Mumbai

Srujanansh Das

•19h

Hello Autocar India Team, I am planning to buy a new family car with a maximum on-road budget of ₹13-14.5 lakh and would love your recommendation. My requirements include strong engine performance, good features, ample cabin space, 5-star safety, good fuel efficiency, comfortable ride quality, and solid build quality. I currently own a Renault Kwid and am looking for a car that would be a significant upgrade in every aspect, including performance, comfort, safety, and overall driving experience. My usage will be approximately 65% on rural roads and 35% in city driving, so ride comfort, ground clearance, and durability are especially important to me. I am particularly interested in the new Renault Duster Techno 1.0 variant and would like to know whether it would be a suitable choice for my needs. If not, please suggest other cars within this budget that you believe offer a better overall package. Thank you for your guidance.

Autocar India

•10m

If strong performance is high on your priority list, we would be cautious about the Renault Duster 1.0 Techno. While we have experienced this 1.0 turbo petrol engine in the Magnite, where it feels punchy and capable, the Duster is a significantly larger and heavier SUV, so we do not expect it to feel particularly quick or effortless, especially if you are looking for a meaningful upgrade from a Kwid in outright performance.

If your heart is set on the Duster, the smarter move would be to stretch slightly for the 1.3 turbo petrol, which sits only a little above your budget and will feel substantially stronger and more satisfying to drive, especially on rural roads where effortless overtaking and usable performance matter.

If you are open to alternatives, the Skoda Kushaq Classic+ 1.0 TSI is a very strong option. The turbo petrol engine feels punchy, the Kushaq is genuinely nice to drive, has good rear seat space, solid build and safety credentials that you are looking for.

If fuel efficiency matters more than outright performance, then the Kia Seltos 1.5 petrol HTE(O) is worth considering as well. It will not feel as punchy as the turbo petrol options, but it is the most premium feeling of the lot, more efficient in everyday use and a very sorted family SUV overall.

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More questions on similar cars

Sukumar

•1d

Hi, I am planning to buy a new car, as my monthly running is around 3,000 km, with approximately 80% highway driving and 20% city/rural road usage. I am currently considering the following options: Volkswagen Virtus 1.0 Topline Manual Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7 Diesel Kia Seltos HTK(O) Diesel Manual Could you please suggest which of these would be the best option?

Autocar India

•1d

Given 3,000 km a month with 80% highway and some rough rural stretches, the Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7T diesel fits your use best. It feels steady at speed and soaks up broken patches well, which helps on long runs and village roads. The diesel has a strong pull, so overtaking needs less effort even with family and luggage. You also get more space and a higher driving position than either of the other cars, which makes it more practical and easier to drive.Two things to note: it is big in traffic and tight parking, and in the city it will use a more fuel than the smaller Kia. If you want something easier to manage daily, the Kia Seltos HTK(O) diesel MT is the smarter second choice. It’s lighter to drive and still stable on the highway, but you will feel bumps more than in the Mahindra, and rear space is smaller.The Volkswagen Virtus 1.0 Topline MT is nice to drive, but for this much highway running, the petrol will cost more to run and needs more gear changes for quick passes. Overall, pick the XUV 7XO diesel for your usage.

