Autocar India
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Harshpreet singh

•6w

I am planning to buy the Seltos Diesel AT, but considering future bans, is it too risky to buy a diesel car in 2026? Also, is there any blending expected in diesel in the near future? I drive around 15,000 km annually, with a mix of city and highway usage, but mostly in the city. Please suggest whether I should buy diesel or not. Also, with petrol being blended under E27 in the future, is that a safe option?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•5w
There is a lot of concern about the future of diesel, and understandably so, given fearmongering on social media about impending bans and comments from politicians and even activists on why diesel should be banned. However, there is a realisation that modern diesels are quite clean and when we move to BS7 emissions regulations (which are based on Euro 7), the NOx limits for petrol and diesel cars will be the same, and hence diesels will be forced to meet petrol‑like targets for key pollutants, not the looser diesel limits of the past.
Hence, we don’t feel diesel will be banned anytime soon and in fact has a pretty good future. Also, in the unlikely event that diesel is banned, it is unlikely to affect existing owners of BS 6.2 emission-compliant cars, which is what the new Kia Seltos diesel would be.
In fact, the bigger and more practical issue for you as a Seltos diesel AT buyer is not policy risk but the diesel particulate filter (DPF). BS6 diesels rely on the DPF to keep particulate emissions under control, and this system needs regular regeneration to stay healthy. In predominantly short, stop‑start city driving, exhaust temperatures don’t stay high for long, and if active regeneration keeps getting interrupted, the DPF can clog faster, leading to warning lights or limp mode if ignored. That’s why it’s important to give the car a proper run now and then, at least a good 25-30 km drive at steady, higher speeds every couple of weeks, which helps the DPF complete its regeneration cycles cleanly.
On your concern about E27 petrol, any new car today that is E20 compliant is unofficially E27 compliant as well, and manufacturers have built in enough margin for their fuel lines to cope with the corrosive effects of E27. Also, there is no plan to roll out E27 in a hurry, and it’s likely the industry will go straight to flex-fuel options, in which case the current E20 should remain the base fuel.
Given the above, you can safely go ahead and buy the Seltos diesel AT you were looking at.
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VI

VIJAY

•2d

Hi Autocar, I am planning to buy a car that offers good comfort and strong road presence with an on-road budget of ₹14 lakh. I have shortlisted the following options: Skoda Kushaq base variant, Kia Seltos base variant, Kia Carens Clavis base variant, Mahindra XUV 3XO base variant, and Citroen Aircross 7-seater. We travel long distances once a month, and I already own a 2017 Swift ZDi diesel variant. Kindly suggest which car I should choose from the above options and also recommend the most suitable variant. Since I have provided multiple options to the Autocar team, I would really appreciate your advice as a car enthusiast.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•18h

For one long highway trip a month, a ₹14 lakh on-road cap, and a step up in comfort from your Swift diesel, the Kia Seltos HTE 1.5 petrol manual suits you best. As far as base variants go, the Seltos is very well equipped, with features like cruise control, keyless entry, and an HD infotainment screen with wireless phone connectivity. The new generation also rides better than the last one, has a roomier cabin, and better road presence. Compared with your Swift, it will feel far more spacious and calmer at speed, and the big boot makes luggage easy.The Skoda Kushaq and Mahindra XUV 3XO base variants are good choices, but will feel a bit smaller on the inside. If you need 7 seats, the Kia Carens Clavis offers a similar experience to the Seltos, but its base trim is not as well equipped. The Citroen Aircross 7-seater offers superb ride comfort, but the service reach is still limited in many cities.Overall, for your use, the Seltos base lines up best.

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RA

Raj

•1d

I have shortlisted Elevate, Grand Vitara, and Seltos, all with automatic transmission. My budget range is between 15 and 19 lakh. Based on features and in-cabin interiors, the new Seltos stands out, though Elevate’s boot space can't be ignored. The interiors don't look premium. Is there any other SUV in the same segment? My running will be mostly in the city.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•4h

Your observations are correct, and for your budget, the Kia Seltos HTK(O) Petrol CVT is the best fit for you. The IVT or CVT is among the smoother automatic gearboxes that work best at low speeds, so it feels best in traffic. You already like the Seltos for features and the rich cabin, and this trim gives you that premium feel without jumping past your budget. The boot is not the biggest here, but it is shaped well and will take daily bags and a couple of suitcases without fuss, so for city life it works.Keep in mind, a few high-end features sit on pricier trims, so if you chase every extra, you could stretch your budget. From your list, the other strong city choice is the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara. Though the strong hybrid variant would have been ideal, it won't fit in your budget, so you'll have to settle for the mild-hybrid petrol Alpha variant. It's not bad, and uses a torque-converter automatic, which is just as smooth as the Kia's CVT, but it feels down on power, and its rear seat isn't as spacious. And yes, while the Honda Elevate is a good all-rounder, it feels a bit too ordinary in this company.

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RK

Rengaraj K

•1d

I live in Bangalore, and my usage is around 800km in a month, 70% in the city and 30% on highways. I have shortlisted Toyota Hyryder Hybrid (eCVT), Taigun 1.5 DSG, and Seltos 1.5 DCT. Help me choose one. Currently, I own a Toyota Yaris CVT.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•4h

The Toyota Hyryder Hybrid is the better fit for you. It suits your pattern of 70% city use in Bengaluru traffic and about 800 km a month, and will feel familiar coming from your Yaris CVT.The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder does a lot of running on the battery at low speeds, so it pulls away smoothly and cleanly, and feels very quiet and refined to drive in the city. It will also use less fuel in the city than the two turbo-petrol options you've listed, and you are already familiar with Toyota's reputed after-sales service. As per Toyota, its fuel efficiency is 29.97kpl.Trade-offs to note are that it doesn't have the outright performance, such as the Taigun or Seltos, and the boot is smaller than the other two, thanks to the hybrid battery.

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Posted on: 21 Mar 2026