Autocar India
•15w

Hi, I have a VW Virtus bought in early 2023, and now I am looking for a replacement. My preference is for an SUV. I'll primarily use it for city driving, and my monthly usage would be around 200 km. The car must have a good safety rating, comfort and mileage.

Verified
•15w
Since you are coming from a Volkswagen Virtus, you will naturally appreciate the Volkswagen Taigun or Skoda Kushaq, as both SUVs carry the same DNA of solid build quality and excellent driving dynamics. Between the two, the Kushaq, which has just been updated with fresher looks, more features and a stronger aircon, would be the better option.
You can opt for the 1.0 TSI variant with a six-speed automatic transmission, which is well-suited for city driving. It’s not the most fuel-efficient SUV in the segment, but considering your monthly running of around 200km, that shouldn’t matter too much.
However, do note that the back seat of the Kushaq (and Taigun) isn’t the most spacious. If you are looking for better rear seat comfort and slightly better efficiency, the Kia Seltos 1.5 petrol with the CVT automatic is another good option to consider.
Skoda Kushaq

Skoda Kushaq

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Skoda Kushaq

Skoda

Kushaq

from ₹12.66 Lakh

Kia Seltos

Kia

Seltos

from ₹13.02 Lakh

Volkswagen Taigun

Volkswagen

Taigun

from ₹13.02 Lakh

Volkswagen Virtus

Volkswagen

Virtus

from ₹12.44 Lakh

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•14w

200 kms a month. Any old car will do.

•14w

Don't rely onmpaid reviews by topiwala and mai mai bhaiya... Go for real life reviews

•14w

I have kushaq sportline. Facing recurrent issues of break noice, unusual hard suspensions, chucking noice in cabin, hard suspensions. Engine is good but even for 10 millage you need to drive very softly. Else will end up in millage of 7 . Also keep in mind, company failed to resolve my issue of registration of vehicle in wrong varient category and even MD refused to provide judicious resolution. Else is fine...but pls be aware of a ove

•14w

Planning to upgrade from Toyota Glanza to Mahindra 3X0 only for city drive please share your insight on this. I am 6ft tall person

•14w

Planning to switch from hatchback toyota Glanza to Mahindra 3X0 only for city use is it a good decision I am 6ft tall

•14w

Are you selling the Virtus ?

•14w

Selling your Virtus?

•14w

If you're considering the Kushaq, the version equipped with the 1.0 TSI engine and the 8-speed automatic transmission is the recommended option. It's generally considered to offer better mileage compared to what you can expect from the Taigun.

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More questions on similar cars

•10h

Hi, I learned to drive as a teen and have been driving my dad’s Maruti Alto for years now. I also drive a Maruti Dzire. I want my next car to be at least a bit fun and engaging to drive. I’m based in Kolkata and planning to buy a new car with a budget of around Rs. 16 lakh. Currently, I’m looking at: Kia Seltos Manual (as it comes within this budget), Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TSI, and Kia Sonet Turbo DCT. However, I’m not completely convinced about the Seltos at this price point, mostly because I’m not a big fan of its shiny front grille. Considering my budget, preference for a fun driving experience, mostly city usage, and one or two highway trips a month, which one would you recommend?

Verified
•7h

The Skoda Kylaq has the most enthusiastic driving character of the three. Its turbo-petrol engine feels punchy, the steering is well judged, and the overall chassis feels more eager and involving than the Seltos or Sonet. The torque-converter automatic gearbox is also very well calibrated, making it both enjoyable on open roads and effortless in city traffic. Given your usage, it is worth stretching to the automatic rather than opting for the manual.The Kia Sonet Turbo DCT would be the second choice. The turbo-petrol engine is lively and the DCT adds to the fun factor, while the feature list is impressive. However, rear-seat space and ride quality aren't quite as accommodating as the Skoda's.The Kia Seltos Manual is the more mature and spacious option, but if you're already unconvinced by its styling, there's little reason to force the issue. It is a great family SUV, but it doesn't feel as engaging to drive as the Kylaq.

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•1d

Hi, I am a photographer and am also planning to start an online garments business. I am looking for a spacious SUV that offers good fuel efficiency within a budget of Rs. 15-16 lakh. I am particularly interested in the Tata Sierra and would like to know whether it would be the right choice for my requirements. Additionally, could you please suggest whether a petrol or diesel engine would be a better option for my usage?

Verified
•1d

The Tata Sierra is a large and capable SUV, and for your work, would give loads of space for camera gear and garment boxes alike, but in your budget of Rs 15-16 lakh, you will only get the base model. Moreover, the downside of it being a large and heavy vehicle is that the mileage is not great compared to rivals, whether comparing the petrol or diesel versions. However, should you go with the Sierra and want to get the maximum mileage, the diesel is probably the best way to go, and if possible, we would recommend stretching the budget by at least Rs 1-1.5 lakh to get a few more features.Consider the Kia Seltos instead - it too has a large and spacious cabin, almost as big as that of the Sierra, and good boot space as well. However, its engines, comparable to what you get in the Sierra, offer better real-world mileage. And, as safety is another concern, the Seltos has scored a 5-star Bharat NCAP crash test rating, just like the Sierra. What's more, you can get mid-spec variants, at least with the petrol engines, in your budget of Rs. 15-16 lakh, so you don't necessarily have to increase it so much. If you want even more space, and don't mind picking an MPV over an SUV, the Kia Carens Clavis is a far more practical option.

