Skoda Cars Under 25 Lakh in India (4)

autocar.india

•11h

The Kylaq AT would be our first recommendation if you prefer a petrol automatic. Its 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine produces 115hp and 178Nm, offering good performance for both city driving and occasional highway trips. The six-speed torque converter automatic is smooth and well suited to stop-start traffic. It also has a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating. The drawback is that fuel efficiency in heavy traffic is not particularly impressive.If you are open to an EV, consider the Tata Punch EV 40kWh. It is quick, easy to drive in traffic and significantly cheaper to run. It is also worth addressing your concern about electromagnetic fields. EVs do generate electromagnetic fields from their motors, batteries and power electronics, but measurements inside EV cabins have generally been well below international public exposure limits. There is currently no established scientific evidence that these fields cause headaches or other health problems. The World Health Organization also states that evidence linking low-level EMF exposure to headaches is weak. So, there is no specific health reason to avoid the Punch EV on this account. The Punch EV also offers a comfortable city driving experience and low running costs. However, you should ideally have home charging, and occasional highway journeys will require some charging-stop planning.

Skoda Kylaq

Tata Punch EV

autocar.india

•1d

Between your picks, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza 1.5-litre automatic is your best bet since city fuel efficiency is your main priority. The Hyundai Venue, Skoda Kylaq and Mahindra XUV 3XO all use turbo-petrol engines, which aren't particularly known for their fuel efficiency in the city. That said, achieving your target of 13-14kpl in city driving with any of these cars will require a very sedate driving style.The Brezza also comes with a smooth-shifting 6-speed torque converter automatic, which makes driving in the city very easy. One drawback is that, its interior won't feel as modern as the Hyundai Venue. The Honda Amaze is another good choice, but being a compact sedan, it won't feel as spacious as the Brezza.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Hyundai Venue

Skoda Kylaq

Mahindra XUV 3XO

autocar.india

•1d

Given your requirements, you should consider the Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TSI AT. It has a punchy 115 hp turbo petrol engine, a smooth 6-speed torque converter automatic and a sorted ride and handling balance, which makes it one of the most fun-to-drive SUVs in your budget. It is also safe as it has 6 airbags and has a 5-star crash safety rating from Bharat NCAP. However, it isn't the most economical and as you rightly pointed out, the camera quality isn't the best. Alternatively, you could also consider the Hyundai Bayon. It won't be as punchy or as fun to drive as the Kylaq but it will be more economical and have better camera quality.

Skoda Kylaq

Hyundai Bayon

autocar.india

•1d

With your monthly running of just 600- 800 km, we would recommend a petrol automatic over a diesel. The additional cost of buying a diesel is unlikely to be recovered through fuel savings at this level of usage. Also, with predominantly urban driving, a modern diesel's DPF can become a concern if the car does not regularly get sufficiently long runs to complete regeneration. Coming from your Ford Figo diesel, you may find the petrol's running costs higher, but the lower usage makes it the more sensible choice.For Bengaluru traffic, a torque converter automatic would be preferable to a DCT. DCTs are perfectly usable, but repeated crawling in heavy stop-start traffic can make them feel jerky at low speeds and less smooth than a torque converter.We would shortlist the Mahindra XUV 3XO petrol AT and Skoda Kylaq AT. Both get six-speed torque converter automatics. The 3XO has a stronger 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine with 200Nm, a spacious cabin and a comfortable ride. The Kylaq is more compact, feels engaging to drive and is easier to manoeuvre and park in tight spaces.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Skoda Kylaq

autocar.india

•6d

To answer your question about the AC performance first, the pre-facelift Slavia does not get the variable-geometry AC compressor, so its cooling isn’t as good as the updated car. The same will be the case with the pre-facelift Virtus and its upcoming update. Since the discounts being offered on the existing stock are quite tempting, you will need to decide if you are willing to compromise on AC performance for a sweeter deal.For your usage, the 1.0-litre engine will be the better choice. The added performance of the 1.5-litre engine will only really be felt on the highway, which makes up a small portion of your overall driving. The 1.0-litre engine also comes with a torque converter automatic (a 6-speed on the pre-facelift and an 8-speed on the post-facelift), which is smoother in city traffic than the 7-speed DSG paired with the 1.5-litre engine.Overall, a post-facelift Slavia 1.0 automatic is your best bet. It will give you better AC performance alongside a few new features, while the 1.0 offers a good balance of highway performance and city usability.

Skoda Slavia