I’ve driven my 61kWh e-Vitara for about 5,000 km and I'm getting a real-world range of over 400 km (around 6.5 to 8 km/kWh). It’s a comfortable car for both city and highway driving. The suspension is a little stiff, but maneuverability is great. It has a tight turning radius and is just as easy to drive as my old Hyundai i20, never feeling like a bulky SUV. The AC is very good, and the high beam assist with shade function is a genuinely helpful feature which feels like in a luxury car. While I always leave the ADAS on, it does need better calibration when taking curves. There are also a few other areas that could be improved. Voice commands aren't very comfortable to use because the system struggles to recognize normal speech; you have to use specific rigid commands. Additionally, there are no dedicated physical buttons to answer or disconnect phone calls, and it would be much more comfortable if they provided a dedicated switch to adjust regen levels. Finally, wireless Android Auto tends to disconnect if there is interference from outside radio signals (like wireless or cable TV boxes).

autocar.india

•6d

Go for the Kia Seltos HTK (O) IVT at Rs 18.14 lakh on-road. Your budget of Rs 19 lakh gives you enough room to get a large, spacious and well-equipped midsize SUV, and the Seltos is the sweet spot. The IVT gearbox is smooth and well-suited to Bangalore traffic, while the 1.5 petrol is refined and reliable. The HTK (O) trim is feature-rich, so you are not compromising on equipment. The Seltos also offers better rear seat space and comfort than the others, making it a better choice for occasional family trips. The Creta SX (O) might sound like better value with a few more features, but the Seltos's larger size, better quality and new-age tech push it ahead overall. The Venue HX8 turbo automatic at Rs 15.4 lakh is a good deal, but it is a segment below, and you would be compromising on space and comfort.

Kia Seltos

Hyundai Creta

Hyundai Venue

autocar.india

•6d

Both the Kushaq and Taigun are mechanically identical and offer the same 1.0 TSI engine paired with a manual gearbox, so the driving experience is essentially the same. The two are also similar in price, and the main features offered are the same too. Thus, base your decision on your personal preference in terms of the styling - outside and inside - and on the deal that you are getting from the respective dealerships. Also look into the dealer reputation in your area and factor this into your purchase decision too. From a driving pleasure point of view, the two cars are essentially the same. If you are looking for an alternative, consider the Renault Duster, which also offers an entertaining driving experience.

Skoda Kushaq

Volkswagen Taigun

Renault Duster

autocar.india

•4d

Yes, a 1.5-litre diesel is still a worthwhile choice for your usage. At 15,000 km a year with 60% highway driving, you are well within the sweet spot for diesel ownership. The DPF concerns are often overstated - modern diesels are designed to regenerate the filter during sustained highway runs, and your usage pattern is ideal for that. CAFE III regulations are pushing manufacturers towards cleaner engines, but they are not making diesels obsolete; they are simply making them more efficient and cleaner. The bigger question is whether diesel still makes financial sense. With the narrowing price gap between petrol and diesel, the payback period is longer than it used to be, but at your mileage and highway bias, it still adds up. If you are keeping the car for 5-7 years, you will see the benefit. As for automatic versus manual, go automatic if you want ease of use in city traffic; modern torque converter automatics on diesels are smooth and reliable in cars like the Kia Seltos and the Hyundai Creta. Overall, diesel is still the right choice for your usage.

Kia Seltos

Hyundai Creta