I own a 2017 Hyundai i20 Asta (O) with around 60,000km on the odometer. I am planning to upgrade with a budget of Rs 20 lakh. My priorities are an automatic transmission, ADAS, a sunroof, and a powered tailgate. I have shortlisted the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, and Tata Sierra. Which of these would be the best long-term choice, and why?

autocar.india

•16h

Go for the Kia Seltos diesel automatic. It is the best fit for your sister's requirements. Coming from a Polo diesel, she will appreciate the strong diesel punch, and the Seltos diesel automatic delivers that same effortless surge while being far more refined and relaxed on the highway. The cabin is among the most premium in its segment, with a rich feature list and a high-quality interior. Kia cars also have a widespread service network, and the 1.5-litre diesel engine has a proven reliability record, so maintenance costs are unlikely to be a concern.If she prefers something that is more engaging to drive and wants to stay with Volkswagen cars, the Taigun 1.0 TSI with the new 8-speed automatic is also worth considering. While it does not have the same diesel-like punch, the turbo petrol engine is strong, and the new 8-speed Aisin automatic is smooth with an improvement in terms of efficiency. That said, the Seltos diesel automatic remains the more natural and well-rounded upgrade for someone moving from a Polo diesel.

Volkswagen Tiguan

Kia Seltos

autocar.india

•1d

With a 20km daily city commute and around 10,000km a year, your usage is predominantly urban and not high enough to justify a diesel. The priority should be a smooth automatic, good fuel efficiency and ease of driving in traffic. Since you are upgrading from a Creta manual, the natural step up would be a midsize SUV with a reliable automatic gearbox.The Kia Seltos IVT petrol is the most sensible recommendation here. The IVT gearbox is smooth, reliable and well-suited to city driving, and the Seltos is a well-rounded package with good comfort, features and a premium feel. It is essentially the same mechanical package as the Creta but feels like a more substantial upgrade in terms of cabin quality and overall experience.If you are open to a slightly different approach, the Maruti Suzuki Victoris Hybrid is also worth considering. The hybrid system delivers excellent city fuel efficiency and a very smooth driving experience, which is ideal for stop-start traffic. It is not as powerful as the Seltos, but it makes up for it with lower running costs and a more relaxed driving character.Between the two, the Seltos IVT is the safer and more premium-feeling upgrade, while the Victoris Hybrid is the more economical and city-friendly option. Both are strong choices, but given your upgrade from a Creta, the Seltos IVT feels like the more natural progression.

Hyundai Creta

Kia Seltos

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

autocar.india

•2d

Based on your usage, the Honda Elevate CVT is actually the best fit for your needs among your shortlist. With a 35-40 km commute in heavy Bangalore traffic, the CVT makes life easy; the engine is responsive enough to go for gaps in traffic, and the steering is light in the city. Importantly, this Honda car is not so large as to become cumbersome to drive in tight city traffic, which is important to you. The Tata Harrier and Mahindra XUV 7XO are both physically larger, making them slightly more cumbersome to drive in traffic. Their petrol powertrains are also quite thirsty in the city, while their diesel engines do not suit your city-heavy usage, likely requiring additional highway trips just to keep the DPF happy.If you want an alternative similar to the Elevate, the Kia Seltos is a strong choice. It has a 5-star safety rating, is very well equipped in terms of features, and its 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine paired with the IVT offers a smooth, relaxing drive in the city.

Honda Elevate

Tata Harrier

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Kia Seltos