Skoda Kylaq Prestige AT

Autocar India

•22h

Since your usage is primarily on the highway, we'd suggest you shortlist the Skoda Kylaq and Mahindra XUV 3XO. Both of these cars are solid, safe options, and both deliver strong performance. Between the two, the XUV 3XO feels more spacious at the rear, while the Kylaq has a slightly larger boot.

Skoda Kylaq

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Autocar India

•3d

Pick the Skoda Kylaq Prestige+ AT. For your use and budget, it feels like the best upgrade from your EcoSport.You drive mostly to Hosur and Bengaluru, at low monthly distance, so the smooth 6-speed automatic suits you well. It moves off briskly, has no jerks in slow traffic, and makes city driving simple. The Kylaq sits high and the seats are at a nice height, so getting in and out is easy. Ground clearance is good for village roads and speed breakers, and the suspension handles broken patches without fuss. It also has a strong 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that will feel like a good upgrade from a diesel. Coming from an EcoSport, the Kylaq feels sturdy, and for a bit of peace of mind, it has achieved a 5-star Bharat NCAP crash test rating.For another alternative, look at the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 Luxury AT. It too is robustly built and safe, but it may stretch your on-road budget and isn't quite as refined as the Skoda.

Skoda Kylaq

Autocar India

•2d

We would recommend you shortlist the Skoda Kylaq 1.0 Turbo-AT and the Hyundai Venue N Line 1.0 Turbo-AT. Given that your son has only recently learnt to drive, it will be better to buy him a 'relatively' compact car that's both user-friendly. It has a good audio system, and at the same time has the 'cool' factor that a young driver would be looking for. Both the Kylaq and Venue N Line fit the bill. Also, the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engines in these cars will be adequately powerful and fun to drive, without feeling overwhelming for a new driver.A hatchback alternative that you could consider is the Hyundai i20 N Line Turbo-DCT, which should cost you around Rs 14 lakh for the top-end version.All these will comfortably fall within your Rs 20 lakh budget with some cash to spare, which you could utilise to upgrade the vehicle down the line, once he has mastered the art of driving, and wants a bigger car.

Skoda Kylaq

Hyundai i20

Hyundai Venue

Autocar India

•2d

Hyundai Venue 1.0-litre Turbo-DCT - the drive experience is smooth, ride comfort is good, steering is light, and on account of its raised seating position, visibility is good too. All of these factors make it very user-friendly and ideal for a new driver. Alternatively, you could also consider a Skoda Kylaq 1.0 Turbo-AT, which feels as good, although its service network isn't as wide as Hyundai's. You'll be happy to know that both Venue and Kylaq have scored 5 stars in BNCAP crash tests.

Hyundai Venue

Skoda Kylaq

Autocar India

•2d

The Skoda Kylaq is a well-rounded car. It feels a bit more engaging to drive as far as driving dynamics goes, and its turbo-petrol engine is much stronger than the i20's too. If you plan to take it on the highway too, the Kylaq will feel more effortless in comparison. Keep in mind, it rolls off from a standstill more aggressively than the i20, but you get used to it soon.The Hyundai i20 is smooth and refined, and the IVT feels seamless and very convenient for city use. Sure, performance isn't exciting like your other turbo-petrol cars, but for driving in traffic, it feels perfectly fine. Also, being a Hyundai, servicing and maintenance costs will be lower, too. In conclusion, purely as a city car, the i20 IVT does a great job; the Kylaq will be the better option if you also plan to drive on the highway.

Skoda Kylaq

Hyundai i20

Autocar India

•3d

Your logic is quite sound. The Maruti Suzuki Baleno Alpha AMT fits your first brief of being the least hassle, while being reasonably fun. It does have the best 1.2 NA petrol around, and it falls well inside your budget.Coming from a 2011 Figo, the Baleno will feel easier in the city, with lighter steering, better low-end responses and, of course, an automated shift. For 900-1000km a month, its 1.2 petrol is punchy enough, and Maruti’s wide service network means quick, cheap upkeep almost anywhere. It will also hold value well. It's just that an AMT will never be as smooth as any other automatic, and maybe the manual is the better bet here.The Skoda Kylaq AT makes a compelling argument as the fun option. Though we would recommend it overall, apart from the fact that you will only get it in a low to medium variant in your budget Classic+, as you have mentioned, you could even stretch to a Signature.Still, it's not barebones on features by any means, and if that's okay with you, you should definitely follow the emotional pull. Yes, it won't be as frugal on maintenance costs (or fuel costs) as the Maruti, but they're not bad enough to be a deal breaker.If you want a middle ground between these two, consider the Hyundai i20 N Line or the Maruti Fronx Turbo, both of which offer the best of both your diverging requirements.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

Skoda Kylaq

Hyundai i20

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Autocar India

•4d

Go for the Skoda Kylaq automatic. For your usage and priorities, it is the more sensible and value-for-money choice. It feels modern, is easy to drive in the city and still delivers a fun-to-drive character with strong mid-range performance for your occasional highway trips. It also feels stable and confidence-inspiring at speed, and the automatic gearbox is smooth and well-suited to Mumbai traffic, which adds to overall ease of ownership.On your AC concern, earlier feedback on some Skoda models was mixed, but this has been addressed with updates to the AC system, including a more efficient compressor and improved airflow. The Kylaq benefits from these improvements, so cooling performance should not be a concern, though it is still worth checking in a proper midday test given Mumbai’s conditions.The Renault Duster 1.3 turbo automatic is now a new-generation product and remains the more engaging car to drive, with stronger outright performance and a very capable ride over rough roads. However, compared to the Kylaq, it is larger and not as easy to drive or park in the city. The Kylaq is also more affordable, which means you can opt for a higher variant with more features within your budget.

Skoda Kylaq

Renault Duster

Autocar India

•6d

Go for the Skoda Kylaq Signature. Between your shortlist, it is the better fit for your 70 percent highway usage and focus on comfort and safety. The Kylaq feels more stable and confidence-inspiring at higher speeds, has a solid build, and offers a more planted driving experience, which is especially reassuring for a new driver. The seating and driving position also make it comfortable for long journeys, while overall dynamics are better suited to highway use than a compact sedan.The Honda Amaze VX is easy to drive, comfortable and has a big boot, but it is more city-friendly in nature and does not feel as secure or as composed as the Kylaq on highways, especially at higher speeds.If you are open to looking beyond your shortlist, the Mahindra XUV 3XO is worth considering as well. It offers a strong mix of comfort, space, safety features and ease of driving.

Skoda Kylaq

Autocar India

•1w

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

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