Autocar India
•14w

I currently own a Kia Seltos Diesel Manual and am extremely happy with it. However, I now want to buy a compact all-wheel-drive vehicle, as I frequently travel to the mountains. I am considering the Jeep Compass. Please suggest.

Verified
•8w

Go for the Jeep Compass Diesel 4x4 AT for your mountain trips, it’s a very sorted package: compact 4.4m length, 350Nm diesel torque and a genuinely capable 4x4 system. It can handle steep climbs, descents and broken tracks with confidence.

Since you’re happy with the Kia Seltos diesel manual, the Compass lets you retain that strong diesel pull but adds proper 4x4 hardware and drive modes, which will really help on wet, slushy hairpins and loose gravel. 

Its relatively compact footprint versus larger SUVs makes it easier to place on narrow mountain roads and to park in tight hill towns, while the short overhangs and good ground clearance mean you worry less about scraping or underbody hits.

The suspension is excellent and feels planted and comfortable over bad roads and broken patches, which is exactly what you want on long hill runs. The only real dynamic downside is the 9‑speed automatic. It’s smooth but a bit slow to respond if you need a quick overtake, as it’s tuned more for relaxed touring and off-road control than outright snap.

Do note, service costs will be higher than your Seltos, and long‑term reliability and parts availability for Jeep in India aren’t as bulletproof as Kia, so factor that into ownership.

If you want something smaller, lighter and cheaper with AWD, you can look at the Maruti Grand Vitara AllGrip or the Maruti Suzuki Victoris AWD AT. They are capable enough for light trails, bad-weather runs and winter trips, but they won’t match the Compass for hardcore rough-road ability or diesel torque.

 

Jeep Compass

Jeep Compass

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More questions on similar cars

•4d

I am confused between the Kia Seltos HTK Petrol Automatic and the HTE (O) Diesel Automatic, as both are similarly priced. My annual running will be around 10,000 km, with most of my driving in the city and occasional expressway trips. Which variant should I choose? My budget is around Rs. 17 lakh. I would also appreciate suggestions for any better alternatives from other brands.

Verified
•20h

Pick the Kia Seltos HTK petrol automatic. Your use is mostly city and only 10,000 km a year, so the smooth, quiet petrol suits you better, and the fuel cost gap to diesel will be small at that running. For similar money, the HTK gives you more useful kit than the lower HTE(O) diesel variant, so day-to-day it will feel like the nicer car to live with.The diesel automatic is great for long highway hauls and heavy loads, and will sip less on trips, but short city runs can be hard on modern diesels, and you’ll add urea top-ups and slightly higher service costs. It only starts to make sense if you do a lot more highway or cross 15,000 km a year.If you’re open to others around this budget, look at Honda Elevate with the automatic for a very easy city drive and simple ownership, or Skoda Kushaq 1.0 automatic if you want a stronger engine and a more fun feel. Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara automatic is another easy-going, efficient city pick, just not very quick.

VehicleKia Seltos
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•4d

Hi, I am planning to purchase an automatic car in the range of 20-25 lakh. My driving is split equally between traffic and normal roads, and occasionally to hill areas. Please suggest the best options for me.

Verified
•1d

Without knowing your annual running, it's difficult to recommend the ideal fuel type. However, for a mix of 50% city driving, 50% open roads and occasional trips to the hills, we'd lean towards a strong hybrid or a refined petrol automatic.Our top recommendation would be the Maruti Suzuki Victoris Hybrid. It fits within your ₹20-25 lakh budget, offers excellent fuel efficiency in city traffic, is smooth and refined to drive, and remains comfortable on long highway journeys. It also has a 5-star Bharat NCAP safety rating, making it a very well-rounded family SUV.If you'd rather have a conventional petrol SUV, we'd recommend the Kia Seltos Petrol IVT. It offers a refined naturally aspirated petrol engine, a smooth IVT automatic, a premium cabin and a comfortable ride. It is equally at ease in city traffic, on the highway and during occasional hill drives.If you enjoy driving and don't mind slightly higher running costs, the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI Automatic is another excellent option. Its new 8-speed torque-converter automatic is smooth in traffic, while the turbo-petrol engine performs well on highways and in the hills.

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•4d

I am currently using a Maruti Suzuki Ertiga ZXi+, and my monthly running is around 1,500 km in the city. Should I opt for an EV or a hybrid, such as the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara?

