Hi, I am planning to buy a Kia Seltos petrol automatic and am confused between the IVT and the turbo petrol DCT. My usage is about 60% city and 40% highway, and I plan to keep the car for 8-10 years. I feel the IVT is underpowered on highways, and I am concerned about long-term maintenance of the DCT. Please suggest the best automatic transmission so I won’t regret my choice.

Autocar India

•6w

"IVT or DCT?" is a common question from potential Kia Seltos buyers. For your requirements, the Seltos Turbo-DCT is the better choice. The Turbo's added 45hp of power counts for a lot and makes highway drives more effortless. There's also a sporty side to the Seltos Turbo-DCT that's missing on the IVT, and something you'll appreciate on the open road.

Were your driving predominantly in city confines, the IVT would have been the wiser pick. The IVT delivers a seamless experience in bumper-to-bumper traffic.

We do not expect the Seltos DCT to be any harder or more expensive to maintain in the long run, so long as manufacturer-recommended precautions are adhered to.

Recommended questions for you

Nipen

•4d

If I have to choose between the Honda Elevate AT, Skoda Kushaq 1.5, and Kia Seltos IVT for a family of four, with most of the driving being within city limits (around 40 km daily), which one would be the best option in terms of long-term benefits and lower maintenance costs?

Autocar India

•1d

Go for the Honda Elevate CVT, which seems like the best fit among these three for your needs. It's not quite as spacious as the Kia Seltos, but for a family of four, there's more than enough space. And it's not as exhilarating as the Skoda Kushaq 1.5 TSI to drive, but it's still quite enjoyable and far more fuel efficient for your usage of roughly 40km per day in the city. While all three cars have decent warranties, with the ability to extend them for a fee, but Honda offers a unique 'Anytime Warranty' which lets you extend in increments of 1-year/20,000km for up to 10 years. Plus, Honda is known for its reliability and rock-solid after-sales experience, which should give you the best overall long-term experience. The downside is that the Elevate is a bit plain and not quite as well equipped as the others, but then it is also considerably more affordable. Your next best bet is the Kia Seltos, but be prepared to shell out a bit more money for spec.

Honda Elevate

Skoda Kushaq

Vikram Singh

•1w

Hi, I am looking to buy my first car as a new driver. I initially explored a few used car options, but couldn’t find a suitable one, so I am now planning to buy a new car. I live in Lower Himachal, where the terrain includes both plains and hilly areas, and my driving will be around 80% on highways. I have shortlisted the Kia Seltos HTK(O) Turbo DCT and the Renault Duster top-spec 1.3 Turbo DCT. What difference will the torque figures make between these two cars? Also, is it advisable to consider the Renault Duster in terms of long-term reliability, as I am looking for a no-nonsense, dependable vehicle? Should I also consider other options, since I can stretch my budget to ₹20 lakh? I prefer variants with ventilated seats. Additionally, how significant is the absence of a spare wheel in the Duster?

Autocar India

•1d

For your usage, which is largely highway driving with some hilly terrain, the Kia Seltos turbo automatic makes more sense as an overall package. The difference in torque figures between it and the Renault Duster is not something you will notice in isolation, as both offer strong mid-range performance. In real-world conditions, it is more about how the power is delivered than the number itself.Where the Seltos has an edge is in terms of overall ease of ownership. Kia’s wider service reach and more established support network make it a more predictable choice, especially if you are planning to keep the car long term and will be driving across varied terrain. The Duster, on the other hand, is an all-new product, so while it promises to be a tough, no-nonsense SUV, real-world long-term ownership experience is still an unknown at this stage.The missing spare wheel in the Duster is also something to consider seriously for your usage. In hilly areas, having a proper spare is important, as puncture kits may not be sufficient in case of a major tyre issue like a side wall cut.

Renault Duster

SHIVAM KHANDELWAL

•2d

I am planning to buy a new 7-seater and am confused between the Toyota Innova Crysta and Innova Hycross. My monthly running is around 2,000 km, but diesel cars have a 10-year validity limit in some cities. I am also unsure about the power of the Innova Hycross GX Optional. Please guide me on which one to choose.

Autocar India

•47m

Between the two, the Toyota Innova Crysta still suits your brief better if you care most about effortless performance with a full load and a long-life diesel.The Crysta’s 2.4 diesel makes about 150 hp and 343 Nm, delivered low down in the rev range, so it pulls strongly even with seven on board and luggage. Overtakes are easy, it feels relaxed at highway speeds, and real‑world efficiency is good for a big MPV. The flip side is that it now comes only with a 5‑speed manual, and the cabin, especially in lower trims, feels functional rather than plush - Toyota has clearly positioned it more towards fleet and chauffeur use than self‑driven owners.The Toyota Innova Hycross GX (O) uses a 2.0 petrol with around 173 hp and 209 Nm, paired to a CVT and front‑wheel drive. It is smoother, quieter and far nicer in city traffic, but with seven people and luggage, you do have to work the engine and live with a pronounced “rubber‑band” CVT feel for quick 80-100 kph passes, especially on inclines. Where the Hycross scores are comfort, space efficiency, features and petrol reliability, and in hybrid trims it’s significantly more fuel efficient but your GX (O) isn’t the hybrid.On the diesel validity worry: the 10‑year cap for diesels currently applies to Delhi‑NCR, not all of India. If you’re outside NCR and plan to keep the car long term, the Crysta diesel’s torque and touring ability make more sense for 2,000 km/month.

Toyota Innova Crysta

Toyota Innova HyCross

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