I previously owned a 2015 Honda City, which I recently sold due to its low ground clearance. After that, I test-drove the 2026 Kia Seltos CVT and the Victoris Mild Hybrid AT. I liked the Seltos overall, especially the smoothness of its transmission. With the Victoris, however, I don’t feel very confident during overtaking, as the throttle response does not feel immediate. My main concern with the Seltos is the lack of digital automatic climate control in the HTK variant. I am not sure why such a basic feature is missing at this price point. To get it, I would need to upgrade to the HTX variant, which costs around ₹3 lakh more. Even the ventilated seats in the HTX do not feel very effective to me. In comparison, the ventilated seats in the Creta feel noticeably better. I am not sure why the Seltos does not offer a similar experience. Because of this, I am unsure whether it makes sense to spend an additional ₹3 lakh on the Seltos. My daily commute is 60 km in Chennai city traffic, monthly usage is around 1,200 km, and I take long trips 2 to 3 times a year. The key factors that I am considering are: a good feature set that justifies the price paid (my Honda City had automatic climate control with digital temperature display, cruise control, and other standard features, mileage, safety, comfort, and resale value. I have already sold my Honda City. Should I wait for the upcoming Duster or any other new models? Are there any other cars I should consider? My budget can stretch up to ₹20 lakh on-road.

Autocar India

•4h

Choose the Kia Seltos IVT petrol in GTX guise. Its IVT smoothness and relatively compact size make it easier to drive in Mumbai traffic, especially important since that’s where you’ll be spending most of your time.The IVT (CVT) is smooth and seamless in operation and works rather well with the refined 1.5-litre NA engine. The engine feels responsive to light inputs and creeps smartly, making it very easy to drive in stop-and-go traffic. It also simulates shifts in eight steps, so it feels more natural than most CVTs and doesn’t exhibit too much of the rubber-band effect they are known for.What you do give up is the space and outright performance of the Mahindra XUV 7XO. It is significantly larger, has more room on the inside and even a third row suited for occasional use. The 2.0-litre turbo-petrol is also very powerful and hauls this big SUV with remarkable ease, but expect poor fuel efficiency in city use.On your test drive, spend 10 minutes in start-stop traffic to assess creep and brake feel, attempt a tight U-turn, and confirm if rear-seat space is adequate for your family.

Kia Seltos

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Autocar India

•21h

Go for the Kia Seltos HTK(O) IVT (CVT) for city duty. With 40 km of daily driving, it’s the smoother choice that keeps stop‑go fatigue low.Given 40 km a day (about 1,200 km/month) in traffic, the IVT’s step‑less delivery feels calmer at 10-25kph, avoiding the small 1–2-3 shifts the new 8-speed AT makes. That means fewer throttle corrections, fewer head nods, and easier gaps. The naturally aspirated engine’s linear response makes speed‑breakers and U‑turns smoother.The one thing you give up is mid‑range punch. The Kushaq’s turbo feels stronger for quick gaps above 40kph and feels livelier if you enjoy brisk 60-100kph bursts.If you prioritise a smaller footprint and a stronger mid‑range for quick overtakes, consider the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI Ambition AT.On test drives, do a 0-20 kph crawl and a basement-ramp start. Compare creep, throttle-tip-in, hill‑hold smoothness, and steering effort at parking speeds in both cars.

Kia Seltos

Skoda Kushaq

Autocar India

•22h

Go for the Renault Duster 1.3 Turbo DCT. For your mix of city, highway, hills and bad roads, it combines strong punch, planted suspension and a heat‑resistant wet‑clutch gearbox.Your concern about DCT heating is valid in dry‑clutch units. The Renault Duster’s wet‑clutch design is oil‑cooled, so it tolerates prolonged crawling and hill starts better. The turbo motor helps on steep climbs with passengers, and overtakes at 80–100 kph feel effortless. The Duster’s long‑travel suspension shrugs off broken roads that unsettle softer crossovers.The one thing you give up is the Kia Seltos IVT’s ultra‑smooth low‑speed creep. Below 10kph, the DCT can feel a touch jerky and needs gentler throttle modulation while parking.

Renault Duster

Kia Seltos