Skoda cars in India (9)

We'd recommend waiting for the Renault Duster that will be launched on March 17. On paper, it could be the best suited to your requirements. The engine promises enough power for highway drives, and if the build is anything like the old Duster's, it will be ideal for your hill drives too, especially in testing environs like Ladakh.  

Of the other options on the list, the Skoda Kushaq/ Volkswagen Taigun 1.0 MT could fit the bill for you. They have a robust build, punchy engines and deliver good economy when driven in a relaxed manner. 

The Volkswagen Tiguan and Skoda Kodiaq are essentially the same SUV underneath, with the same engine, gearbox and chassis. It's just that the 5-seat Tiguan R-Line is a little smaller; something that's addressed by the recently launched Volkswagen Tayron. As such, given your requirements and usage, you should stick with the Tiguan as it is too good a deal to pass up. And for what it's worth, the Tiguan is a full CBU import, while the Kodiaq is locally assembled, but moreover, there are some feature differences between the two - the Volkswagen gets ADAS, adaptive dampers and a larger 15-inch screen, while the Skoda gets powered and ventilated front seats, rear window blinds and a 360-degree camera. The biggest difference is that the Kodiaq offers third row of seats, but they're not very spacious, and since you mostly travel with four passengers, it's better to use that space for luggage anyway - the VW loses about 130 litres to the Skoda (in 5-seat mode) but they're both very spacious. With regards to your priorities of comfort in traffic, good rear seat comfort for family use, and long-term ownership satisfaction, the two are virtually the same.

There are a couple of options that you can consider. We've listed the highlights for each.

1) Skoda Kylaq: Punchy engine, fun handling. Rear seat space is tight, though

2) Mahindra XUV 3XO petrol: Strong engine, good ride comfort. Boot space is limited

3) Maruti Suzuki Fronx Turbo/ Toyota Taisor Turbo: Strong engine. Reliability and hassle-free ownership experience 

4) Citroen C3: Strong engine. Feels a bit basic, and the service network isn't very large.

For your needs, the Volkswagen Virtus and Skoda Slavia are good options. Both cars are mechanically identical, so it ultimately comes down to which one you prefer in terms of styling and interiors, and which brand has a service centre closer to you. Performance from the 1.0-litre TSI engine is more than adequate for your highway trips, and fuel efficiency is respectable on the highway as well. The six-speed torque converter is excellent; however, in your case, since most of your driving is on the highway, the slick 6-speed manual is a fine choice.

Volkswagen and Skoda have had a reputation for higher maintenance costs in the past. But both brands have improved things significantly with their INDIA 2.0 cars, which include the Virtus and Slavia. 

One thing to note, however, is that facelifts for both models are expected shortly. While these are likely to be relatively minor updates, similar to the one the Skoda Kushaq recently received. The 6-speed automatic is expected to be phased out and replaced by a new 8-speed unit, as seen on the Kushaq. Do consider this in your purchase decision.