The Skoda Slavia could also end up being in contention if it sits within our budget.

BHPian Ays7 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Current Cars in the family:

1. Maruti Ciao Zeta MT - 2017 November Model, 29000 km on the ODO - Mostly used by my brother.
2. Volkswagen Vento 1.2 TSI DSG - 2018 Model 16000 km on the ODO. It- currently used by me.

So, my Volkswagen Vento Highline + is on a corporate lease which is set to expire in April, and we started looking for a suitable car to replace it. Since some of the cars in our initial consideration had heavy waiting periods, we started the search in the last few weeks. Here is the list of my requirements.

Must have features:

• Automatic
• Petrol
• 6 Air Bags + ABS, EBD, ESP, Hill Hold Assist, MCB.
• Cruise control
• Rear View camera
• Good boot space
• Good driving dynamics.
• SUV
• Budget 18-22 Lakhs On-road, Mumbai.
• Apple CarPlay

Good to have features:

• Ventilated Seats
• TPMS
• Auto-Dimming IRVM
• Navigation
• Auto-Foldable ORVM's

Our last ride was a Hyundai Verna Automatic, and we have never had an SUV in the family, so this time, we are mentally prepared to welcome an SUV instead of Sedans, that I usually opt for. But Slavia might change that if it is a runaway hit.

Cars Considered:

1. Hyundai Creta - Easily the most feature-loaded car in the segment, rock-solid interiors. But Missus rejected it as it reminded her too much of Verna. Found the showroom experience to be just average, and long waiting times on 1.4 Turbo DCT.
2. Kia Seltos - Another runaway hit, but just 3 stars on NCAP kept me away from it. We have an infant at home and psychologically wasn't prepared for knowingly buying a brand that hasn't addressed safety issues as yet.
3. Tata Nexon - Đid manage to go for a test drive, but just hated the AMT, loved the car otherwise, but AMT was enough to eliminate it completely.
4. MG Astor - Loved the interiors - they are just wow. But 3 cylinder engine was noisy for our liking. Did not find the engine enthusiastic enough.
5. Skoda Kushaq - Was very interested in this car initially - but EPC issues and poor interior reviews kept putting me off. The lack of 6 airbags on the top model was a downer as well. However, once the new Style AT was launched with 6 airbags, we gave the showroom a visit. It was just a casual visit and we went without calling or even asking them if they had a vehicle available for a test drive. However, the showroom experience was nice. We had gone on a Tuesday afternoon, and we were the only ones in at that time. The assigned SA was friendly, honest, and not pushy at all and was able to arrange a TD for us in the 1.5 DSG Model that we were considering. The SA was also forthright about EPC issues (said they haven't heard of any issue in Mumbai, and all new cars have reported no issues). He also agreed that Taigun has slightly better interiors and more mature styling (his words).
6. Volkswagen Taigun - immediately after the Kushaq Test drive, I called up SA at the VW showroom from whom we had purchased the Vento. While he wasn't available, he was able to arrange a Test Drive for 1.5 DSG GT+ and asked another SA to assist us. This SA came across a tad too aggressive, was for some reason pushing us towards 1.0 Ltr engine rather than 1.5 despite telling him that most of our drive would be on highways and on travels outside Mumbai. He also openly badmouthed Skoda and commented on EPC issues.
7. XUV700 - Loved the vehicle at first look, but we simply do not need a 7 seater and it stretches our budget substantially, while 5 seater auto variants are too bare-boned. Plus the longish waiting period rules it out. Coming from a Vento, we were blown away by the driving dynamics of both Kushaq and Taigun, and hence we feel that our decision might be skewed towards either of the two (1.5 DSG only) unless Slavia somehow blows us away and sits in our budget.

Skoda Kushaq

What we liked:

• Superb driving dynamics - 1.5 was sporty and enthusiastic.
• Interiors did not look that bad to us in person, even the curls on the Steering wheel.
• Adequate rear legroom

What we did not like:

• The roof liner's quality did leave an lt to be desired. SA said it might be rectified in 2022 models, but wasn't sure.
• Analog console - looked ancient - but not a deal-breaker.

VW Taigun

What we liked:

• Wife loved the dashboard better on Taigun
• The Digital console looks sleek
• Drive was good, but the engine somehow felt more restrained initially than Kushaq

What we did not like:

• The seats - they have fabric seats in the GT+ version - even a 10 L car has better seats.
• The suspension felt a lot stiffer on Taigun and you could feel a lot more speed breakers and bumps. But maybe that was just the road we TD'd on.

The SA claimed that he could provide seat covers for Taigun, and they will not impact the airbags in the Seats. Is that possible? I always thought seat covers were no-no if a car has airbags in seats.

Personally, between the two, I found Kushaq more fun to drive, and interiors than I could live with. Taigun would come close if the poor fabric seats can be resolved But coming from a Vento, I thought I would give Skoda a try over VW. But that will depend on wifey as well. Also, Skoda's top variant currently is a cool 50K over Taigun and has ventilated seats and TPMS over Taigun.

We typically use the car just for weekend runs to the mall or trips out of Mumbai, hence our usage is typically low. We are a family of 8, but the new car will be primarily used by me, my wife and our infant.

