Autocar India
2d

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?

Verified
3m
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

Skoda Kushaq

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2d

I'm confused between the Skoda Kushaq, Kia Seltos and Honda Elevate. I have a budget of Rs 21 lakh ex-showroom. I am hesitant about the Kushaq because the general opinion online is that German cars are expensive to maintain and lose resale value rapidly. It also does not have a factory-fitted 360-degree camera and lacks ADAS features. The Seltos has pretty much everything, but I have observed poor build quality in Kia cars in the past. The Elevate seems like a very attractive car from all angles, but the lack of a 360-degree camera and poor reviews of its ADAS have left me undecided. I am not sure if I need to worry about these features while buying a car, given that my wife and I are both new drivers. She has just learnt, while I have been driving since 2012 but have not driven much and lack experience. Our commute is primarily in the city in Bengaluru, mostly on weekends, with a 70:30 city-highway split. I am planning to keep the car for 10-15 years for a family of four. I have previously driven an 800 (manual), Brio (manual) and Kwid (AMT), and I love the Brio's driving quality.

Verified
1h

Go for the Honda Elevate CVT, as it is the most sensible choice. The naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with the CVT is smooth, reliable and easy to drive, which is exactly what you need as relatively new drivers. Honda’s reputation for long-term reliability and low maintenance costs also aligns perfectly with your needs, and you liked the Brio that you drove, so this feels like a logical upgrade.The Skoda Kushaq is a great driver’s car, but your concerns about higher maintenance costs and resale value are not entirely unfounded. Its turbocharged engines do require a bit of a learning curve to drive smoothly and efficiently compared to the naturally aspirated petrol engines of the others. The Kia Seltos is feature-rich, and while build quality issues aren't really an issue, what might be is its size, which could be a bit too large for urban Bengaluru use, considering you are both new drivers.The Honda car mentioned above may not have a 360-degree camera, but that is not a deal-breaker. The most important thing is that the Elevate offers a stress-free ownership experience, which is far more valuable over 10-15 years than a few extra features. The Elevate is also a comfortable family car with a spacious cabin and good ride quality, which makes it well-suited for a family of four and will be easy to drive for relative novices.

VehicleSkoda Kushaq
VehicleHonda Elevate
VehicleKia Seltos

Popular discussions right now

3d

I am planning to buy a new car under 20-25 lakh for the next ten years. I have considered two cars Seltos DCT GTX(A) and Kushaq 1.5 Monte Carlo DSG but am afraid of the mileage and if I go with an EV, I am afraid that infrastructure will not be that good. I drive daily for 10-15 km and take 2-3 trips in a year on highway. Should I buy the car now or wait for Seltos Hybrid? Will it cost an additional 2-3 lakh or will it be value for money for my driving. Should I consider another car?

Verified
3d

With a daily running of just 10-15 km and only a few highway trips a year, fuel efficiency and long-term reliability should be your top priorities. The Seltos DCT GTX+ and Kushaq 1.5 DSG Monte Carlo are both excellent cars, but their turbo-petrol engines and dual-clutch gearboxes are not the most efficient or the most stress-free choices for predominantly short city runs. The DCT/DSG gearboxes are at their best on open roads, and in stop-start city traffic they can feel a bit jerky and are not as smooth or as durable as a torque converter automatic over the long term.The Seltos hybrid is worth waiting for if you are not in a hurry. It is expected to be priced roughly Rs. 2-3 lakh above the equivalent petrol variant, and for your usage pattern it will make more sense than the turbo-petrol DCT. Hybrids deliver their biggest efficiency gains in city driving, and over a 10-year ownership period the fuel savings and smoother driving experience will more than justify the premium.If you want to buy now, the Kia Seltos IVT (naturally aspirated petrol with CVT) is the better choice for your usage. It is smooth, reliable and well suited to city driving, and you will not be paying a premium for performance you will rarely use. The Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI with the torque converter automatic is another good option if you prefer a more engaging driving experience, but the Seltos IVT is the more refined and hassle-free choice.EVs are not the right fit for you at the moment given your concerns about charging infrastructure and your low daily running. The savings are not significant enough to justify the compromises.

VehicleKia Seltos
VehicleSkoda Kushaq
4d

I’m planning to buy my first car and would appreciate some suggestions. My budget is around Rs. 13-15 lakh ex-showroom, and I’m planning to register the car under the BH series. Safety is my top priority, so I strongly prefer a car with a 5-star safety rating, preferably from Global NCAP. An automatic transmission is a must. The car will mainly be used for weekend family trips and highway drives rather than daily commuting. Since it will be a family car, I’d prefer something that looks classy and elegant while offering good comfort. A premium-looking interior would be a plus, and features such as leather/leatherette upholstery and ventilated seats would be nice to have, but they aren't deal-breakers. At the same time, I don’t want a car that is purely comfort-oriented. I enjoy driving, so I’d like something with a good engine, enjoyable handling, and a fun-to-drive character. Good rear-seat comfort and reasonable luggage space for family trips would also be appreciated.

Verified
3d

Based on your requirements, the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI automatic is the recommendation. It strikes the right balance between safety, driving enjoyment and family usability. The 1.0 TSI engine is strong, the handling is engaging, and the car feels solid and confidence-inspiring on the highway. The interior feels premium, and while it may not be the largest in its segment, overall comfort is quite good. If you prefer the look of the VW Taigun, it offers largely the same experience as the Kushaq. The Renault Duster 1.3 DCT is also a strong alternative, offering excellent driving dynamics and a larger cabin. Overall, though, the Kushaq 1.0 TSI automatic is the car that best aligns with your requirements.

VehicleSkoda Kushaq
VehicleVolkswagen Taigun
VehicleRenault Duster

Posted on: 4 Sept 2026