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•5w

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?

•5w

Based on your priorities, the Kia Seltos would be our recommendation. It offers a well-rounded package with a strong feature set, including ADAS, a sunroof and a powered tailgate, while also delivering a comfortable ownership experience. The Seltos is a proven product with a good reliability record, and Kia’s service network is strong enough to inspire long-term confidence.

The Hyundai Creta is mechanically very similar, but the Seltos feels more premium inside and offers a slightly better feature-to-price ratio.

The Tata Sierra is a compelling option with a spacious cabin and a premium feel, but it is still a relatively new product and does not have the same long-term ownership track record as the Seltos. The Tata Sierra price starts at Rs 11.49 lakh and goes up to Rs 21.29 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Hence, given your budget and priorities, the Kia car mentioned above strikes the best balance between features, reliability and long-term peace of mind.

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•2d

I have been using a Venue diesel since June 2021 and am now looking to upgrade. In the past five years, I have not faced a single DPF or any other issue with the car. My shortlist includes the Creta and the new Seltos. My heart says Creta, but my mind says new Seltos. Which one should I go for?

•12h

Since your 2021 Venue has completed five years without a single DPF or other issue, you already have a positive Hyundai ownership experience. If your heart is also with the Creta, there is little reason to ignore that preference.The new Kia Seltos is the more substantial and feature-rich product, but the Creta offers a very similar mechanical package, excellent comfort and a more familiar ownership proposition. If you are planning to keep the next car for several years, the difference in features shouldn't outweigh your preference for the Hyundai Creta.The Seltos makes sense if you specifically want its additional space, features or styling, but there is no compelling reason to choose it purely for reliability or mechanical reasons.

Hyundai Creta

Kia Seltos

•1d

I am confused between the Victoris ZXi and the Kia Seltos HTK(O) petrol automatic. One offers better reliability, while the other provides more features at a similar price point. Personally, I prefer the Seltos’ cabin and interior design, as I find the Victoris’ interior quite average. For long-term ownership, which one should I go for?

•1d

Go for the Kia Seltos HTK+ petrol automatic. The Seltos is a more premium product overall, and the cabin quality and design are clearly something you value. The HTK+ is a well-equipped variant, and the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with the IVT automatic is a smooth and reliable combination. The Seltos also offers a more spacious and premium-feeling cabin, which will make a difference over a long ownership period.The Maruti Suzuki Victoris is a good car, and Maruti's reliability and service network are strong points, but the Seltos is the more complete product. Kia's reliability record in India is also strong, so there is no major long-term ownership concern with the Seltos.

Kia Seltos

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•1d

I want to buy a car under Rs 20 lakh. My monthly running will be around 1,500km, mostly on weekends, with 70% highway and 30% city driving. Which car and fuel type would you suggest? I prefer a manual transmission.

•1d

With a monthly running of 1,500 km and 70% highway usage, a diesel car makes the most sense. The higher torque and better fuel efficiency on long runs will pay off over time, and your usage pattern justifies the premium over petrol. Since you prefer a manual car, you will also avoid the complexity and cost of automatic gearboxes, which is a plus for long-term ownership.The Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel manual in a lower trim would be our first recommendation. It is a genuinely strong highway car with a punchy diesel engine, good stability at speed and a comfortable ride over long distances.If you want something a bit more compact and easier to live with in the city, the Kia Seltos diesel manual is also a very good option. It is more affordable, feels premium on the inside and is still very capable on the highway.Overall, the XUV 7XO diesel manual is the best fit for your usage and budget.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

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Popular discussions right now

•5d

I have a Tata Nexon Creative AMT that is only a year old, but I have already had to replace the spark plugs four times and the ignition coil once. I am still facing engine misfires and vibrations inside the car. I am honestly fed up with Tata's service, as they have been unable to resolve the issue. I am therefore planning to sell the Nexon and buy a Kia Seltos with a manual transmission this time. My priority was safety earlier, and it remains my top priority. However, I now also want peace of mind and a hassle-free ownership experience. Would selling the Nexon and switching to the Seltos be a good decision?

•4d

Yes, it is a good decisionYes, it is a good decision to sell the Tata Nexon and move to the Seltos manual. The Nexon is generally a safe and well-engineered car, but if you are facing repeated engine issues and the service centre is unable to resolve them, it is understandable to lose confidence in the ownership experience. The Kia Seltos is a very well-rounded SUV with a strong safety package, a more refined ownership experience and a good service network. The manual transmission is also a good choice if you want to avoid any potential automatic gearbox-related issues. Overall, if peace of mind and a hassle-free ownership experience are your top priorities, the Seltos is a sensible upgrade.

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•6d

I am planning to buy a sub-compact SUV. My budget is Rs. 13-14 lakh, and my priorities are a smooth automatic transmission and good mileage. I am considering the Brezza ZXi AT, Sonet HXT DCT, and Venue HX6 DCT. I am very confused because the Brezza’s torque-converter automatic offers good fuel efficiency but lacks some features, while the Sonet and Venue offer all the features I need. However, I am concerned that the DCT may be less fuel-efficient and could involve higher maintenance costs. My daily commute is around 30 km, mostly in heavy bumper-to-bumper traffic. Please suggest which one would be the best choice for my requirements.

•6d

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Brezza ZXI AT. Your priorities are a smooth automatic, good fuel efficiency and a daily 30km commute in heavy bumper-to-bumper traffic. The Brezza’s 6-speed torque converter automatic is the best fit for this usage. It is smooth, reliable and well suited to stop-start conditions, and the naturally aspirated petrol engine is efficient and easy to live with. Maruti’s service reach and low maintenance costs add to the ownership peace of mind.The Sonet and Venue DCTs are good cars, but the DCT gearbox is not ideal for heavy traffic. It can feel jerky at low speeds.Alternatively, if you can arrange for home charging, the Tata Punch EV is an excellent option.

I want to buy my second car, an SUV, within a 15 lakh to 17 lakh budget. I drive occasionally in hilly areas and on highways. Suggest a car in my budget?

•6d

Considering your budget and usage pattern, the Skoda Kushaq Signature 1.0 MT is the best fit. It is one of the most fun-to-drive SUVs in this price range, with a strong turbo petrol engine and a well-sorted chassis that gives you confidence on winding hill roads and highways. The Skoda Kushaq also offers good ride comfort, a solid build and a premium feel inside the cabin. You'll just have to be content with missing some features compared to the top-spec Kushaq Monte Carlo.If you want a more feature-rich and value-focused option, the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX7 Luxury petrol is also worth considering. It offers a roomy cabin, more features than the Kushaq Signature and a strong 1.2 turbo petrol engine as well. However, the Kushaq is a larger car and feels more enjoyable to drive.

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