My brother at present is using Ciao primarily for his business runs within Mumbai and is considering retrofitting it with CNG as it will primarily be driven by chauffeurs.

He is planning to keep my Vento (it has 16000 km on ODO, has run great so far, and has its battery replaced and one ABS Sensor replaced under warranty. We can buy the Vento by paying a residual value of Rs 3.4 Lakhs at the end of the lease period in April and he plans to keep it for another 4-5 years just for when he needs to drive the car himself or on our trips. We need one proper sedan in the family since my dad is a paralytic and we need proper boot space for fitting his oversized wheelchair. We will check Kushaq and Taigun to see if they can fit a wheelchair in the boot as well.

EV's are out for now, because of our low running, and range anxiety, but this probably would be our last ICE car.

Would love to hear thoughts and suggestions on what we should go for. Any inputs on seat covers for Taigun and the feasibility of the same in the 6 airbag version variant would be appreciated.

Here's what BHPian shancz had to say on the matter:

Both are essentially the same car with cosmetic, feature and pricing differences so you will be choosing the same car in either case based on the above preferences.

Would suggest waiting for the Slavia though and the VW twin if you prefer their styling but I doubt if the VW will be available by April.

IIRC last year an article mentioned that Skoda is leading the India 2.0 strategy for VW as well, which is quite evident.

Don't think they'll have different internal components for Skoda and VW cars. Lower EPC issues on the Taigun are a result of a later launch when the EPC issues had already been reported in the Kushaq and lower sales than the Kushaq. And it's not that the Taigun has zero EPC issues, our dedicated thread has a few reported cases on the Taigun too.

Here's what BHPian CeeBeeR had to say on the matter:

Hi Ays7, I'm also in the market for a new car and recently booked the Kushaq 1.5 DSG 6 airbags. The reasons I've preferred Kushaq over Taigaun are:

• I get a subwoofer and ventilated seats in the Kushaq. The Taigun maybe slightly cheaper, but the 50k premium for Kushaq gives me a better ICE and front-seat luxury.
• I liked the Kushaq looks over Taigun, especially because of the chrome moustache in Taigun which spoils its looks.
• VW had no reason not to offer leather seats in the 1.5 DSG Taigun. Their CEO's utter atrocious comment justifying the feature miss made me even angrier.

There are a couple of advantages the Taigun has over Kushaq, but they didn't matter much to me. They are:

• Slightly better-looking interiors. Emphasis on slightly, the difference isn't groundbreaking. Also, newer variants of Kushaq are said to get better interiors.
• Digital cockpit in Taigun. I can live with missing features, not with a half baked feature. While newer variants of Kushaq may get the same digital cockpit of Taigun, I'd rather stick with the old school analogue dials than look at one which can't display revs and speed at once.
• Better warranty package option in Taigun. This is important and I see it is the only advantage of Taigun over Kushaq.

Both the cars belong to the same platform, they have almost similar suspension and engine setup. The differences are in appearances and personal brand preference.

Hope this helps.

Here's what BHPian Tony2298 had to say on the matter:

Now coming to your query both the Škoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun are some of the better cars out there in the segment, yes they do lack that very solid European flair of their yesteryear siblings but still, they are much better than other cars in the segment IMHO. Choosing between the two cars which essentially the same just boils down to your preference in the department of looks, brand value and slightly different feature package options, another point worth consideration would be the service experience, try to know which one is better in customer satisfaction in your area, this will help your buying process in a positive way.

My uncle himself bought a Honey Orange Škoda Kushaq 1.0 TSi MT on the auspicious occasion of Diwali, more than him I enjoy driving the car, it's a hoot to drive, the features which are present are more than sufficient and honestly speaking when I am involved in driving I forget about those small niggles. Anyways, you shall wait till February at least as after that new batches will have most of these small quality issues sorted out. Happy shopping time ahead!

Here's what BHPian Vid6639 had to say on the matter:

My vote is for the Taigun. I think it looks a little more classy and the main deciding factor is brighter interior colours and slightly better plastics like AC vents.

I would miss the subwoofer from the Kushaq though but I guess that is worth it for the more cheerful ambience in the cabin.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The Taigun is around 1.5L cheaper than the Astor, but has ventilated seats, wireless Android Auto, auto dimming IRVM, paddle shifters and telescopic steering wheel which the Astor does not have.

BHPian TheStRyder recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I am faced with a dilemma regarding my impending car purchase and need guidance from the forum.

Looking to replace my Polo 1.6 which has faithfully done duty for a decade plus.

The vehicle would be mainly for city use with once in two months outstation trip. My annual usage is not more than 6k to7k kms.

My requirements are automatic transmission, driving pleasure, safety features with 6 airbags, and decent boot space.

Was pretty impressed with the new Honda City but the home minister vetoed it and any sedan is now out of the equation.

Other vehicles I test drove are:

Skoda Kushaq 1.0 AT:

Loved driving the Kushaq 1.0 AT. The steering felt light enough for the city and the beautiful TSI has enough grunt for the city. Car felt quite chuckable and felt like driving a hatchback. Was pretty disappointed with the interior fit and finish. Hated the touch sensitive ACC. The exterior fit and finish and the paint quality was excellent.

