I am looking for a fun-to-drive manual car around the Rs 15 lakh budget. I live in a city with very little traffic and already have two sensible cars, so I now want something small, manual and fun to drive. Automatic transmission and mileage are not priorities. I am also an enthusiastic driver and enjoy revving the engine to extract performance. I am currently considering the Kylaq Sportline, which I can get for around Rs 13 lakh. Would the XUV 3XO or lower variants of the 1.3-litre Duster be better choices? I am also open to sedans such as the Honda City and Hyundai Verna, but I may not always be able to avoid bumps and broken roads when driving fast, so I would prefer something with more ground clearance. I also find them relatively large compared with what I am looking for.

autocar.india

•19h

Go for the Skoda Kylaq Classic Plus AT. Since she prefers an upright seating position and an SUV stance, the Kylaq is the better fit. The higher seating position gives a better view of the road, which is reassuring for a first-time driver, and the SUV-like stance makes it easier to judge the car’s corners in traffic. The 6-speed torque converter automatic is smooth and predictable, making city driving stress-free, but there is turbo lag which needs getting used to. Aside from that, the Kyalq is a good choice, compact enough to be easy to park and manoeuvre, while still feeling more substantial and confidence-inspiring than a hatchback.The Maruti Suzuki Swift ZXI+ AMT is a great city car and very easy to drive, but the AGS (AMT) gearbox is not as smooth as the Kylaq’s torque converter automatic, especially in stop-start traffic. Since you already own an Hyundai i20, the Swift would feel like a similar experience, whereas the Kylaq offers a genuinely different and more confidence-inspiring driving position. The Kylaq is the better long-term choice for her needs.

Skoda Kylaq

Maruti Suzuki Swift

Hyundai i20

autocar.india

•20h

With 800 km a month and mostly city driving, a petrol automatic is the right choice. From your shortlist, it is clear that you are looking for driving pleasure and both cars that you have shortlisted will deliver on that front. We would lean towards the Kylaq as its torque convertor gearbox is better suited to start-stop traffic being smoother and generally more robust than the DCT gearbox in the NLine. However the 1.0 litre TSI engine in the Kylaq has turbo lag which makes control a bit tricky; you will often be off boost and need to press the throttle further than normal and then, you'll have a sudden surge of power. The Hyundai Venue, on the other hand will have a few noticeably notchy shifts at low speeds but its has an easier throttle modulation. Thus, make sure that you drive both and see how comfortable you feel with each of their drive characters.

Skoda Kylaq

Hyundai Venue

autocar.india

•1d

Since you're coming from a Venue Turbo IMT and looking for a proper torque converter automatic, the Skoda Kylaq Prestige Plus is the better fit. The Kylaq’s 1.0 TSI paired with the 6-speed torque converter automatic is a proven and reliable combination that delivers a smooth and responsive driving experience, especially in city conditions. The Kylaq also has a more engaging driving character, with a well-balanced chassis and mature road manners.The XUV 3XO AX7 1.2 TGDI AT is a strong alternative, offering a more spacious and premium cabin and a richer feature list at a similar price point. However, the Kylaq’s driving dynamics and the punchy 1.0 TSI engine and torque converter automatic make it the better upgrade from your Venue. The Kylaq also feels like a more natural step up in terms of driving experience, refinement and overall ownership satisfaction.

Skoda Kylaq

Mahindra XUV 3XO