Skoda cars in India (9)

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With a 2017 i20 diesel Asta that is still running fine, the decision to upgrade should be driven by ownership costs and reliability rather than age. At 30-50 km a day with occasional highway and hilly road use, your diesel is still well suited to your usage, but if maintenance and repairs are starting to add up, it may be time to consider a change.With a budget of Rs. 25 lakh, the Skoda Kushaq 1.5 TSI is a strong recommendation. It offers a punchy turbo petrol engine that is well suited to hilly terrain, a solid build and a genuinely enjoyable driving experience. The Skoda car is also a good size upgrade from the i20, offering more space and ground clearance without being unwieldy.If you are looking for something more comfort-oriented, the Tata Sierra is worth considering. It offers a spacious cabin, a comfortable ride and a premium feel, making it a great long-distance tourer. The turbo petrol engine is strong, but it does not have the same long-term ownership track record as the Skoda.If you are happy with your i20 and maintenance costs are still manageable, there is no urgent need to upgrade. But if repairs are becoming frequent, the Kushaq 1.5 TSI is the best fit for your usage and budget.

Skoda Kushaq

Tata Sierra

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Yes, the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder Hybrid will still be a very good choice in 2026, but it is important to understand what you are getting. The Hyryder Hybrid is not about outright performance or the latest tech features. Its biggest strength is its hybrid system, which delivers excellent fuel efficiency, especially in city driving. Toyota’s hybrid technology is proven and reliable, and the car is engineered for long-term ownership with low running costs and strong reliability.That said, the Hyryder Hybrid is not the most exciting car to drive, and it is not the most feature-rich option in the segment. If you are looking for a more engaging driving experience, something like the Skoda Kushaq or Volkswagen Taigun would be a better fit. If you want a more premium cabin and a richer feature list, the Kia Seltos or Tata Sierra are stronger contenders.Ultimately, the Hyryder Hybrid remains a sensible and dependable choice in 2026, particularly if your priority is fuel efficiency, reliability and low running costs. If those are your priorities, the Toyota car is still one of the best options in the segment. If you are looking for excitement or luxury, there are better alternatives at the same price point.

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Tata Sierra

Skoda Kushaq

Kia Seltos

Volkswagen Taigun

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Go for the Maruti Suzuki Brezza. It is the most sensible choice for a second family car under Rs 10 lakh. It offers a comfortable 5-seat layout, good ground clearance and a smooth, fuss-free driving experience. The naturally aspirated petrol engine of this Maruti Suzuki car is refined and easy to live with. Plus, Maruti’s service network and low running costs make it a very easy car to own long-term. The rear seat is comfortable for family use, and the ride quality is well-suited to bad Indian city roads.The Kia Sonet and Tata Nexon are both good cars, but the Sonet’s rear seat is spacious, and the Nexon’s would also feel tight for a family of five. The Skoda Kushaq is spacious but is a more driver-focused car, and would go well above the Rs 10 lakh mark for even the base version.The Brezza is not the most exciting car in the segment, and there is an updated one arriving in just a few weeks.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Tata Nexon

Skoda Kushaq

Kia Sonet

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With a Rs 13 lakh budget, a 50 km daily city commute and a clear preference for an automatic SUV, the Skoda Kylaq or the Maruti Suzuki Brezza automatic would be sensible upgrades from your Swift.The Brezza is a genuinely comfortable and reliable city SUV with a smooth automatic gearbox, low running costs and Maruti's unmatched service network. This Maruti Suzuki car also offers a comfortable low-speed ride, good ground clearance and a spacious cabin, which is good if you have a family. The Kylaq automatic is the more fun-to-drive alternative, so if that's what you prefer, consider the Skoda. Overall, the Brezza automatic is the best fit for your requirements, but wait a few weeks, as an updated model is around the corner.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Skoda Kylaq

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With 80% highway usage, 2,000km a month and a Rs 15 lakh budget, you need a car that is comfortable at speed, stable on the highway and efficient over long distances. The Mahindra XUV 3XO is a good fit. It is a driver's car with strong highway manners, good stability and a punchy turbo petrol or turbo diesel engine options that make overtaking easy. A few shortcomings to bear in mind are a small boot by class standards and interior quality that falls a little short of others in this segment.Another option is the Skoda Kylaq, which also has solid highway manners and a punchy engine. However, you're restricted to petrol only, its back seat is cramped, and though decent on the highway, fuel economy in the city is not good. As for petrol versus diesel, work out the maths for yourself, but given your primarily highway use and heavy mileage, we would recommend a diesel SUV, and thus the XUV 3XO is a good fit.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Skoda Kylaq

