Skoda Kushaq

Autocar India

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The Skoda Kushaq 1.0-litre turbo-petrol with the 8-speed automatic transmission is a fun-to-drive mid-size SUV that you can replace your Maruti S-Cross with. Its compact size makes it ideal for 2 adults and 2 kids, and the Classic+ variant will fall within your Rs 16 lakh budget, and it has most of the features listed, except a rear parking camera. You can also consider a Honda Elevate V CVT, which will be very easy to maintain and is fun to drive.With your Rs 6 lakh budget, though, you will only be able to get entry-level variants of the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios or mid variants of a Maruti Celerio and Tata Tiago. Between the three, the Nios has the nicest interior, while the Celerio's engine will be more efficient. Do keep in mind that neither of the three cars will be as fun to drive as your Brio. So, if your car is in good condition, you should retain it.

Skoda Kushaq

Maruti Suzuki Celerio

Tata Tiago

Honda Elevate

Autocar India

•22h

Between your two options, neither is ideal if your priority is comfortably seating three people in the rear. The Hyundai Venue has a relatively narrow cabin, which makes it tight for three adults, while the Skoda Kushaq has a heavily contoured rear seat that is very comfortable for two, but not as accommodating for three.Between the two, the Kushaq is still the more comfortable car overall. It belongs to a segment above, so it offers more knee room and better overall comfort. Its torque converter automatic is also smoother and better suited to city driving compared to the Venue’s DCT, which can feel slightly jerky in slow traffic.If rear-seat comfort for three passengers is a key requirement, it is worth looking beyond your shortlist at the Mahindra XUV 3XO. It has a wider cabin than the Venue and the Kushaq, which makes it more accommodating for three passengers at the back. It also gets a smooth torque converter automatic paired with a strong turbo-petrol engine.

Hyundai Venue

Skoda Kushaq

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Autocar India

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Given your requirements, the Skoda Kushaq 1.5 TSI seems like the best bet. It has the strongest real-world performance with an automatic in this price range, the 1.5 turbo engine feels quick the moment you press the accelerator, and the DSG is engaging and quick to shift. The Kushaq rides over broken roads without fuss, has good ground clearance, and stays stable at higher speeds, so both your city runs and long trips feel easy. Build quality is solid, and it has a 5-star crash test rating, which should add some peace of mind. However, Skoda only offers the 1.5 TSI powertrain in the top Prestige and Monte Carlo variants, which fall outside of your budget.You might want to consider the Renault Duster, as the brand offers the more powerful 160hp 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine from the lower variants upwards. It's every bit a match for the Kushaq in most areas, and in fact, the ride quality is a bit better, and the boot space is massive, which should come in handy on your long drives. Its performance (and its DCT gearbox) err more on the smooth side, and aren't quite as engaging as Skoda's 1.5 TSI and DSG. If you can't stretch your budget for the Skoda, the Duster is a good bet.

Skoda Kushaq

Renault Duster

Autocar India

•2d

If you found the Hyundai Creta the most comfortable but too dated, the obvious answer is the new Kia Seltos. It gives you that same relaxed, easy-going ride but is more spacious than the Creta and feels more modern and upmarket inside, which will make your frequent Jaipur-Delhi runs nicer to live with.Given your usage is mainly highway with the Polo handling city duty, we would strongly recommend the 1.5 turbo-petrol Seltos. It has a strong mid-range punch, plenty of torque for effortless overtakes, and cruises very comfortably, which is exactly what you want for long, fast runs.The new Skoda Kushaq, Volkswagen Taigun and Renault Duster are all very good to drive on the highway and dynamically more engaging, but as you’ve noticed, their rear seats are tighter for three adults across, and that’s a compromise on long trips with family. That’s where the Seltos scores: it strikes the best balance between space, comfort and a properly fresh cabin.

Hyundai Creta

Kia Seltos

Skoda Kushaq

Volkswagen Taigun

Renault Duster

Autocar India

•1w

The Skoda Kushaq will nicely meet most of your priorities. The car is very safe, with an extensive list of standard safety features. It includes 6 airbags, ESP, hill hold control, and multi-collision braking, which automatically applies the brakes after a severe accident to prevent the car from rolling further. As for the driving experience too, you will find this very good with the Kushaq, the 1.5 litre unit is really very lively, and even the smaller 1.0 litre engine is peppy enough in most scenarios. Mileage and space will not be as much as some rivals, but efficiency is quite acceptable; the 1.0-litre automatic should get you about 8 to 10 kpl in the city and 14 to 15 kpl on the highway, while the larger 1.5-litre TSI engine with the DSG gearbox, should also return similar figures. As for comfort, there's a decent level on offer with adequate all-round room and supportive seats. Uniquely, the Kushaq also offer rear seat massagers. Since the Kushaq is also not as long as rivals like the Hyundai Creta, you should find it a bit more manageable, given you drive a bit more in the city.

