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Delhi
AK

Aarti K

4w

Hi, I am looking for a mid-size automatic SUV mainly for city use. It should comfortably seat 5 adults and offer decent boot space. My budget is ₹10-15 lakh on-road. I like the Kia Seltos and Maruti Grand Vitara, and I am not keen on Mahindra or Tata vehicles. Which one would you recommend?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
4w
You should know at the outset that both these SUVs will only be available in their base and lower variants at your budget of Rs 10-15 lakh on road; top variants cost more than Rs 20 lakh. But with that in mind, of your shortlisted two, we would recommend the Kia Seltos.
While the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara is efficient and smooth, its rear seat feels too cramped for five, and its boot is not huge, either. The Kia Seltos, being a much larger car, offers noticeably more rear-seat space and a bigger boot. It's also better built and has more modern tech on the inside.
Kia Seltos

Kia Seltos

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AR

Anirudh Rangarajan

2d

I currently own a Honda Jazz V-CVT 2021 model and wish to upgrade to an SUV, mainly because the features on my car are pretty basic and dated. My driving is primarily within the city (around 80kms per week to and from the office) and the occasional highway drive between Mumbai and Pune. I am torn between the Kia Seltos and the Mahindra 7XO. For the Kia, I am thinking the X-Line Petrol Turbo DCT and the AX7L AT for the 7XO. Could you please share some advice on which to buy, and if DCT is the right option over the NA engine for the Kia?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
13h

If features are what you are after, then both cars are at the top of their respective segments on that front. The Mahindra XUV 7XO has an edge with its three-screen layout, and ventilated screens not just in the front but at the rear as well. It's also a larger and more spacious SUV overall with more powerful engines. However, that comes with its downsides, as fuel economy is not great, and the price will be higher overall. Plus, Mahindra's software for those screens is buggy and complicated to navigate, and its ergonomics aren't great either, with far too few buttons, making those features harder to access.The Kia Seltos is a bit smaller and misses those two unique features the Mahindra gets, but other than that, it is the better option for you overall. Its more compact dimensions make it easier to drive around town, which is your primary usage. Its electronics work far more reliably and are designed to be friendly while on the move.And given that you drive primarily in the city, the 1.5 petrol CVT might be the better option for you. You give up some performance, but the smoothness of the CVT over the DCT in stop-go traffic is too much of an advantage to ignore.

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Rajeev singh

3d

Hi, I am using a Duster 110 RXZ and now want to sell it and buy a new SUV. What would you suggest, a petrol or a diesel SUV? My monthly run is around 1,000 km, and I have already driven 85,000 km in 8 years. My budget is around Rs 20 lakh, and I need a good, tough SUV that can be used for very long drives.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
1d

Since your monthly running is not very high, you can opt for a petrol SUV. In the Rs 20 lakh budget, you can consider the Tata Sierra, Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, and Skoda Kushaq, to name a few. All three are good options and will serve you well.The Hyundai Creta and Seltos are mechanically identical, while the Kushaq and Taigun share a lot between them. To be fair, it comes down to the design and features you prefer.The Renault Duster is also a great option to consider, and while prices are not out yet, it is likely to be in the same range as the above-mentioned SUVs. However, our recommendation will be to wait for the new upcoming Duster.Since you already have the older version and have a good experience with it, the new one will be worth waiting for. It has modern looks, a premium cabin and lots of features, making it a strong contender in this segment.

VehicleKia Seltos
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Nitin Khuller

3d

Want to buy a new car in the range of Rs 15 to 20 lakh. My driving is around 25,000 km per year, mostly on highways. We are a family of four. Good fuel economy is essential. Please advise which car I should buy.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
1d

Since you frequent highways and the economy is a priority, a diesel SUV would be a good choice for you. In the Rs 15-20 lakh price range, the Kia Seltos is the newest option and has the right makings with a strong diesel engine, a well-equipped cabin and Kia's widespread network. The HTK (O) trim comes well packed with features that you would need and makes for a strong case.The Tata Sierra is also an option to consider if the Seltos' design is a bit too over the top for you. The Sierra has lots of room in the cabin, and the diesel engine is refined and punchy as well.If both these dont sit well with you, the Hyundai Creta is the safest bet. It has a clean, no-nonsense design, a well-equipped cabin and the same strong diesel engine as the Seltos. It will also hold its value better since the Creta brand name is much stronger.All three have good room in the cabin, and boot space for four is sufficient too.

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Posted on: 15 Jan 2026