Autocar India
39w

Which is the best car in terms of safety, reliability, driveability, and fuel efficiency? The options I am considering are the Thar, Taigun, and Kushaq. Also, is it okay to go for a diesel car?

Verified
38w

The Mahindra Thar is a bit of an outlier among these three options. It’s the only 3-door model, the only one built on a tough body-on-frame chassis, and the only one that comes with a diesel engine. Going for a diesel SUV is absolutely fine, in fact, the lack of diesel options in the Taigun and Kushaq petrol variants can be a disadvantage if you value fuel efficiency and torque for highway or off-road driving.

If the Thar is going to be your second or third car that will be used occasionally for off-road trips or wilderness drives, then it’s a compelling choice, and the 1.5-litre diesel is significantly cheaper too.

However, in terms of refinement, comfort, driveability, and on-road sophistication, the Volkswagen Taigun and Skoda Kushaq are far superior. They are smoother, more comfortable, and easier to drive daily, making them better all-rounders for city and highway use.

Volkswagen Taigun

Volkswagen Taigun

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1d

I am a retired person, and my daily city driving is around 15-20 km in heavy traffic, with occasional highway trips. My current car is a 2010 Honda Jazz. I am looking for a reliable and safe automatic car with a budget of around Rs. 25 lakh. I am open to a hybrid automatic, electric, or petrol automatic. Which option would you recommend?

Verified
1d

Given your limited usage, the initial premium a hybrid or an electric car command over a petrol-automatic can't be justified, despite the significant difference in running costs. Hence, we'd advise you to consider a petrol-automatic car instead. For the money, you can consider a VW Taigun 1.0 TSI 8AT or a Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI 8AT. Both these are smooth and compact in size, and will feel rather easy to drive in urban conditions. Also, both are solid, and you will feel confident driving on your occasional highway drives. In case you want a car that's larger and more modern, the Kia Seltos 1.5 IVT is an excellent option.However, if you're still keen to keep the running costs to a bare minimum, and if you have a provision for home charging, then consider the upcoming Kia Syros EV (expected to launch in the coming weeks). This Kia car is compact in size, yet it is surprisingly spacious, and with adjustable rear seats, the Syros will feel like a natural progression from your outgoing Honda Jazz. The electric powertrain is likely to be shared with the Clavis EV, which means it will be smooth and very efficient too. Sure, the Syros EV's looks might not be universally appealing; however, we'd strongly recommend that you drive it once - it is likely to be an ideal Jazz replacement for you.

VehicleVolkswagen Taigun
VehicleSkoda Kushaq
VehicleKia Seltos
VehicleKia Syros EV
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12h

Hi team, I am considering buying the Maruti Suzuki Jimny because of its compact dimensions, good looks, and SUV feel, mainly for city driving and short road trips. However, I am concerned about its low sales and resale value. The Mahindra Thar Roxx seems too large for city use, while the Mahindra Thar feels cramped in the second row. Please suggest whether I should consider buying the Jimny. Is a facelift expected soon? Should I wait for the 4x2 variant if it is going to be launched?

Verified
3h

The Jimny is a genuinely likeable car with its compact dimensions, rugged looks and proper SUV feel, and it is well suited to city use and small road trips. However, your concerns about low sales and resale value are valid. The Jimny has not found a large audience, and that does have an impact on long-term ownership confidence. The Thar Roxx is indeed much larger and less city-friendly, while the standard Thar remains cramped in the second row, so neither is an ideal alternative for your usage.As for a facelift, there is no confirmed timeline for a major update, and waiting for a 4x2 variant is not advisable unless you are specifically looking for a more affordable, less capable version. The Jimny’s appeal lies in its 4x4 capability, and a 4x2 version would dilute much of what makes it special.If you love the Jimny for what it is, you can still go ahead and buy it, but do so with the understanding that resale value may not be its strongest suit. If that is a major concern, you may want to consider more mainstream alternatives like the Brezza or the Kylaq, which offer better ownership confidence without the same level of off-road character.

VehicleMaruti Suzuki Jimny
VehicleMahindra Thar
VehicleMahindra Thar Roxx
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Brezza
VehicleSkoda Kylaq

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Posted on: 22 Oct 2025