Skoda Kushaq

Hyundai Creta

Autocar India

•1w

Go for the Kia Seltos HTX 1.5 petrol CVT with your low yearly running and budget; it is the easiest, smoothest choice right now. The 1.5 petrol suits 5-6k km a year, and the CVT automatic, makes driving in city traffic very calm with no sudden jerks. The Seltos is easy to see out of, light to steer in town, and feels steady on the highway. Kia’s service network is wide, so upkeep is simple in most cities.One thing to be aware of is that this engine and CVT are tuned for smoothness more than strong bursts of speed, so highway overtakes need a steady press on the pedal rather than a quick stab.Consider the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI AT if you find the highway performance of the Seltos inadequate. It offers more performance, and its 8-speed automatic is smooth in traffic too, though it isn't as large or spacious as the Seltos.Overall, the Seltos HTX CVT fits your use best. During the test drive, spend 10 minutes in slow traffic to feel the smoothness, then hit a rough stretch to check ride comfort.

Kia Seltos

Skoda Kushaq

Autocar India

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Between the Skoda Kylaq 1.0 MT and Skoda Kushaq 1.0 MT, it’s less a straight value-for-money question and more about what your priorities are.The Kylaq, being a sub-4-metre car, benefits from a lower GST rate, so it’s obviously cheaper, with prices for the manual variants ranging from around Rs 8.8 lakh to Rs 14 lakh. If you’re mainly driving yourself with a few passengers or little luggage, the Kylaq is a good option, as the 1.0-litre engine in the lighter body makes it feel quite sprightly.The Kushaq is more expensive, with on-road prices for the 1.0 MT ranging from about Rs 12.5 lakh to Rs 20 lakh, depending on the variant. However, it is more spacious and a better pick if you need room for passengers and their bags. It has also received a facelift this year, so it feels fresher, and Skoda has improved some key areas like the air-conditioning.So, if you prioritise cost and mostly drive solo, the Kylaq makes sense; if space and comfort matter more, the Kushaq is the one to go for.

Skoda Kylaq

Skoda Kushaq

Autocar India

•1w

A turbo-petrol is a good choice for your usage, as the strong mid-range makes highway overtakes and cruising more relaxed and confidence-inspiring.The new Renault Duster is a very solid highway option: its 1.3 turbo puts out about 160 hp, the most powerful in this group. Its ride comfort is arguably the best in class, which you’ll really appreciate over long distances. If you value a cushy, planted feel and don’t mind a slightly more old-school cabin experience, it’s a strong contender.If your highways are generally smooth, the refreshed Skoda Kushaq 1.5 TSI is also a great choice. It actually feels more tied down at high speeds than the Duster and has more responsive steering, which gives it sharper, more engaging handling. The 1.5 TSI with the quick-shifting 7-speed DSG is a very effective overtaking tool and feels properly sophisticated on the move.The Kia Seltos is the best all-rounder: it offers the most spacious cabin and the most premium interiors, with loads of features. However, while its 1.5 turbo-petrol is powerful on paper, it doesn’t feel as characterful or as enthusiastic as the Duster’s 1.3 or Kushaq’s 1.5 TSI in real-world driving.

Renault Duster

Skoda Kushaq

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

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For your requirement, the Skoda Kushaq Classic Plus 1.0 TSI MT does make a lot of sense. It offers good body control and a confident feel at speed, which will feel familiar coming from the EcoSport. The 1.0 turbo petrol also has strong performance, making it easy to drive in both city and highway conditions.The Skoda Kylaq, in a more feature-rich Signature variant, is also a very strong option. Despite being smaller, it still feels planted and confidence-inspiring to drive, so you will not feel a big drop in stability. The main difference compared to the Kushaq is rear seat space, where knee room is just about adequate for adults, while the Kushaq offers more room and better comfort for rear passengers. At the same time, the Kylaq gives you more features for your money, which makes it a very well-rounded package in this price range.The Kia Seltos HTE is the most spacious and comfortable option among the three and the easiest to live with. It uses a 1.5 naturally aspirated petrol engine, which is very smooth and refined, making it great for daily driving. However, it does not have the same outright punch as the turbo petrol engines in the Skoda models, so it will not feel as exciting or responsive when you push it.

Skoda Kushaq

Skoda Kylaq

Autocar India

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Pick the new Renault Duster 1.3-litre with the DCT automatic. It produces segment-leading figures of 163hp and 280Nm, and the wet-clutch dual-clutch automatic impresses with its almost torque-converter-like smoothness. It isn’t quite as engaging to drive as the Skoda Kushaq, but it makes up for it with sublime ride quality. Besides, a comparable Kushaq 1.5 TSI DSG will be closer to Rs 22 lakh on-road, as the bigger engine is only available in the top two trims. The Duster’s Techno+ trim should fit within your budget and comes very well equipped for the price.The one downside is that it is not as spacious on the inside as the Kia Seltos. If that is a priority, then consider the Seltos with the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol DCT instead.On the test drive, spend 10 minutes in bumper-to-bumper traffic to feel DCT creep, then do an 80-100kph run to check straight-line stability and cabin noise.

Renault Duster

Skoda Kushaq

Kia Seltos