•1d

I am planning to buy an SUV and prefer the German twins Škoda and Volkswagen. Which one is better? Also, how significant is the DSG issue in bumper-to-bumper traffic in the NCR region? This will be my fourth car, so I want to try a German brand.

•11m

Between the German twins, the choice largely comes down to personal preference, as they share the same engines, gearboxes and underpinnings. We slightly prefer the Kushaq for its cleaner design, excellent ride and handling balance and overall value proposition.

As for the DSG, it isn't as big a concern as it once was. The current DSGs are far more robust than the earlier units, but if your driving is predominantly in bumper-to-bumper NCR traffic, a torque-converter automatic is still the smoother and more relaxed option over the long term. If you want to stay with a German SUV but avoid the DSG altogether, the 1.0 TSI automatic in the Kushaq and Taigun now comes with an 8-speed Aisin torque-converter, which is smooth, refined and better suited to heavy city traffic.

Coming from the S-Cross Petrol, you'll notice a significant step up in performance, cabin quality, safety and driving dynamics with either car.

Explore cars mentioned

Skoda

Kushaq

from ₹12.62 Lakh

Volkswagen

Taigun

from ₹12.98 Lakh

Was this helpful? Ask a follow-up

Compare suggested cars

Skoda

Kushaq

from ₹12.62 lakhs

Volkswagen

Taigun

from ₹12.98 lakhs

Compare Now

Skoda

Kushaq

from ₹12.62 lakhs

Hyundai

Creta

from ₹12.88 lakhs

Compare Now

Skoda

Kushaq

from ₹12.62 lakhs

Kia

Seltos

from ₹12.98 lakhs

Compare Now

Skoda

Kushaq

from ₹12.62 lakhs

Hector

from ₹14.15 lakhs

Compare Now

Volkswagen

Taigun

from ₹12.98 lakhs

Hyundai

Creta

from ₹12.88 lakhs

Compare Now

More questions on similar cars

•1d

I want to upgrade my car from the Tata Tiago to an SUV. I will 90% of the time run in the city and most of the time in moderate traffic. My budget is 15 lakhs, and I want to go for an automatic car. I was considering the new Skoda Kushaq Classic Plus AT, Honda Elevate VT and Kia Seltos HTE Opt iVT. My preference is safety, comfortable, and decent mileage petrol car. Could you please suggest which one suits my requirements best?

•1h

Go for the Kia Seltos IVT. With 90% city use, its smooth, automatic and light controls make it easy to drive, and the NA 1.5 petrol delivers better city mileage than the Kushaq turbo and the Elevate. It also rides well over bad patches, and the high seating gives great visibility for traffic and speed breakers. It also has a 5-star safety rating and a lot of standard safety features.The Skoda Kushaq automatic is the fun one, and crash safety is top tier, but its turbo automatic tends to drink more in stop-and-go, and the cabin is a bit tighter.One thing to watch: these automatics can creep over Rs. 15 lakh on-road, depending on your city, so check local pricing.

Hi. I am planning to purchase an automatic car under Rs 15 lakh. My driving is split equally between traffic and normal roads. The options I'm considering are: Mahindra XUV 3XO REVX A TC, Hyundai Venue HX6 DCT, Skoda Kushaq Classic Plus TC, and Kia Sonet HTX DCT. Please suggest the best option for me.

•14h

Pick the Skoda Kushaq Classic Plus automatic. Your driving mix of traffic and open roads suits its 6-speed torque converter very well. It creeps smoothly in jams and never overheats, and the 1.0 turbo petrol is punchy for quick passes. It also feels more surefooted at speed than the others here, which makes longer runs less tiring, and it’s among the safest in this lot thanks to its 5-star crash safety rating. It's also the only one here that's not a compact SUV (sub-4 metre).The Hyundai Venue and Kia Sonet are tempting for the features they offer, but their DCTs aren't as smooth. The XUV 3XO with the torque converter is also a good fit and roomier, but the Kushaq still feels nicer to drive overall.Be aware that the Skoda’s cabin and feature list in Classic Plus isn't on par with the Koreans, and Skoda’s service reach is smaller. If you value a calm, durable auto for daily congestion and a confident feel on weekend runs, the Kushaq Classic Plus AT is the one to buy under Rs. 15 lakh.

I own a Verna 1.6 petrol manual 2012 due for a phase-out in May 2027. Need to buy a DCT petrol for very limited use, as I am retired. But it should be good for hill driving as well. Not underpowered. The budget is around 20 lakh.

