I’m currently looking to buy an SUV, and I’m particularly inclined towards German-made vehicles. I really appreciate the performance and driving dynamics of the Taigun, especially its handling and power. I find the second-row space to be lacking, and the overall aesthetics don’t quite appeal to me. I’m interested in alternatives that offer similar driving performance and handling but with better space and design, ideally priced under ₹20 lakhs.

Autocar India

•9w

While the Volkswagen Taigun (and its sibling the Skoda Kushaq) are the only European-brand SUV options in this price range, you're right to observe that the rear seat isn't great on space and comfort. This will be partially addressed with the facelift - due in early 2026 - which is said to be introducing more rear seat features, like ventilated seats, as well as an updated interior design, which could alleviate your aesthetic concerns.

Two alternatives you could consider at this price are the new Kia Seltos, which feels larger and more solid than before, and whose 160hp turbo-petrol engine packs sufficient punch. There's also the new Renault Duster, which promises to be tough and solid like previous iterations, but which will also be more modern and refined this time, while also packing a turbocharged petrol engine.

Explore cars mentioned

Volkswagen

Taigun

from ₹12.33 Lakh

Skoda

Kushaq

from ₹12.42 Lakh

Kia

New Seltos

Renault

Duster

from ₹12.23 Lakh

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Latest questions people are discussing

Saransh

•2d

I am planning to buy a new SUV at around ₹17 lakh on-road price and have shortlisted the Honda Elevate ZX, Kia Seltos HTK and new Kushaq Prestige. I primarily need a car for 80% driving in the city and around 1000-1200 km per month. Which is better in terms of engine and mileage? Is the Honda Elevate outdated compared to other cars in the segment?

Autocar India

•1h

The Honda Elevate is a good option for your needs. The 1.5-litre petrol engine is smooth and refined, and the CVT automatic gearbox is well-suited to city driving. The car is spacious and comfortable, and the ZX variant is well-equipped too. However, in comparison to the Seltos, it does not have the space or the modernity, and the cabin does not feel as plush.The Kia Seltos HTK with the CVT gearbox is the best option considering all your needs. It is a lot better-equipped than the Honda, has a better ride quality, and the engine has a lot more punch and strong performance while still being easy to drive in the city. The smoothness, refinement and ease of use are why the Seltos will be our recommendation.The Skoda Kushaq is a good option, too. The 1.0-litre TSI engine is quite efficient, but it is not as smooth as the 1.5-litre engines of the Honda and Kia. The facelift that was recently revealed will be launched in a few days, but it hasn't changed much in the rear seat space, where it is still not as spacious as the Seltos. So we would advise you to shortlist the Seltos.

Subash

I am confused about whether to buy the petrol or diesel variant of the Kia Seltos. I always prefer to drive a manual transmission and am not interested in an automatic at all. I was owning a Kia Carens 1.5 Petrol MT previously and am now looking for a new SUV. Suggest which one to take, either petrol or diesel in the Seltos MT. Also considering the Skoda Kushaq, but afraid of the high maintenance cost in Skoda.

Autocar India

•2h

Since you have not mentioned your monthly running, the choice between petrol and diesel mainly depends on how much you drive and the kind of driving you do. As a general rule, if your running is more than about 1,300 to 1,400 km per month, then the diesel version of the Kia Seltos can make sense. You should also have regular highway drives so that the diesel engine can operate properly and avoid potential DPF related issues.If your running is lower than that or largely city-focused, the petrol Seltos will suit you very well. Since you prefer a proper manual gearbox, you should know that the turbo petrol engine is only available with the clutchless iMT. The conventional manual gearbox comes with the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine.While it is not as punchy as the turbo petrol, it is smooth and perfectly adequate for everyday driving, especially in the city. In fact, you are already familiar with this engine because your Kia Carens uses the same powertrain and transmission combination.Regarding the Skoda Kushaq, the brand has improved a lot over the past few years, and the earlier reliability concerns are largely sorted. However, since you already own a Kia car and are satisfied with the ownership experience, sticking with the Seltos would be the safer and more comfortable choice for you.

Tarun Kumar

I am planning to buy a new mid-range SUV and have shortlisted the Kia Seltos HTX(A) and the Hyundai Creta Knight, both with petrol IVT transmissions. I am getting both cars for almost the same price (around ₹21.5 lakh). I have a few questions before making the final decision: One of the main reasons I am considering these higher variants is the 360-degree camera, as I am upgrading from a hatchback and feel it may help with the larger dimensions of an SUV. In real-world usage, does the 360 camera actually help, or is it just a matter of getting used to the car’s size? I don’t see much use for ADAS in Mumbai’s bumper-to-bumper traffic. I am eligible for a BH registration, but I am also considering a MH registration. Since I plan to keep the car for around 8 years, could selling a BH-registered car later become an issue? My budget is around ₹20–21 lakh, and at that price I would like to get maximum features. I have driven both cars and liked them, but which one would you say is more feature-rich overall? For example, the ambient lighting in the Creta seems limited to red, while the instrument cluster in the Seltos looks more modern. Are there any other SUVs in this segment that I should consider? I found the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder and Skoda Kushaq to be quite basic and didn’t like them much. From what I have seen so far, the Seltos and Creta seem to offer the best combination of reliability and features, so I ruled out other options without test driving them. Thanks, Team.

Autocar India

•2d

For you, we think the Kia Seltos would be a better option. The Seltos is a much newer car compared to the Hyundai Creta. Since you intend to sell your car about 8 years from now, the Seltos should be able to get you a better price. As for your other queries, yes, you would get used to the dimensions of your car. If you can easily manage the budget for the versions with a 360 deg camera, it's a nice-to-have feature as seeing the immediate surroundings comes in handy in some odd parking situations like placing a car over a pothole, or lining it up against a kerb.As for ADAS, yes, in Mumbai city traffic, it can often be an issue; thus, it's best to keep it only on highway drives. Coming to the BH plate, it makes sense if you are likely to be transferred and would live in another state, plus you do not have to pay the entire road tax upfront. However, you do have to make the effort to pay it every two years online and selling to non-eligible buyers does involve a bit more paperwork.

Kia New Seltos

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