Hi Autocar Team, Reposting this query as the earlier message may not have reached you. Have been following your blogs and YouTube videos for quite some time now, and really admire the depth of analysis and practical insights in your reviews. Currently driving a Honda Brio and absolutely love the car for city use. However, a few limitations have started becoming more noticeable over time. Frequent trips to Konkan mean dealing with rough roads, large potholes, and tall speed breakers, which often result in the underbody scraping. Rear seat comfort during hot weather is another concern, especially because of the absence of rear AC vents. Planning to upgrade to an SUV that would be better suited for both daily commuting and highway trips. Family consists of five adults, and at 6'2" with a larger build, spacious seating and overall comfort are quite important. Budget is around ₹12 lakh and can be stretched slightly for the right option. Key priorities are: Strong safety credentials, Comfortable driver seat with good ergonomics, Spacious and comfortable rear seat, Good ground clearance for bad roads and ghat sections, Adequate boot space for 3–4 days of luggage, Reasonable maintenance and running costs Usage pattern includes a daily 20 km commute in heavy city traffic, along with occasional weekend trips of around 300 km round-trip. Would really appreciate your recommendation on the most suitable SUV in this budget.

Autocar India

•45m

The Kia Seltos 1.5 turbo automatic (the DCT that changes gears on its own) fits you best. It lines up with what you value and what you felt in your test drives.As you mentioned, the Seltos' seat is the most comfortable; the 1.5 turbo is quick, feels strong and has that oomph that you're looking for. Also, being the newest car, its interior quality is a step up compared to the other options listed.Of course, being a taller car, its stability and handling prowess aren't as good as the Hyundai Verna 1.5 turbo DCT, which will give you a relatively sportier driving experience due to its low-set seating.We would advise you against the Mahindra BE 6, especially when you're currently residing in a rented flat with no assured socket at your parking, and even though Bengaluru has many public chargers, you can't solely rely on public charging. You could also check out the new Renault Duster 1.3 Turbo before finalising the Seltos.

Kia Seltos

Renault Duster

Autocar India

•2h

With two Noida-Gurgaon runs every week plus two long trips of around 500-550 km each month, you are mostly on highways with some heavy-city traffic, and you drive 1,200-1,500 km a month. For this use, the Kia Seltos Diesel Automatic (look at the mid trim like HTK+/HTX, confirm current availability with the dealer) fits you best if you are okay with the Delhi-NCR 10-year rule for diesel.Three simple reasons. One, you already own an automatic and do tough NCR traffic twice a week, so an automatic gearbox that changes gears on its own will keep life easy. Two, your longer highway runs will feel more relaxed in the diesel; it pulls strongly at cruising speeds and usually needs fewer fuel stops. Three, the Seltos is easier to park and drive in the city than the bigger Alcazar.A couple of trade-offs. In NCR, diesel cars are allowed for 10 years, while petrol is 15 years, so think about how long you plan to keep it. The diesel is also a bit noisier than the petrol, though it's only in comparison; for a diesel, it is quite refined.If that 10-year cap worries you, pick the Seltos 1.5 petrol automatic (IVT). It is very smooth and quiet in the city and has a 15-year life in NCR, but your fuel efficiency will take a hit.

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

•1d

If your driving is 90 percent in the city with around 40 km a day, the best alternative to the Kia Seltos HTX IVT is the Hyundai Creta IVT. It uses the same naturally aspirated petrol engine and IVT automatic combination, so you can expect a very similar smooth and effortless driving experience in traffic, which is exactly what matters for your usage. It is also spacious enough for family use, has a proven long term track record and is simply one of those cars you are unlikely to go wrong with.The Honda Elevate CVT is the other option worth considering if you want to save some money. It is a practical, dependable SUV with Honda’s strong reliability reputation and a comfortable enough package for both city and occasional highway use. However, the engine is not as refined as the Hyundai-Kia unit and the overall cabin and ownership experience do not feel as premium as the Creta.

Kia Seltos

Honda Elevate

Hyundai Creta

Autocar India

•3d

Going by your shortlist, you want a bigger family car on a tight budget and are looking at base trims. If you need the car in the next couple of months for mostly city use with some weekend trips, pick the Kia Seltos HTE (O) IVT. It is well equipped and, compared to the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, gives you more back-seat space and boot room.The Brezza update will be relatively minor, though we expect the 1.5 NA engine to make way for the 1.0 turbo-petrol from the Fronx. Waiting for it only makes sense if you mainly drive in tight city areas and want an easier-to-park car.Overall, for a near-term purchase and everyday comfort, the Seltos lines up best with what you’re considering.

Kia Seltos

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Autocar India

•3d

You’re after a no-drama, long-term family car that is easy to drive, comfortable and roomy. For that brief, the Honda Elevate VX CVT is a good fit. The VX CVT is the sweet spot because the automatic keeps the engine smooth in traffic, and the VX trim gets the useful features without pushing the price too high.Why it fits your list: Honda’s simple 1.5 petrol has a long, clean track record, so it suits your “no issues for 10+ years” aim. The driving position is high, the steering is light, and the CVT makes stop-go city work very easy. Space is good for four adults, the seats are supportive, and the suspension deals with broken roads well, so daily comfort is strong.Trade-offs to note: it is not the quickest for fast highway passes, and rivals offer more flashy features. If you expect a lot of high-speed use with a full load, you may want more punch.Regarding waiting for a facelift, while it may launch this year, there is no confirmed date or list of changes. An update usually brings small styling tweaks and a few extra features, and prices can go up too. The basics you care about are space, ease of driving, Honda’s engine and service and these are unlikely to change much.If you do want to look around, pick the Kia Seltos IVT for more features and a more modern cabin. Overall, for your needs, the Elevate VX CVT lines up best right now.

Honda Elevate

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

•2d

Both perform very well for your requirements, but overall, the Skoda Kylaq is the better choice. The Citroen C3 X has a slightly comfier ride quality, its AC performance is very strong, and its 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine is quite punchy. However, the Kylaq's 1.0 TSI engine is more powerful, and the 6-speed automatic gearbox has been tuned for even greater responses. As such, it will feel more eager on ghats and highways. It too has excellent suspension and absorbs bumps and broken roads well. Moreover, the Kylaq sits in a segment above and hence offers more space in the back seat and the boot, which will be useful for your passengers and luggage. Moreover, the build quality is stronger, the interior feels more upmarket, and though it may be more expensive, there are more features on offer than in the Citroen. Hence, we recommend that you go with the Skoda.

Skoda Kylaq

Citroen C3