I am planning on buying a car under 17 lakh (on-the-road). I prefer a diesel manual as around 65-70 percent driving is on highway. I was planning to buy the seltos, but am worried about the DPF, AC compressor and after-sales in the long run.
The Seltos diesel is a good car, but your budget will only get you a lower variant. Since your usage involves 65-70 percent drives on the highway, the DPF isn't likely to get clogged, and the car is likely to serve you well.
If you want a car that's fully-loaded with features consider the sub-4-meter Kia offering - Syros diesel, which uses the same 1.5-diesel engine and manual gearbox as the Seltos.
A Mahindra XUV 3XO is another credible alternative - the engine is strong, the gearbox is smooth, and it is genuinely enjoyable to drive on the highway. It is also one of the most spacious compact SUVs, with a wide cabin that makes it a comfortable five-seater for long journeys.

Kia Seltos
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Posted on: 19 Aug 2026
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