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Delhi
SR

Sreerag

4w

Hi, I’m planning to buy my first car, which I won’t be driving regularly. My budget is under ₹14 lakh on-road. I’m looking for a fun-to-drive car and don’t need it to be family-focused. I’m open to both manual and automatic transmissions, whichever is more engaging to drive and fun.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
4w
The Skoda Kylaq will be the perfect choice for your requirements. It has a punchy 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and is available in both a manual gearbox and a 6-speed torque converter automatic.
The Kylaq has compact dimensions and has a well-balanced chassis that makes the car great fun to drive. The handling is particularly impressive, and it has a good build too. The Prestige variant in manual guise will fit in your budget, while the Signature+ AT variant works if you prefer the automatic.
Skoda Kylaq

Skoda Kylaq

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Latest questions people are discussing

KA

Kamalakanta

4d

We have a Mahindra XUV300 petrol in the family. I am looking for a car within an ex-showroom budget of ₹10-14 lakhs that offers similar driving pleasure to the XUV300, especially in terms of pickup and NVH levels. However, it should deliver better mileage than the XUV300. My driving is mostly on state highways with minimal city usage, and my annual running is around 5,000 km. Please suggest suitable options.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
1h

The problem with strong performance is that it usually comes at the cost of mileage. However, the Mahindra XUV 300 - and Mahindras in general - is that they have been tuned to prioritise performance over fuel economy; hence, they are all very powerful. If you want strong performance and a fun-to-drive character, check out the Skoda Kylaq. Its 1.0 TSI engine makes 115hp, which is less than what the Mahindra offers. But as is often the case with Volkswagen Group's famous TSI turbo-petrol engines, it feels a lot stronger than the numbers suggest. The good bit is that it comes with a smooth 6-speed AT option, in case that is what you want, but the 6-speed MT is a fun and easy gearbox as well. As for fuel economy, it will definitely be better than the XUV 300's 1.2-litre turbo petrol, but you will still have to be careful with the throttle to achieve good real-world economy numbers.

VehicleSkoda Kylaq
SK

Sai Kumar Rachamalla

1d

Planning to upgrade my car for safety from a Kwid to a sub-4m SUV. I am confused between the Skoda Kylaq and the Kia Sonet. I liked the Sonet diesel but am worried about DPF issues. For the 1.0-litre turbo, I know the Kylaq is superior, but I am also concerned about maintenance and resale value. The Sonet has everything except safety and has a stiff suspension. I need it for highway and city use and would prefer an automatic. Please suggest.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
16h

If you liked the Kia Sonet, go for it - it is a polished compact SUV. As you've mentioned, the Skoda's 1.0-litre turbo-petrol is an excellent engine, but the Sonet's isn't too far behind in terms of performance. Kia's DCT is smooth, and on the whole, the Sonet is quite nice to drive too.As far as safety goes, the Sonet packs in more active and passive kit, including ADAS, which the Skoda Kylaq misses. Alternatively, you could also consider the new Hyundai Venue Turbo-DCT.

VehicleKia Sonet
VehicleSkoda Kylaq
VehicleHyundai Venue

Posted on: 16 Jan 2026