I am confused between the EV and petrol versions. My driving is around 1,100-1,400km a month. I am confused between the new Seltos base model, Grand Vitara, and the e Vitara. Which one should I buy?

Autocar India

•5h

With mostly city use, occasional highway drives, and ₹20-21 lakh on-road, you are clearly looking for a smooth and stress-free automatic zone. In your case, we’d pick the Hyundai Creta 1.5 IVT. You already liked how the Creta drives, and that matters more in daily life than anything on a spec sheet. The 1.5 petrol with the IVT feels calm in stop-go traffic, and the steering is light, so parking and tight turns are easy. This Hyundai car is a touch softer than the Seltos, which takes the edge off bad roads and will keep you fresher after long city days. Hyundai’s service network is also wider, which should ease your worry after a poor Tata experience.While the K3 is a notable upgrade on the K2, bringing larger dimensions, improved structural rigidity and more features, it doesn’t matter if you don’t like how it drives.Two things to note with the Creta IVT: it is not very quick, so fast highway overtakes with a full load need a firmer press of the accelerator and a bit of planning. If you prefer a slightly sportier feel and a few extra features at this price, the Seltos 1.5 IVT HTX is a solid pick. But since you prefer the way the Creta drives, it’s the better choice for you.

Hyundai Creta

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

•9h

Do keep in mind that none of the models that you've shortlisted are particularly fuel efficient. Among these, the Kia Seltos IVT is likely to be the most fuel efficient, delivering approximately 10.3kpl in the city and 14.22kpl on the highway, while the petrol-automatic versions of XUV 7XO and MG Hector are likely to return fuel efficiency in single digits.Additionally, the interior of Seltos feels upmarket. This Kia car is spacious and for a family of three, it feels the right size. Sure, performance isn't as strong as the XUV 7XO, however for leisurely drives with the family its 1.5-petrol IVT combination works well.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

MG Hector

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

•8h

Your usage involves low monthly running, mostly city, and heavy traffic. In this scenario, the Seltos IVT works in your favour. This is smooth, creep-friendly and very easy to drive in stop-go conditions. There are no jerks, no clutch fatigue and very light controls, which makes daily driving stress-free. In real-world use, this engine-gearbox combo is known to be refined and well-tuned for everyday driving rather than outright performance.Now about the “lag” you’ve heard. It’s not exactly lag, it’s typical CVT behaviour. When you accelerate hard, the engine revs rise first and speed builds gradually, which can feel like a delay. But in city driving, where inputs are gentle and speeds are low, this is barely noticeable. This Kia car only feels weak if you expect quick overtakes or sporty response. The upside is that Kia has tuned it well, so the rubber-band effect is limited compared to older CVTs.Compared to alternatives, the turbo petrol DCT version is quicker and more fun, but in Mumbai traffic it can feel jerky and less reliable in long term. The IVT is the safer, smoother and more relaxed choice. Compared to something like a Creta CVT, the experience is very similar, but the Seltos feels a bit more premium inside.

Kia Seltos

Hyundai Creta

Autocar India

•3d

On paper and in real-world ownership, these are very different cars, and the Mahindra XUV 7XO sits in a clear segment above. The XUV 700 is a bigger, more complete SUV. It offers more space, better road presence, stronger performance and a far richer overall experience, including the option of a third row and a more premium cabin. It is designed as a proper family SUV and feels more capable on highways and long drives.The Renault Duster, even in its new form, is a simpler, more driver-focused and lighter SUV. It will likely be easier to drive in the city and feel more rugged and straightforward, but it is still a step down in terms of overall size, features and cabin experience.So the decision really comes down to intent. If you are moving because you want something more compact, easier to use daily and less feature-heavy, then the Duster can make sense. But if you are expecting it to feel like an upgrade or even equal to the XUV700 in terms of space, comfort and overall experience, it will not.

Renault Duster

Autocar India

•3d

The Tata Sierra is a big, heavy car, and the petrol engine, being a naturally aspirated unit, feels just about adequate, especially once you load it up or hit the highway. The diesel, on the other hand, suits the car far better with its stronger low-end pull, making overtakes easier and long-distance driving far more relaxed.That said, with your low annual running of under 6000 km, the petrol still makes sense if your usage is mostly in the city. It will feel smoother, easier to live with and perfectly adequate for everyday driving, even if it lacks that effortless punch on highways.If you are open to alternatives for a better petrol manual experience, the Renault Duster with its turbo petrol engine is a strong option. It feels far more effortless to drive, while naturally aspirated options like the Kia Seltos or Hyundai Creta offer a more refined and effortless experience than the Sierra petrol.

Tata Sierra

Renault Duster

Kia Seltos

Hyundai Creta

Autocar India

•5d

For 60-70km a day inside Delhi NCR and mostly city use, the Kia Seltos GTX(A) diesel fits your brief better. It is easier to live with in traffic and tight parking than the Harrier Fearless Plus Dark; it will use less fuel in the city, and Kia’s service network is usually more consistent. It's diesel and automatic work smoothly at low speeds, and while it doesn’t have the grunt of the Harrier’s diesel, it is adequate for city use. Fuel efficiency is also a tad better on the Seltos. On service and reliability, Kia’s 1.5 diesel and this automatic have been around for years, and owner reports are generally good, while Tata has improved, but feedback on service quality still varies across workshops.There are trade-offs. The Seltos does not feel as big or have the same road presence as the Harrier, and you will feel sharp bumps a bit more at low speeds. If you often carry five adults or do long highway trips, the Harrier’s extra space and heavier, more solid feel are a plus.Overall, for your daily city grind and focus on service, reliability and fuel efficiency, the Seltos GTX(A) diesel is the better fit.

Kia Seltos

Tata Harrier