is an aftermarket infotainment system and rear view camera. While these feature add ons will enhance your experience with the car, improper fitment can be very frustrating. Further, aftermarket installations might void your warranty too. It's best to discuss terms with your dealer and opt for dealer fit accessories.

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•3h

I am planning to buy a hybrid car within 25 lakh for 80-100 km daily running mostly within the city. I am considering the Renault Duster Strong Hybrid, but I am not a big fan of its looks, and the rear seat space is not enough. I just want to know when is the Kia Seltos hybrid, Duster 7-seater and Bigster launching so that I can plan accordingly.

•1h

With your daily city running of 80 to 100km, waiting for the Kia Seltos strong hybrid is worth considering if you can postpone your purchase until 2027. Since the Duster's design and rear seat space don't appeal to you, there's little point spending nearly Rs 20 lakh on a car you're already unsure about.The Seltos hybrid was showcased at the Paris Motor Show in October 2026, and an India launch is expected in 2027. Kia hasn't announced an exact launch date, battery capacity, India specific specifications or pricing yet, so these remain unknown.The seven seater based on the Duster, expected to draw on the Bigster, is anticipated to launch early next year. However, its powertrain line up and hybrid availability haven't been confirmed.

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•1w

Hi Autocar Team, I am planning to buy a seven-seater car. I have test-driven the Renault Triber Turbo and Citroen Aircross X and was impressed by what both offer at their price points. However, the Aircross put a wide smile on my face. As a current Maruti Suzuki user, I did not consider the Ertiga because it feels similar to our Swift. I liked the Aircross X but am sceptical about Citroen's service network and spare parts availability. However, there are three Citroen showrooms within 45 km of my place. Please suggest which car I should choose. My budget: Rs. 15 lakh Current vehicle: Second-generation Maruti Suzuki Swift petrol (2017) Annual usage: Around 10,000 km, with a 50:30:20 split between town, highway and city driving Requirement: A seven-seater car

•6d

The Citroen's interiors feel more special, its engine is more powerful, and its ride-handling balance is outstanding; however, for seven adults, it won't be as comfortable as the Triber.In fact, the Triber's superb packaging makes it genuinely comfortable for passengers in all three rows, despite its compact sub-4-meter dimensions. The new turbo-petrol engine makes it an effortless performer, and its ride quality feels very mature too. Moreover, the Triber Turbo is also much more affordable in comparison, making it outstanding value for money. Yes, the Aircross X will appeal to your heart, but given Citroen's limited service network and cramped third row, the Triber Turbo is the more sensible choice.

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•4d

Please advise which car would be the best choice for long-term ownership: the Mahindra Scorpio, Tata Safari, Tata Harrier, Jeep Compass, Volkswagen SUV, or any other suitable option. My priority is reliability, long-term durability, and hassle-free ownership over the next 10 years or more. I would appreciate suggestions based on real-world ownership experience, maintenance costs, spare parts availability, and after-sales support.

•3d

For long-term ownership, the Mahindra Scorpio N is the safest recommendation from your shortlist. It has a proven track record, robust mechanicals and a strong service network, making it a dependable choice for 5-10 years of ownership. The Tata Harrier and Tata Safari have improved significantly, but the Scorpio N still has the edge on long-term reliability and ownership confidence. The Jeep Compass is a good product, but it is now an ageing model and does not offer the same value proposition as the Scorpio N. If you are open to alternatives, the Mahindra XUV 7XO is worth considering. It is a more modern product with a better balance of comfort, features and refinement, and it is a strong long-term ownership proposition as well. The Volkswagen Taigun and Skoda Kushaq are excellent driver's cars, but they are smaller and do not offer the same level of space or road presence as the Scorpio N or XUV 7XO.

I am planning to buy my first car. I want to have a 7-seater and need it for long term ownership. I liked the Citroen Aircross X design for 5+2. I am planning to choose a car with automatic transmission. I have couple of major concerns for which I would like your advice. First one is Mileage, I heard Aircross has a mileage issue and its real-world city mileage is 8 kpl while on highway it is 14 kpl. Is it the same for X version also? Second advice is for its service network. I have heard from the people that its service is slow. Regular servicing also takes around 2 days of time. I have a service center within 10 km from my home. My budget is Rs. 20 Lakh and I need an automatic transmission with rear and front parking camera or 360-degree camera since I am a new driver. Are there any 7-seater alternatives within this budget?

•3d

The Citroen Aircross X is a good-looking car, now with a premium interior. It is the only SUV in its category which offers a 5+2 seating configuration, and even though the third row is not particularly spacious, it works for occasional use. The real-world fuel efficiency figures as per our tests are 9.5kpl and 13.62kpl in city and highway conditions, respectively, which is quite decent given the strong and smooth performance this 1.2-turbo-petrol-AT delivers. What's more is that ride comfort is outstanding, perhaps the best among all midsize SUVs. So as far as comfort and practicality goes, the Aircross X is a good car.Citroen's service centre network is limited, but since you have a touchpoint close to your home, your vehicle's regular servicing and maintenance is likely to be taken care of smoothly. If you love the Aircross X for what it is, go for it - as far as value goes, it is an outstanding proposition. If you're looking for proper seven-seater alternatives, we'd strongly recommend the Kia Carens Clavis HTK+ turbo-petrol automatic version. All three rows are properly spacious, well-suited for adults. This variant will be within your Rs 20 lakh on-road budget, and it has front and rear parking sensors, as well as rear-view camera to make parking easy for you. Sure, it isn't an SUV, but it is a very sensible car, if you need a proper seven-seater.

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