Prasanna Joshi

•6w

I am 68 years old and still drive on highways. My annual running is less than 12,000km. I am not used to all the fancy devices in new cars. Over the last 45 years, I have always owned a petrol sedan. Now, I am looking for an SUV with a large boot and the solid feel of a German car. My current car is in excellent condition, but being a sedan, comfort on highways is a problem. If I do buy a new car, it will be my last. Considering the foreseeable future, an electric option would be preferable.

Autocar India

•6w

After driving your Vento for over 15 years, it’s easy to see why you value the solid, planted feel of a German car. Given your age, highway usage and preference for a large boot and higher seating, moving to a German SUV is a very logical next (and final) step.

The Volkswagen Taigun remains the most straightforward upgrade. The 2026 facelift, which will be unveiled on April 9th, brings refreshed interiors and the new 8‑speed torque‑converter automatic for the 1.0 TSI, while the 1.5 TSI with DSG still delivers that strong, confident performance you’re used to. It will feel familiar enough coming from a Vento, but with better access, visibility and luggage space.

If you’re willing to stretch the budget, the newly launched Volkswagen Tayron R‑Line is the one that truly feels like a “last car”. It’s a larger, three‑row SUV positioned above the Tiguan, with a big 850‑litre boot (with the third row folded), a powerful 2.0 TSI engine, 7‑speed DSG and all‑wheel drive for outstanding high‑speed stability and safety. The cabin is modern and feature-packed, and the driving manners are very much in line with what you like about your current VW.

You mentioned electric as a preference, but given your running (under 12,000 km a year) and the state of charging infrastructure and costs, a refined turbo‑petrol like the Taigun or Tayron remains the more practical and stress‑free solution for the next 10-15 years.

Volkswagen Taigun

Volkswagen Tayron

Suvarna

•6w

Thanks, will have a look at them. Regds to your team. Would an alternative like M&M XEV 9E worth considering?

More questions on similar cars

Piyush Aggarwal

•3w

I am confused between a used Taigun GT Plus 1.5 (2024 model) with 20,000 km on the odometer, priced at around ₹14 lakh, and a new Duster 1.3 Techno priced at ₹18 lakh. Which car makes more sense if my priority is performance?

Autocar India

•21h

If performance is your top priority and you want something that feels genuinely quick and engaging, the 2024 Volkswagen Taigun GT Plus 1.5 at Rs 14 lakh is the stronger choice here.It's 1.5 TSI paired with the DSG (twin-clutch automatic) delivers sharp, rapid shifts and a lively, responsive character that suits an enthusiast driver. The Taigun also feels more agile and composed in corners, while still being easy to drive in the city. At roughly Rs 4 lakh less than the new Duster, you also have room to budget for an extended warranty, fresh tyres, or even preventative maintenance, which is important when buying a used, performance-oriented car.There are a couple of caveats. In heavy, crawling traffic, the DSG can feel slightly jerky, and like most dual-clutch setups, it prefers consistent movement over prolonged inching. The ride is also on the firmer side, especially over broken surfaces.On the other hand, the new Renault Duster 1.3 Techno is the better choice if you prioritise ride comfort and robustness over outright performance. Its 1.3 turbo-petrol is strong and tractable, and the car feels more planted on rough roads. The Duster’s dual-clutch transmission is a wet-clutch unit, which is inherently smoother and better suited to stop-go traffic, though it doesn’t feel as quick or as sporty as the Taigun’s DSG.Overall, if your brief is clearly performance-first, the Taigun GT Plus makes more sense.

Volkswagen Taigun

Renault Duster

Roshan

•1d

My budget is Rs 18 lakh. I am looking for a hassle-free ownership experience, good build quality, an automatic gearbox, a 360-degree camera, and ventilated seats.

Autocar India

•1h

For your requirements, the new Hyundai Venue automatic is a very strong fit. Since hassle-free after-sales is clearly a priority, Hyundai’s service experience and ownership peace of mind are among its biggest strengths. It also comes with the features you specifically want, like a 360-degree camera and ventilated seats. Importantly, the new Venue has also scored a full 5-star Bharat NCAP safety rating.If your usage is mostly city, the 1.0 turbo petrol automatic makes the most sense as it is peppy enough and easy to drive. If your running is higher and includes frequent highway trips, the diesel automatic is actually the sweeter option because the 1.5 diesel is smoother thanks to its four-cylinder nature, the torque converter automatic is more seamless than a DCT in everyday use, and efficiency will be better too.

