Autocar India
•23h

I am planning to upgrade my 2021 Creta manual diesel with a more driver enthusiastic car that offers the best handling. This will be my daily commute car in smooth traffic run of around 50 km per day. I already own 2 EV cars as well as Innova Cysta for longer running. Can you suggest some possible sedans and SUV under Rs. 30 lakh?

Verified
•3m

Since driving dynamics are your priority, the updated Skoda Slavia would be a good option to consider. In its top-spec (Monte Carlo), the Slavia with the 150hp 1.5 TSI engine and 7-speed DCT gearbox would be a great choice as nothing in that segment matches the fun-to-drive nature of the Slavia. The engine has strong punch but is also refined to drive in the city. The gearbox is fast, responsive and genuinely fun and despite being a sedan, ground clearance is not an issue at all. The sedan style and suspension tune gives it fantastic handling manners. Another great thing about this car is its practicality thanks to a spacious cabin and a massive boot. Pair that with a good dose of equipment and the Slavia is easily the one for your needs. With the top-spec version around Rs. 24 lakh, it is also well within your budget. 

Skoda Slavia

Skoda Slavia

Explore cars mentioned

Was this helpful? Ask a follow-up

More posts on similar cars

•5d

Hello Autocar team! I recently booked a Honda City ZX+ CVT. After test-driving both the Honda City and the Volkswagen Virtus, I found the City more comfortable and premium, but I noticed engine noise under hard acceleration and tyre and road noise at highway speeds. Based on your long-term testing experience, which car is better for 8-10 years of ownership in terms of suspension durability, highway comfort, cabin insulation and reliability? Is the City genuinely better, or is the Virtus technically superior in some areas? Please give us an unbiased opinion.

Verified
•3h

You are spot on in your observation about the high engine noise during hard acceleration on the Honda City CVT. That is a function of its CVT gearbox and the notorious 'rubberband effect' in which the revs rise sharply without a correspondingly quick increase in road speed. The CVT gearbox does have its advantages, with a smoother drive experience in city and low-speed conditions, but it's not the exciting choice.The Volkswagen Virtus is the superior driving car, thanks to its turbocharged engines and torque converter automatic and dual-clutch automatic gearboxes, depending on the engine you opt for. The Virtus is due for an update in the weeks to come, which will see the move to an 8-speed torque converter automatic transmission for the 1.0 TSI engine. We've experienced the same engine and gearbox combination on the Skoda Slavia and found it to have uplifted the overall drive experience. In terms of cabin insulation, ride comfort, and even highway stability, the Virtus does feel superior to the Honda City. Fuel economy, however, is entirely dependent on your driving style. Drive with enthusiasm, and you'll see fuel economy dip quickly, which is something true for all turbo-petrol engines.While both the Honda City and Volkswagen Virtus are sound products, the City does have the more proven track record for reliability. That being said, there are no fundamental areas of concern on the Virtus. The upcoming update will also address the mediocre cooling, which has been a bugbear for the product since launch.To us, the Volkswagen Virtus is the car that will put a bigger smile on your face.

VehicleHonda City
VehicleVolkswagen Virtus
VehicleSkoda Slavia
•3d

Hey guys! We’ve been using a 2019 Kia Seltos 1.4 DCT and are now planning to change our car. I’m leaning towards a sedan, particularly the VW Virtus, mainly for its performance, driving comfort, and overall build quality. I’ve also driven the VW Vento 1.0 TSI before, so I’m familiar with the driving experience. However, the Virtus doesn’t quite feel like a significant upgrade from our current car, especially considering that the interiors feel a bit dated compared to what’s available today. I’ve also been looking at the Toyota Camry, which I think is a beautiful car and offers a more premium experience, but it’s a little too expensive for our budget. We drive around 15,000 km a year, with a mix of city driving and highway trips. I’m looking for a car that offers an engaging driving experience, good performance, comfortable long-distance cruising, and a premium feel. A sedan would be my first preference, but I’m open to an SUV if it makes more sense. What would you guys recommend? Are there any cars worth considering that would feel like a genuine upgrade from the Kia Seltos ?

Verified
•7h

Unfortunately, there are only few sedans to choose from. Aside from the Volkswagen Virtus that you're familiar with, there's the Skoda Slavia, Hyundai Verna, and Honda City. While all models are good in their own right, none of them would feel like a significant upgrade over your 2019 Kia Seltos 1.4 DCT. The Toyota Camry is a great product but would be too much of a stretch. With sedans out of the question, we'd shift our focus to SUVs. And the first model that comes to mind is the new Kia Sorento. It's significantly larger than the Seltos, offers the flexibility of a third row of seats and feels genuinely premium on the inside. Your kind of use makes the Sorento Hybrid worth a look. It's got more than adequate power, and you'll also get great fuel economy over your mix of city and highway drives. If your priority is more towards the highway experience, we's guide you towards the Sorento diesel. The diesel is strong and punchy and works really well with the dual-clutch gearbox. It makes for a refined highway cruiser that you'd happily spend long hours in. Of the other models, you could also consider the Mahindra XUV7XO petrol. Again, it's got the flexibility of three rows of seating, feels plush and packs in loads of features. The 200hp petrol engine is also very impressive. However, if you've been happy with the Kia experience, the Sorento would be our pick for you.

VehicleToyota Camry
VehicleVolkswagen Virtus
VehicleSkoda Slavia
VehicleHyundai Verna
VehicleHonda City
VehicleKia Sorento
VehicleMahindra XUV 7XO

Has E20 fuel affected your mileage?

Is ADAS worth paying extra for in a car?

Popular discussions right now

Upcoming launch buzz

Community discussions on upcoming launches

Want to sell your car?

Sell your car at the right price, without the stress.

Posted on: 30 Oct 2026