I have been using a Honda City for the past 15 years and have been completely satisfied with it. However, with increasing traffic, I am now considering switching to an automatic car. My driving is about 85% in the city, with a monthly usage of around 300 km. Which SUV under ₹20 lakh would be the best choice for long-term ownership?

Autocar India

•2h

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

•5h

Go for the Kia Seltos HTK (O) DCT for your 800 km a month in Delhi NCR and one or two long trips a year, it is the easiest, least-stress choice in your budget. In daily city traffic, the DCT automatic, feels very smooth and makes stop-and-go driving simple. The Seltos is roomy for family use, rides well, and Kia’s service reach in and around Delhi is strong, so ownership is straightforward. For the rare outstation run, you just fill up and go, with no planning around chargers or range.One thing to be aware of is that the 1.5-litre NA engine isn't the most enthusiastic when pushed on the highway. If saving on fuel is your main goal, an EV will help, but at 800 km a month, the extra money you pay upfront will take time to come back.If you have private parking with a socket for home charging, look at the MG Windsor EV Pro. It is smooth and cheap to run in the city, but expect to plan charging stops on highway trips.

Kia Seltos

MG Windsor

Autocar India

•19h

Go for the Kia Seltos 1.5 petrol IVT – with your light-speed mornings and heavy traffic evenings, it will keep you calmer and more comfortable every day. Quick note: in the Seltos, the IVT automatic comes with the 1.5 petrol, not a 1.0.The IVT (Kia’s version of a CVT) is a type of automatic that keeps the drive very smooth because it does not make noticeable gear changes. In stop-go traffic it moves forward gently, without the small jerks you sometimes feel in other automatics. The steering is light, the view out is good, and the cabin feels easy to live with after a long day. At 70–80 km/h it is quiet and steady, and for your rare 200 km runs it will cruise without stress.One thing to be aware of: when you want a quick overtake on the highway, you will need to press the pedal deeper and the engine can sound a bit loud when pushed hard. Pick the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI AT instead if you value stronger highway pull and a more connected feel. Its turbo engine gives easier overtakes and the 6-speed automatic is smooth, but in very slow traffic it can feel a bit eager off the line, and Skoda’s service reach is smaller than Kia’s in many cities.

Kia Seltos