Satish Ganta

Hi Autocar Team, I’m planning to buy my first car with a budget of around ₹20-25 lakh on-road in Hyderabad, and I would really appreciate your expert recommendation based on my usage pattern, family needs, and recent test-drive experiences. My usage: - Daily office commute: ~30 km/day, ~20 days/month in Hyderabad city traffic - Highway usage: - 4 hometown trips per year (~1200 km round trip each) - Occasional nearby trips (~200 km, once a month) - Total annual running: ~14,000-15,000 km Family: - Family of 3 currently (myself, spouse, and a young child) - Rear seat comfort and long-distance comfort are important, especially during highway trips with family My priorities: 1. Smooth and stress-free city driving 2. Effortless highway overtaking and cruising 3. Comfortable long-distance travel 4. Reliability and peace of mind 5. Good overall ownership experience 6. Reasonable mileage 7. Since this is my first car, ease of driving and confidence in city conditions are also important Shortlisted variants: Kia Seltos: - 1.5 Turbo Petrol DCT - HTK (O) and HTX (A) - 1.5 Diesel AT - HTK (O) and GTX (A) Tata: - Sierra Accomplished Turbo Petrol AT - Sierra Accomplished Diesel AT - Harrier Turbo Petrol Adventure X+ Dark Edition My driving impressions so far: Kia Seltos Turbo Petrol DCT: - Felt punchy, quick, and fun to drive - Strong acceleration and confidence during highway overtakes - But I am slightly concerned whether the DCT may become tiring or jerky in long-term Hyderabad traffic usage and mileage Kia Seltos Diesel AT: - Felt smoother and more relaxed in traffic - Very easy and effortless to drive - Felt more comfortable overall for long-distance cruising - Not as exciting as the turbo petrol, but felt more balanced for mixed usage - DPF Concern? Tata Sierra: - Loved the road presence, cabin space, and comfort - Felt premium and spacious for family usage - But I’m concerned about first-generation product reliability, software/electronics niggles, and long-term peace of mind Tata Harrier: - Felt solid, spacious, and comfortable - But I’m unsure about Tata’s long-term reliability and after-sales consistency compared to Kia One specific dilemma I have regarding the Seltos: I feel the HTK (O) variants offer very good value for money, but they miss the 360-degree camera. Since this will be my first car, and Indian city traffic/parking situations can sometimes be challenging, I’m confused whether a 360 camera is: - a must-have feature for beginner confidence and daily usability, or - simply a good-to-have premium feature that I may not really miss after getting used to the car. Another reason I’m considering the GTX (A) Diesel AT is that the price difference between the HTX (A) Diesel AT and the GTX (A) Diesel AT is only around ₹50,000, which makes the top variant seem more justifiable. Given my driving pattern, family needs, and long-term ownership expectations, which powertrain and variant would you recommend as the best all-round choice? And in your opinion, is the additional spend for HTX/GTX variants over HTK (O) genuinely worth it in real-world ownership? Thanks in advance for your guidance.

Autocar India

•1d

With 30 km a day in Hyderabad traffic and many long highway trips with your family, the Kia Seltos 1.5 diesel automatic fits your brief best. And we would pick the GTX (A) if the on-road jump over HTX (A) is truly about Rs. 50,000 in your city. It suits your daily grind because this automatic is the smooth, torque‑converter type, so it moves off cleanly and does not feel jerky when traffic is moving slowly. On the highway, it has a strong pull at low revs, so overtakes need less planning, and cruising is calm, which will keep your family fresh on those 1,200 km runs. Kia’s network and general ownership experience are also more consistent today than Tata’s, which answers your peace‑of‑mind point.Two honest watch-outs. A diesel has a filter in the exhaust that needs a good hot run now and then to clean itself. Your routine already has monthly highway trips and four big drives a year, so that should keep it healthy, but avoid only short, cold hops. Also, the Seltos ride is on the firmer side at low speed, so sharp bumps will be felt more than in the Tata twins.On the 360 camera worry: it is not a must-have, but for a first car in tight city parking, it does reduce small scrapes and stress. If GTX (A) adds it and other useful safety bits for about Rs. 50,000 more, that is money well spent. If you prefer petrol only, the Seltos turbo DCT is quick and fun, but in slow traffic, it can feel a bit busy and will use more fuel. Overall, for your mix of city and long highway runs, the Seltos diesel AT GTX (A) lines up best with what you described.

Kia Seltos

Venkat

•5d

My monthly running is around 500 km only. Is it worth opting for a hybrid, or should I consider another car in a similar price range that offers better features which I may not get in a hybrid at the same cost?