Volkswagen Taigun 1.0 AT and 1.5 DSG:

Interior quality of Taigun felt better than the Kushaq. Was blown away by the 1.5 DSG. Again the roofliner quality was abysmal. Touch screen was sleak and responsive. The rear seating is strictly for 2 adults.

MG Astor:

Was wowed by the interior fit and finish and the quality of materials used. 1.3 turbo AT has enough grunt for city and highway drive though the 1.5 TSI with DSG is obviously superior. The 3 cylinder engine was butter smooth with no viberations. Handling and suspension were perfect for city use. Tested the ADAS features and found blindspot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and Adaptive Cruise Control quite useful. Lane Assist is practically useless in our country.

Nexon EV:

Enjoyed the drive in sports mode. The instant torque is addictive. Trying to get the test drive car home since a month so that family can experience it but the RM is absolutely not interesed in making a sale. Has stopped responding to my texts and calls now.

Kia Seltos / Sonet / Creta:

Test drove the Kias and the Creta but eliminated from the shortlist due to safety concerns.

Initially the budget was around 16L OTR but now stretched it to 20 big ones.

Have booked the Astor 1.3 turbo Savvy and the app shows delivery in December but am still not convinced with the Astor. Though the 1.3 turbo is a competent engine with class leading interior qualities and features with decent handling I am not sure how the Astor will age. The 1.5 NA engine is pretty underwhelming as per few ownership reviews and test drives by people in Astor Whatsapp groups I am part of. Since I hold on to my cars for atleast 7 to 10 years, don't want to get stuck with a car which might be discontinued.

I am now confused between the Taigun 1.0 AT Topline and Astor 1.3 Turbo Savvy. ( 1.5 DSG goes over budget and since most of the drive will be in city in traffic, don't think DSG is the right choice)

The Taigun is around 1.5L cheaper than the Astor but has ventilated seats, wireless Android Auto, auto dimming IRVM, paddle shifters and telescopic steering wheel which the Astor does not have.

Meanwhile, the Astor has segment above interior quality, blind spot monitoring, 360 camera, electronically adjustable drivers seat, ADAS features, heated ORVM, panoramic sunroof, better back seat and boot space.

As both cars are untested, I would rate them equal in safety aspects with ADAS features providing an edge to the Astor.

Also interested in the upcoming Slavia but convincing the home minister for a sedan seems like an uphill task.

Kindly help with your suggestions.

Here's what BHPian FiatDiesel had to say on the matter:

Hi TheStRyder, Congratulations for booking the Astor. I can help with in general quality feedback of MG as the owner of a Hector and having friends who own the first generation Hector launched back in 2019.

You will be fine and won’t regret your decision in terms of quality of car. My friend with the first generation Hector is still very happy with the car and has had a fuss free ownership. He has a petrol DCT Sharp. To give you an example of quality, my Hector got rear ended by a Triber due to sudden braking of a Kia Sonet in front of me. I managed to stop the Hector without hitting the Sonet, thanks to all 4 disc brakes, however the car behind me, the Triber with 7 adults on board couldn’t stop and hit us towards the left side of rear bumper. There was pile up as the car behind the Triber, a Wagon R, hit the Triber rear and so on and so forth.

Our Hector remained standstill, engine running, AC blowing chilled air, it was just 4 months old. When the Triber hit us, we just felt a slight jerk inside. Nothing more. I got down, went and saw rear of the Hector and then saw the Triber, couldn’t take my eyes off it. While the Hector’s bumper towards left side had gone inside, the Triber’s bonnet had folded at 90 degrees and its coolant chamber has gone bust. It’s driver door was not opening smoothly and was making creaking sounds as th front of car was bent inwards.

As you can see, I was overwhelmed by the scene of the other car then mine because my car didn’t gave me the vibes of much hurt apart from the bumper. No lights or error message and Infact, later I found the reverse parking sensors also working fine despite the  left side of bumper being damaged.

We were on a flyover in Navi Mumbai, the Triber had ladies as well, no one hurt, got 4 of the Triber occupants into my Hector and dropped them to the nearest pickup point of Uber.

I drove my car whole day in Mumbai and came to Pune late evening. Next day, handed it over to the dealership for repair. I inspected the car when they opened the bumper and to my surprise, not even a scratch on the body inside the bumper, forget dent. The Hector has A bull bar running across inside THE bumper .

And while the bumper took the hit, it must have exerted pressure on the side panels where it connects with them, no slightest impact anywhere.

I had zero dep insurance, got my car back within a week as good as new. Though the accident was sad, specially for the folks with severely damaged cars, but it reinforced my belief and trust in MG in terms of quality of the car. No corners are cut to save costs, you are actually getting very high quality car.

To top this, after sales service is very good. This is also the reason I am a happy customer.

Sorry for the long rant and if you found it boring. Just wanted to alley your fears w.r.t long term reliability. You will be happy.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The waiting period for the VW Taigun is now over 2 months.

Volkswagen has silently increased the prices of the Taigun by Rs. 4,200.

