I am planning to buy a new car with an automatic transmission in Kolkata. My budget is within 17-18 lakhs. I have shortlisted the new Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI facelift and the Hyundai CRETA IVT. Please suggest or advise which car I should go with. Or is there any other car do you suggest me?

Autocar India

•1d

We would pick the Volkswagen Virtus GT now and keep it for a while because you already prefer the sedan feel and, over the next 5-6 years, cars like this are likely to become fewer while taller cars will only get more common. The 1.5 turbo with the DSG, which is a quick-shifting automatic, gives the Virtus a lively, smooth feel that makes daily drives and highway runs special. Also, if you truly enjoy sitting low and feeling connected to the road, the Virtus delivers that better than the Skoda Kushaq, so you’ll smile more every day you own it. And looking ahead, SUVs and hybrids will grow fast, but sporty petrol sedans will likely shrink in choice, not vanish overnight. So it makes sense to buy the one you really want now; the “practical” taller car will be easy to find later if your needs change. Moreover, the Virtus has plenty of ground clearance, especially for a sedan, so that should not be a worry either. Do bear in mind, though, that both the Virtus and its sister model, the Skoda Slavia, will be updated later this year, so if you can wait for just a few months, we would recommend doing so.

Volkswagen Virtus

Skoda Kushaq

Autocar India

•1d

Yes, in good condition and well maintained, an old Creta petrol with a 6-speed torque converter and 30,000km on the clock is not a bad idea, at a good price. However, just bear in mind that the old 1.4 and 1.6 naturally aspirated petrol engines will have nowhere near as much pep as your Octavia TSI. As for BS4, while there have been some restrictions in the Delhi-NCR area regarding older vehicles, thus far, there haven't been too many in other states, and assuming the car you are looking at is 6-7 years old, it should definitely have some good years left in it for use in Bengaluru. That said, however, on a budget of Rs 12 lakh, there could possibly be newer, BS6 options you can look at, like a Maruti Suzuki Brezza, XL6 or, for a small stretch, a Grand Vitara. The 1.5 petrol in these isn't very powerful, but it does come with a torque-converter automatic. Alternatively, you could go down the diesel route, in which case a newer Hyundai Creta or Kia Seltos with a torque-converter auto also come into the picture, though then the associated shortcomings of a diesel come with it. The Creta is a good idea, but consider moving up to a BS6 model just to avoid potential future restrictions.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Maruti Suzuki XL6

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Hyundai Creta

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

•2d

Yes, that is a very good choice for your usage. With mostly city driving, the Hyundai Creta S Optional petrol manual makes a lot of sense because the naturally aspirated petrol engine is smooth, refined and very easy to drive in traffic, while the clutch is light and power delivery is predictable, which makes everyday commuting far less tiring. Even for occasional highway runs, it has enough performance to feel comfortable without ever feeling strained.If you want to look at one alternative, the Kia Seltos petrol manual is worth considering as well. It uses the same engine, so the overall driving experience will feel very similar, but the Seltos is the newer product and even its lower variants are well equipped. It also feels slightly larger and a touch more comfortable inside.

Hyundai Creta

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

•4d

You’re after a no-drama, long-term family car that is easy to drive, comfortable and roomy. For that brief, the Honda Elevate VX CVT is a good fit. The VX CVT is the sweet spot because the automatic keeps the engine smooth in traffic, and the VX trim gets the useful features without pushing the price too high.Why it fits your list: Honda’s simple 1.5 petrol has a long, clean track record, so it suits your “no issues for 10+ years” aim. The driving position is high, the steering is light, and the CVT makes stop-go city work very easy. Space is good for four adults, the seats are supportive, and the suspension deals with broken roads well, so daily comfort is strong.Trade-offs to note: it is not the quickest for fast highway passes, and rivals offer more flashy features. If you expect a lot of high-speed use with a full load, you may want more punch.Regarding waiting for a facelift, while it may launch this year, there is no confirmed date or list of changes. An update usually brings small styling tweaks and a few extra features, and prices can go up too. The basics you care about are space, ease of driving, Honda’s engine and service and these are unlikely to change much.If you do want to look around, pick the Kia Seltos IVT for more features and a more modern cabin. Overall, for your needs, the Elevate VX CVT lines up best right now.

Honda Elevate

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

•5d

Going by your shortlist, you want a bigger family car on a tight budget and are looking at base trims. If you need the car in the next couple of months for mostly city use with some weekend trips, pick the Kia Seltos HTE (O) IVT. It is well equipped and, compared to the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, gives you more back-seat space and boot room.The Brezza update will be relatively minor, though we expect the 1.5 NA engine to make way for the 1.0 turbo-petrol from the Fronx. Waiting for it only makes sense if you mainly drive in tight city areas and want an easier-to-park car.Overall, for a near-term purchase and everyday comfort, the Seltos lines up best with what you’re considering.

Kia Seltos

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Autocar India

•5d

You need a car for pure highway use and want the longest stretch between stops; in that case, we would lean towards the Mahindra XEV 9S 79kWh for its better real-world highway range. In our real-world testing, we managed 477 km on the highway, which suits your “pure highway” pattern. We have also tested the AWD Harrier EV, which managed 401 km (combined). While the RWD version should better that, it will likely still fall short of the XEV 9S’s range.One thing to note: the Mahindra’s ride can feel a bit floaty on undulating highway surfaces, so try it out before you commit. If that is an issue, the XEV 9e has a more settled ride.Overall, for highway-first use and maximum range, the XEV 9S 79kWh is the safer bet.

Mahindra XEV 9S

Tata Harrier EV