•1d

Pick the Skoda Kushaq 1.5 TSI with the dual-clutch automatic gearbox. It suits hill driving thanks to the strong mid-range pull, so hairpin bends and steep climbs feel easy. It is compact, light and has useful ground clearance, which helps on broken hill roads and tight village lanes. Coming from a Verna 1.6, this will not feel weak at all; in fact, it will feel like a proper upgrade.For your limited use, this turbo-petrol and DCT automatic keeps life easy, and the 1.5’s efficiency on gentle cruises is decent if you ever do longer trips. Lower variants with this engine-gearbox sit close to your budget. One thing to be aware of, the dual-clutch auto can feel a bit jerky and may get hot in very slow, stop-and-go hill traffic.

Skoda Kushaq

View all Posts

Expert reviews worth reading

Popular discussions right now

•1w

Hi, I have a budget of Rs. 40 lakh and am confused between the Skoda Kodiaq Lounge, the Toyota Innova Hycross ZX(O), and the Toyota Fortuner Petrol. I am 28 years old and want a car that is fun to drive but also comfortable for my family. My driving will be split 80:20 between on-road and off-road use.

•2d

Pick the Innova HyCross ZX(O). For a hard Rs. 40 lakh cap it fits cleanly, it is the most comfortable and spacious for family, and it is far easier to live with daily. The smooth hybrid makes city drives effortless and quiet, and on broken roads, it just takes the abuse without rattling everyone. Your 20 percent off-road sounds like rough trails rather than rock crawling, and the HyCross will handle that sort of bad-road stuff better than you expect. But, the Innova isn't particularly fun to drive.If you really crave driver fun, the Kodiaq is the one that puts a smile on your face. The 2-litre turbo petrol and AWD make it genuinely enjoyable on highways and hills and the cabin feels richer. Two catches, though. It likely stretches past Rs. 40 lakh on-road in most cities, and its third row is tighter, and you have to be a bit careful off the beaten path.The Fortuner petrol is the most capable off-road, but for 80 per cent on-road use, it feels heavy and bouncy, the steering is not friendly in town, and it guzzles fuel.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Toyota Fortuner

Skoda Kodiaq

•1w

I was planning to buy a Maruti Ignis, but it’s been discontinued. I prefer small cars for city driving and office commutes, but I also need something highway-capable for an occasional 900 km trip to my hometown. It will mostly carry three of us (my spouse, child, and me), but needs to fit five people when my parents join. With a 12-lakh budget, what are the best compact cars that balance city manoeuvrability, highway stability, and occasional 5-seater comfort?

•5d

Pick the Maruti Fronx turbo within your Rs. 12 lakh budget, because it stays easy to park in the city yet feels secure on a 900 km run with enough room for five. The 1.0 turbo has decent mid-range for quick overtakes, and the suspension is absorbent and yet keeps the car steady at highway speeds. If you are opting for the automatic, then the Fronx torque converter auto is a very smooth unit and will make life much easier in the city.If you want an even smaller, lighter car with lower running costs, go for the Maruti Swift. It is smooth in the city, easy on fuel, has a usable boot for three, and will cruise comfortably at 100. It can take five in a pinch, but it will feel tight on shoulder room and lack the highway punch of the turbo Fronx.

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Maruti Suzuki Swift

•4d

Hi, I'd like to buy a new 7/8-seater diesel car. I've looked at the Toyota Innova Crysta, Innova HyCross and the Mahindra XUV 7XO. I will mostly be using the car on highways, covering around 50,000km per year. I also want good resale value. Kindly suggest which car would be the best choice.

•1d

Buy the Toyota Innova Crysta diesel. For 50,000 km a year on highways, nothing in your list matches its long-distance durability, relaxed cruising and true 7/8-seat comfort. It also holds value better than almost anything else on our roads, and Toyota’s highway service reach makes life easy when you’re far from home.The honest catch is it isn’t the most modern inside and costs more than the Mahindra, but it pays you back in lower hassle and stronger resale. Innova HyCross doesn’t fit your brief because it’s petrol-hybrid, not diesel. It’s smooth and efficient in the city, but for heavy highway use, a diesel Crysta is cheaper to run.If you want a second option from your shortlist, look at the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel. It’s quick, packed with features and priced keenly. For resale, though, it still trails the Crysta, and the third row isn’t as adult-friendly on long trips.So, for a 7/8-seat diesel highway workhorse with the best resale, pick the Innova Crysta.

Toyota Innova Crysta

Toyota Innova HyCross

Mahindra XUV 7XO

View all Posts

Curated collections

Skoda SUVs

6 CARS