The Taigun is available in five variants - Comfortline, Highline, Topline, GT and GT Plus. The price of the base Comfortline trim is now Rs. 10,54,200, while the top-spec GT Line Plus costs Rs. 17,54,200 (ex-showroom).

Since its launch, Volkswagen has received over 18,000 bookings for the Taigun. The waiting period for the car is now over 2 months.

The Taigun is available with two turbo-petrol engine options. These include a 1.0-litre TSI that makes 113 BHP and 178 Nm as well as a 1.5-litre TSI that puts out 148 BHP and 250 Nm.

The 1.0L engine comes with a 6-speed automatic transmission, while the latter gets a 7-speed DSG option. A 6-speed manual gearbox is available as standard with both engines.

The Volkswagen Taigun has its own fresh, European character and complements its cousin (the recently launched Skoda Kushaq) nicely in a segment dominated by Indian, Korean and Chinese SUVs.

Aditya recently shared this other enthusiasts.

MG Astor:

Preview Link

MG Hector:

What you'll like:

• Big size & lots of bling for the money! We find the Hector to be well-priced.
• A spacious cabin that can easily seat 5 adults. Massive 587 litre boot too.
• Fiat-sourced 2.0L diesel is simply fantastic.
• Compliant ride quality. Suspension is tuned for comfort.
• Lots of kit (panoramic sunroof, 360-degree camera, electric seats & tailgate etc.).
• ‘Connected’ Tablet ICE with an embedded SIM & lovely sound quality.
• 5-year / unlimited km warranty with roadside assistance.
• Top safety equipment includes 6 airbags, ESP, HSA, all-wheel disc brakes, TPMS & more.

What you won't:

• Awkward styling on the side & rear profiles. Looks weird from some angles.
• Sloppy high-speed handling, noticeable body roll & easy understeer.
• The petrol engine is “adequate” at best. Its guzzling Automatic variant is unimpressive.
• No Diesel AT (Creta, Seltos, XUV500, Hexa offer this combination, which we love).
• Some annoyances like the ~6 meter turning radius, strange rpm meter…
• Small after-sales network. Service quality & long-term reliability are big unknowns.
• Waiting period runs into a couple of months.
• Don’t get blinded by the British branding. This is a Chinese car.

Review link

Hyundai Creta:

What you'll like:

• A superbly engineered all-rounder that delivers a premium experience.
• We find the Hyundai Creta to be well-priced for what it offers.
• User-friendly interiors with sufficient space & good quality parts.
• Loved the 1.4L turbo-petrol & 1.5L diesel. These are fantastic engines.
• Smooth & competent automatic gearboxes available. With the useful "auto-hold" feature too.
• Sorted road manners & handling for a Hyundai, including on the highway. You will be surprised!
• The Creta's safety package includes 6 airbags, ESP, all-wheel disc brakes, TPMS etc.
• Impressive kit (panoramic sunroof, paddle shifters, Bose sound system, cooled seats, cabin air purifier & loads more).
• Hyundai's competent after-sales service, fuss-free ownership & upto 5-years standard warranty.

What you won't:

• Oddball love it or hate it styling. We find the Creta's exterior design to be too weird & futuristic.
• Firmer suspension isn't as cushy as the 1st-gen Creta. It is more comfortable than the Seltos though.
• Back seat's width makes it better for 2 adults and a kid, rather than 3 adults.
• Some misses (no auto wipers, 360-degree camera, illuminated window buttons, full-size spare tyre on top trims).
• Dual-clutch ATs (like the Hyundai Creta Petrol DCT) have a history of poor reliability in India.
• Diesel’s 113 BHP & 250 Nm – although adequate – are the lowest in the segment. Old 1.6L CRDi was superior.
• No manual transmission available with the fast 1.4L Petrol (Seltos offers this combo).
• The stiffer Seltos has an edge in the handling department. IMHO, the Kia is better looking too.
• You get bigger SUVs & Crossovers for the same money (e.g. Hector, Harrier, XUV500).

Review link

Kia Seltos:

What you'll like:

• A superbly engineered all-rounder that delivers a premium experience.
• Handsome, contemporary styling. Looks very sharp.
• We find the Seltos to be well-priced for what it offers.
• Nice, user-friendly interiors with sufficient space & good quality.
• Loved the 1.4L turbo-petrol & 1.5L diesel. They are BS6 compliant too.
• Both the automatics - Diesel AT & Petrol DCT - are simply fantastic!
• Mature on-road behavior, including at highway speeds. A+ brakes as well.
• Unusually wide variant offering. Seems there is something for everyone.
• Safety kit includes 6 airbags, ESP, all-wheel disc brakes, blind spot monitor, TPMS etc.
• Impressive kit (360 degree camera, HUD, front parking sensors, Bose sound system, cooled seats, cabin air purifier & loads more).

