Latest questions answered by experts

Roshan

My budget is Rs 18 lakh. I am looking for a hassle-free ownership experience, good build quality, an automatic gearbox, a 360-degree camera, and ventilated seats.

Autocar India

•11m

For your requirements, the new Hyundai Venue automatic is a very strong fit. Since hassle-free after-sales is clearly a priority, Hyundai’s service experience and ownership peace of mind are among its biggest strengths. It also comes with the features you specifically want, like a 360-degree camera and ventilated seats. Importantly, the new Venue has also scored a full 5-star Bharat NCAP safety rating.If your usage is mostly city, the 1.0 turbo petrol automatic makes the most sense as it is peppy enough and easy to drive. If your running is higher and includes frequent highway trips, the diesel automatic is actually the sweeter option because the 1.5 diesel is smoother thanks to its four-cylinder nature, the torque converter automatic is more seamless than a DCT in everyday use, and efficiency will be better too.

Hyundai Venue

Apurv

•5d

I own a 2017 Renault Kwid 800cc manual and am looking to upgrade mainly for comfort, space, and some more power. My budget is around Rs 15-17 lakh on-road in Hyderabad. My monthly running is around 300 km, mainly in city stop-and-go traffic. Please suggest whether I should extend my budget for a CVT (Elevate/Creta) or go for a torque-converter automatic (Kylaq/3XO).

Autocar India

•41m

For mostly city use within a 15-17 lakh on-road budget, where comfort, space and ease of driving matter most, the Honda Elevate automatic fits best. The automatic is very smooth at low speeds, so stop-go driving feels calm, and compared to your Kwid, the seat is higher, the cabin is wider, and the ride is more comfortable over bad roads. Power is not wild, but it is a big step up from your Kwid and feels relaxed in the city.A quick word on gearbox types for your use: for pure city traffic, the automatics in the Elevate and Creta feel smoother because there are no obvious gear changes. Torque‑converter automatics in the Kylaq and XUV 3XO are also smooth, but you will feel a few more gear changes at low speeds.The trade-offs with the Elevate are that the engine does not feel particularly quick when pushed hard, and the cabin does not feel as premium as the Creta’s.If you can stretch, the Hyundai Creta automatic adds a plusher cabin and a bit more space. If you want more punch for less money and can live with a smaller back seat, the Mahindra XUV 3XO automatic is the value pick. Overall, for your city commute and budget, the Elevate automatic lines up best.

Amit

Hi Autocar, I am looking for a car to keep for 10 years. My driving is not much at the moment. I currently own a Nexon AMT that has done 20,000 km. I mostly do frequent short trips in the city and occasional long highway drives. I love the turbo in the Nexon, but not much else, as it started giving me trouble as soon as it entered its fifth year, so I am no longer sure about its reliability. I am now thinking mainly from a reliability perspective and am confused between the Seltos/Creta diesel automatic, Seltos/Creta iVT, and Elevate CVT. However, I would still like to retain Nexon’s grunt and avoid DCTs.

Autocar India

•1h

For a ten-year ownership period with strong reliability, mostly short city runs with the occasional highway trip, the Honda Elevate CVT is a good fit. Given your usage is fairly low and largely limited to the city, a petrol would be a better choice than a diesel. Being naturally aspirated, it won’t have the same grunt as the Nexon’s turbo-petrol, but among naturally aspirated midsize SUVs, it feels one of the most energetic.Test drive it to see if the performance feels adequate, but if you miss that turbo punch, then consider the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI AT instead. It comes with an 8-speed torque-converter automatic, which avoids your DCT concerns, though overall upkeep cost will be higher than Honda’s.If you want the least hassle with many short city trips, pick the Honda Elevate.