Hyundai Venue

B M SAHU

•4d

I have a T-Roc manufactured in 2020, which I purchased in January 2021. I primarily do long highway trips, with almost no city driving. The T-Roc has been solid for the last five years, but during very long 8 to 10-hour drives, it does not feel very comfortable because of the seating position, and my legs start to hurt a bit. My height is 6 feet. Which SUV would be best for long drives with great driving dynamics? What about the Jeep Compass? Should I make the change? Are there any chances that Jeep will launch a new Compass in India? And what about Jeep’s quality issues in India?

Autocar India

•3d

Given your usage, we would not change the T-Roc unless the seating comfort issue is genuinely becoming a deal breaker, because the T-Roc is still a very solid long-distance machine with excellent driving manners. However, at 6 feet tall, if the seating position is causing leg fatigue after 8 to 10-hour drives, that is a legitimate reason to upgrade, and in that case, you need something with a more relaxed seating position, better thigh support and a roomier cabin.The Jeep Compass is a strong candidate if driving dynamics matter. It still has one of the best ride and handling balances in this segment. It feels planted at highway speeds and genuinely tackles poor roads brilliantly. It also offers a more upright SUV seating position than the T-Roc, which could suit you better for long hours. Build quality and overall solidity are still strong points.On the new Compass, there are no immediate plans for an all-new generation in India. Jeep is expected to keep the current line-up fresh with special editions and updates, with a genuinely new product likely only around 2027. So, waiting specifically for a brand new India-bound Compass does not make much sense right now.If your brief is purely long-distance comfort plus great driving dynamics, we would actually look beyond the Compass as well. The Skoda Kodiaq or the Volkswagen Tayron, as they feel like a more natural upgrade from a T-Roc, with much better long-distance comfort, stronger ergonomics for taller drivers and excellent highway manners.If you want something more SUV like, the Jeep Meridian deserves a closer look than the Compass because it offers similar Jeep dynamics along with more space and a more relaxed long-distance experience.

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Popular discussions right now

TechiePetrolhead

•1w

Hi AutocarIndia Team, I am really interested in the Tata Sierra EV. Any scoops or news on when we can potentially expect the same to be launched here in India? Thanks, TechiePetrolhead

Autocar India

•6d

If you are waiting for the Tata Sierra EV, the good news is that it does not seem too far away. Current indications suggest a launch could happen either later this month or in June.Expect it to slot below the Tata Harrier EV in Tata’s electric line-up, likely with multiple battery pack options and a more premium positioning than the Tata Curvv EV. Tata has also indicated that both Rear Wheel Drive and All Wheel Drive versions are planned, which should make it one of the more interesting mainstream electric SUVs in India.

Soumith Uppu

I am looking for a family car and am currently confused between the Tata Punch Accomplished AMT, Maruti Fronx Delta Plus AMT, and Hyundai Exter HX6 AMT. Could you please help me choose the best option?

Autocar India

•2d

It's really hard to suggest a car without knowing a bit more about your requirements, like rear space requirements and the distance driven per month. Thus, as a good all-rounder for a small family, the Maruti Suzuki Fronx Delta Plus AMT fits your brief best. Pick this variant because it gives you the most rear-seat space and a bigger, more useful boot than the other two, so adults sit more comfortably, and you pack more for trips. It also feels light and easy to drive in traffic, and the ride is calm over rough roads, which helps passengers, especially elders or kids.Two things to note: this automatic can feel a bit slow to pick up when you press the accelerator hard, and you will miss a few fancy features that sit on higher trims. If you drive with a full load on steep hills often, you may want to try it once to see if the response suits you.If you value tough build and the best ride on broken roads above all else, the Tata Punch Accomplished AMT is the second choice. It also has a smaller footprint for tight parking and a feature-rich cabin at a price like the Hyundai Exter HX6 AMT, too. Overall, for family comfort and everyday ease, go with the Fronx Delta Plus AMT.

AVINASH PARWANI

I have booked the Kia Seltos turbo DCT. My monthly running is around 900 km, mostly in Chennai traffic. Should I wait for the hybrid version? Is it expected soon? Also, how much price difference can be expected between the turbo-petrol and the hybrid?

Autocar India

•2d

The Kia Seltos hybrid, as well as the new-generation Hyundai Creta with the hybrid tech, are both expected to arrive next year. If you can wait until then, it would be better to do so, as the hybrid would be far more fuel-efficient. As for the price difference, it's hard to pinpoint right now, but expect to pay about Rs. 50,000 extra over a turbo-petrol automatic.Thus, if the wait time and the premium are not ok with you, stick with the Kia Seltos. However, given that you are mostly driving in traffic, remember that a turbo petrol would not be very efficient, and for heavy, slow traffic, the DCT can feel a bit hesitant at crawling speeds and can run warm in long jams. The Seltos with the naturally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol with CVT is better suited to your use, as its smoother in the city, would be more fuel-efficient and would potentially be more reliable too.

Kia Seltos

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