autocar-logo
Mumbai
RD

Roshen Dsouza

7w

I have a usage of around 1000 km every month. Majority of it is in city approx 80%. I have selected Kia seltos HTK O, Tata nexon CNG, Hyundai Venue. But confused in these 3. Can you advice?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
7w

For around 1,000km of monthly running, a petrol SUV would suit your needs well. Since nearly 80% of your driving is within the city, an automatic will be far more convenient than a manual.

The Kia Seltos is the largest and most spacious SUV in this comparison, while the Nexon and Venue are both sub-four-metre SUVs. The Seltos HTK (O) variant is a tempting option, but it misses out on a few features you might expect at this price point. Automatic climate control, a 360-degree camera and ventilated seats are not offered. Also, the 1.5-litre petrol engine feels a bit underpowered compared to the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol available on the Venue HX 8, which fits within the same budget.

The Venue also offers a stronger feature set overall and if value for money is important to you, it is the better buy.

The Nexon CNG fits within the budget and will be the cheapest to run. However, you will have to deal with long waiting times at CNG stations, especially in the city where most of your driving will be.

If you want a spacious SUV with a smooth driving experience, the Kia Seltos HTK (O) with the CVT gearbox is a good choice. But if you want the maximum number of features and are willing to compromise slightly on rear seat space, the Venue is the one to go for. The Nexon is worth considering only if fuel efficiency is your top priority.

Kia Seltos

Kia Seltos

More questions on similar cars

HI

Himanshu

2d

Please suggest between Seltos IVT HTX/GTX petrol and Mahindra XUV 7XO automatic petrol AX5/AX7. The car will be mainly for driving in Mumbai city with occasional long-distance travel.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
4h

Choose the Kia Seltos IVT petrol in GTX guise. Its IVT smoothness and relatively compact size make it easier to drive in Mumbai traffic, especially important since that’s where you’ll be spending most of your time.The IVT (CVT) is smooth and seamless in operation and works rather well with the refined 1.5-litre NA engine. The engine feels responsive to light inputs and creeps smartly, making it very easy to drive in stop-and-go traffic. 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 they are known for.What you do give up is the space and outright performance of the Mahindra XUV 7XO. It is significantly larger, has more room on the inside and even a third row suited for occasional use. The 2.0-litre turbo-petrol is also very powerful and hauls this big SUV with remarkable ease, but expect poor fuel efficiency in city use.On your test drive, spend 10 minutes in start-stop traffic to assess creep and brake feel, attempt a tight U-turn, and confirm if rear-seat space is adequate for your family.

VehicleKia Seltos
VehicleMahindra XUV 7XO
NI

Nipen

1w

Please share your views on the best car for city driving between the Kia Seltos HTK(O) CVT and the new Kushaq facelift automatic. My average daily drive is around 40km in the city.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
21h

Go for the Kia Seltos HTK(O) IVT (CVT) for city duty. With 40 km of daily driving, it’s the smoother choice that keeps stop‑go fatigue low.Given 40 km a day (about 1,200 km/month) in traffic, the IVT’s step‑less delivery feels calmer at 10-25kph, avoiding the small 1–2-3 shifts the new 8-speed AT makes. That means fewer throttle corrections, fewer head nods, and easier gaps. The naturally aspirated engine’s linear response makes speed‑breakers and U‑turns smoother.The one thing you give up is mid‑range punch. The Kushaq’s turbo feels stronger for quick gaps above 40kph and feels livelier if you enjoy brisk 60-100kph bursts.If you prioritise a smaller footprint and a stronger mid‑range for quick overtakes, consider the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI Ambition AT.On test drives, do a 0-20 kph crawl and a basement-ramp start. Compare creep, throttle-tip-in, hill‑hold smoothness, and steering effort at parking speeds in both cars.

VehicleKia Seltos
VehicleSkoda Kushaq
RC

Rajendra Chitara

1w

I had selected the Kia Seltos IVT to buy, but now the Duster DCT turbo 1.3 has been launched. Is the Duster a good choice? I have heard that it comes with a wet-clutch DCT that does not heat up. Is this gearbox good and suitable for all types of driving conditions? Please guide me on overall performance in traffic, highway, hills, mileage, etc. My driving conditions are mixed.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
22h

Go for the Renault Duster 1.3 Turbo DCT. For your mix of city, highway, hills and bad roads, it combines strong punch, planted suspension and a heat‑resistant wet‑clutch gearbox.Your concern about DCT heating is valid in dry‑clutch units. The Renault Duster’s wet‑clutch design is oil‑cooled, so it tolerates prolonged crawling and hill starts better. The turbo motor helps on steep climbs with passengers, and overtakes at 80–100 kph feel effortless. The Duster’s long‑travel suspension shrugs off broken roads that unsettle softer crossovers.The one thing you give up is the Kia Seltos IVT’s ultra‑smooth low‑speed creep. Below 10kph, the DCT can feel a touch jerky and needs gentler throttle modulation while parking.

VehicleRenault Duster
VehicleKia Seltos

Posted on: 5 Feb 2026