I have a Honda City ZX MT, Jimny Zeta MT, and Ignis Alpha AMT. We are planning to get a new Seltos diesel automatic for convenience and mileage. Which of these should I replace, considering that I love the City for its VTEC? Also, is this a wise decision in terms of rear-seat comfort, driving feel, and fuel economy?

Autocar India

•1d

Go for the MG Comet. For pure city use and comfort, it is the smoothest and easiest small car in your shortlist right now. In stop-and-go traffic, the Comet feels calm because it is an electric automatic, so there are no gear shifts or vibrations, just a gentle push when you press the pedal. The steering is very light, the turning circle is tiny, and parking is stress-free. It is quiet inside, and charges at home overnight from a normal plug, which suits your low yearly use.The Maruti Suzuki Ignis automatic uses an AMT, which is an automatic that still shifts gears on its own. In slow traffic, it can give a slight jerk when starting and stopping, so it won’t feel as smooth as the Comet. It is easier for rear passengers, though, since it has four doors. However, most dealers do not have stocks as Maruti Suzuki has been winding up production of the car.As for the VinFast VF3, if you can wait, it could be a good alternative to the Comet as it has much larger wheels, which should help the ride quality over bad city roads.

MG Comet

Maruti Suzuki Ignis

Autocar India

•15h

If it’s features that you want, then the Tata Sierra is the one to go for. The Accomplished+ will get you the full suite of ADAS features you’re looking for and also comes with goodies like a triple-screen setup, ventilated front seats with memory and power adjustment for the driver, and an electric tailgate. It is also roomier than the Kia Seltos, and its torque-converter automatic is smoother in the city. Ride and handling are well sorted too, and refinement is on par with the Seltos.One thing to note, however, is that Kia generally has a better reputation when it comes to aftersales service, whereas Tata’s can be a bit hit or miss. That said, Tata has made improvements in that area, and the Sierra has a lot going for it.Test drive both extensively before making a decision. Take them on busy city streets and on the highway to see how the ADAS works, check which transmission feels smoother, and dig into the infotainment systems to see which is more intuitive to use.

Tata Sierra

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

•17h

Go for a diesel SUV in your case, but also consider a strong hybrid as a serious alternative. With your history of long-distance driving and ownership of a diesel like the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, you are clearly used to the strengths of a diesel: strong low-end torque, relaxed highway cruising and good real-world efficiency. At a Rs 20-25 lakh budget, options like the Mahindra XUV 7XO, Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos diesel will feel like natural upgrades, offering more power, space and features while retaining that effortless long-distance ability.However, it is worth noting that new-age diesels are not as dramatically efficient as older ones used to be, mainly due to stricter emission norms and heavier vehicles. While they are still more efficient than petrols, the gap has reduced compared to what you may have experienced with your Ciaz.This is where strong hybrids like the Toyota Innova Hycross and Maruti Grand Vitara come into the picture. They offer a very different ownership experience - smooth, quiet, petrol-like driving with excellent real-world efficiency, where you can expect to get in excess of 20 kpl not only on the highway but in the city as well, and without diesel-related concerns like DPF.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Hyundai Creta

Kia Seltos

Toyota Innova HyCross

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara