I own a 2013 Volkswagen Polo GT TSI, driven 80,000km and in excellent condition. I am 56 and will retire in 2029, settling in Nagpur. The car will mostly be used by the two of us for a 500km round-trip once every two months. Should I retain the Polo or buy a new SUV in the ₹15–18 lakh range?

Autocar India

•8w

If you enjoy driving your Polo and it is running well, there is no real reason to replace it right now.

Your 2013 Polo GT TSI uses a four-cylinder turbo petrol engine that is still smoother and more refined than many of today’s three-cylinder units, including those in cars like the Hyundai i20 N Line. With around 80,000km on the clock and good maintenance, it has plenty of life left and should easily serve you until your retirement in 2029 without major trouble.

There is also the value angle to consider. The Polo GT TSI still commands good resale today. If you sell it now, you will get a stronger price than you likely will in 2029. That money could go towards newer midsize SUVs such as the upcoming Skoda Kushaq or Volkswagen Taigun facelift, which offer similar performance along with clear gains in space, comfort and features.

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Anil

•8w

Tx a lot for valuable advise..Jai Hind

More questions on similar cars

Siontan Ghosh

•2d

I am planning to buy an SUV that is safe, has good driving dynamics, is comfortable, and economical in terms of maintenance. My driving will be 70% city and 30% highway, with a monthly running of less than 500 km. I am confused between the Honda Elevate, Skoda Kushaq, and Volkswagen Taigun. I am very interested in German cars but would like your suggestion.

Autocar India

•1d

With a majority of city use, short monthly running, clear focus on safety, driving dynamics and comfort, we will suggest the Volkswagen Taigun 1.0 TSI automatic or equivalent Skoda Kushaq. You will like it for three reasons. First, it feels sure-footed and is a pleasure to drive. Second, the 1.0 turbo petrol is smooth and quick enough for gaps in city traffic, and the automatic here is a regular torque-converter unit, which means gears changes are very smooth. It also handles slow, stop-start roads without fuss. Third, safety is strong - the Taigun and Kushaq have a 5-star crash test rating and are well equipped with safety features. A couple of trade-offs to note. The back seat is not very wide, so three adults will be snug. And the ride at very low speeds, can feel a bit firm over sharp bumps. Service costs are a bit higher than Honda car, but VW now offers long warranty and service packs that keep bills predictable, so do ask your dealer about it.

Skoda Kushaq

Volkswagen Taigun

Rengaraj K

•3d

I live in Bangalore, and my usage is around 800km in a month, 70% in the city and 30% on highways. I have shortlisted Toyota Hyryder Hybrid (eCVT), Taigun 1.5 DSG, and Seltos 1.5 DCT. Help me choose one. Currently, I own a Toyota Yaris CVT.

Autocar India

•2d

The Toyota Hyryder Hybrid is the better fit for you. It suits your pattern of 70% city use in Bengaluru traffic and about 800 km a month, and will feel familiar coming from your Yaris CVT.The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder does a lot of running on the battery at low speeds, so it pulls away smoothly and cleanly, and feels very quiet and refined to drive in the city. It will also use less fuel in the city than the two turbo-petrol options you've listed, and you are already familiar with Toyota's reputed after-sales service. As per Toyota, its fuel efficiency is 29.97kpl.Trade-offs to note are that it doesn't have the outright performance, such as the Taigun or Seltos, and the boot is smaller than the other two, thanks to the hybrid battery.

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Volkswagen Taigun

Kia Seltos

Rengaraj K

•3d

I live in Bangalore, and my usage is around 800 km per month, with 70% in the city and 30% on highways. I have shortlisted the Toyota Hyryder Hybrid (eCVT), Volkswagen Taigun 1.5 DSG, and Kia Seltos 1.5 DCT. Please help me choose one. I currently own a Toyota Yaris CVT.

Autocar India

•2d

You are doing mostly city driving in Bangalore with some highway use, and you are already used to a smooth CVT experience. The Toyota Hyryder hybrid fits this perfectly. It is extremely smooth, quiet and effortless in traffic, often running on electric power at low speeds, which makes it far more efficient in city conditions. It also offers a relaxed driving experience on highways with consistent efficiency. This makes it the most comfortable and least stressful option for daily use.Now, comparing your other choices. The Volkswagen Taigun 1.5 DSG is easily the most fun to drive. It is quick, engaging and feels very stable at high speeds. But in city traffic, the DSG is not as smooth as a CVT, and achieving good fuel efficiency in the city will be difficult. It is better suited as an enthusiast’s car rather than a daily comfort-focused option.The Kia Seltos 1.5 turbo DCT sits somewhere in between. It is more refined than the Taigun and feels more premium inside, but the DCT still behaves like a performance-oriented gearbox. In stop-go traffic, it is not as seamless as a hybrid or CVT, and fuel efficiency will be noticeably lower than the Hyryder.

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Volkswagen Taigun

Kia Seltos

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