Mumbai

•17w

I need some help in choosing my first car. I live in Hyderabad, in the IT area. My usage might be 60:40 city and highway. I’m looking for a top petrol automatic variant. I have evaluated the Kia Seltos, Hyundai Creta, and Tata Sierra, and narrowed it down to the Kia Seltos GTX(A) DCT variant. Recently, I saw the new Renault Duster and Skoda Kushaq as well. Can you suggest what I should do?

•17w

Since you have evaluated the Kia Seltos, Hyundai Creta and the Tata Sierra, it would be wise to check out the others in your shortlist too, namely the Renault Duster and the Skoda Kushaq. Checking out your options is always wise, especially when the purchase is of high value.

If interior space and features are a key criterion, then the Duster and Kushaq aren't really better off than the Seltos. However, where the Duster and the Kushaq are really good is if you enjoy driving, as both SUVs have responsive engines and provide an entertaining handling feel with good road grip and body control around corners.

Explore cars mentioned

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Duster

from ₹12.38 Lakh

Skoda

Kushaq

from ₹12.62 Lakh

Kia

Seltos

from ₹12.98 Lakh

Hyundai

Creta

from ₹12.88 Lakh

Tata

Sierra

from ₹13.56 Lakh

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More questions on similar cars

•1d

I have been using a Renault Duster Diesel 2014 model RXL(O) 85 PS since 2015. I sold my car recently, and I regret. I travel 8-9k per year. I am confused about which car to choose now; my budget is 18-21 lakhs. Looking for the MG Hector or the new Renault Duster, but the fuel option is one thing I am still in a dilemma about, as I personally do not like petrol engines and automatic transmissions. Whether to go for a hybrid or EV, or a large vehicle with a 2L diesel engine.

•3h

Given your annual running of 8-9,000 km, a diesel no longer makes financial sense. The payback period is simply too long at this usage level, and modern petrol engines are far more refined and efficient than they were a decade ago. The new Renault Duster petrol is a strong option if you loved your old Duster. It retains the same rugged character and excellent ride quality, and the 1.3 turbo petrol is punchy and enjoyable to drive. The MG Hector is a spacious SUV with a roomy cabin, but it isn't as rewarding to drive as the new Renault Duster.If you are open to hybrids, the Maruti Suzuki Victoris Hybrid is worth considering. It offers excellent fuel efficiency and a very smooth driving experience, especially in city traffic. However, it does not have the same rugged SUV feel as the Duster.The key is to move past the old diesel mindset. Modern turbo petrol engines are genuinely enjoyable to drive, and the new Duster is the closest you will get to the car you loved, just with a more sensible fuel choice for your usage.

Renault Duster

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

•4d

My monthly driving is around 3,000 km, so I'm planning to buy an EV. I'm looking for a car that can handle both city driving and highway trips comfortably. Please suggest the best EV options.

•11h

Did you mean 3,000 km a month? If it is 30,000 km a month, that means you are doing over 1,000 km a day, which is an exceptionally high usage pattern.In that case, even an EV is not the right solution. The best EVs currently on sale would require multiple charging stops every day, and the time spent charging would quickly outweigh any fuel savings. For this level of usage, a diesel car is still the most practical and cost-effective option.If you're looking for a multipurpose vehicle for both city and highway driving, a Kia Seltos diesel would be a much better fit. It is comfortable, spacious, and an efficient long-distance cruiser. Its refined diesel engine is well suited to covering high mileages without the charging constraints of an EV.EVs make the most sense for drivers with high annual running but predictable daily distances, where overnight or scheduled charging is practical. They are less suitable for extremely high daily usage, where charging time becomes a significant limitation.If you still prefer an EV, you could consider the upcoming Kia Syros EV, with a 51.4kWh battery and a claimed range of up to 526 km on a single charge. It is likely to be priced within your Rs 15-20 lakh budget. Despite its compact footprint, it offers a spacious cabin, with an extremely efficient powertrain, given that it is shared with the Kia Carens Clavis EV and Hyundai Creta Electric.

Kia Seltos

Kia Syros EV

Kia Carens Clavis EV

Hyundai Creta Electric

•6d

I am planning to buy the Hyundai Alcazar Prestige 7-Seater Manual Petrol variant. We are a family of four, so most of the time, only five seats will be occupied. However, we occasionally travel in groups consisting of 4 adults, 3 older kids, and luggage, which is why I am considering the 7-seater option. Currently, I drive a 2019 Hyundai Santro Sportz, and my annual running is unlikely to exceed 10,000 km. We have test-driven the Tata Sierra, Kia Carens Clavis, and Kia Seltos, but the Alcazar felt better in terms of overall seating comfort, especially with older kids seated in the third row. Given my usage pattern and requirements, do you think the Alcazar Prestige 7-Seater Petrol Manual is a good choice? I am also open to considering other options in a similar price range if there are better alternatives. Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

