Autocar India
•16h

I am looking for a mid-size SUV that is not too large, is reliable, and is fun to drive. Price is not a primary consideration. I am considering the Skoda Kushaq and Honda Elevate. Which one would you recommend? I would also appreciate suggestions for other SUVs that fit these requirements.

Verified
•7m

Go for the Skoda Kushaq 1.5 TSI DSG. It is the better fit for your brief. The Kushaq is one of the most fun-to-drive SUVs in the segment, with strong performance, sharp handling and a genuinely engaging driving experience. The 1.5 TSI engine is punchy and refined, and the DSG gearbox delivers quick, seamless shifts. It is also not a large SUV, so it remains easy to manoeuvre in the city while still offering a comfortable ride and decent space for a family of four.

If you are open to alternatives, the Volkswagen Taigun is mechanically identical to the Kushaq and worth considering if you prefer its styling or interior. 

The Honda Elevate is a sensible choice. It is reliable, easy to own and has Honda's reputation for long-term durability. But the Skoda Kushaq and VW Taigun 1.5 TSI are more compact and fun to drive.

Skoda Kushaq

Skoda Kushaq

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Skoda Kushaq

Skoda

Kushaq

from ₹12.73 Lakh

Volkswagen Taigun

Volkswagen

Taigun

from ₹13.09 Lakh

Honda Elevate

Honda

Elevate

from ₹14.06 Lakh

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•2h

It was such an amazing car.It has good features.It had adas and reverse camera which help me alert in difficult situations.It also had wireless connectivity which helped me in convenience a lot.I also felt like a comfort car when I sat in elevate ivtec petrol.But it was sad to say that I took grand vitara because I didn't feel so happy when I came into this honda.But I felt overwhelmed when I took grand vitara.Anyways, I still liked the car.

•1d

My budget is under Rs. 14.5 lakh. I can get an automatic variant in the sub-4-metre segment, while in the above-4-metre segment, I would have to choose a manual, such as the Duster, Tekton or Seltos. Which one should I buy? I mostly travel within the city, but I prefer above-4-metre SUVs. Could you please suggest the better pick for my requirements?

Verified
•1d

Go for the Mahindra XUV 3XO automatic. Your usage is mostly city driving, and in that environment an automatic gearbox makes a huge difference to daily comfort and convenience. This Mahindra car is one of the most spacious and comfortable sub-4m SUVs, with a wide cabin that makes it a genuinely good family car. It also offers strong performance, good safety credentials and a well-rounded ownership experience.While the Duster, Tekton and Seltos are all excellent above-4m SUVs, at your budget you are limited to manual variants. Given your city usage, the lack of an automatic would quickly become a compromise you notice every day. The 3XO automatic is a better fit for your needs than a larger manual SUV.If you are absolutely set on an above-4m SUV, the Honda Elevate might be worth considering. Since a facelift is just around the corner, you will get good discounts on the current version and may even find an automatic version in your budget. The Elevate has great ride comfort and is reliable too, but it isn't the most feature-rich or the most premium SUV in the segment.Overall, the 3XO automatic is the more sensible and satisfying choice for your usage.

VehicleMahindra XUV 3XO
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VehicleHonda Elevate
•3d

Which of the three would be most suitable for cross-country trips involving a mix of smooth, average and bad roads: the Honda Elevate CVT, Maruti Grand Vitara Smart Hybrid AT, or Volkswagen Taigun 1.0 AT? My key criteria are reliability and safety, ride quality, and fatigue-free driving. I am also considering a few potential downsides: the NVH levels of the Elevate, the long-term reliability of the Smart Hybrid battery in the Grand Vitara, although this is not a deal-breaker, and the possibility of EPC-related faults in the Taigun. I would appreciate some expert advice on which of these three would be the best overall choice for my requirements.

Verified
•2d

For your requirements, the Honda Elevate CVT is the most balanced choice. It is a simple, robust and reliable package with a proven naturally aspirated petrol engine and a smooth CVT gearbox, which makes it well suited for long-distance touring. The Elevate also offers a comfortable ride, good ground clearance and a suspension setup that can handle a mix of road conditions, including bad patches, without feeling fragile. Honda’s long-term reliability track record is strong, and the car’s simplicity is actually an advantage for ownership over 5-10 years.The Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Smart Hybrid AT is also a good option, but the hybrid system adds complexity without a significant advantage on long highway runs, where the fuel savings are less pronounced. The battery is not a major reliability concern, but it is still an additional component to consider over long-term ownership.The Volkswagen Taigun 1.0 TSI AT is the enthusiast’s choice with a more engaging driving experience and strong performance, but your concerns about EPC-related faults are not unfounded. While Volkswagen has improved reliability, the ownership experience is still not as hassle-free as Honda or Maruti.

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Popular discussions right now

•3d

I am planning to buy a naturally aspirated petrol automatic car and have shortlisted the Toyota Hyryder mild hybrid and Honda Elevate. Which one would be the better choice?

Verified
•3d

Go for the Honda Elevate CVT. Both the Elevate and the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder mild hybrid use naturally aspirated petrol engines, but the Elevate’s 1.5-litre engine is more refined, and the CVT gearbox is silky smooth, making it a more relaxed car to drive in everyday conditions. The Elevate also benefits from Honda’s strong reputation for long-term reliability and low maintenance costs, which is exactly what you want from a naturally aspirated petrol automatic. The Hyryder is still a good car, but the Elevate is the more complete package for this brief.

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•5d

I am new to driving and am looking for a sub-4-metre petrol SUV with a torque converter automatic gearbox. My budget is around Rs 12-13 lakh on-road. I have shortlisted two options: the Skoda Kylaq Signature automatic and the Mahindra XUV 3XO MX2 Pro automatic. We are a family of five. My current usage is mostly within the city, but based on my future work requirements, it could shift to an 80:20 mix of city and highway driving.

Verified
•4d

Go for the Skoda Kylaq Signature AT. For a new driver with predominantly city use, its 1.0 TSI with a 6-speed torque-converter automatic is smooth and easy to drive, while the compact dimensions make it relatively easy to manage in traffic. It also has a more mature, planted feel on the highway.The Mahindra XUV 3XO MX2 Pro AT is the better choice if rear-seat space is the priority. Its cabin is wider and more accommodating for a family of five, and its 1.2 turbo-petrol makes 200Nm, giving it stronger low-end and mid-range performance than the Kylaq.However, the 3XO's boot is also one of its compromises, while the Kylaq offers a better balance of driving dynamics, boot space and highway manners. With your usage potentially becoming 80:20 city/highway, the Kylaq's combination works particularly well.

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•5d

Which car should I buy among Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Petrol base or Kia Seltos petrol base? And also tell me if anyone has faced power issue or pickup issue while overtaking as I want the car for long term.

Verified
•5d

Between the two, the Seltos is the better choice, especially if you are looking at the base variant. It feels more premium, is the newer product and offers a more complete package even in its lower variants.The 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol makes 115hp and 144Nm. It isn't a particularly powerful engine, but it is smooth and refined and is perfectly adequate for normal city driving.For overtaking, it won't have the punch of the Seltos turbo, but it isn't underpowered either. With a full load and during quick highway overtakes, you may need to plan ahead and use higher revs. The Grand Vitara's 1.5 petrol is also a smooth, simple powertrain, but its performance is more relaxed and the base variant is quite sparsely equipped.

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Posted on: 16 Sept 2026