I plan to purchase a car next June with a budget of up to ₹17 lakh on-road. Should I choose the Maruti Suzuki Victoris, Tata Sierra, or the new Kia Seltos?

Autocar India

•13w

Without knowing further requirements, it is hard to recommend the ideal pick for you. However, we feel the New Kia Seltos will be the best pick in your budget.

Prices will only be announced on January 2, but assuming a reasonable increase over current model prices, you should be able to get a decently equipped model within Rs 17 lakh. The Seltos has the edge over the other two with a far superior naturally-aspirated petrol engine. The Seltos also scores for space.

The Maruti Suzuki Victoris is a sensible package and is good value. However, the dull engine and relatively small cabin mark it down. Tata's Sierra is the roomiest of the three options, but versions within your budget miss many features that you'd expect.

The bigger issue is that the Sierra's 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine feels underpowered, and performance is disappointing.

Explore cars mentioned

Maruti Suzuki

Victoris

from ₹12.44 Lakh

Tata

Sierra

from ₹13.60 Lakh

Got a suggestion for Ravi?

Add a Comment

Recommended questions for you

Nipen

•3d

If I have to choose between the Honda Elevate AT, Skoda Kushaq 1.5, and Kia Seltos IVT for a family of four, with most of the driving being within city limits (around 40 km daily), which one would be the best option in terms of long-term benefits and lower maintenance costs?

Autocar India

•21h

Go for the Honda Elevate CVT, which seems like the best fit among these three for your needs. It's not quite as spacious as the Kia Seltos, but for a family of four, there's more than enough space. And it's not as exhilarating as the Skoda Kushaq 1.5 TSI to drive, but it's still quite enjoyable and far more fuel efficient for your usage of roughly 40km per day in the city. While all three cars have decent warranties, with the ability to extend them for a fee, but Honda offers a unique 'Anytime Warranty' which lets you extend in increments of 1-year/20,000km for up to 10 years. Plus, Honda is known for its reliability and rock-solid after-sales experience, which should give you the best overall long-term experience. The downside is that the Elevate is a bit plain and not quite as well equipped as the others, but then it is also considerably more affordable. Your next best bet is the Kia Seltos, but be prepared to shell out a bit more money for spec.

Honda Elevate

Skoda Kushaq

Vikram Singh

•1w

Hi, I am looking to buy my first car as a new driver. I initially explored a few used car options, but couldn’t find a suitable one, so I am now planning to buy a new car. I live in Lower Himachal, where the terrain includes both plains and hilly areas, and my driving will be around 80% on highways. I have shortlisted the Kia Seltos HTK(O) Turbo DCT and the Renault Duster top-spec 1.3 Turbo DCT. What difference will the torque figures make between these two cars? Also, is it advisable to consider the Renault Duster in terms of long-term reliability, as I am looking for a no-nonsense, dependable vehicle? Should I also consider other options, since I can stretch my budget to ₹20 lakh? I prefer variants with ventilated seats. Additionally, how significant is the absence of a spare wheel in the Duster?

Autocar India

•22h

For your usage, which is largely highway driving with some hilly terrain, the Kia Seltos turbo automatic makes more sense as an overall package. The difference in torque figures between it and the Renault Duster is not something you will notice in isolation, as both offer strong mid-range performance. In real-world conditions, it is more about how the power is delivered than the number itself.Where the Seltos has an edge is in terms of overall ease of ownership. Kia’s wider service reach and more established support network make it a more predictable choice, especially if you are planning to keep the car long term and will be driving across varied terrain. The Duster, on the other hand, is an all-new product, so while it promises to be a tough, no-nonsense SUV, real-world long-term ownership experience is still an unknown at this stage.The missing spare wheel in the Duster is also something to consider seriously for your usage. In hilly areas, having a proper spare is important, as puncture kits may not be sufficient in case of a major tyre issue like a side wall cut.

Renault Duster

Pramod Kumar

•1w

Toyota HyCross GX(O) vs Maruti Victoris ZXi(O) strong hybrid vs Tata Sierra Accomplished Plus turbo petrol. Which is best for long-term usage under ₹30 lakh?

Autocar India

•2h

For long-term usage, the Toyota Innova HyCross GX (O) and the Maruti Victoris ZXi (O) strong hybrid are safer bets than the Tata Sierra Accomplished+ Turbo Petrol. Both come with a solid reputation for reliability and strong after-sales support, which is what really matters over 8-10 years of ownership.Between the Toyota HyCross and the Victoris, the HyCross is the more comfortable and practical choice. Its very spacious cabin, better third-row usability and comfortable ride make it a nicer long-distance family car. The 2.0-litre petrol engine is simple and proven, and its relaxed highway manners are a big plus if you do a lot of intercity trips.The Maruti Suzuki Victoris strong hybrid scores on efficiency and smoothness thanks to its hybrid powertrain, which is especially nice in traffic and helps keep running costs low. However, the boot is smaller, and the cabin is the least spacious of the three, so it’s not as versatile for full-family use. If you mainly drive yourself with only occasional passengers, the Victoris, which is also the most compact and city-friendly of the lot, is the easiest to live with in daily urban driving.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Tata Sierra

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

View all Posts