Honda Elevate

Skoda Kushaq

NIPEN

•3d

Hello, I have a budget of around ₹18 lakh and am looking for a petrol car that will be used mostly for city driving (around 90%) and occasional highway trips (around 10%), usually once or twice a month. My approximate running is around 500 km per month. I am currently inclined towards the Kia Seltos HTX Automatic and the Toyota Hyryder NeoDrive V AT. I have two questions. Firstly, considering my usage and budget, which one would be better for long-term ownership and a comfortable driving experience? Secondly, which SUV is more reliable in terms of after-sales service and maintenance costs? Please advise.

Autocar India

•14h

Both are excellent choices, but do bear in mind that the on-road prices of both SUVs would work out to over Rs 19 lakh. As for picking between the two, we would lean more towards the Kia Seltos HTX 1.5 IVT. It's the newer and more modern option with more advanced onboard tech, it is larger and has a far more spacious cabin with comfier seats and higher-quality materials, and its 1.5-litre petrol engine is more powerful than the Toyota's, which will come in handy both around town and on your occasional highway trips. Though the Hyryder is comfy enough, the new Seltos is comfier still and feels more stable at higher speeds too. In terms of long-term ownership, both SUVs should have good resale value, and Kia and Toyota offer a strong aftersales and service experience. What works in Urban Cruiser Hyryder's favour is, its slightly lower maintenance costs from the Maruti-sourced powertrain, and better fuel efficiency too. On balance, however, we feel the Kia Seltos is the better all rounder, and the one you should pick.

Kia Seltos

sudip

•2d

I am planning to buy the Kia Seltos Petrol Automatic, most likely the HTX (A) variant considering the availability of the 360-degree camera. However, I am confused between the IVT and DCT engine options. I like the performance of the turbo engine, but I am unsure about the suitability of the DCT gearbox in Bangalore traffic. On the other hand, while the IVT may be better suited for crawling traffic conditions, most video reviews mention that it feels underpowered. Please suggest which option would be better for my usage.

Autocar India

•15h

Bengaluru’s slow, stop-start traffic and your need for the 360-degree camera point you to the Seltos HTX automatic with the IVT. It suits daily city use better because it moves off the line smoothly and crawls along without any fuss. You won’t feel that slight jerk or hesitation you can get with the Turbo DCT at very low speeds, and there’s less worry about heat and clutch wear when traffic barely moves. Power-wise, the 1.5 petrol with the IVT feels fine in the city and light highway runs; use the Sport mode when you need a quick overtake and it responds cleanly.The trade-off is clear: the Turbo-DCT is quicker and more fun on open roads, but in packed Bengaluru traffic it can feel a bit hesitant. If most of your driving shifts to highways with a full load, then the Turbo-DCT is worth it.Overall, for your usage, pick the HTX IVT.

Kia Seltos

Rahul Rajbhoj

•1w

My weekday driving is around 120 km in the city, with occasional highway trips of 20-50 km. My budget is ₹10-17 lakh. I do not like naturally aspirated engines and am worried about DPF-related issues if I go for a diesel, even though I liked the Seltos Diesel AT. The Kylaq and Duster felt a little cramped to me. My priorities are safety, good ergonomics, and a fun-to-drive experience. Please suggest a good car. I am 6 feet tall.

Autocar India

•15h

With a long city commute, some short highway runs, a Rs.10-17 lakh cap and a clear dislike for non‑turbo motors, the Kia Seltos 1.5 turbo petrol automatic suits you best. It gives you the strong low‑speed pull you want without any diesel DPF worries in stop‑go traffic. The front seats, steering reach and height make it easy for a 6‑foot driver to get comfy, and the cabin feels roomier than the Kylaq and Duster you found tight. It is also one of the nicer cars to drive in this price range, with direct steering and a calm, stable feel at speed, and it packs the safety features you’d expect.One thing to note: the DCT can hesitate a bit at slow speed. If that is an issue then consider the Sierra turbo petrol AT. It is also one of the roomiest in class so you should find it comfortable. Overall for your needs, the Seltos is a good fit.