I’m planning to buy a new fully automatic car for a family of four. About 90% of the driving will be in Bangalore city. The driver is 6’1”, and the budget is around ₹15-20 lakh.

Autocar India

•1d

Since your usage is primarily in the city, the Kia Seltos HTE (O) with the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine and CVT combination is a solid choice. The engine is responsive in city traffic and works well with the seamless CVT automatic. While the HTE (O) is essentially the base trim, it comes with features like a 10.25-inch infotainment screen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, six speakers, 60:40 split-folding seats, and an electronic parking brake with auto-hold.

Autocar India

•2d

Yes, the Kia Seltos HTX IVT is a good option for you. It offers a roomy cabin, smooth driving, and a robust safety kit. Your usage of mostly city driving will benefit from the convenience of the smooth-shifting IVT, which will be far easier than a manual in Punjab’s Tier‑3 city traffic. The Seltos’ rear bench can seat three better than most in this class, and installing a child seat is simple with ISOFIX mounts, helpful for your 3‑year‑old. For safety, 6 airbags are standard, come with a safety kit, and although the Kia has not yet been tested by any crash test agency, it is expected to score highly, thanks to its new-gen global platform. Highway stability is good, which will help on your Vrindavan trips every 1-2 months and though the engine isn't the strongest in the Seltos range, it is more than powerful enough. The one thing you give up is the absolute lowest running cost versus a diesel or strong hybrid, but it is not bad enough to be a deal breaker in what is otherwise a great all-around package.

Autocar India

•1d

Go for the Kia Seltos, the car is a very good all-rounder and provides a good balance of comfort, features and safety as well as being a good option for the long term. As for your query on the gearbox, yes, DCTs can heat and cause issues in the long run if driven in a lot of traffic. However, in Kia's case, IVT indicates a CVT, which is a generally more reliable option than a DCT.Coupled to the 1.5 litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, the IVT is quite smooth when driven in everyday situations. It has very little of that 'rubberband' effect where, during acceleration, the revs rise more than the corresponding vehicle speed.