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With a 12km alternate-day commute in Thane, your usage is predominantly city-based with relatively low annual running. In this scenario, a petrol automatic makes the most sense from a reliability and ownership-cost perspective, as the fuel savings from an electric car would take a long time to justify the higher upfront cost.In your Rs 20-25lakh budget, the Kia Seltos IVT is the most balanced recommendation. It is a comfortable, well-equipped midsize SUV with a smooth and reliable automatic transmission, good ride quality for city driving and a strong after-sales network in Thane. The IVT gearbox is particularly well-suited to stop-start traffic and is known for its reliability and low maintenance requirements.If you are open to a slightly smaller car, the Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TSI with the 6-speed automatic is also worth considering. It offers a more engaging driving experience, a robust and proven engine and a transmission that is both reliable and relatively efficient. However, the Kia car remains the more premium and spacious option.On the EV front, the MG Windsor is the most sensible recommendation if you are genuinely keen on going electric. It is spacious, comfortable and well-suited to city use. However, given your low running, the financial case for an EV is weak.Overall, the Seltos IVT strikes the best balance between reliability, comfort, running costs and after-sales support for your usage pattern.

Kia Seltos

Skoda Kylaq

MG Windsor

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The Jimny is a genuinely likeable car with its compact dimensions, rugged looks and proper SUV feel, and it is well suited to city use and small road trips. However, your concerns about low sales and resale value are valid. The Jimny has not found a large audience, and that does have an impact on long-term ownership confidence. The Thar Roxx is indeed much larger and less city-friendly, while the standard Thar remains cramped in the second row, so neither is an ideal alternative for your usage.As for a facelift, there is no confirmed timeline for a major update, and waiting for a 4x2 variant is not advisable unless you are specifically looking for a more affordable, less capable version. The Jimny’s appeal lies in its 4x4 capability, and a 4x2 version would dilute much of what makes it special.If you love the Jimny for what it is, you can still go ahead and buy it, but do so with the understanding that resale value may not be its strongest suit. If that is a major concern, you may want to consider more mainstream alternatives like the Brezza or the Kylaq, which offer better ownership confidence without the same level of off-road character.

Maruti Suzuki Jimny

Mahindra Thar

Mahindra Thar Roxx

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Skoda Kylaq

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Do not let E20 concerns drive your decision. Modern turbo petrol engines are engineered to run on E20 fuel, and there is no official roadmap beyond E20 at this stage. The main impact of higher ethanol blends is a slight reduction in fuel economy, not engine damage. Premium petrol is not required, and long-term wear is generally limited to some rubber fuel-system components, which manufacturers account for in their designs.If you want to buy a car under 15 lakhs, the best approach is to focus on the car that best suits your needs rather than worrying about E20. If you want a turbo petrol, the Skoda Kylaq is a strong recommendation. It offers a genuinely enjoyable driving experience, a proven 1.0 TSI engine and a well-balanced package. If you want a more spacious car, the Mahindra XUV 3XO is also worth considering. It is one of the most spacious compact SUVs, has a wide cabin and is a great 5-seater. The only drawback is the boot, which is one of the smallest in the segment.The key point is that E20 should not be the deciding factor. Both Kylaq and 3XO are engineered for E20 and will serve you well for years to come. Choose the one that best fits your usage and ownership priorities.

Skoda Kylaq

Mahindra XUV 3XO

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The Skoda Slavia facelift is expected around mid-August, so it is worth waiting if your purchase isn’t urgent. The update is likely to bring mild styling tweaks, but more importantly, some meaningful feature upgrades. Improvements to the air conditioning are expected, along with additions like ventilated or massage functions for the seats and a revised automatic gearbox option. Even if changes aren’t dramatic, you’ll be getting a more up-to-date package for roughly the same money.On the ethanol blending question, there’s no real reason to hold back your purchase. The current Slavia is already E20 compliant, and modern turbo petrol engines are engineered to run reliably on this fuel. In fact, there is typically some engineering buffer built in, so handling slightly higher blends like E25 in practice is not an issue from a durability standpoint.At present, there is no clear or official roadmap beyond E20 in India. So waiting for further clarity on fuel policy is unlikely to materially affect your decision. The only noticeable downside with higher ethanol blends is a marginal drop in fuel efficiency, which is something manufacturers have already factored in.Overall, the Slavia continues to stand out as one of the best driver-focused sedans in its class. Strong turbo petrol engines, a well-judged ride-and-handling balance, and a solid build make this Skoda car a very appealing choice. Waiting for the facelift makes sense, but there’s no need to delay your decision over ethanol concerns.

Skoda Slavia

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The Skoda Kylaq Prestige Plus AT is a strong choice, but your concerns about the 360-degree camera are valid. The Kylaq does not offer a factory-fitted 360-degree camera, so any installation will be an aftermarket solution, even if arranged through the dealer. This means the camera system will not be as seamlessly integrated as a factory setup. The feed will display on the touchscreen, but the level of integration can vary depending on the kit used. Some systems can trigger the side cameras with the indicators, but this is not always guaranteed and depends on the quality of the installation and the specific hardware chosen.Regarding the software update rumour, there is no official Skoda update pending specifically for 360-degree camera integration on the Kylaq. Dealers may be waiting for better aftermarket kits or improved integration solutions. There is a factory update on the horizon later this year, which could include the update.

Skoda Kylaq