What you won't:

• Barely managed 3-stars in the GNCAP crash tests (full discussion).
• Firm suspension. Liveable, but bad roads will bother you (especially on 17" wheel variants).
• Back seat's width makes it better for 2 adults and a kid, rather than 3 adults.
• Niggles are being reported by owners (details here).
• Some misses (illuminated window buttons, thinner spare tyre on top trims, no dual-tone option on GTX+ / HTX+).
• Dual-clutch ATs (like the Petrol DCT) have a history of poor reliability in India.
• Diesel’s 113 BHP & 250 Nm – although adequate – are the lowest in the segment.
• Extremely confusing & complicated variant spread. We still haven’t gotten the hang of it!
• Kia's after-sales service quality is an unknown. We await details in our ownership reports.
• You get bigger SUVs & Crossovers for the same money (e.g. Hector, Harrier, XUV500).

Review link

Skoda Kushaq:

What you'll like:

• A breath of fresh (European) air in a sea of Korean, Chinese & Indian SUVs.
• Classy exterior & interior styling matched with solid European build quality.
• Cabin has good legroom to offer, supportive seats, perfect ergonomics & lots of storage.
• 48 BHP engine makes the Kushaq one of the most fun-to-drive crossovers in the segment.
• Sporty 1.0L & 1.5L turbo-petrols are mated to slick 6-speed MTs & smooth ATs.
• Sorted suspension offers a balanced ride & handling package.
• Safety features include 6 airbags (sadly MT only), ESC (all variants), 3-point seatbelts for all, electronic differential lock, brake disc wiping, multi-collision brake and more.
• 6-year extended warranty & 4-year all inclusive service packages available.
• Features like active cylinder tech, ventilated seats, sunroof, wireless Android Auto and CarPlay, audio system with a punchy subwoofer, auto headlamps & wipers etc.

What you won't:

• No 1.5L diesel is a major disadvantage in a world where petrol costs over 100 bucks / litre.
• DQ200 DSG transmission has a history of poor reliability & breakdowns in India.
• Narrow width makes a 5th adult completely unwelcome. Best for 4 onboard.
• Lovely 1.5L TSI is only available on the top variant.
• At 385 litres, boot space is lesser than its direct rivals (Creta & Seltos = 433L).
• Sure lacks the street cred / presence offered by some competitors.
• Skoda’s notorious dealerships & after-sales horror stories.
• Missing some now expected features such as 6 airbags on the ATs, driving modes (sport), panoramic sunroof, 360-degree camera, electric driver's seat adjustment & regular USB ports.
• Turbo-petrols are very sensitive to driving style. FE will drop drastically when you drive hard.

Review link

Volkswagen Taigun:

What you'll like:

• Has its own fresh, European character and complements its cousin (the recently launched Skoda Kushaq) nicely in a segment dominated by Indian, Korean and Chinese SUVs.
• Unmistakably VW styling matched with solid European build quality.
• Cabin has good legroom to offer, supportive seats, perfect ergonomics & lots of storage.
• 148 BHP engine makes the Taigun one of the most fun-to-drive crossovers in the segment!
• Sporty 1.0L & 1.5L turbo-petrols are mated to slick 6-speed MTs & smooth ATs.
• Sorted suspension offers a balanced ride & handling package.
• Safety features include up to 6 airbags, ESC (all variants), 3-point seatbelts for all, electronic differential lock, brake disc wiping, multi-collision brake and more.
• Features like active cylinder tech, ventilated seats (weirdly 1.0 TSI only), sunroof, 10-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and CarPlay, auto headlamps & wipers etc.
• Advantages over the Kushaq = a top AT variant with 6 airbags, design that stands out more, cabin 'feels' better, fabric seats are executed in a nicer manner...

What you won't:

• No 1.5L diesel is a major disadvantage in a world where petrol costs over 100 bucks/litre.
• GT customers will need to choose between the rock (potential DQ200 transmission problems) and a hard place (GT manual variant misses out on many top-end features).
• Narrow cabin width makes a 5th adult completely unwelcome. Best for 4 onboard.
• Interior colour scheme and quality don't feel up to traditional VW standards. Some polarising details too (chrome outside, painted plastics inside...).
• Sure lacks the street cred / presence offered by some competitors.
• VW’s after-sales service can be a hit or miss. Many VW owners find it expensive too.
• Missing some now-expected features such as 6 airbags in the MTs, a subwoofer, driving modes (sport), panoramic sunroof, 360-degree camera, electric driver's seat adjustment & rear window blinds.
• Turbo-petrols are very sensitive to driving style. FE will drop drastically when you drive hard.
• Kushaq's 'clever' touches are missing = no spot on top of the dashboard to place a deity, no smartphone holders on the front seatbacks, no ticket clip on the windshield, no elastic band in the doorpad to keep items in place, or even something as simple as the small reflective tapes on the doorpads.

Review link

Mahindra XUV700:

What you'll like:

• Handsome styling matched to solid build quality. Has street presence, feels robust.
• Very spacious interiors with comfy seats and sorted ergonomics. 6-footer passengers welcome!
• 182 BHP turbo-diesel & 197 BHP turbo-petrol make for a potent line-up.
• Smooth 6-speed torque converter Automatics available with both engines.
• Sorted suspension with good road manners & high speed stability.
• AWD available for the adventurous, unlike most FWD crossovers in the segment.
• Loaded with features like radar-based driver assistance system, pop-out door handles, panoramic sunroof, driver memory seat, 360-degree camera, 10.25" infotainment & instrument cluster etc.
• 12-speaker Sony audio system is fantastic! You'll enjoy its sound quality.
• Safety features include 7 airbags, ESP, all-wheel disc brakes, hill hold, hill descent control, driver drowsiness detection, TPMS, ISOFIX...

