Autocar India

•12h

Between the two cars, the Hyundai Creta is a good choice. It feels more premium on the inside, is more spacious, and gets a more capable 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, which works very well in stop-and-go traffic. If you opt for the CVT variant, it is silky smooth and proves to be an excellent city companion.If you are considering the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder and your budget allows, we would strongly suggest going for the strong hybrid instead of the standard version. Not only is it easier to drive in traffic, as it runs on the electric motor for a large part of the time, but it is also extremely fuel-efficient.This is especially important given that you will be driving close to 20,000 km a year. In real-world conditions, where you might see around 10 kpl in Gurgaon Delhi traffic in a petrol SUV, the Hyryder Hybrid can realistically deliver over 20 kpl, resulting in significant savings over time.

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Hyundai Creta

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Autocar India

•13h

The new Kia Seltos diesel is a strong all-around package and a good fit for your requirements. The 1.5-litre diesel engine is refined, offers decent performance, and is pleasant to drive. The Seltos is also spacious, comfortable and well-equipped. Within your budget, you can opt for the HTK variant if you are looking at the automatic, or the HTK (O) if you prefer a manual transmission. Given that around 80% of your driving will be on the highway, it is highly unlikely that you will face any DPF-related issues.Another diesel option worth considering is the new Tata Sierra. Compared to the Seltos, the Sierra is even more spacious, and its wider cabin makes it a very comfortable five-seater. It also scores slightly higher on comfort thanks to its plush ride quality. However, the Sierra is priced on the higher side, so variants comparable in price to the Seltos are not as well equipped, and its diesel engine is not as refined.One factor to note is that with stricter emission norms, diesel engines are no longer as fuel-efficient as they once were. If fuel efficiency is your absolute top priority, you should also consider strong hybrid powertrains such as the Maruti Suzuki Victoris, Grand Vitara, or Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, all of which can return over 20 kpl in both city and highway driving.The upcoming Renault Duster is also expected to get a strong hybrid powertrain around Diwali, so that could be another option if you are willing to wait.

Kia Seltos

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Renault Duster

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Autocar India

•1d

In our opinion, you should avoid retrofitting CNG to your around 7-year-old Seltos. Instead, it makes more sense to sell it and move to a newer car that is more efficient and easier on the pocket.If you can set up home charging, an EV makes a lot of sense. It will significantly cut down your travel expenses, and, being an electric car, there is no hassle of changing gears. EVs are smooth and extremely easy to drive, which can greatly reduce daily driving stress.Since you already own a Kia Seltos and would prefer something familiar, we would suggest considering the Hyundai Creta Electric. It is a very well-rounded product, and the calibration of the electric motor is spot on, making it extremely smooth and easy to drive. It also offers a single pedal regenerative braking mode that works beautifully, and once you get used to it, you will rarely need to use the brake pedal, reducing fatigue even further. Considering your running, we would recommend the larger 52 kWh battery pack, which should deliver over 350 km on a single charge, making it practical for your usage.There are other, on-paper, more impressive EVs at this price point, such as the Tata Harrier EV and Mahindra BE 6. However, if you are looking for a car that is easy to drive, hassle-free and easy to live with, the Creta EV is a very strong choice.If you prefer to stick with an internal combustion engine but want lower running costs, you should consider the Maruti Suzuki Victoris Hybrid. It runs in EV mode a lot of the time at low speeds and in stop-and-go traffic, making it very smooth and easy to drive. Being a strong hybrid, it is also extremely efficient, and even in the worst traffic conditions, you can safely expect over 20 kpl. Since it is still an ICE vehicle, occasional long highway trips don’t require planning, unlike an EV. What you will need to plan, however, is luggage, as the hybrid battery under the boot floor does eat into usable boot space.If you are willing to wait, the new Renault Duster is expected to get a hybrid powertrain around Diwali, and the next-generation Creta and Seltos are also expected to receive hybrid options early next year.

Hyundai Creta Electric

Tata Harrier EV

Mahindra BE 6

Kia Seltos

Hyundai Creta

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

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