Skoda Kushaq

Autocar India

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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

•16s

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

•2d

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

•2d

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

•3d

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

•5d

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

Autocar India

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Choose the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 AT Classic Plus. For Chennai’s 80% city use and your budget, it delivers five-star safety and a smoother-shifting automatic. With your usage involving mostly stop-and-go driving, the Kushaq’s 8-speed torque-converter avoids the occasional hesitation of Kia’s DCT and potential clutch-pack wear. It’s easy to drive and park, and its five-star Global NCAP (adult and child) rating adds to the sense of safety. In city traffic, the smaller 1.0 TSI will also be more fuel efficient than the turbo-DCT Seltos.The one thing you give up is outright performance. The Kia Seltos 1.5-turbo DCT makes about 160hp and feels quicker, especially above 60kph and on highways. If you value stronger performance and can stretch your budget, then consider the Kia Seltos 1.5-turbo DCT.On the test drive, do a 15-minute crawl in traffic-like loops. Check low-speed creep smoothness and city ride comfort over speed breakers and rough patches.

Skoda Kushaq

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

•4d

For your usage, which is largely highway-focused with occasional hill drives and a clear preference for manual driving, the Kia Seltos HTK Petrol MT variant is a sensible and well-rounded choice within your Rs 15 lakh ex-showroom budget. It offers a comfortable and stable highway experience, light controls for occasional city use, and enough ground clearance to handle broken roads and hill sections without worry.However, if fun-to-drive is an important factor for you, the naturally aspirated petrol may feel a bit flat, especially on highways and inclines where you will need to work the gearbox more for overtakes.In that case, it is worth considering something like the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI manual. It offers a stronger mid-range and a more engaging driving experience, which suits highway driving and hill sections better, especially for someone who enjoys being behind the wheel.So the choice comes down to what you prioritise. If you want a comfortable, easy and well-equipped all-rounder, the Seltos HTK+ works well. But if you are looking for a more engaging and fun driving experience, the Kushaq 1.0 TSI manual is the better fit.

Kia Seltos

Skoda Kushaq

Autocar India

•6d

Without knowing any further requirements, or your budget, it's hard to make a definitive recommendation. However, all things considered, the Renault Duster 1.3 turbo petrol MT is the better overall package than the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI MT. For one, just the power alone is considerably higher in the Duster 1.3, and in fact, it's more than even the Kushaq's larger 1.5 TSI has on offer. Thereafter, the two SUVs are closely matched - both have excellent handling, both offer good space and comfort in the front seat, though it's only average in the rear seat, and both are now well equipped. However, the Duster edges ahead in two areas - the first being boot space, which is a massive 518 litres, compared to about 385 in the Skoda. And the other is ride comfort - while the Kushaq is good, the Duster is even better, delivering a ride that is comfortable, stable and solid feeling, all at once. Thus, overall, the Duster 1.3 Turbo is the better choice.

Renault Duster

Skoda Kushaq

Autocar India

•1w

Go for the Honda Elevate CVT, which seems like the best fit among these three for your needs. It's not quite as spacious as the Kia Seltos, but for a family of four, there's more than enough space. And it's not as exhilarating as the Skoda Kushaq 1.5 TSI to drive, but it's still quite enjoyable and far more fuel efficient for your usage of roughly 40km per day in the city. While all three cars have decent warranties, with the ability to extend them for a fee, but Honda offers a unique 'Anytime Warranty' which lets you extend in increments of 1-year/20,000km for up to 10 years. Plus, Honda is known for its reliability and rock-solid after-sales experience, which should give you the best overall long-term experience. The downside is that the Elevate is a bit plain and not quite as well equipped as the others, but then it is also considerably more affordable. Your next best bet is the Kia Seltos, but be prepared to shell out a bit more money for spec.

Honda Elevate

Skoda Kushaq