•1d

Based on your usage, the Hyundai Alcazar Prestige 7-seater petrol manual is a sensible choice. Your annual running is under 10,000km, so petrol is the right fuel, and the manual gearbox keeps costs down. The third row is one of the more usable options in this Hyundai car, especially for older kids on occasional trips, and the overall comfort and refinement are strong points. However, do keep in mind that with all three rows in use, boot space is very limited, so you will need to plan luggage carefully or consider a roof box for longer trips.Given your requirement of occasional 7-seat use with older kids, the Kia Carens Clavis is worth a second look. It offers a more spacious third row and better luggage flexibility, making it a more practical 7-seater overall. The Alcazar feels more premium and better finished, but the Carens Clavis is the more functional family car. The Tata Sierra is a good product, but it does not offer a third row at all. If you want even more third row and luggage space, consider moving up to a Tata Safari, which offers both. However, that will entail a price jump, so you will likely have to up your budget for that. All things considered, the Carens Clavis is the more practical choice, but if you're happy with the space in the Alcazar, you should go for it.

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Popular discussions right now

•6d

I am confused between the Toyota Innova Crysta and the Mahindra XUV 7XO. I am looking for a comfortable 7-seater with good luggage space and a premium interior, including a high-quality music system. My usage will be mostly on highways, with occasional city driving. Which one would you recommend?

•5d

Go for the Toyota Innova Crysta. Your usage is highway-heavy with occasional city runs, and you want a proper 7-seater with good luggage space and a premium feel. The Crysta is still the benchmark for this kind of requirement. It is genuinely spacious in all three rows, has a large and usable boot even with all seats up, and is built for long-distance comfort and reliability. The diesel engine is strong, refined and well-suited to highway cruising, and Toyota’s ownership experience and long-term reliability are hard to beat. The Mahindra XUV 7XO is the more modern product with a more premium-looking interior and a better sound system, but it does not match the Crysta for outright space, practicality or long-term peace of mind. If your priority is a proper 7-seater that will serve you well for years, the Crysta is the safer and more sensible choice. If you want a more premium cabin and a richer feature set, the XUV 7XO is the alternative, but it is not as practical as the Crysta.

Toyota Innova Crysta

Mahindra XUV 7XO

•3d

Hi, I am a teacher and a first-time female driver with a budget of Rs. 11.5 lakh. I am looking for an automatic car that I plan to keep for the next 15 years, but I am confused about whether to buy a petrol AMT, CNG AMT, or an EV due to the uncertainty surrounding ethanol blending. My daily commute is 46 km, of which 22 km is on the highway, 18 km is on normal roads, and 6 km is on bumpy village roads in poor condition. Please recommend the most suitable fuel type that will keep my overall cost of ownership low.

•3d

We'd recommend a petrol automatic. With a daily running of around 46km and an ownership period of 15 years, it offers the best balance of low ownership costs, reliability and ease of use for a first-time driver.We wouldn't let E20 fuel influence your decision. Modern E20-compliant petrol cars are designed to run on it, and there is no official roadmap beyond E20. It isn't a reason to avoid buying a petrol car today. A CNG automatic will certainly reduce your fuel bills, but the higher purchase price, reduced boot space and limited automatic options make CNG car less attractive unless fuel savings are your overriding priority. An electric car will have the lowest running costs, but at your budget, you'll have to compromise on size or features, and recovering the higher upfront cost will take time.Given your budget and usage, we'd look at the Maruti Suzuki Brezza facelift automatic which will launch soon if you can stretch slightly, or the Maruti Suzuki Fronx Delta+ AGS if you want to stay within budget. Both are easy to drive, have good ground clearance for the 6km of rough village roads and come backed by Maruti Suzuki's extensive service network. If you prefer a smoother automatic, the Hyundai Exter SX AMT is also worth considering.

Hi, I am confused about which car to buy within a budget of Rs. 8-9 lakh (on-road). This will be my first car, and my daily running is around 50 km, with an occasional 1,000 km round trip. Kindly suggest the best car in this budget with good fuel efficiency, reliability, safety, and comfort.

•4d

For your first car with a daily 50km commute and occasional long trips, the Maruti Suzuki Swift ZXI is the most sensible choice. It is fuel efficient, reliable and compact enough for daily use, while also being comfortable enough for longer journeys. The Swift’s naturally aspirated petrol engine is reliable and easy to live with, and Maruti’s service network and low maintenance costs make ownership straightforward. Safety is adequate for the segment, and the Maruti Suzuki car offers a good balance of ride comfort and practicality. If you prefer a slightly higher driving position, the Maruti Suzuki Fronx with the 1.2-litre petrol engine is worth considering.

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Maruti Suzuki Swift

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Posted on: 28 Mar 2026

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