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•2d

New Seltos or Carens Clavis? I'm pretty confused. The Seltos was always my first choice, but if the Carens has the same engine, why not go for a 6/7-seater with almost the same dimensions and for a little extra cost? I'm considering this because we're a family of 5, and occasionally our extended family joins us on drives.

Verified
•17h

If you need the added space and practicality, go for the Carens Clavis. With a family of 5 and extra folks joining at times, the third row and the longer wheelbase make everyday life easier. You get the same engines and gearboxes as the Seltos, so the driving experience and mileage will be similar, but the Carens gives you far more cabin flexibility - slide and recline second row, a usable third row for kids or shorter adults, and vents for everyone.Bear in mind that with all three rows up, boot space is limited, so on full-house trips you will have to pack light or fold a seat. It's also worth noting that the 2026 Seltos is now a generation ahead of the Clavis, which means a wider body, softer suspension and new-age electronics and features.However, for your use case and priorities, the Carens Clavis gets you some much-needed extra space and flexibility.

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Popular discussions right now

•6d

I am confused between buying Skoda Kylaq and Kia Seltos. Please suggest.

Verified
•6d

Buy the Kia Seltos. It is simply easier to live with for most buyers, thanks to a much wider service network and many more variant and powertrain choices, including good automatics across a wider price range. For daily city runs with the odd highway trip, the Seltos will feel like the more complete package and it has a more spacious and premium cabin. The Skoda Kylaq will suit you only if you really enjoy driving. It feels tighter and more confidence inspiring on the move, and the steering has more feel. If you plan long, frequent road trips and care more about how it drives than gadgets, that’s where the Kylaq shines. The flip side is fewer dealers and fewer variant choices.

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•1d

I am planning to purchase a new automatic car for my daughter. She recently obtained her driving license and is currently driving an automatic Tata Nano. Now that she is comfortable and confident with it, I am considering upgrading her to a larger vehicle. I am evaluating options such as the Kylaq and the Kia Sonet. However, my wife is insisting on an electric car. I am a bit sceptical about EVs, as they are not yet fully proven to be trouble‑free, and her weekly commute is around 150 km. I am also waiting for the launch of the updated Brezza, and my preference is for a torque‑converter automatic rather than a DCT. I would appreciate your opinion on electric cars, the Kia Sonet diesel, the Brezza, and which one I should go for. This car will be mostly used for city drives since I have an Ertiga manual for long trips.

Verified
•1d

Of your shortlisted cars, go for the Skoda Kylaq automatic. For mostly city use and just 150km a week, its punchy turbo petrol engine with a smooth torque converter is a great mix of fun and ease of use. Its light yet sharp steering, upright seating and compact size feel like a natural step up from a Nano, and the interior feels fresh and upmarket too.The Kia Sonet diesel automatic is quick and efficient, but a diesel engine is overkill for your daughter's limited usage. Not only is it pound-for-pound more expensive than an equivalent petrol to buy, but it also requires extra care, such as regenerating the DPF (diesel particulate filter) every so often via a high-speed run, as well as top-ups of the ad-blue tank. The Brezza is a good option thanks to its simple, naturally aspirated engine, which should deliver better fuel economy than the Kylaq. But in its current form, it's just a bit uninteresting and unenthusiastic an offering, and it's best to wait for the facelift, which is right around the corner, before making that decision.For 150 km a week, an electric car is actually ideal if you have a private parking spot with a 15A socket or a home charger. The powertrains these days are much smoother, batteries carry long warranties, and city running is silent and cheap. Upfront cost, charging access and resale value are the only real hurdles, so if you are interested, a compact EV like the Tata Punch EV is a great option.

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•3d

I have a 5kW solar connection at my house. I would like to buy an EV with a range of 500km+ on a full charge, within a budget of Rs 25-28 lakh. Which is the best option?

Verified
•1d

The Mahindra XEV 9S and XEV 9e would both be excellent choices within your budget. The key difference comes down to your space requirements. The XEV 9S is the one to choose if you need the flexibility of a 7-seat layout, while the XEV 9e is a 5-seater with a sleeker design and more emphasis on style. Beyond that, both models share the same battery packs and electric motors, so there is little to separate them in terms of performance, charging capability or range.While both have claimed ranges comfortably above 500km, in the real world you should expect closer to 450-470km on a full charge, depending on your driving style, speed and usage conditions. Even so, that remains among the best figures available in this price range.Your 5kW solar setup is an added advantage and should help keep charging costs very low over the long term.

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Posted on: 3 Mar 2026