I am planning to buy a car within a budget of ₹15–20 lakh. Fuel efficiency is not my only priority; I am more focused on after-sales service and overall peace of mind. Should I consider the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Hyundai Creta, or models from Kia? Please suggest.

Autocar India

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You should look at the Kia Seltos GTX (A) 1.5 petrol CVT, which falls well within your budget. It's among the best new mid-size SUVs around, with loads of space at the front, and crucially in the rear seat as well. It's got ample ground clearance without being too high off the ground to be a challenge to get into and out of. It's easy to drive with light controls and good manoeuvrability, which should be handy on your daily commute. Most importantly, the 1.5 petrol CVT is the best suited to city use of all the options, and is strong enough to work on the highway as well, with decent fuel economy. It's comfortable around town, too, with good high-speed stability for your out-of-town trips. The GTX (A) is the fully loaded variant with all the bells and whistles, including ADAS, should you want it. The new Seltos recently scored 5 stars in Bharat NCAP crash test ratings, for a bit of extra peace of mind. Alternatively, you could consider the Hyundai Creta, which has the same engine and gearbox, but feels a little dated now compared to the Seltos.

Hyundai Creta

Autocar India

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Go with the Kia Seltos 1.5-litre IVT. The HTK trim with the automatic costs Rs 14.39 lakh ex-showroom and comes very well equipped with features such as alloy wheels, a 10.25-inch HD infotainment system with six speakers, cruise control, and rear-seat sunshades. If you can stretch to Rs 15.49 lakh ex-showroom for the HTK (O), you will get a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, and more.For your limited usage with five adults, the 1.5-litre engine offers adequate performance, while the IVT automatic is seamless in operation. The cabin is also quite comfortable and can accommodate five passengers with ease. However, the Tata Sierra offers even more space in the rear seat and is a good option if that is a priority. That said, performance from the Sierra's 1.5 NA engine and DCT combination is lackluster.Visit the showroom with your family members to check if they are comfortable with the space inside, and take a test drive to see if the performance is adequate with passengers on board.

Tata Sierra

Autocar India

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Go for the Kia Seltos HTX with the 1.5-litre engine mated to the IVT automatic. Since 95 percent of your driving is in the city, you will appreciate its smooth and easy-to-drive nature.The 1.5-litre engine is very refined, and the IVT makes good use of the available power. It feels responsive to light throttle inputs in city traffic and offers adequate performance for most scenarios. It also simulates shifts in eight steps, so it feels more natural than most CVTs and doesn’t exhibit too much of the rubber-band effect you might have experienced with your Honda Amaze CVT. The Seltos is also thoroughly modern inside and out and packed with features, so it will feel like a big step up from your Amaze.The one thing you will compromise on is outright performance; the 1.5-litre petrol with a CVT prioritises smoothness, so quick highway overtakes above 80kph are not exactly effortless. If that is a concern, then consider the turbo-petrol Seltos instead.During the test drive, crawl in stop-go traffic to assess creep and throttle response, and check steering lightness and ride comfort.

Honda Amaze