Skoda cars in India (7)

The 1.5TSI versions of the Skoda Kushaq, Skoda Slavia, Volkswagen Taigun and Volkswagen Virtus, will certainly bring a smile to your face with their performance as well as dynamic prowess.

All these feel similar from behind the wheel, so pick the body style you prefer -  sedan or SUV. Out of these, the Kushaq is likely to get updated in the coming weeks, so you may want to check that out before making your decision.

On the other hand, if you want a car that looks sporty, drives well, and has features like ADAS, you could also consider a Hyundai Creta N Line and Verna.

It's hard to recommend a car without knowing more about your requirements, like space, mileage, number of seats, etc. However, within your specific budget, no US options are available. From the European manufacturers, only the Skoda and Volkswagen cars are there.

We would recommend you look at the Skoda Kushaq or Volkswagen Taigun, which are essentially the same SUV. Also, if you would prefer a sedan, the Skoda Slavia and its sister car, the Volkswagen Virtus, are the options.

These sister models of Skoda and Volkswagen are essentially the same, sharing all their mechanical components and a lot of the exterior and interior bits too. Thus, choosing between them would come down to the level of dealer support in your area and your own preference in terms of the individual car's style.      

There is minimal choice in the sedan market today, and your best options are the Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Virtus, which have strong petrol engines, excellent ride and handling and a comfortable cabin. 

They are ideal for your mix of city and highway drives and come with a high level of safety, too. If you are a regular driver and don’t want extra performance, then the 1.0 versions paired to the 6-speed automatic will work well for you. 

Both the Slavia and Virtus are identical except for the design and a few feature differences across the variants. So the one to choose depends on your comfort with the dealer,  the design, your affinity with the brand and the best deals you get. 

We suggest you wait for the refreshed Skoda Kushaq, which will be launched next month. It comes with strong engines, a good balance of ride and handling, and is one of the most fun-to-drive SUVs for the money. It has solid build quality and is also high on safety. Y

ou could opt for the 1.5 TSI mated to a quick-shifting 7-speed DSG automatic, which will make weekend drives an absolute pleasure. 

Yes, the Tata Safari petrol is a good option to consider. The 170hp petrol engine is smooth and punchy, making it a lovely car to drive. 

However, if you have the budget to opt for the Skoda Kodiaq, then, quite frankly, the Safari petrol, other than a much more spacious third row, can’t match the Kodiaq, which is in a different class altogether. 

It is better engineered, has a quality feel and is superbly equipped. Also, for your driving, which is mainly on weekends and on highways, where there is less traffic, you can really enjoy the Kodiaq, which is a perfect car. The only compromise you will have to make is with the third row, which is best for kids.