What you won't:

• Negligible boot space with the 3rd-row seat up. Either 5 onboard, or 7 with a roof-top carrier.
• Cramped 3rd-row seat is best suited to children only. A sliding middle row is sorely missed.
• Petrol AT is thirsty due to its hefty weight, 197 BHP & torque-converter AT.
• Some cabin plastics & a few rough areas don't feel premium in an otherwise loaded SUV.
• Missing features such as an auto-dimming IRVM, ventilated seats, paddle shifters, full-size spare wheel, ambient lighting, rear sunblinds....
• Concerns over niggles & bugs in a freshly baked, complex Mahindra. We saw 2!
• Mahindra's after-sales service is a hit or miss. Remains a gamble.
• AWD is available just with the Diesel AT, and not the MT or petrol motor.

Review link

Here's what GTO had to say on the matter:

The MG Astor sure has created an impression. It's no cheaply built Chinese product. Quite the opposite, honestly. Well put together, stylish interiors with the "wow" effect, tech and sorted suspension.

I personally love big cars though, so I'd go for the very impressive XUV700 Diesel AT. It's not a direct competitor, but there is some price overlap in the variants.

Among the smaller breed, I would probably pick a Skoda Kushaq 1.5L, although only after they sort out all the issues & problems. It's a heck of a lot of fun to drive. Haven't driven the Astor yet (expected soon), but I don't think my opinion will change after that drive.

Here's what BHPian ashis89 had to say on the matter:

Something bigger.

The VW twins are a tad too small for me and overpriced for what they offer (I would consider the 1.5L only).

On the Astor, the engine options are not too attractive but the size is perfect! All those connected features on the Astor dissuade me enough not to consider it.

Creta and Seltos are the perfect size for my use case. Still can't digest the looks of Creta, unfortunately. And their crash test result left a bad taste.

If I am looking for a car today, the Harrier and XUV700 would be my choice, but their niggles will be my worry as well as lugging the mammoth in the city. If not one of these, I will go with the Seltos.

Here's what BHPian abhishek46 had to say on the matter:

The VAG twins are a bit compact & un-reliable.

The Astor has un-enthusiastic powertrains & a cross-over stance which did not appeal to me.

And to add, none of the above offerings have a diesel option.

The Koreans have the largest permutation combination ever, of engines (Both petrol & diesel) and gearboxes.

Among the Koreans, Hyundai has more than a thousand service centers, and is fuss-free for most part.

That is why my vote goes to the Creta.

The Hector, XUV700 & Tata-twins are too large & expensive for my needs.

Here's what BHPian tp_dominator had to say on the matter:

Voted for the MG Hector!

I was about to create a new What Car thread and this thread popped up at the right time. I am looking for a car in this segment and I am absolutely torn about what car to choose. I am considering diesels only for my usage and below are the only options (top variants only).

• Hyundai Creta:- Can't digest the looks plus poor headlights, however, seems the most complete along with that sweet diesel AT carrying loads of useful features. However safety concerns and the L-O-N-G waiting period has put this on the backburner. Maybe the rumored facelift next year would bring some more features from the Alcazar and make the looks more digestible.
• Kia Seltos:- 2 star safety rating, enough said. Not considering this at all, the waiting period also does not make it any easier.
• Tata Harrier:- Loved the car and it's available in diesel AT guise too but almost 5 lakhs expensive than Creta and does not get too many features for that money too. Also, the constant niggles on the Harrier thread do not help its case.
• XUV700:- Don't need a 7 seater and lugging such real estate daily in the city will be quite cumbersome. Those who booked it on 7th October still don't have a concrete delivery timeline, mere mortals like me would only be providing Mahindra free working capital plus Rs. 2100 donation when I cancel. PS:- My BIL has also booked one so one more reason its out of contention.
• MG Hector:- Feels too big for daily city usage but otherwise loaded to the gills with features, loved the ride quality coming from the 17 inch tyred Ecosport and family would be more than happy riding in it given its soft suspension. High speed behavior seemed satisfactory to me, maybe its something to do with the newer 18 inch wheels? This seems to be the most complete car for me barring its size and it being an unpopular choice here on the forum. Does not get a diesel AT too. However, still researching about it and seems its going to be the one mostly.
• Jeep Compass:- Expensive! However not too far from Harrier/Hector especially the Limited version. But it misses out on quite a few features present in Hector/Creta. Important one being ventilated seats on the Limited, would definitely need to stretch to Model S. Also, automatics are outside the budget range even if I stretch it since I would be stretching for the manual itself. Ride quality was good on the test drive, however, I found it low on space for my frame. My knee was constantly touching the console area and the footwell was cramped. Dead pedal was pretty useless on the manual. In the other cars I am considering, the upper shin area touches the console and that is fine with me since I sit quite wide legged and need free space for my knee.

