Autocar India
•19w

I am strongly considering the Kia Seltos 1.5T iMT HTE(O). It fits my budget, offers good performance, and the features are reasonable. I am choosing iMT as my usage is 70% city driving in Bangalore and 30% highway.

Verified
•19w
Go for the Kia Seltos 1.5T iMT HTE(O). For 70% Bangalore city use and 30% highway runs, it blends strong turbo performance with clutchless convenience, 6 airbags, and practical space.
With 70/30 city-highway, the 6‑speed iMT suits Bengaluru traffic by removing the clutch while keeping manual control for open‑road stretches, and the turbo’s strong mid‑range helps quick gaps and overtakes, especially on the highway and open stretches. You do need to get used to the iMT, of course, and remember that it's not a very quick shifter, so you can't rush through shifts. That aside, it works very well, especially in normal, relaxed driving conditions.
The one thing you give up is a true automatic. You still shift gears yourself, which can feel tiring in prolonged 5-10 kph bumper‑to‑bumper crawls. Thus, if you want a fully automatic car, without the hassle of even shifting gears, consider the naturally aspirated 1.5-litre Seltos that's coupled to a CVT or IVT in Kia speak.
The engine and gearbox combo is quite smooth, and for everyday driving, it does really well. You will give up some power compared to the turbo engine, but your real-world efficiency could be higher as a turbo-petrol's efficiency is very sensitive to driving style.
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•17w

What's the opinion of tata sierra

•18w

I am confused between skoda slavia 1.0L and 1.5L. My driving is 90% city and 10% on highway. Occasionally i go on the trips which is approx 2 times in a year. Kindly suggest

•18w

Don't buy. It has lot of electronic complaints. I am suffering with vehicle from the time I bought. But even after visiting service center and correction for around 25 times its not getting resolved. Now even service center people are not responding. Root causing is never done properly at Kia. It's just sell the vehicle and let customer suffer. Even Kia technical center has this attitude

•18w

New Renault duster 1.3 with DCT gearbox worth in buying

•18w

What's your opinion about the Kia seltos Diesel automatic

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More questions on similar cars

•5d

I am considering the Toyota Hyryder Hybrid top model. I have never owned an automatic car. I drove it and found it a bit underpowered. Will it be safe to take it to the mountains? Will it climb steep roads without any issues? Is overtaking at high speeds difficult? Is it worth buying? If not, please suggest another option.

Verified
•4h

The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder Hybrid is a very sensible choice for your first automatic. It is smooth, efficient and easy to drive in the city, and the hybrid system works well in stop-start traffic. However, your concern about feeling underpowered is valid. The hybrid system is tuned for efficiency rather than outright performance, and under hard acceleration, you will feel that the engine is straining a bit. Overall, performance feels adequate, and while it will climb hills and handle mountain roads without issue, performance doesn't feel particularly strong or effortless like some turbo-petrol or diesel cars.This Toyota car is a great choice if your priority is efficiency and ease of use, but if you want more performance and better overtaking ability, a 1.5 turbo-petrol automatic powered SUV like a Kia Seltos or Skoda Kushaq/VW Taigun would be a better fit.

VehicleToyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder
VehicleKia Seltos
VehicleSkoda Kushaq
VehicleVolkswagen Taigun
•4d

I am planning to upgrade from a Toyota Yaris CVT to either the Kia Seltos IVT or the Toyota Hyryder. My annual usage is around 9,000 km, with 60% driving in Bangalore city and 40% on highway trips. Please help me choose between the Kia Seltos IVT and Toyota Hyryder.

Verified
•1h

With 9,000 km a year and a 60% city/40% highway split, the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder strong hybrid is the better fit. The hybrid system delivers excellent fuel efficiency in city traffic, where the car runs on electric power for the majority. This makes a noticeable difference in running costs over time. On the highway, this Toyota car is comfortable and stable, and the hybrid system still contributes to efficiency. The Kia Seltos IVT is a very good car with a smooth automatic gearbox and a more premium cabin, but at your usage level the hybrid advantage is more meaningful than the extra features. The Hyryder is also backed by Toyota’s strong reliability reputation, which is important for long-term ownership. The only drawback is that the Hyryder does not feel as quick as this Kia car on the highway and has a smaller boot. Overall, the Hyryder hybrid is the smarter choice for your usage pattern.

VehicleToyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder
VehicleKia Seltos
•3d

Hey, I’ve booked the 2026 Kia Seltos HTK IVT variant. As you know, it comes with a lot of features, and this variant covers almost everything I need for my daily usage. However, I’m a bit confused now because the next-generation Hyundai Creta is expected to launch either towards the end of this year or in early 2027. Is it really worth waiting for the new Creta, or should I go ahead with the Seltos without having second thoughts? If I do decide to wait, I’d also like to know whether Hyundai actually offers a better overall ownership experience in terms of maintenance costs, service quality, spare parts availability, reliability, resale value, pricing, mileage, and long-term ownership compared to Kia. It’s already almost August, so if we wait just a few more months, we could probably get a 2027-manufactured and registered vehicle, which is another reason we’re considering waiting. At the same time, we’re planning to keep this car for the long term (8-10 years or more), so we want to make the right decision now rather than regret it later. That’s why I have so many questions. I’d really appreciate an unbiased opinion from the experts on whether it’s better to stick with the Seltos or wait for the all-new Creta. Thanks in advance.

Verified
•1d

Go ahead with the Kia Seltos HTK IVT. The Seltos is a very well-rounded product, and the HTK IVT is a sweet spot in the range with a good balance of features and value. The bigger point is that the Seltos and Creta are fundamentally very similar cars underneath, sharing the same platform, engines and gearboxes. The ownership experience between Hyundai and Kia is also broadly similar in terms of maintenance costs, service reach, reliability and resale value. There is no clear advantage to waiting for the new Creta from that perspective.The only reason to wait would be if you are specifically interested in the new Creta’s design, interior or feature set. But that is an unknown at this stage, and there is no guarantee it will be meaningfully better than the Seltos. In fact, the Seltos is already one of the most complete cars in the segment, and the IVT gearbox is smooth and well-suited to city driving.Given you are planning to keep the car for 8-10 years, it makes more sense to buy a proven product now rather than wait for an unknown. The Seltos will serve you well over the long term, and you are unlikely to regret the decision.

VehicleKia Seltos
VehicleHyundai Creta

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Popular discussions right now

•5d

I am confused between Taigun 1.5 Sport and Seltos Diesel X-Line top model. I have owned the Polo AT and Vento AT in the past, so my love for Volkswagen is making this decision difficult.

Verified
•4d

Go for the Volkswagen Taigun 1.5 TSI Sport. Coming from a Polo and Vento automatic, you already appreciate Volkswagen’s driving DNA, and the Taigun 1.5 TSI is a natural progression. The engine is punchy, the DSG gearbox is quick and engaging, and the overall driving experience is far more involving than the Seltos. The Taigun also feels more compact and agile in the city, while still being comfortable on the highway. The Volkswagen Taigun mileage is 19.54 kpl for the 1.0 TSI AT, 19.98 kpl for the 1.0 TSI MT, and 18.85 kpl for the 1.5 TSI DCT.The Kia Seltos diesel X-Line is a strong all-rounder with better space, a more premium cabin and a more relaxed long-distance character, but it does not offer the same level of driver engagement. The diesel engine is efficient and torquey, but it lacks the excitement of the 1.5 TSI. Given your history with Volkswagen cars, the Taigun will simply feel more familiar and more enjoyable to drive every day. The Taigun price starts at Rs 11.00 lakh (ex-showroom).

VehicleVolkswagen Taigun
VehicleKia Seltos
•4d

I want to buy my first car, and I have a strict budget of Rs 10 lakh. I will not use the car on a daily basis; I will drive it occasionally, and I live in Kolkata.

Verified
•3d

For a car under 10 lakh budget and occasional use, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno makes sense. It is a genuinely spacious hatchback with a comfortable ride. It's easy to drive in the city and has a proven ownership record. The naturally aspirated petrol engine is smooth and reliable, and Maruti’s service network in Kolkata is excellent, which keeps long-term running costs low.For occasional use, you want a car that is easy to live with, dependable and does not demand much attention, and the Baleno fits that brief perfectly. It also offers a good balance of features and practicality within your budget.If you prefer a slightly higher seating position, the Maruti Suzuki Fronx is worth considering.

VehicleMaruti Suzuki Baleno
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Fronx
•5d

I am looking to buy an electric car in the Rs. 20-30 lakh price range. My driving is mostly within the city, with an annual running of only 5,000-7,000 km. Would you recommend buying an EV now, or would it be better to wait for the newer models that are expected to launch over the next few months?

Verified
•4d

With 5,000-7,000 km a year and mostly city driving, you are the ideal EV buyer. The Mahindra XEV 9S in its top-spec Pack Three guise will comfortably fit in your budget. With a 79kWh battery pack, you can easily expect a real-world range of around 480km in daily driving conditions. The 9S is also a full-size SUV with three rows, so practicality is excellent. There is a usable frunk as well, and the feature list is extensive with connected tech, panoramic sunroof, front and rear ventilated seats, drive modes, Level 2 ADAS and much more. Also, with 286hp, the 9S has plenty of performance for everyday needs. The overall package strikes a good balance and hence is our recommendation.

VehicleMahindra XEV 9S

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Posted on: 28 Mar 2026