Upcoming Skoda cars in India (3)

Autocar India

•13h

The Skoda Kylaq is one of the few cars in your budget that offers ventilated seats along with a proper torque converter automatic, which is smoother and more reliable for city driving compared to AMTs or DCTs. That directly addresses your daily usage of 1000-1200 km in the city, where ease of driving and comfort matter the most.What also works strongly in its favour is the overall driving experience. The Kylaq has a punchy turbo petrol engine, good ride quality and feels more stable than most compact SUVs. So even when you step out for occasional highway drives, you feel confident and composed. The cabin is well built and feels premium enough for long-term ownership.Now, looking at alternatives. Cars like the Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet and Tata Nexon also offer ventilated seats in this price range. However, all three cars are offered with DCT gearboxes in petrol automatics, which can feel jerky in slow traffic over time. In comparison, the Kylaq’s automatic is simply easier and more relaxed to live with.

Skoda Kylaq

Hyundai Venue

Kia Sonet

Tata Nexon

Autocar India

•9h

They don't make them like they used to, and few new cars today can replicate the feel of your Punto. That said, you're on the right track with Skoda car, and the Kushaq 1.0 TSI AT is probably the best of the lot. It's more spacious than the Kylaq while not being large enough to be cumbersome, and unlike the MY25 1.5 TSI option, you're getting the latest facelifted Kushaq here, with all the benefits, including the updated AC with a variable-geometry compressor. Plus, since your usage is 70% in the city, you'll appreciate the smoother 8-speed torque converter, compared to the 7-speed DSG of the 1.5.You will like the way the Kushaq feels tough over bad patches and speed breakers. The body control is tight and the steering has some weight, so it gives you confidence in a way few new cars do. There's no diesel here, but coming from the Punto’s MJD, the 1.0 TSI will feel sufficiently strong. Skoda service has improved but still, ask around about the nearest workshop that you would be using, and take the longest warranty you can.

Skoda Kushaq

Skoda Kylaq

Autocar India

•1d

Yes, priced at Rs 39.99 lakh, ex-showroom India, the Skoda Kodiaq Lounge represents great value for money. It's a full Rs 4 lakh cheaper than the Kodiaq Sportline and Rs 6.5 lakh cheaper than the L&K variant, and you don't miss out on that much. The main difference, of course, is the lack of a third row, though these seats were quite small to begin with. It misses some features too, but none of them is essential. For instance, the boot is still powered but loses its hands-free-opening function, the touchscreen is slightly smaller, the front passenger seat is not powered, there's just a rear-view camera instead of a 360deg camera, and the 13-speaker Canton audio system is replaced by a simpler one with 9 speakers. What remains unchanged is the powertrain - a 204hp, 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine with AWD and a 7-speed DSG gearbox. Also unchanged is the well-sorted chassis, high interior quality and solid build, which is really what you're getting a Kodiaq for in the first place.

Skoda Kodiaq

Autocar India

•1d

The Kia Seltos 1.5 petrol HTK (O) MT fits your brief best. In daily traffic, the Seltos will be easy to drive thanks to its smooth, naturally aspirated petrol engine and light gearshift and clutch, and the higher seat makes getting in and out easy. It also rides over bad roads and tall speed breakers without worry, which matters on mixed city-highway use. Space is good for four and fine for five for shorter trips, and the boot will take a family’s weekend bags.The HTK (O) MT is a good value for money as it offers quite a few features for the price. Just bear in mind that, on the highway, the engine will require a bit more effort to make easy overtakes. If your trips are often with four adults and lots of luggage, and you value a bigger boot and stronger pull on the highway, look at the Skoda Slavia 1.0 TSI Sportline MT. Its small turbo engine gives more punch. But it is a lower car, so entry is not as easy, and you have to be a bit more careful on rough roads. Compared to the Seltos' naturally aspirated 1.5, you'll also experience some turbo lag at city speeds, and at your budget, you won't get as many features. Overall, for your mix of city and highway and firm budget, the Seltos HTK is the most practical pick.

Kia Seltos

Skoda Slavia

Autocar India

•1d

With a majority of city use, short monthly running, clear focus on safety, driving dynamics and comfort, we will suggest the Volkswagen Taigun 1.0 TSI automatic or equivalent Skoda Kushaq. You will like it for three reasons. First, it feels sure-footed and is a pleasure to drive. Second, the 1.0 turbo petrol is smooth and quick enough for gaps in city traffic, and the automatic here is a regular torque-converter unit, which means gears changes are very smooth. It also handles slow, stop-start roads without fuss. Third, safety is strong - the Taigun and Kushaq have a 5-star crash test rating and are well equipped with safety features. A couple of trade-offs to note. The back seat is not very wide, so three adults will be snug. And the ride at very low speeds, can feel a bit firm over sharp bumps. Service costs are a bit higher than Honda car, but VW now offers long warranty and service packs that keep bills predictable, so do ask your dealer about it.

