I am confused between the XUV700 petrol and diesel. My monthly running is 700kms, 70% in Jaipur city. Please advise.

Autocar India

•5h

If your Kia Seltos rolled forward after you shifted to Neutral, that by itself is not a fault. In Neutral, the gearbox is disengaged, so even a slight incline can cause the car to roll unless the brake pedal or parking brake is applied. That is normal behaviour.The only nuance is with DCTs, even when in Drive mode on slopes. Unlike a torque converter automatic, a DCT can allow a slight rollback or roll forward on gradients before the clutch fully engages, which is normal for this type of gearbox. The best way to handle this is to keep the auto hold function activated, as it keeps the brakes applied when the car is stationary and only releases them once you get on the throttle, preventing any unintended movement.

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

•30m

Your observations are quite right, and given your requirements, the Kia Seltos diesel automatic seems to be the best fit. It takes care of your ethanol worry because diesel avoids that issue entirely, and your regular highway trips will keep the diesel particulate filter (DPF) healthy. Your family already likes its comfort and smooth, steady feel, and on the highway, it has strong enough pull for quick passes. As you have noted, it won’t feel as eager as the Renault Duster or the VW turbo petrols when you floor it, and the 1.5 diesel - though refined amongst rivals - is a bit louder than a petrol overall. Also, higher tech features come on costlier trims, so a top-spec trim could push that Rs 22 lakh limit on the on-road price.If driving fun is the top priority and you rarely use the back seat, the Renault Duster 1.3 turbo automatic still makes sense over the hybrid, which is as yet untested, but will likely sacrifice some punchiness given its naturally aspirated Atkinson-cycle petrol engine. If the hybrid lands around Rs 24-25 lakh, it may not add enough value for your use. As for the rear seat, the Duster doesn't offer as much as rivals despite its grown dimensions (it seems to have gone into the boot), and the hybrid's battery could even hamper this further. Overall, for your requirements, the Seltos diesel auto still feels the better choice.

Kia Seltos

Renault Duster

Autocar India

•2h

The Rs 1.3 crore-1.4 crore segment is interesting because it offers up two very different kinds of SUVs. On one hand, the Mercedes-Benz GLS and BMW X7, which are larger and more spacious, and on the other, the Porsche Cayenne and Range Rover Sport, which, though not as practical, have more emotional appeal and arguably stronger badge value. Both have their place, and the larger X7 and GLS are not short on luxury and tech. They both offer petrol and diesel engine options, and a lot of features, and there's the advantage of both brands' wider service network around the country. Between the two, the BMW has a slight edge on space, comfort and driver enjoyment, whereas the Mercedes feels a bit more luxurious and tech-laden. If practicality is the primary focus, one of these should be your choice.However, as you're considering a Porsche Cayenne, it suggests you're okay with five seats. The Cayenne is perhaps the best driving SUV of this size, and even with the entry-level 3.0 V6 engine, it is incredibly engaging, and of course, the Porsche badge carries a lot of value. Quality is similar to what you'll find in the others, with a far greater focus on sportiness in design. Some things to note are that many of the features standard on the other cars are optional on the Cayenne and will drive up the price, and a consequence of its sporty setup is a firmer ride quality and heavier steering, which might become tiresome in everyday use. Also consider the Range Rover Sport, which delivers the best of both worlds. It's engaging to drive while being comfortable, it's got a more luxurious edge than all the rest, and it's loaded up with features too.

Mercedes-Benz GLS

BMW X7

Porsche Cayenne

Land Rover Range Rover