I have a Skoda Yeti 2017, last batch with 130k on the odometer. It is my daily driving car. My running is 80 km a day on the highways. For the past few days, I’ve been having an itch to upgrade to a diesel automatic, but I couldn’t find a proper replacement for the Yeti under ₹35 lakh. The question is, should I retain the Yeti for a few more years or replace it soon?

Autocar India

•4d

The Skoda Yeti was a unique and very special SUV, and there's nothing quite like it on the market anymore. In fact, the entire Rs 30-40 lakh space is virtually empty at the moment, with only a few electric cars filling it, and diesel options on the whole are becoming fewer by the day.

You should definitely retain the Yeti for as long as you can, but with the knowledge that it will become more difficult and expensive to maintain with each passing year. 130,000km is a lot of mileage, and the model has long been discontinued globally, after all.

Your best bet in that price range that will give you something close to that tough, adventurous feel the Yeti was so good at delivering is the Jeep Meridian. Like the Yeti, it feels solid yet luxurious, has a strong diesel engine and comes with the option of 4x4; the advantage here is that it gets an automatic option as well.

Explore cars mentioned

Jeep

Meridian

from ₹27.69 Lakh

Was this helpful? Ask a follow-up

Got a suggestion for Sathyan?

Add a Comment

Latest questions people are discussing

BJP

•1d

I currently own a Renault Duster and have been driving it since 2016. As I am planning to upgrade, I am looking for an automatic petrol SUV with an on-road budget of around ₹30 lakh. I live in Pune, and my daily commute is about 40 km (home-office-home). Around 60% of this drive is on the highway, although traffic in the evenings is usually slow.I would prefer an SUV with good boot space, strong ground clearance, good safety, and modern features. Could you please suggest which car would be the best option for my requirements?

Autocar India

•17h

At this budget, your best bet is the Mahindra XUV 7XO. It's spacious, comfortable and loaded with features, and will feel like a worthy upgrade to your Renault Duster. Your daily usage isn't that much, but since a large chunk of it is on the highway, you'll appreciate the XUV 7XO's stability, ground clearance and good ride quality. And as safety is a priority, you'll be happy to know it comes with a long list of standard safety kit, and has been given a 5-star crash test rating by Bharat NCAP. Whether you choose the petrol or the diesel is really a matter of preference, given your limited usage, and both come with smooth automatic gearboxes to help make your commute a little less tiresome.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Sant

•2d

I am looking to buy a new car, preferably an SUV with an automatic gearbox. My previous car was the Hyundai Elite i20, and now I am looking for something more comfortable, premium, and reliable. My budget is around ₹22 lakh, and my usage will be less than 1,000 km per month, mostly city driving with occasional long trips. I have already booked the Tata Sierra, but I am now having second thoughts due to the long waiting period and concerns about Tata’s service and reliability. I am open to other brands as well, but would prefer petrol or hybrid engine options. What would you recommend?

Autocar India

•20h

With your running of less than 1,000 km a month, going for a strong hybrid may not really make sense. Hybrids typically justify their higher price only when the running is higher, and you are able to recover the extra cost through fuel savings.In your case, we would suggest considering the Hyundai Creta turbo-petrol with the 7-speed DCT automatic. Since your previous car was the Hyundai i20, you are already familiar with the Hyundai brand and its ownership experience. The Creta’s 1.5-litre turbo petrol paired with the DCT offers strong performance and smooth shifting, making it both enjoyable on the highway and easy to drive in the city.Another strong option to consider is the Kia Seltos turbo-petrol with the 7-speed DCT. The Seltos is the newer car, slightly bigger and more spacious than the Creta, yet priced very similarly. It uses the same 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine paired with a DCT gearbox that delivers quick and smooth shifts.

Hyundai Creta

Kia New Seltos

Rachna Hans

•2d

I have been driving a Hyundai Santro (AMT) for the last six years, and now I am planning to upgrade with a budget of ₹12-13 lakh. My current car has done only 15,000 km in six years, so my usage is relatively low. In my next car, I am looking for features like a reverse camera, Android Auto, and voice commands to make driving easier. I am interested in the Kia Seltos, Kia Sonet, and Tata Nexon, but I am open to other suggestions as well. Which car would you recommend?

Autocar India

•20h

The Hyundai Venue will feel like a big upgrade from your Hyundai Santro AMT. The turbo petrol engine paired with the DCT gearbox offers strong performance and smooth shifts, which makes driving in the city effortless. It also gets features like a reverse camera, Android Auto connectivity and voice commands that you are specifically looking for. Overall, it will be a noticeable step up in terms of power, features, space and overall comfort.Among the other cars you mentioned, the Kia Sonet is also a good option. However, the Venue is the newer car and is more spacious. Also, a replacement for the Sonet is expected next year, which means it may feel dated sooner. The Tata Nexon petrol is another option that offers good space and a comfortable ride, but the Venue feels more refined and easier to drive and is the newer car as well. As for the Kia Seltos, it is a good SUV, but it belongs to a higher segment and will stretch well beyond your ₹12-13 lakh budget in comparable variants.

Hyundai Venue

Kia New Seltos

Tata Nexon

View all Posts