Bhatpara

•12w

I am currently driving a Polo 1.5 TDI, which has completed 10 years, and diesel vehicles older than 10 years are no longer allowed in Delhi-NCR. I am looking to buy a new car that is fun to drive and safe, and I am not keen on gimmicky features. Kindly suggest. I am also confused about ICE vehicles because of future fuel blending (ethanol/isobutanol). My on-road budget is capped at Rs 13 lakh.

•12w

The logical spiritual successor to the Volkswagen Polo for many owners has been the Skoda Kylaq, and we think it meets your needs as well. It retains that solidly built, fun-to-drive nature and also comes with a punchy 1.0-litre TSI turbo-petrol engine and has received a 5-star Bharat NCAP crash test rating. In your Rs 13 lakh budget, you'll get a mid-spec Signature+ variant, which gets you all the essentials and not too many gimmick features.

Another often-overlooked option is the Citroen Basalt X, which offers a similarly punchy engine, fun chassis and European solidity as the Skoda and Volkswagen, but is a size up and much more spacious. However, it also costs more, and in your budget, you'll get a lower variant with fewer features than the Kylaq.

If you want to skip fuel-blend questions entirely and your driving is mostly city, look at the Tata Punch EV. It’s quiet, quick off the line, and fits the budget. Just remember, highway trips need a bit of charging planning.

Explore cars mentioned

Skoda

Kylaq

from ₹8.24 Lakh

Citroen

Basalt

from ₹9.28 Lakh

Tata

Punch EV

from ₹10.13 Lakh

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Kylaq vs Basalt: Resale Value Expectations in This Segment

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•22h

I am new to driving and am looking for a sub-4-metre petrol SUV with a torque converter automatic gearbox. My budget is under Rs 10 lakh ex-showroom. I have shortlisted two options: Skoda Kylaq Classic+ automatic at Rs 9.25 lakh and Mahindra XUV 3XO MX2 Pro automatic at Rs 9.99 lakh. We are a family of five. My current usage is mostly in the city, but in the future it could become a 50:50 mix of city and highway driving. The Kylaq does not get an infotainment system, although the dealer is offering one for around Rs 30,000. Its rear seat is also narrower than the XUV 3XO's. The XUV 3XO does not get cruise control, LED lights or driver-seat adjustment. Both cars offer similar fuel efficiency. Which one would be the better choice for me?

•2h

Go for the XUV 3XO MX2 Pro automatic. As a new driver with a family of five, the Mahindra XUV 3XO is the more practical and comfortable choice. It has a wider rear seat, which makes a big difference for three passengers, and the cabin feels more spacious overall. The 1.2 turbo petrol engine paired with the 6-speed torque converter automatic is smooth and easy to drive, and the car feels stable and confident on the highway.The Skoda Kylaq is a good driver's car, but the narrower rear seat and the need to add an aftermarket infotainment system make it less appealing for family use. The missing features on the 3XO, like cruise control and LED lights, are not deal-breakers at this price point. Overall, the Mahindra car offers a better balance of space, comfort and value for a family of five.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Skoda Kylaq

•23h

Cross-shopped the Kylaq and the Basalt this month. Resale value expectations in this segment are honestly still a guessing game for both.

•2d

I currently use a second-hand, 13.5-year-old Hyundai Verna 1.6 diesel for my daily office commute of around 30-35 km. My annual running is less than 9,000km, but as the car is getting old, I will need to replace it soon. I am looking for a reliable, economical and fun-to-drive car for my daily mix of city and highway driving. A few months ago, I drove a third-generation Swift manual and really liked its nimble handling, slick controls and free-revving engine. However, I am a little concerned about the new Swift's 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine, although I have not driven it yet. How do the Fronx and Baleno compare with the Swift? I prefer the Fronx over the Baleno purely because of its looks. I am not planning to buy immediately and can wait for a few months if there are suitable new launches coming. Rear-seat space and long-distance comfort are not priorities, as I already have a Tata Curvv diesel for family use and highway trips. I would prefer a compact car for city driving. I enjoy driving a manual, as my commute does not involve much bumper-to-bumper traffic, although I would still prefer a light clutch and slick gear shifts. As I am early in my career, I plan to keep this car for a long time, so I would also like it to be suitable for future ethanol blends beyond E20. Would it also make sense to consider the Tiago EV or Punch EV? My concerns are their higher upfront cost, which may be difficult to justify given my low annual running, and long-term reliability. I also already own a Tata car. My initial budget was Rs 8 lakh, but stretching the budget for an EV would also bring the Skoda Kylaq into consideration, although I understand it is not particularly fuel efficient. What would you recommend below Rs 8 lakh for my requirements?