Volkswagen Taigun

Skoda Kushaq

Autocar India

•3d

Go for the Skoda Kylaq Signature Plus. It is the better fit for your usage, especially with more highway driving. The Kylaq stands out because of its turbo petrol engine and overall driving feel. It is more responsive, pulls stronger on highways and feels more stable at higher speeds. The ride is also better sorted, which adds confidence on long drives. If you enjoy driving and want something that feels solid and engaging, the Kylaq clearly has the edge. The torque converter automatic is smooth in traffic and quick when you need it, but the downside is fuel efficiency, which will be noticeably lower than that of the Amaze.The Honda Amaze VX CVT takes a different approach. It is smoother and easier to drive in city traffic, with a very relaxed automatic experience. It is also more predictable to own, with Honda’s strong reputation for consistent after-sales service and lower maintenance costs, making it the more hassle-free option in the long run.

Skoda Kylaq

Honda Amaze

Autocar India

•2d

Check out the the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI Signature. It will feel closer to your old Punto than the Fronx does. The steering has good weight and the car turns in eagerly, so it is easy to place in tight bends and hairpins. The suspension takes rough patches well without tossing you around, and the car feels steady at highway speeds. The 115hp turbo petrol has strong pull once spinning, so quick overtakes on climbs are simple, and with the manual, you have full control of gears on steep sections. It also has a solid safety record, which matters on hill roads.A couple of things to note. At very low revs, you may need a downshift to get going cleanly on an uphill, so keep it in the right gear. Also, Skoda’s service reach is not as wide as Maruti’s, so check dealer support in your town.Other alternatives include the Renault Duster Techno Plus 1.3 Turbo, which feels tough, comfortable and characterful, but not as nimble, and as it's a brand new product which means its reliability is yet to be proven. You could also check out the Citroen Basalt X 1.2 Turbo AT, which is excellent value for money, but its dealer network is even smaller than Skoda's, so that needs to be borne in mind.

Skoda Kushaq

Renault Duster

Citroen Basalt

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Autocar India

•3d

Go for the Kia Seltos petrol IVT. It is the most balanced premium SUV in your ₹15-20 lakh budget. The Seltos fits your brief very well, with a smooth and refined engine paired to a seamless IVT gearbox that makes everyday driving effortless. The cabin quality, features and overall finish also give it a proper premium feel, which is important at this price point. It is not the most powerful option, but it delivers steady, predictable performance that works well for both city use and occasional highway drives.If you want more performance and a stronger driving experience, you can consider the Renault Duster 1.3 turbo petrol with DCT. The turbo engine feels more energetic, and the DCT is smoother than rival setups in cars like the Seltos turbo or Skoda Kushaq 1.5 TSI, making it more engaging to drive than the Seltos IVT. However, it is not as polished as the Seltos in terms of overall refinement and everyday comfort, and real-world efficiency will also be lower.

Kia Seltos

Skoda Kushaq

Autocar India

•1d

With 80 km a day, mostly on highways and a 600 km run most months, you need a safe, steady sedan that feels good at speed and does not force a sunroof. In that brief, the Honda City V CVT with Honda Sensing fits best because it gives you ADAS without a sunroof and stays calm and secure on fast roads.The City’s steering is light in town but feels natural and sure as speed builds, and the car remains composed over rough patches. The cabin is well-made, and you get core safety features like six airbags and stability control.Do note: the City is not the most powerful in this price band, so if you want very quick bursts for overtakes, you will need to press the engine harder, and the CVT can sound loud when you do.If you want stronger power and a more connected feel and can give up ADAS or the no-sunroof requirement, look at the Volkswagen Virtus 1.5 TSI DSG or Skoda Slavia 1.5 TSI DSG. They feel very strong on the highway, and their steering has more weight, but they miss ADAS, and top versions will add a sunroof. Overall, for your highway-heavy use, ADAS and no-sunroof requirement, the City V CVT lines up best.

Honda City

Volkswagen Virtus

Skoda Slavia

Autocar India

•1d

For mostly city use in Bangalore, 500 km a month, and as a new driver who wants safety, comfort and an easy automatic, the Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TSI automatic in the Prestige trim is a good fit. It scores a 5-star safety rating, the body feels solid, and it comes with multiple safety aids, which give peace of mind. The 1.0 turbo-petrol with the 6-speed automatic is smooth at low speeds and takes the stress out of stop-and-go driving. Ride comfort is good for our roads, and the driving position is upright with good visibility, which helps when you are still building confidence.A couple of things to note for your use. The rear seat is fine for two adults, but three across will feel tight, and the boot is okay, not the biggest. Overall, yes, for your priorities, the Kylaq 1.0 automatic suits the brief well.

Skoda Kylaq