In the end the battle seems to be narrowed down to the Creta and Hector. But the Hector scores more brownie points from me especially in that White/Black dual tone shade despite it being a manual only. Will take a decision by March/April 2022.

Leaving you all with another wild thought - retain the Ecosport and book a Thar diesel AT convertible top for the occassional adventure trips and thrills.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Spoiled by the reliability of Maruti Swift & Hyundai i20 which I owned before, I wasn't too sure if the Taigun would be able to offer a similar level of trouble-free ownership.

BHPian EmpyreanKnight recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I visited the VW showroom a few times in the recent past and I did not even see 25 people checking out Taigun, let alone book one.

Since my Hyundai Elite i20 was sold at a good price, I had to let it go and I thought booking a Taigun might get me a car early, in spite of all the fears popping up in my head, I went ahead and did the booking by paying 25k, the manager then said he can give me Grey colour 1.0 Topline AT by end of October if I am ready with the payment. I discussed it at home and all wanted the colour to be Red, so had to let it go.

They also had a Yellow colour 1.5 GT plus readily available.

When I made the booking they told me they will provide the receipt the next morning and also the booking number. The manager assured me that he will try to see if they can get the red colour by the middle of November.

I came home and there were still thoughts looming in my head about the reliability and trouble-free ownership (spoiled by Swift and i20). When I went to bed at night I just couldn’t sleep thinking about all the negative things that can come to mind about owning a VW then to calm my mind I finally decided, if I don’t get a positive vibe by tomorrow I will cancel the booking.

After waking up in the morning I sent a Whatsapp message to SA asking him to share the receipt and booking number and as expected he didn’t send anything until I finally cancelled the booking.

I made him 3 calls that day and every time he said “sir will send you details in half-hour”.

To add fuel to the fire, the cancellation was also based on the following reasons:

• They insisted I buy insurance from them, they quoted approximately Rs 88k (0 dep) and I got a quote of Rs 35k (comprehensive) from ACKO. The insurance was a staggering Rs 53k expensive.
• They told me it is compulsory to buy the essentials accessories kit costing Rs 10.5k
• They were consistently pushing me to buy the SVP maintenance pack and Extended Warranty pack right at the time of vehicle purchase by instilling fear of price increase.
• Unprofessional behaviour by sales staff and casual/ overconfident attitude of manager (sir ek bar jo VW leta hai woh aur koi gadi nahi leta).

When I cancelled the booking I also realised that they do not even have a fixed process on what is required for cancellation. The manager told me to provide a physical request letter for cancellation and it will take 15 days for them to issue a cheque. When I enquired the same thing with the SA, he told me to send a cancellation request on Whatsapp and they will issue a cheque within 4 to 5 days.

I have worked with German people / German companies for almost 12 years and one thing I learned from them was strong documentation and a process-oriented approach. This VW dealer is the complete opposite of that.

I prepared a cancellation request letter, took two prints of it attached to the Google pay receipt, went to the showroom and gave them one copy and took a received signature on another copy for myself.

The SA told, “sir I will personally call you and give you the cheque within 4 to 5 days”. I don’t expect him to call me back even after a year.

Sorry for such a long post but I feel bad for VW, they make good products but are let down by such dealers.

I even thought I will ignore the salespeople and go ahead with the purchase but then the thought came to my mind, that I will have to deal with the same dealership for all the future maintenance & services and the city I belong to is not a Tier-I city, hence we do not have many other options for VW servicing and FNG’s.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Volkswagen has received over 18,000 bookings for the Taigun since its launch.

According to Volkswagen, there has been a strong demand for the Taigun and as a result, the waiting period for the car is now more than 2 months, depending on the variant.

Volkswagen has received over 18,000 bookings for the Taigun since its launch. In October 2021, the carmaker registered close to 50% growth in overall sales volumes compared to the same month last year.

The Taigun is based on the MQB A0-IN platform that is shared with Skoda Kushaq. Prices range from Rs. 10.50 lakh to Rs. 17.50 (ex-showroom) for the GT Line Plus trim

It is available with two turbo-petrol engine options. These include a 1.0-litre TSI that makes 113 BHP and 178 Nm as well as a 1.5-litre TSI that puts out 148 BHP and 250 Nm.

The 1.0L engine comes with a 6-speed automatic transmission while the latter gets a 7-speed DSG option. A 6-speed manual gearbox is available as standard with both engines.

I recently test drove a Volkswagen Taigun with the 1.5 engine and DSG. The car was fine, the power was good, but I did not enjoy driving it at all. In comparison, a while ago I had rented a manual Maruti Swift in Goa which I drove around for 4 days on South Goa roads and had a blast.

BHPian karanddd recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I have to replace a 10 year old petrol SX4. My budget is Rs. 15 lakhs. I don't have a job that requires commuting, nor do I intend to use the car as my primary means of transportation (for which I prefer to use my motorcycle). I also will be abroad a lot in the next 2-3 years, and will only use the car occasionally. My primary criterion for the new car is that it be fun to drive.

Things that help (but may not all be achievable): 3 pedal manual transmission, hydraulic power steering, small size.

(Almost) deal-breakers: Automatic transmission, bad electronic power steering, heavy SUV like driving manners.