Autocar India

•2d

With about 500 km a month, a strong hybrid is usually not worth the extra price. In your case, pick a well-equipped petrol automatic instead; something like the Kia Seltos 1.5 petrol IVT or 1.5 turbo-petrol DCT, which come with the latest features.At this low monthly use, the fuel you save with a hybrid will take a very long time to cover the higher price. A modern petrol automatic is smooth enough in traffic and still uses a sensible amount of fuel for 500km a month. More importantly for you, the same money can get more features in the petrol version than in a hybrid at the same price, like a 360-degree camera, six airbags, a better sound system, and connected tech that some lower or mid hybrid trims may skip.Know the trade-off: a petrol will use more fuel in heavy traffic and is not as silent as a hybrid at low speed.

Kia Seltos

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Popular discussions right now

Soumith Uppu

•6d

I am looking for a family car and am currently confused between the Tata Punch Accomplished AMT, Maruti Fronx Delta Plus AMT, and Hyundai Exter HX6 AMT. Could you please help me choose the best option?

Autocar India

•5d

It's really hard to suggest a car without knowing a bit more about your requirements, like rear space requirements and the distance driven per month. Thus, as a good all-rounder for a small family, the Maruti Suzuki Fronx Delta Plus AMT fits your brief best. Pick this variant because it gives you the most rear-seat space and a bigger, more useful boot than the other two, so adults sit more comfortably, and you pack more for trips. It also feels light and easy to drive in traffic, and the ride is calm over rough roads, which helps passengers, especially elders or kids.Two things to note: this automatic can feel a bit slow to pick up when you press the accelerator hard, and you will miss a few fancy features that sit on higher trims. If you drive with a full load on steep hills often, you may want to try it once to see if the response suits you.If you value tough build and the best ride on broken roads above all else, the Tata Punch Accomplished AMT is the second choice. It also has a smaller footprint for tight parking and a feature-rich cabin at a price like the Hyundai Exter HX6 AMT, too. Overall, for family comfort and everyday ease, go with the Fronx Delta Plus AMT.

My wife and I earn around ₹4.5 lakh per month. We are planning to buy our first car, and we prefer the EMI to be around ₹15,000-₹20,000. What car would you suggest we should buy?

Autocar India

•2d

It really depends on how much down payment you are comfortable putting in, because your EMI target of Rs 15,000 to 20,000 can get you very different cars depending on the loan tenure and upfront payment.That said, for a first car that is easy to drive, safe, comfortable and still feels special, one of the strongest picks today is the Skoda Kylaq Signature automatic. Skoda’s official pricing puts the Signature automatic in a range where, with roughly Rs 2.3 down payment and a 7 year loan, your EMI can sit broadly in your target bracket. The turbo petrol engine feels punchy without being intimidating, the torque converter automatic is smooth and fuss free, and the size is just right for a first time buyer.If you want to spend less and prioritise maximum ease of use, the Hyundai i20 IVT is another excellent first car. It is easier to drive than most SUVs, the IVT automatic is extremely smooth in traffic, and ownership is straightforward. You give up the higher seating position of an SUV, but for urban use, it is arguably an even easier first car.

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AVINASH PARWANI

•6d

I have booked the Kia Seltos turbo DCT. My monthly running is around 900 km, mostly in Chennai traffic. Should I wait for the hybrid version? Is it expected soon? Also, how much price difference can be expected between the turbo-petrol and the hybrid?

Autocar India

•5d

The Kia Seltos hybrid, as well as the new-generation Hyundai Creta with the hybrid tech, are both expected to arrive next year. If you can wait until then, it would be better to do so, as the hybrid would be far more fuel-efficient. As for the price difference, it's hard to pinpoint right now, but expect to pay about Rs. 50,000 extra over a turbo-petrol automatic.Thus, if the wait time and the premium are not ok with you, stick with the Kia Seltos. However, given that you are mostly driving in traffic, remember that a turbo petrol would not be very efficient, and for heavy, slow traffic, the DCT can feel a bit hesitant at crawling speeds and can run warm in long jams. The Seltos with the naturally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol with CVT is better suited to your use, as its smoother in the city, would be more fuel-efficient and would potentially be more reliable too.

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