As a first-time buyer with a budget of ₹12.5 lakh, I am confused between the Skoda Kushaq Signature and a year-old Citroen Basalt, and would appreciate your advice on which is the better choice.

Autocar India

•2d

If you mostly drive yourself and do not regularly carry a large family, the Skoda Kylaq is the better fit for your budget and usage. It is more compact than the Kushaq, making it easier to manoeuvre in traffic and park in the city. At the same time, it still feels like a proper Skoda on the highway, with its strong 1.0 TSI engine, solid build, and well-sorted dynamics.Under ₹15 lakh on-road, you are likely to get a better‑equipped Kylaq variant than an equivalent Kushaq, because the Kylaq sits in a segment below and is priced lower. That means more features and a nicer trim level for the same money, which matters if this will be your primary car.The Kushaq only really makes sense if you genuinely need the extra cabin width and rear legroom on a daily basis, or want the added highway comfort of the larger SUV. It is longer and has a bit more space overall, so it is better suited if you often travel with rear passengers and a lot of luggage.Given your mostly city‑plus‑weekend usage and 15 lakh cap, we would lean towards the Kylaq. It offers the driving feel of Skoda car in a tidier, more affordable package without compromising on highway ability.

Skoda Kushaq

Skoda Kylaq

Autocar India

•4h

With a budget of ₹15 lakh, consider the Skoda Kushaq Classic+ 1.0-litre turbo-petrol mated to the new 8-speed automatic transmission. With this Skoda car, you'll get a similar solid and secure feel, as well as confident driving manners, similar to your outgoing Vento. The turbo-petrol is peppy, and the smooth 8-speed torque converter complements it nicely. Also, compared to the sub-4-meter cars you'll otherwise get at this price, the Kushaq Classic+ will give you more cabin and boot space, which as a Vento owner, you might appreciate. With heavier localisation, Skoda's maintenance costs have reduced over time, so ownership cost is likely to be lower.If you're keen on getting a sub-4-meter compact SUV, consider the Skoda Kylaq and Hyundai Venue, both of which are enjoyable to drive (although the Kylaq has an edge), and should be easy on your pocket too.

Skoda Kushaq

Skoda Kylaq

Hyundai Venue

Autocar India

•1h

Between the two, the Tata Safari does a great job of projecting toughness. It feels solid, has that reassuring heft, and its suspension setup really shines on broken roads and you can carry speed with confidence and it just shrugs off rough patches.That said, the Mahindra XUV 7XO is the more rounded package overall. Its 2.2-litre diesel is not just more modern, but also noticeably smoother and stronger than the older Fiat-sourced 2.0-litre unit in the Safari. It delivers better drivability in everyday conditions, which makes a difference in city use as well as on the highway.Mahindra car has also worked well on the suspension, and the improvements show. The 7XO feels more composed, offers better ride comfort over a wider range of surfaces, and is simply easier to drive. It has lighter controls, better balance, and a more user-friendly nature overall.Where the Safari still holds an edge is in the third row. It’s more usable and accommodating, whereas the 7XO’s last row is quite tight and best reserved for occasional use.So unless third-row space is a priority, the 7XO stands out as the better all-rounder. It’s more refined, easier to live with, and ultimately the more modern SUV.

Tata Safari

Mahindra XUV 7XO