Before anyone suggests a brand new Polo, I want to say that, from a medium length test drive, I felt the steering in the car to be very unresponsive and the stick shift to be a level below Suzuki or Honda cars (in feel and slickness).

I recently test drove a Volkswagen Taigun with the 1.5 engine and DSG. The car was fine, the power was good, but I did not enjoy driving it at all. In comparison, a while ago I had rented a manual Swift in Goa which I drove around for 4 days on South Goa roads and had a blast. The engine was definitely low on grunt, but the car felt so light and responsive. To be fair, the steering in that is also crap, and the suspension is so soft that the body rolls a lot. But the combination of the light weight, the light clutch, slick shifting stick, and the compact dimensions gave it such a point and shoot character that it brought a smile to my face every time I drove it.

Is there something like that I can buy, but with more power and better suspension and hydraulic steering? I am open to new and used options. I am wary of 10 year old Beemers that'll cost me lakhs and lakhs to repair, so I can only pray that they're not my only option.

I need to be abroad 8-9 months of the year and during that time the car will be driven by other family members but only for upkeep. There is no need for the car to be practical in the sense of having space or refinement, but I don't want to be scared of breakdowns and the like either.

Here's what BHPian SmartCat had to say on the matter

When it comes to steering these days, you options are LIGHT, LIGHTER & LIGHTEST. I think all sub-4.5m vehicles have EPS nowadays. Harrier is the only car with hydraulic steering.

Since your new purchase will be sparingly used, avoid cars with too many 'features', especially push button start and keyless entry. They suck up battery when idle.

Rather than spend 15L on a new car, I think you should just exchange your SX4 with a pre-owned well maintained Honda Civic. 0 to 100 kmph in 9 secs, sharp weighty hydraulic steering, reliable and fun to drive. But before buying, check its history and make sure both the airbags have been replaced. Another option is a pre-owned Punto Abarth/Linea T-Jet, but they are quite rare in the used car market.

The Hyundai i20 N-Line is worth a look too. Steering is supposed to be weightier than the vanilla i20.

Here's what BHPian shancz had to say on the matter:

• Civic: Slightly longer but has everything else that you need.
• XUV300: Fun to drive turbo petrol, the steering although not hydraulic has options of changing the feel on the fly by 3 levels. Do take a TD, even if you don't buy it at least would be good to try it out.

Rumours of a more powerful XUV300 with 130+ bhp have been going around but no real ETA.

Here's what BHPian androdev had to say on the matter:

You will have to make some compromises, I don't think there is a car with "point-and-shoot" dimensions, hydraulic (or heavier EPS) steering and other things you mentioned. You have not mentioned where you are going to drive (city or highways) - I assume it will be mainly within city.

If you consider fun per rupee, I don't think anything will come even remotely close to Polo GT DSG once you add paddles to the steering wheel. Yes VW steering is ultra light but they are not vague - unfortunately heavy steerings are available only in old Fiats and BMWs. Fiat lacks overall finesse and support, BMW is not exactly a point-and-shoot car and also comes with big bills.

If you don't care about the badge of BMW/Mini, I suggest you approach Polo GT DSG with an open mind. If you add paddles, you can't NOT enjoy the car. You can always get stuff like suspension, brakes etc easily tweaked. That engine+gearbox with paddles is the stuff that has no business to be in sub-10L car.

Once you drive DSG (VW DQ200) or BMW ZF8 or Porsche PDK transmissions the way they are meant to be (spots manual with paddle shifts), you will not miss manual transmission. This DQ200 in a Polo makes all rich owners of BMWs and Porsches sulk - it is phenomenal on Indian streets.

Here's what BHPian agambhandari had to say on the matter:

Any MT car other than a Honda/Suzuki would have a worse gearbox than what you have and won't be fun enough. Especially true in a car like the T jet.

Drive the new Honda city if you are dead set on a manual.

DSG cars though are the best combination of driving fun and practicality. Honestly, What I've found is that I'm more likely to drive an AT car harder and have more fun than a MT because it's easier and I'll do it more often. For gunning an MT you need to be on it all the time.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Prices for the Taigun range from Rs. 10.50 lakh to Rs. 17.50 lakh (ex-showroom) for the GT Line Plus trim.

Ashish Gupta, Brand Director, Volkswagen India, has confirmed that Taigun bookings have crossed the 18,000 mark.

Gupta stated that VW dealerships are receiving about 250 bookings per day on average and that the Taigun's planned production volumes for 2021 are now sold out. He added that VW could temporarily halt bookings if the momentum continues.

The Taigun is based on the MQB A0-IN platform that is shared with Skoda Kushaq. It is available with two turbo-petrol engine options. These include a 1.0-litre TSI that makes 113 BHP and 178 Nm as well as a 1.5-litre TSI that puts out 148 BHP and 250 Nm.

The 1.0L engine comes with a 6-speed automatic transmission, while the latter gets a 7-speed DSG option. A 6-speed manual gearbox is available as standard with both engines.

Prices for the Taigun range from Rs. 10.50 lakh to Rs. 17.50 lakh (ex-showroom) for the GT Line Plus trim.

Source: Carwale