Bharuch

•2d

I'm confused between the Skoda Kushaq, Kia Seltos and Honda Elevate. I have a budget of Rs 21 lakh ex-showroom. I am hesitant about the Kushaq because the general opinion online is that German cars are expensive to maintain and lose resale value rapidly. It also does not have a factory-fitted 360-degree camera and lacks ADAS features. The Seltos has pretty much everything, but I have observed poor build quality in Kia cars in the past. The Elevate seems like a very attractive car from all angles, but the lack of a 360-degree camera and poor reviews of its ADAS have left me undecided. I am not sure if I need to worry about these features while buying a car, given that my wife and I are both new drivers. She has just learnt, while I have been driving since 2012 but have not driven much and lack experience. Our commute is primarily in the city in Bengaluru, mostly on weekends, with a 70:30 city-highway split. I am planning to keep the car for 10-15 years for a family of four. I have previously driven an 800 (manual), Brio (manual) and Kwid (AMT), and I love the Brio's driving quality.

•3m

Go for the Honda Elevate CVT, as it is the most sensible choice. The naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with the CVT is smooth, reliable and easy to drive, which is exactly what you need as relatively new drivers. Honda’s reputation for long-term reliability and low maintenance costs also aligns perfectly with your needs, and you liked the Brio that you drove, so this feels like a logical upgrade.

The Skoda Kushaq is a great driver’s car, but your concerns about higher maintenance costs and resale value are not entirely unfounded. Its turbocharged engines do require a bit of a learning curve to drive smoothly and efficiently compared to the naturally aspirated petrol engines of the others. The Kia Seltos is feature-rich, and while build quality issues aren't really an issue, what might be is its size, which could be a bit too large for urban Bengaluru use, considering you are both new drivers.

The Honda car mentioned above may not have a 360-degree camera, but that is not a deal-breaker. The most important thing is that the Elevate offers a stress-free ownership experience, which is far more valuable over 10-15 years than a few extra features. The Elevate is also a comfortable family car with a spacious cabin and good ride quality, which makes it well-suited for a family of four and will be easy to drive for relative novices.

Explore cars mentioned

Skoda

Kushaq

from ₹11.98 Lakh

Honda

Elevate

from ₹13.23 Lakh

Kia

Seltos

from ₹12.32 Lakh

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•2d

I currently own a 2015 Swift Dzire diesel and want to replace it with a car that is powerful, reliable, comfortable for long trips, fuel-efficient, easy on the pocket, safe, and practical for a family of two adults and two kids. My budget is Rs. 12-13 lakh. I am considering the Tata Nexon, Skoda Kylaq, Maruti Suzuki Brezza, and Kushaq Classic variant. Please suggest which car and variant I should choose. My annual running is around 10,000-12,000 km.

•12h

Given your requirements, the Skoda Kushaq Classic 1.0 TSI is the best fit. This Skoda car offers a strong turbo petrol engine that feels genuinely powerful on highways, a comfortable ride and a well-built cabin. The 1.0 TSI is a proven engine, and your annual running of 10-12,000 km makes petrol the right choice. The Kushaq also gets an updated air-con, which is more suited to our climate conditions than the Kylaq's. We think it strikes the best balance between power, reliability, comfort and long-term ownership satisfaction.

Skoda Kushaq

•21h

I have been using a Grand i10 manual for the last eight years and am now planning to get a new vehicle for my wife, who will be a new driver. Her monthly commute will be around 700km, with 500km on the highway and the remaining distance in stop-and-go traffic. The vehicle will also be used for long trips, mostly on the plains. My priorities are comfort and space for a family of five, a peppy engine, reliability for 10-12 years, and pocket-friendly maintenance costs; last is mileage. I don't like Tata or Mahindra cars. My budget is Rs 15-17 lakh. I am considering the Honda Elevate and Sonet diesel. Please feel free to suggest any other cars.

•38m

Go for the Honda Elevate petrol CVT. It is the best fit for your requirements. The Elevate’s CVT automatic is smooth and convenient, making driving in city traffic far less stressful. It is also a reliable, fuss-free car that will comfortably last 10-12 years with Honda’s strong service network and low maintenance costs. The cabin is spacious enough for a family of five, and the ride is comfortable on long highway trips. The petrol engine is refined and peppy enough for your usage, and you avoid the long-term concerns around diesel ownership as emission norms tighten.The Kia Sonet diesel is a good car, but it is smaller than the Elevate, and the diesel automatic doesn't make sense given your usage. The Honda car mentioned above is the more sensible, long-term choice.

Honda Elevate

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•1w

Is the Creta going to get a facelift or a new-generation update? If so, will the new Creta be available with a strong-hybrid powertrain or a regular petrol engine? Will the new Creta be similar to the new Seltos in terms of design and features?

•13h

Yes, the Hyundai Creta is due for a full generation change in 2027, not just a facelift. The current Creta is still a strong product, but Hyundai is already working on the next-generation model, which is expected to be a ground-up redesign. It will continue with petrol and diesel engines, as well as an EV, and while a hybrid version is on the cards, whether it will arrive at launch or at a later stage is yet to be seen. Hyundai (and Kia) are reportedly working hard to localise components of the hybrid powertrain so that it can be launched at a competitive price in the new Creta and Seltos. The new Creta will remain a separate product from the Seltos, with its own design and interior, although the new Creta will move to the new-gen K3 platform introduced with the new Seltos this year.

Hyundai Creta

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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?

•3d

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.

Kia Seltos

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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.

•3d

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.

I currently drive a Grand i10 Manual petrol and am now planning to buy a new compact SUV that is comfortable, fuel efficient and has low maintenance. My usage is 35km of daily office commute in Delhi-NCR traffic. Please advice which option is best fit amongst Hyundai Venue HX 6T, SONET HTK+O and XUV 3XO.

•20h

Go for the Hyundai Venue. With your daily 35km commute in Delhi NCR traffic, comfort and low maintenance are key, and the Venue delivers on both. The 1.2 NA petrol is smooth, refined and easy to drive in stop-start conditions, while Hyundai’s service network and ownership experience are among the best in the segment. The HX6T variant also gives you a good balance of features without pushing the budget too far.The Sonet HTK+O is mechanically very similar, but the Venue is a newer model and offers a more spacious cabin. The XUV 3XO is also a good option, but its turbo petrol engine won't be as efficient as the Hyundai’s.Overall, the Venue is the most sensible upgrade from your Grand i10 for daily city use.

Hyundai Venue

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