I am confused between the new Skoda Kushaq MT base model and the Seltos base model MT. Both come in a similar price bracket. Usage: Family, occasional driving, hardly 3 to 5k km in a year, as I already have one daily driving car. The Alto K10 was driven 22k km in 8 years, so the old car will remain. We are not selling it. The new car will be used on occasion. Road conditions: Mostly bad roads, rarely good roads.

Autocar India

•6m

Go for the Skoda Kushaq Active 1.0 TSI MT. Since you are going in for the base models, you will find the Kushaq a little better equipped with features like automatic climate control versus a manual AC on the Kia Seltos, rain-sensing wipers, rear defogger and a rear washer and wiper.

Also, for your 3-5k km a year on bad roads, it delivers a sturdier suspension, and the 1.0 TSI engine delivers a more than adequate level of performance. The one thing you give up is boot volume: Kushaq’s 385 litres versus Seltos’ 433 litres. However, the Kushaq boot is well-shaped, and you can easily get 6 cabin bags inside, which should be more than enough for your occasional family drives.

Explore cars mentioned

Skoda

Kushaq

from ₹12.66 Lakh

Kia

Seltos

from ₹13.01 Lakh

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Related questions you may find helpful

Aashish

•2d

I want to choose between Curvv and Seltos. My preferences are: reliability, low maintenance, good road presence, good sound system, good mileage, safety and automatic. My average running is 6,000km annually, with 90% city and 10% highway use.

Autocar India

•16h

Quite frankly, between the Kia Seltos and the Tata Curvv, the only reasons to buy the Curvv are if you like its coupe styling and the price, which is cheaper than the Seltos when you factor in available discounts. Go for the Kia Seltos HTX+ IVT (petrol automatic).For your 6,000 km a year with 90% city use, it’s the smoother, more reliable pick with good features and equipment. Your driving is mostly urban (about 5,400 km in the city and 600 km on the highway yearly), so the IVT suits stop‑and-go traffic with seamless creep and low heat buildup, unlike many dual‑clutch units. The HTX+ trim brings an 8‑speaker Bose setup for the “good sound system” you want, and safety is covered with 6 airbags, ESC, and TPMS, which matter more than raw power at city speeds. Road presence is solid too; the Seltos’ stance and LED lighting help it look a size up.The one thing you give up is outright punch: the IVT is calmer than the turbo‑DCT Seltos for sudden highway bursts, so quick overtakes need a firmer right foot.

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Anshuman Sinha

•1d

I’ve been driving a manual Hyundai Creta Petrol for the last six years and am now looking to upgrade to an automatic with better specifications and superior comfort. My driving split is roughly 75% city and 25% highway. I’m currently torn between the New Kia Seltos IVT (NA Petrol) and the Turbo Petrol DCT. As this will be my first automatic car, I’d appreciate insights on which gearbox better suits my heavy city usage versus occasional highway runs. Kindly suggest.

Autocar India

•17h

Since this will be your first automatic, the Kia Seltos IVT is the easier and more intuitive option to live with. In heavy city traffic, it is extremely smooth at low speeds, with no jerks or shift shocks, which makes daily driving far less tiring. The creep function is also very natural, so bumper-to-bumper traffic and parking become effortless.The turbo petrol DCT, while a lot more powerful and engaging to drive, is better suited for highway use and enthusiastic driving. In city conditions, especially in stop-and-go traffic, it can feel a bit jerky compared to the IVT.On the highway, the IVT paired with the naturally aspirated engine is still perfectly adequate for cruising at 90-100 kph, and for your usage, you are unlikely to fully benefit from the extra performance of the turbo.

Kia Seltos

Balaji

•5d

Hi, I am in the market for buying a compact SUV. I am a proud Kia Carens 1.5 TGDi owner as well. I have shortlisted the Kia Seltos NA 1.5 IVT (HTK or HTK(O)) to drive in Bengaluru (a lot of traffic). I personally like the new Duster as well. I have test-driven the Seltos and am yet to see the Duster in action. Being a Kia owner, I really like the new Seltos, but I have postponed the buying decision because of the Duster. I would happily choose the Techno+ or Iconic variant. My only concern is that the Duster has a DCT (wet clutch), but I am not sure about its reliability in the long run. Seven months of standard warranty gives some peace of mind, but I still have concerns about overheating issues in DCTs (like Kia’s). Kindly share your suggestions on choosing a reliable car. Thanks!

Autocar India

•1d

For your usage in Bengaluru traffic and focus on long-term reliability, we would suggest going ahead with the Kia Seltos 1.5 NA IVT (HTK/HTK(O)) rather than waiting for the new Duster. The Seltos’ naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with the IVT/CVT gearbox is one of the smoothest combinations in this segment.In heavy stop-and-go traffic, it feels very easy and predictable to drive, with none of the hesitation or heat-related concerns that are sometimes associated with dual-clutch transmissions. Since you already own a Kia Carens, you are also familiar with Kia’s after-sales experience, which adds a layer of confidence for long-term ownership.That said, the new Renault Duster is a very interesting option and worth considering. On paper, it looks like a strong package with a more powerful turbo-petrol engine, expected to offer strong performance, a solid ride quality and a more rugged overall character. We would suggest test-driving the Duster before making a final decision.

Kia Carens

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