•4h

Given your requirements, the Maruti Suzuki Swift remains the most sensible choice. Your running is under 9,000 km a year, so a petrol car makes the most sense, and the Swift’s compact size, light controls and nimble handling are exactly what you enjoyed in your old Verna. The new 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine is not something to worry about. It is a free-revving unit with good refinement and a light, slick gearbox, and Maruti’s long-term reliability record is strong. It is also very fuel-efficient, as it delivered 14kpl in the city and 19kpl on the highway in our real-world tests.The Fronx and Baleno are both good cars, but they are larger and not quite as engaging to drive as the Swift. You also do not need the extra space or rear-seat comfort, given you already have a Tata Curvv Diesel for family duties. On the EV front, the Tiago EV and Punch EV are worth considering, but your running is too low to justify the higher upfront cost, and you already have a Tata car in the garage.If you want to keep the budget under Rs 8 lakh, the Swift is the best fit. However, if you feel you need a larger car, the Baleno is a solid choice.

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Popular discussions right now

•1d

I am planning to buy a new car under 20-25 lakh for the next ten years. I have considered two cars Seltos DCT GTX(A) and Kushaq 1.5 Monte Carlo DSG but am afraid of the mileage and if I go with an EV, I am afraid that infrastructure will not be that good. I drive daily for 10-15 km and take 2-3 trips in a year on highway. Should I buy the car now or wait for Seltos Hybrid? Will it cost an additional 2-3 lakh or will it be value for money for my driving. Should I consider another car?

•22h

With a daily running of just 10-15 km and only a few highway trips a year, fuel efficiency and long-term reliability should be your top priorities. The Seltos DCT GTX+ and Kushaq 1.5 DSG Monte Carlo are both excellent cars, but their turbo-petrol engines and dual-clutch gearboxes are not the most efficient or the most stress-free choices for predominantly short city runs. The DCT/DSG gearboxes are at their best on open roads, and in stop-start city traffic they can feel a bit jerky and are not as smooth or as durable as a torque converter automatic over the long term.The Seltos hybrid is worth waiting for if you are not in a hurry. It is expected to be priced roughly Rs. 2-3 lakh above the equivalent petrol variant, and for your usage pattern it will make more sense than the turbo-petrol DCT. Hybrids deliver their biggest efficiency gains in city driving, and over a 10-year ownership period the fuel savings and smoother driving experience will more than justify the premium.If you want to buy now, the Kia Seltos IVT (naturally aspirated petrol with CVT) is the better choice for your usage. It is smooth, reliable and well suited to city driving, and you will not be paying a premium for performance you will rarely use. The Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI with the torque converter automatic is another good option if you prefer a more engaging driving experience, but the Seltos IVT is the more refined and hassle-free choice.EVs are not the right fit for you at the moment given your concerns about charging infrastructure and your low daily running. The savings are not significant enough to justify the compromises.

Kia Seltos

Skoda Kushaq

•2d

I’m planning to buy my first car and would appreciate some suggestions. My budget is around Rs. 13-15 lakh ex-showroom, and I’m planning to register the car under the BH series. Safety is my top priority, so I strongly prefer a car with a 5-star safety rating, preferably from Global NCAP. An automatic transmission is a must. The car will mainly be used for weekend family trips and highway drives rather than daily commuting. Since it will be a family car, I’d prefer something that looks classy and elegant while offering good comfort. A premium-looking interior would be a plus, and features such as leather/leatherette upholstery and ventilated seats would be nice to have, but they aren't deal-breakers. At the same time, I don’t want a car that is purely comfort-oriented. I enjoy driving, so I’d like something with a good engine, enjoyable handling, and a fun-to-drive character. Good rear-seat comfort and reasonable luggage space for family trips would also be appreciated.

•16h

Based on your requirements, the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI automatic is the recommendation. It strikes the right balance between safety, driving enjoyment and family usability. The 1.0 TSI engine is strong, the handling is engaging, and the car feels solid and confidence-inspiring on the highway. The interior feels premium, and while it may not be the largest in its segment, overall comfort is quite good. If you prefer the look of the VW Taigun, it offers largely the same experience as the Kushaq. The Renault Duster 1.3 DCT is also a strong alternative, offering excellent driving dynamics and a larger cabin. Overall, though, the Kushaq 1.0 TSI automatic is the car that best aligns with your requirements.

Hello, given the DPF concerns and upcoming CAFE III regulations, with my driving pattern being 60% highway and 40% city and covering around 15,000 km annually, would a 1.5L diesel (automatic or manual) still be a worthwhile choice?

•5d

Yes, a 1.5-litre diesel is still a worthwhile choice for your usage. At 15,000 km a year with 60% highway driving, you are well within the sweet spot for diesel ownership. The DPF concerns are often overstated - modern diesels are designed to regenerate the filter during sustained highway runs, and your usage pattern is ideal for that. CAFE III regulations are pushing manufacturers towards cleaner engines, but they are not making diesels obsolete; they are simply making them more efficient and cleaner. The bigger question is whether diesel still makes financial sense. With the narrowing price gap between petrol and diesel, the payback period is longer than it used to be, but at your mileage and highway bias, it still adds up. If you are keeping the car for 5-7 years, you will see the benefit. As for automatic versus manual, go automatic if you want ease of use in city traffic; modern torque converter automatics on diesels are smooth and reliable in cars like the Kia Seltos and the Hyundai Creta. Overall, diesel is still the right choice for your usage.

Kia Seltos

Hyundai Creta

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