Is Skoda Kushaq a Best Buy Compared to Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Nissan Kicks, and XUV 300?

These days, deciding on a new car can be quite a complex task, especially when you're looking to upgrade. A few months back, I was in the same boat, trying to decide between several popular options. In this article, I'll share my journey of choosing a car that meets my requirements. Let's dive into the details and compare the Skoda Kushaq with other car models.

My Purchase Journey and Budget

I started my car search with a budget of roughly 20 Lakhs. My previous car was a Tata i10, a tiny hatchback. Since I wanted to move to something a bit more substantial, here were my requirements:

Better Ground Clearance (GC): Considering the rugged Indian roads, I wanted a car that could handle the rough terrain better than my previous hatchback would. Safety: Few Indian cars have good safety ratings. I looked for at least a 4-star GNCAP rating, ideally a 5-star, and a car with 6 airbags and Electronic Stability Control (ESC). Comfort and Features: Long highway drives needed cruise control, a more powerful engine, and a rear wiper.

Initial Car Choices and Eliminations

I tested several cars before settling on the final option:

Tata Harrier

I loved the way the Tata Harrier looked and its powerful 160 hp engine. After multiple test drives, I appreciated the performance but struggled with the clutch, which was very hard. The car also had frequent issues during testing, which made me reconsider its long-term viability. Given my preference for manual transmissions, I eventually eliminated the Harrier due to its discomforting clutch operation.

Mahindra XUV 500

The XUV 500 was my next consideration, but unfortunately, it was no longer in production, and the variant I wanted was not available. Hence, I crossed this option off my list.

Skoda Kushaq

Skoda's new Kushaq caught my attention due to its introduction as an India-centric model. Its looks were appealing, and the 1.5 TSI engine specification was impressive. However, issues like the infamous EPC failures and concerns about reliability led me to cancel my booking. Alongside reliability concerns, Skoda's history with DSG failures and poor after-sales service also weighed heavily on my decision.

The Skoda Kushaq was a heartbreaker, but it ultimately didn't meet my reliability needs.

Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos

Test drives of the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos revealed comfort and luxury features in abundance. However, my concerns about safety and structural integrity in Indian models led me to discredit these choices. Recent crash test results have further validated my skepticism regarding the Creta's safety.

Honda XUV 300

The final car I tested was the Honda XUV 300. This model offered the best in safety ratings, featuring 16.4/17 in occupant safety. Its powerful diesel engine, smooth clutch, and impressive NVH levels made it stand out. Though it had a weird side profile and a laughably small boot space, its intrinsic qualities made it the ideal choice. I decided to buy the W8O Diesel manual in red, and over the last 9 months, I've been thoroughly happy with my decision.

Conclusion and Final Recommendation

Considering my requirements for a car that gets me from Point A to Point B reliably, safely, and with comfort and power, the Honda XUV 300 seemed the most logical choice. If you're looking for a similar experience, I highly recommend giving the XUV 300 a try.

What are your specific requirements? Share your thoughts in the comments below.