Latest questions answered by experts

Sayanton

I booked the Kia Seltos 2026 HTX Diesel Manual on 22nd February, but even after 2.5 months, I haven’t received any positive update regarding its delivery. The long wait without any clarity has been frustrating. As an alternative, I had also considered the Mahindra 7XO, and during my recent visit to their showroom, I found that an AX7T variant is readily available for immediate delivery. Given this situation, I’m weighing my options and would appreciate your suggestions on whether to continue waiting for the Seltos or move forward with the Mahindra.

Autocar India

•12m

If you specifically want a diesel manual SUV with a more polished and premium overall experience, it is still worth waiting a little longer for the Kia Seltos HTX. The Seltos feels more mature and well-rounded in everyday use. It comes with a more refined diesel engine, a better finished cabin and a generally more easygoing ownership experience. Plus, it is also the more sensible size for daily driving while still being comfortable and capable on highways, and fuel efficiency will be noticeably better than the Mahindra.On the other hand, the Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7T gives you a much more powerful diesel engine, along with a bigger cabin, stronger road presence and a more involving overall driving experience. It feels more special from behind the wheel and offers superb value for money for such a large car at this price. However, it is also a larger and more cumbersome car to use daily, and real-world fuel efficiency will be significantly lower compared to the Seltos.

Kia Seltos

ROHAN SETH

•2d

Hi Autocar India, I am a corporate professional working out of Hyderabad. I am looking to buy a car for my hometown, where it will be mostly driven by me whenever I visit my hometown, and the run would be mostly city and sometimes highway. I usually visit my hometown every 3 months. There might be a driver who would help with travel on an ad hoc basis. My priority is: Less Cabin Noise, Good Air Conditioning and Rear Seat Comfort. Also, I am a 6ft guy, so I need some roof space as well. Please suggest a good 5-seater car, and this will be the first car in my family.

Autocar India

•42m

You have not mentioned a budget, and that's crucial to know which car to recommend. Since this is your first car and meets your requirements, we think lower variants of the Kia Seltos would suit you well, coming in at Rs 12 lakh on road. Plus, the seating comfort in the new Seltos is good, and it has more room in the rear with legroom for six-footers being very good; headroom would be about adequate. We would suggest you head to the showroom to make sure you are comfortable inside. Refinement is good, and that is the case with the diesel too, and you will find the AC more than adequate.

Kia Seltos

Milan Ghosh

•1d

I am planning to buy the Tata Harrier Petrol by the end of 2026. Could you please advise how practical it would be to buy a petrol car at that time, considering possible future government regulations and restrictions? I am not someone who can afford to lose value on the car in the near future because of a potential ban or policy change.

Autocar India

•1h

You do not need to worry so much about buying a petrol car in 2026, especially something like the Tata Harrier petrol. There is currently no indication that the government is planning to suddenly ban existing petrol cars or make them unusable in the near future. What India is moving towards is higher ethanol blending and more flex-fuel compatible vehicles over time, but this will be a gradual transition rather than an overnight change.Even with the recent discussions around E85 fuel, these are still draft proposals and are mainly aimed at encouraging manufacturers to develop flex-fuel capable engines in the future. Existing petrol cars are expected to continue running normally on regular fuels for many years, just like older BS4 and non-E20 compatible cars still do today.

Tata Harrier

Rahul

•1d

I am interested in the Kia Seltos DCT and the Renault Duster DCT, but I am confused about the Duster’s warranty policy, as it does not seem to cover clutch components. Does this mean the Duster’s DCT gearbox is not fully covered under warranty? Considering this concern, should I go ahead with the Seltos DCT instead?

Autocar India

•1h

You should not read too much into Renault excluding clutch components from the Duster’s warranty, because clutch packs in DCTs are generally treated as wear and tear items by most manufacturers, including Kia. Even Kia’s warranty excludes clutch discs and facing components under normal wear and tear clauses. That does not mean the entire DCT gearbox is uncovered. Major transmission or mechatronic issues are still typically covered under standard warranty terms unless the failure is linked directly to clutch wear or misuse. Renault’s wording looks more worrying, mainly because they have explicitly listed exclusions in detail for the additional warranty package.So buy the one that suits your priorities better. The Kia Seltos feels more premium, more spacious and more feature-rich, while the Renault Duster has a more rugged character and is likely to feel more involving to drive. Although both use dual-clutch automatic transmissions, the Duster uses a wet clutch setup while the Seltos uses a dry clutch unit. In the real world, this usually means the Renault’s gearbox should feel smoother and cope better with heavy traffic and heat. On the other hand, the Kia’s DCT feels quicker and sportier during fast driving, but can feel slightly jerkier at low speeds.

Renault Duster

Kia Seltos

Rakesh dutt chamoli

•1d

I am currently driving a 2015 Maruti Wagon R and am now planning to upgrade. I have a family of six, and at times we all travel together. My daily driving is around 20 km in the city, along with one or two hill trips every year. Could you please suggest the most suitable car within a budget of ₹12 lakh?

Autocar India

•2h

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga if your priority is comfortably accommodating all six family members while still keeping ownership easy and stress-free within your budget. Coming from a Maruti Suzuki Wagon R, the Ertiga will feel like a major upgrade with a much more spacious cabin, comfortable ride and easy drivability in the city. While still being efficient and inexpensive to maintain over the long term. It is also comfortable enough for occasional hill drives and highway trips with the entire family, which makes it the most rounded option for your usage.If you want something smaller and easier to drive in tight city conditions, you could also consider waiting for the turbo petrol version of the Renault Triber, which is expected later this year. The Triber already offers impressive space for its size and is very practical for family use. Also, a turbo petrol engine would make it far better suited for highway and hill driving than the current naturally aspirated motor.

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

Renault Triber

Kranti Kumar

•1d

I want to buy a petrol automatic car under ₹15 lakh and am confused between the Hyundai Venue 1.0 DCT HX5, Tata Nexon Creative DCA, and Mahindra XUV 3XO. My driving will mainly be in the city. Could you please help me choose the best option for my needs?

Autocar India

•2h

With mostly city use and a Rs. 15 lakh cap - from your three, the Mahindra XUV 3XO with the 6-speed automatic fits best for daily traffic. It's automatic, is the regular torque convertor type, not a dual-clutch or an automated manual (AMT). So, it is very smooth through its shifts, and it's easy to inch forward in jams, and it doesn’t fuss on steep parking ramps. The steering is light, and the ride handles broken roads well, so your commute will feel calmer. It also gives you a bit more cabin space than the Hyundai Venue, which helps when you have friends or family on board. A couple of trade-offs to note: it may not feel as slick and neat inside as the Venue. Also, it has some nice-to-have features that sit on higher trims that could push the price, so check current on-road pricing in your city.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Hyundai Venue