Abby
•2dI am currently driving a 2020 Honda Amaze and am looking to upgrade my car. My usage is 95% city driving, with around 500 km per month. My budget is approximately ₹20 lakh, including the exchange value of my current car. Which car would you recommend for me, considering I live in Mumbai?

Autocar India
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.

Kia New Seltos
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Posted on: 31 Mar 2026
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