I currently own a Honda Jazz and am looking for an upgrade. My confusion is between the Hyundai Verna 1.5 NA MT HX6 Plus and the Kia Seltos HTK, the latter being my wife's choice. My running will be around 5,000-6,000 km per year. I did a test drive of both cars. I was sceptical about the Verna's ground clearance, but I drove it over bad patches and large speed breakers, and it did not scrape at all. The overall ride also felt smoother in the Verna than in the Seltos. My only concern is whether ground clearance will become an issue when travelling with luggage on longer trips. While the Seltos interior looks more modern, the Verna variant lacks some features found in the Seltos HTK Plus.

Autocar India

•1d

Yes, sedans still make a lot of sense in 2026, and for your 80% highway use, the Hyundai Verna 1.5 turbo with the automatic is a great option. Its low, slippery shape helps you get better fuel economy at a steady cruise than most SUVs, and the turbo engine has enough punch for quick overtakes without needing a downshift. At highway speeds, it sits stable and quiet, and the boot is big enough for long trips.Driven calmly on open roads, you can see mileage in the mid to high teens, but if you drive with a heavy foot, it will drop. In slow, stop-go traffic the automatic can feel a bit hesitant, though your usage is mostly highway so that’s a small worry. If mileage edges out performance for you, the non-turbo Verna with the manual does better on fuel but is nowhere near as quick. For your brief though, the Verna turbo DCT hits the sweet spot.

Hyundai Verna

Autocar India

•2d

Considering the naturally aspirated engines in both, the Honda City is the better pick. It rides and handles better, has a nicer back seat, and performance is livelier. Add Honda’s typically higher resale value and lower running costs, and it becomes the better long-term proposition.Where the Hyundai Verna fights back is with more features and the option of a turbo-petrol engine. If you want the faster, flashier sedan at this price, then the Verna turbo-petrol is the one to have.For a practical, value-for-money buy over the years of ownership, the City is the smarter pick. Choose the Verna only if performance and extra features matter more than everyday ease of use and efficiency.

Honda City

Hyundai Verna

Autocar India

•22h

Go for the Kia Seltos HTK(O) diesel automatic. With 80 km daily in mixed traffic, the Seltos will be easier to drive and park than the Harrier, and it will be more fuel efficient too, owing to the Harrier’s bigger engine and weight. Coming from a Grand i10, the Seltos feels like a natural step up without feeling too bulky or large, and the Kia's cabin feels more premium too. The Harrier Pure X automatic is the tougher, larger SUV and feels more relaxed on long, fast runs and broken roads. If you often carry five adults or do lots of highway cruising, it will feel like the better fit.

Kia Seltos

Tata Harrier