What are some of the best performance cars, or top sports cars in India? What makes them high-performance car models? Today, we are looking at the Skoda Kushaq, Hyundai Verna and Kia Seltos 2023. Let’s see how their variants compare with each other in terms of performance.
In this article, we will share
- What a performance enthusiast should look for in a car
- Skoda Kushaq vs Hyundai Verna vs Kia Seltos 2023 – a comprehensive analysis of their variants, performance and features
- How to pick the right car for you
What a Performance Enthusiast Looks for in a Car
Here’s what to look for in a car as a performance enthusiast:
- Acceleration and Speed – How quickly a car accelerates, what is its top speed
- Power – How it pulls weight, how is its high speed stability, does it feel strained while going up the hills, or with AC on
- Agility – How it behaves while turning at speeds
- Driving Experience/Handling – Is the gearbox smooth and responsive, how is its steering/braking performance
A performance enthusiast seeks a fast car that offers thrilling driving dynamics, responsive handling, and powerful engine performance. Key attributes include high-speed stability, minimal body roll, agile cornering, and linear power delivery.
A smooth and engaging transmission, whether manual or automatic, enhances the driving experience. Additionally, features like advanced suspension, precise steering, and driver assistance systems appeal to performance enthusiasts.
Why Skoda Kushaq, Hyundai Verna and Kia Seltos 2023 are Popular
The Skoda Kushaq, Hyundai Verna, and Kia Seltos 2023 have gained popularity among performance enthusiasts due to their impressive offerings.
The Skoda Kushaq boasts agile handling, minimal body roll, and responsive turbocharged engines, delivering an engaging driving experience.
The Hyundai Verna offers a range of powerful engine options, including a punchy turbo-petrol variant, along with sporty styling and agile handling.
The Kia Seltos impresses with its dynamic design, powerful engine choices, and advanced features like drive mode selection and traction control.
Skoda Kushaq, Hyundai Verna and Kia Seltos 2023 Variants Shortlist in Rs 13-15 Lakh Range
For Hyundai Verna, we have:
| Variant | Price (INR) as on 1 April 2024 |
| SX | ₹1,302,000 |
| SX Turbo DT | ₹1,487,000 |
For Skoda Kushaq, we have:
| Variant | Price (INR) as on 1 April 2024 |
| 1.0 TSI Ambition | ₹1,419,000 |
For Kia Seltos 2023, we have:
| Variant | Price (INR) as on 1 April 2024 |
| HTK Plus | ₹1,350,000 |
| HTK Plus iMT | ₹1,500,000 |
Hyundai Verna SX and SX Turbo DT
The Hyundai Verna SX and SX Turbo DT variants cater to performance enthusiasts with their powerful engine options, including a turbo-petrol engine in the SX Turbo DT. Both variants feature sporty alloy wheels, automatic climate control, and advanced safety features. If you’re looking for a family car, you can check out our comparison of the Verna with Hyundai Creta 2024.
Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI Ambition
The Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI Ambition variant impresses with its agile handling, responsive turbocharged engine, and premium features like LED headlights and a sunroof. If you’re budget conscious, you can read our comparison of the Kushaq with Hyundai Verna.
Kia Seltos HTK Plus and HTK Plus iMT
The Kia Seltos HTK Plus and HTK Plus iMT variants offer dynamic styling, powerful engine choices (turbo-petrol in the iMT variant), and a host of advanced features. If you’re a gadget lover, you can check out our comparison of the Seltos 2023 with Skoda Slavia.
Our Pick for the Best Variant among Skoda Kushaq, Hyundai Verna and Kia Seltos 2023 for Performance Enthusiasts
After careful consideration, we recommend the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI Ambition as the best variant for performance enthusiasts. This variant stands out with its agile handling, minimal body roll, and responsive 1.0-liter turbocharged petrol engine, delivering 113.98 BHP and 178 Nm of torque. The smooth manual transmission allows enthusiasts to fully exploit the engine’s potential.
The Kushaq 1.0 TSI Ambition offers stable high-speed performance and precise steering, ensuring an engaging driving experience. The presence of a turbocharger minimizes turbo lag, delivering linear power delivery. The car’s visibility is good, enhancing driver confidence during spirited drives.
The variant comes equipped with essential features like traction control, electronic stability control, and hill-hold assist, providing added stability and safety. The glossy alloy wheels, LED headlights with cornering function, and sculpted body lines give it a sporty and premium appeal.
Inside, the Kushaq 1.0 TSI Ambition offers a well-designed and ergonomic cabin with supportive seats. The 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with seamless smartphone connectivity and a 6-speaker audio system enhances the overall driving experience.
In summary, the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI Ambition’s agile handling, responsive turbocharged engine, sporty styling, and advanced features make it the top choice for performance enthusiasts.
The Top 3 Choices
- Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI Ambition
- Hyundai Verna SX Turbo DT
- Kia Seltos HTK Plus iMT
| Attribute | Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI Ambition | Hyundai Verna SX Turbo DT | Kia Seltos HTK Plus iMT |
| Turbocharging | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Traction Control | Yes | No | No |
| ESC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Parking Sensors | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Airbags (number) | 2 | 6 | 6 |
| ABS | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Touchscreen size | 8 | 10.25 | 8 |
| Touchscreen Navigation | Yes | Yes | No |
| Voice Activated Controls | Yes | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Connectivity | Yes | Yes | Yes |
How to Pick the Right Car for You
- The Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI Ambition impresses with its agile handling, responsive turbocharged engine, and precise steering, delivering an engaging driving experience.
- The Hyundai Verna SX Turbo DT offers a powerful turbocharged petrol engine, agile handling, and advanced features like a larger touchscreen and voice-activated controls.
- The Kia Seltos HTK Plus iMT combines a punchy turbo-petrol engine with the convenience of an iMT transmission, providing a balance of performance and ease of use.
These three variants cater to different preferences of performance enthusiasts. Ultimately, the choice depends on individual preferences for driving dynamics, features, and brand affinity.
If you’re interested in reading more such face-to-face comparisons of popular car variants, head over to our Buying Advice section.
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