Verified
•2d

Pick the Grand Vitara strong-hybrid. With 1,500 km a month in city traffic, it will slash your fuel spend because it runs on electric power at low speeds, yet you never worry about charging. The drive is quiet and smooth like an automatic, perfect for stop-go commutes, and the switch from your Ertiga will be easy in terms of running and service support. At the same time, highway trips wont require planning around charging that can be a hassle with EVs.Be honest with yourself about space though. You’ll lose the third row and some boot room, since the Grand Vitara is a 5-seater and the hybrid battery eats a bit of luggage space. It also costs more upfront than a regular petrol.If you have a dedicated parking spot with a reliable socket at home, an EV can be even cheaper per km and calmer in traffic, and for mostly city use you won’t miss petrol pumps. But if charging at home is not possible, the hybrid is the cleaner, simpler answer today. For your usage and current Ertiga lifestyle, the Grand Vitara strong-hybrid is the safer upgrade.

VehicleMaruti Suzuki Grand Vitara
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Popular discussions right now

•1w

Hi, I have a budget of Rs. 40 lakh and am confused between the Skoda Kodiaq Lounge, the Toyota Innova Hycross ZX(O), and the Toyota Fortuner Petrol. I am 28 years old and want a car that is fun to drive but also comfortable for my family. My driving will be split 80:20 between on-road and off-road use.

Verified
•6d

Pick the Innova HyCross ZX(O). For a hard Rs. 40 lakh cap it fits cleanly, it is the most comfortable and spacious for family, and it is far easier to live with daily. The smooth hybrid makes city drives effortless and quiet, and on broken roads, it just takes the abuse without rattling everyone. Your 20 percent off-road sounds like rough trails rather than rock crawling, and the HyCross will handle that sort of bad-road stuff better than you expect. But, the Innova isn't particularly fun to drive.If you really crave driver fun, the Kodiaq is the one that puts a smile on your face. The 2-litre turbo petrol and AWD make it genuinely enjoyable on highways and hills and the cabin feels richer. Two catches, though. It likely stretches past Rs. 40 lakh on-road in most cities, and its third row is tighter, and you have to be a bit careful off the beaten path.The Fortuner petrol is the most capable off-road, but for 80 per cent on-road use, it feels heavy and bouncy, the steering is not friendly in town, and it guzzles fuel.

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•5d

I am planning to buy an SUV and prefer the German twins Škoda and Volkswagen. Which one is better? Also, how significant is the DSG issue in bumper-to-bumper traffic in the NCR region? This will be my fourth car, so I want to try a German brand.

Verified
•4d

Between the German twins, the choice largely comes down to personal preference, as they share the same engines, gearboxes and underpinnings. We slightly prefer the Kushaq for its cleaner design, excellent ride and handling balance and overall value proposition.As for the DSG, it isn't as big a concern as it once was. The current DSGs are far more robust than the earlier units, but if your driving is predominantly in bumper-to-bumper NCR traffic, a torque-converter automatic is still the smoother and more relaxed option over the long term. If you want to stay with a German SUV but avoid the DSG altogether, the 1.0 TSI automatic in the Kushaq and Taigun now comes with an 8-speed Aisin torque-converter, which is smooth, refined and better suited to heavy city traffic.Coming from the S-Cross Petrol, you'll notice a significant step up in performance, cabin quality, safety and driving dynamics with either car.

VehicleSkoda Kushaq
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•5d

I have a Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid, and I am extremely satisfied with its mileage (900-1000 km from 45 liters). However, I am losing the joy of driving. I migrated to this car after owning a Swift Dzire Diesel and an XL6. The mismatch between engine revs and acceleration is becoming unpleasant. Overtaking feels riskier, and even the brakes feel spongy. I have experienced a few unpleasant situations because of this. As a result, I have reduced my overall speed, making the safety of my family a bigger priority. But the driver in me is unhappy. Should I upgrade to the Duster Hybrid, the Hycross Hybrid, or the newly launched Sierra EV? Also, do diesel engines still make sense today?

Verified
•5d

From what you've described, the Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid has impressed you with its efficiency but left you wanting more from behind the wheel. If driving enjoyment is back on your priority list, the Duster Hybrid looks like the most natural upgrade. It is expected to offer a much more engaging driving experience while retaining the fuel efficiency benefits of a strong hybrid.The Toyota Innova HyCross Hybrid will certainly improve on comfort, refinement and performance, but it won't fundamentally change the character you're looking for. It is still geared towards relaxed family motoring rather than enthusiastic driving.The Tata Sierra EV is an interesting option and has now been launched. It promises strong performance, a premium cabin and a spacious interior. However, if the "driver in you" misses the involvement and confidence of your earlier diesel cars, we'd still wait to experience how the Duster Hybrid drives before making a decision.As for diesels, we don't think they should be ruled out altogether. With the right usage, they continue to make sense. However, given your appreciation for the fuel economy of your Grand Vitara and the direction the market is heading, we'd lean towards a strong hybrid rather than going back to diesel.

VehicleMaruti Suzuki Grand Vitara
VehicleToyota Innova HyCross
VehicleTata Sierra EV
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Posted on: 11 May 2026