Does the engine of Kia Seltos Petrol Manual (Naturally Aspirated) feel underpowered because of the K3 platform and the vehicle’s weight? Also, does frequent full-throttle acceleration have a significant impact on fuel efficiency? I drive around 1,000 km per month, with most of my usage being on highways. Considering my driving pattern, is the Kia Seltos Petrol NA Manual a suitable choice, or should I consider a different variant?

autocar.india

•42m

Go for the Kia Seltos 1.5 petrol automatic, because it balances daily city ease with real highway stability and has a strong safety rating. For 70 km of mostly city use, its smooth IVT and light controls make it stress free, yet it does not feel floaty at speed. The latest Seltos has 5-star crash safety, six airbags on the right trim, and the braking and body control inspire confidence, which matters on highway runs. It also packs the useful stuff you will actually use every day - good cameras and sensors, a crisp screen, wireless charging, ventilated seats on higher trims - and Kia’s network and reliability record are solid now, so ownership is simple.Expect around 11-12 kpl in typical city traffic if you drive calmly, which is fair for the size. The ride is a touch firm at low speed, so sharp bumps are felt more than in a Creta, but it pays you back with better control when you go faster. Coming from a Baleno, the Seltos isn’t intimidating to park or thread through traffic, yet feels like a proper upgrade.

Kia Seltos

Hyundai Creta

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

autocar.india

•2h

Pick the Kia Seltos 1.5 petrol automatic. For your 1000 km a month and occasional highway trips, it balances family comfort, a genuinely good sound system, and sensible running costs better than the others in this price band. The Bose audio in the higher trims is the best you’ll get here, the cabin is spacious enough for four adults and a child, the boot is holiday-friendly, and the seats keep you fresh on long drives. It also looks sharp and upmarket, so you get the road presence you want without blowing the budget.Expect roughly 10 kpl in the city and 14 to 16 kpl on open roads if you drive smoothly, which is fair for a petrol SUV this size. Your budget of Rs. 20-25 lakh on-road should comfortably cover a well-equipped Seltos automatic in most cities.One thing to know: the ride is a touch firm at low speeds on broken roads. If mileage is your absolute priority, the Maruti Grand Vitara or Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder strong hybrid will beat it on kpl, but their audio and overall punch aren’t as satisfying.

Kia Seltos

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

autocar.india

•11h

The new Kia Seltos will feel like a proper step-up over your outgoing car on account of its space, feature set, and tech. And if your monthly running is significantly higher than before, it does make sense to opt for the diesel. Sure, a diesel-automatic will be more expensive to buy than a corresponding petrol-automatic; however, it will be much more fuel-efficient, so you will make up for the price difference if your usage is significant. The diesel engine is quite smooth, and its strong low‑end pull makes overtaking and cruising at full load easier. The 6‑speed automatic is smooth and suits long drives well.Ensure you regularly drive the diesel Seltos on the highway to maintain engine health, as the DPF tends to clog in frequent slow-moving traffic conditions. But if your usage is primarily in the city, with infrequent highway running, we'd recommend opting for the petrol version instead. Or you could consider a Hyundai Creta Electric instead.

Kia Seltos

Hyundai Creta Electric