Krishna

•35w

I am planning to buy a new car with an on-road budget of ₹40 lakh. I prefer sedans like the Octavia or Superb and can wait a year or two for the right car. What are my best options?

•34w

Sadly, there are no longer any sedans available near the Rs 40 lakh mark, thanks to low demand and a shift in preference to SUVs, and it's unlikely any will launch in the coming years as well. In fact, the ₹30-40 lakh segment has effectively become a dead zone in the market.

As for other body styles, you could look at two Stellantis SUVs - the Citroen C5 Aircross and the Jeep Meridian - which are very different takes on the premium SUV.

The Citroen is more fun to drive and comfortable with a smooth diesel engine, soft seats and excellent suspension. The Jeep feels more rugged and upmarket with great off-road ability, should you need it, and a luxurious cabin with the option of a third row. You could stretch your budget a bit and get a Skoda Kodiaq, which is the closest thing you'll get to a Superb for the time being.

Explore cars mentioned

Citroen

C5 Aircross

from ₹43.49 Lakh

Jeep

Meridian

from ₹27.19 Lakh

Skoda

Kodiaq

from ₹43.10 Lakh

More posts on similar cars

•23h

I am an enthusiastic driver and do a lot of road trips. My family is of 4 adults and a 4-month old kid (we use car seat). I am looking for an SUV that offers great driving experience along with good comfort and reliability. Boot space is also crucial with space for a stroller and at least couple more suitcases. I don’t mind spending the money required for the right SUV that can be my companion for a really long time.

•20h

Go for the Skoda Kodiaq or Volkswagen Tayron, which are sister models from different brands. They are among the best driver’s SUVs in the segment, with strong performance, excellent handling and a genuinely premium feel. The ride is well judged, the cabin is spacious enough for four adults plus a child seat, and the boot is large enough to comfortably accommodate a stroller and a couple of suitcases. If you stretch your budget, you can get the 7-seat versions with greater space flexibility and more features, but the five-seat versions are closer to your budget with the same performance and handling. Bear in mind, however, that they are still on the expensive side and fuel economy will not be great.A bit easier on the pocket will be the Jeep Compass, which is more affordable and comes with a diesel engine. It's also quite a lot of fun to drive, but doesn't score as well on the reliability stakes. Finally, another option is the outgoing Audi Q3, remaining stocks of which should be available with some good discounts given the launch of the new model is right around the corner. It's a bit smaller than the VW and Skoda, but even more fun to drive, with the same 2.0 TFSI engine. And though it's the outgoing generation, it remains a premium and luxurious SUV that feels worth the money.For your needs, though, the Skoda Kodiaq and VW Tayron are the best bet. Choosing between them is down to preference, but the Tayron has a sportier design for the exterior and interior, while the Kodiaq has more of a luxurious vibe.

Got flagged during a routine check that my CNG cylinder's mandatory hydro test was overdue, didn't even know these had an expiry cycle until the inspector pointed it out.

•1d

Could anyone please confirm whether BH (Bharat Series) vehicle registration is currently available in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, particularly for eligible PSU employees?

•16h

Yes, BH (Bharat Series) registration is available in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and eligible PSU employees can apply for it. The BH series is a central government initiative, and Tamil Nadu is one of the states that has implemented it. The scheme is available to employees of the central government, state governments, PSUs and private sector employees whose companies have offices in more than four states or union territories. The application process is handled through the Vahan portal, and the vehicle dealer can assist with the paperwork at the time of purchase.

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Popular discussions right now

•4d

I have a Tata Nexon Creative AMT that is only a year old, but I have already had to replace the spark plugs four times and the ignition coil once. I am still facing engine misfires and vibrations inside the car. I am honestly fed up with Tata's service, as they have been unable to resolve the issue. I am therefore planning to sell the Nexon and buy a Kia Seltos with a manual transmission this time. My priority was safety earlier, and it remains my top priority. However, I now also want peace of mind and a hassle-free ownership experience. Would selling the Nexon and switching to the Seltos be a good decision?

•3d

Yes, it is a good decisionYes, it is a good decision to sell the Tata Nexon and move to the Seltos manual. The Nexon is generally a safe and well-engineered car, but if you are facing repeated engine issues and the service centre is unable to resolve them, it is understandable to lose confidence in the ownership experience. The Kia Seltos is a very well-rounded SUV with a strong safety package, a more refined ownership experience and a good service network. The manual transmission is also a good choice if you want to avoid any potential automatic gearbox-related issues. Overall, if peace of mind and a hassle-free ownership experience are your top priorities, the Seltos is a sensible upgrade.

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•6d

I am planning to buy a sub-compact SUV. My budget is Rs. 13-14 lakh, and my priorities are a smooth automatic transmission and good mileage. I am considering the Brezza ZXi AT, Sonet HXT DCT, and Venue HX6 DCT. I am very confused because the Brezza’s torque-converter automatic offers good fuel efficiency but lacks some features, while the Sonet and Venue offer all the features I need. However, I am concerned that the DCT may be less fuel-efficient and could involve higher maintenance costs. My daily commute is around 30 km, mostly in heavy bumper-to-bumper traffic. Please suggest which one would be the best choice for my requirements.

•5d

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Brezza ZXI AT. Your priorities are a smooth automatic, good fuel efficiency and a daily 30km commute in heavy bumper-to-bumper traffic. The Brezza’s 6-speed torque converter automatic is the best fit for this usage. It is smooth, reliable and well suited to stop-start conditions, and the naturally aspirated petrol engine is efficient and easy to live with. Maruti’s service reach and low maintenance costs add to the ownership peace of mind.The Sonet and Venue DCTs are good cars, but the DCT gearbox is not ideal for heavy traffic. It can feel jerky at low speeds.Alternatively, if you can arrange for home charging, the Tata Punch EV is an excellent option.

I want to buy my second car, an SUV, within a 15 lakh to 17 lakh budget. I drive occasionally in hilly areas and on highways. Suggest a car in my budget?

•6d

Considering your budget and usage pattern, the Skoda Kushaq Signature 1.0 MT is the best fit. It is one of the most fun-to-drive SUVs in this price range, with a strong turbo petrol engine and a well-sorted chassis that gives you confidence on winding hill roads and highways. The Skoda Kushaq also offers good ride comfort, a solid build and a premium feel inside the cabin. You'll just have to be content with missing some features compared to the top-spec Kushaq Monte Carlo.If you want a more feature-rich and value-focused option, the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX7 Luxury petrol is also worth considering. It offers a roomy cabin, more features than the Kushaq Signature and a strong 1.2 turbo petrol engine as well. However, the Kushaq is a larger car and feels more enjoyable to drive.

Skoda Kushaq

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