Hi Team, I am planning to buy a new car as I currently own a 2012 Hyundai i10. My budget is strictly ₹13.5 lakh, and my daily running is around 30 km, mostly on highways. I am considering the Kia Seltos, as it seems to offer good value even in the base variant. Could you please suggest whether this is the right choice or recommend better alternatives within my budget?

Autocar India

•2h

Go for the Kia Seltos HTE 1.5 petrol manual, which has an on-road price of about Rs 13.1 lakh. For your daily 30 km highway run and as an upgrade from your 2012 i10, it fits best.

You will feel a clear step up in space, seat comfort and high-speed stability on the highway, and the taller driving position gives you a better view out. The 1.5 petrol is smooth and easy to live with, the clutch and gearshift are light, and Kia’s service reach is strong in most cities, so ownership should be simple.

One thing to be aware of: the Seltos 1.5-litre NA engine is very refined, but not the most enthusiastic performer. If you find performance lacking, then try the Honda Elevate instead. However, you will be giving up a few features.

Overall, the Seltos HTE suits your use and will feel like a big, easy step up from your i10.

Explore cars mentioned

Kia

Seltos

from ₹13.01 Lakh

Honda

Elevate

from ₹13.82 Lakh

Recommended questions for you

Rohit Khedkar

•3d

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

•3h

Go for the Honda Elevate ZX CVT. Given you’ve loved your City for 15 years, this feels familiar in quality and service, but it makes daily traffic much easier and gives you the taller seating you now want.For 85 percent city use and just 300 km a month, the CVT automatic suits you best. The Elevate’s light steering, good all-round view and higher ground clearance make speed breakers and broken roads far less stressful than in your City. Honda’s simple, proven petrol setup and wide service network mean worry-free ownership for the long run, and you’ll likely feel right at home with the controls and the way it drives.It's worth noting that the cabin isn’t as flashy or feature-packed as some others in this price range. If this is a deal-breaker, then consider the Kia Seltos CVT instead.On your test drive, crawl in heavy traffic and try a few steep speed breakers back to back. Also, hop in the back seat and see if it feels comfortable and spacious enough.

Honda Elevate

Kia Seltos

Satheesh

•2d

I am planning to buy a new car with a budget of around ₹15-19 lakh. I drive approximately 5,000-6,000 km per year. I have been considering the Kia Seltos and the Skoda Kushaq 2026 facelift, but I am unsure which one would be the better choice for my needs. Could you please advise which car I should consider? Also, feel free to suggest any other suitable options in this segment.

Autocar India

•4h

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

•2d

I am planning to buy a car with a budget of ₹18-19 lakh. My initial choice was the Kia Seltos, but I have noticed that similarly sized EVs like the MG Windsor EV and Mahindra BE 6 (Pack One) are available in a similar price range due to ongoing discounts. My usage is around 800 km per month, mostly within the city (Delhi-NCR), along with occasional outstation trips once or twice a year. Given this, does it make sense to switch to an EV for my usage pattern? Should I spend around ₹18 lakh on a Kia Seltos HTK(O) IVT, opt for a similarly priced variant at around ₹16.5 lakh, or choose an EV like the Windsor at ₹19 lakh and benefit from lower running costs?

Autocar India

•7h

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

View all Posts