Vijayanagara

•4w

I have a pre-owned 2020 Kia Seltos GTX+ AT 1.4 Turbo as my 2nd car. One issue I see with this is poor low-end torque, and I end up revving too hard when moving uphill in back-to-back traffic. The car has about 48K on the Odo. Any advice? I had it checked at Spinny (where I bought it), and they told me the DCT is ok. Can you confirm if the low-end torque on this engine/ model is a common issue?

•3w

Yes, what you are experiencing is a known characteristic of the 1.4 turbo petrol DCT combination in the Seltos. Being a turbo-petrol engine, you need to rev the engine a bit for the turbos to spool, and that combined with a DCT that's tuned for efficiency rather than aggressive low-speed response, can make it feel a bit laggy at low revs. In stop-start traffic on inclines, the gearbox could feel slow to engage and hesitant. This is not a sign of a faulty gearbox, but rather a limitation of the DCT calibration in this application.

The best way to manage this is to use the manual mode on the gearbox when you are in slow-moving traffic on an incline. By holding the car in a lower gear, you can keep the engine in its torque band and avoid the hesitation you are experiencing. You can also use the hill hold function and the brakes to control the car rather than relying on the throttle alone.

If this is a major concern for you, the only real solution is to switch to a car with a torque converter or CVT gearbox, which are much smoother at low speeds. But if you are otherwise happy with the car, this is something you can manage with driving technique.

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•1d

My wife is 5'0", and we are looking to buy an automatic car primarily for city commutes, with occasional highway trips. We are considering the Kia Seltos. Is it a good choice, particularly in terms of seating ergonomics and visibility for a 5-foot-tall driver? Another option I am considering is the Skoda Kushaq. Which one would be better for our requirements?

•12h

The Kia Seltos is a very good all-rounder, but for a 5-foot-tall driver, the Skoda Kushaq is actually the better choice. The Kushaq has a more upright seating position, a lower dashboard and a more compact bonnet, which makes it much easier to judge the car's extremities and improves overall visibility. The Seltos has a higher dashboard and a longer bonnet, which can make it harder for shorter drivers to judge the front of the car, even with the seat height adjusted.The Kushaq is also slightly narrower and easier to manoeuvre in city traffic, which is important for your primary usage. The Seltos does feel more premium inside and offers a slightly more spacious rear seat, but from a driver's perspective, the Kushaq is the more confidence-inspiring car.Go for the Kushaq 1.0 TSI automatic. It uses an 8-speed torque converter automatic, which is smooth and well-suited to city driving. The Seltos IVT is also a good gearbox, but the overall ergonomics of the Kushaq give it the edge for your specific requirement.

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•2d

I am planning to buy a new car with a budget of Rs 25 lakh. I currently drive a 2021 Kia Sonet DCT and am quite interested in the Thar Roxx. However, around 80% of my driving is in Hyderabad’s heavy traffic. Is the Thar Roxx a good choice for my usage, or are there other options worth considering?

•1d

With 80 percent of your driving in Hyderabad's heavy traffic, the Mahindra Thar Roxx is not the most sensible upgrade from your Kia Sonet DCT. The Thar Roxx is a lifestyle SUV with a rugged, off-road-focused character, and while it is great fun on trails and highways, it is not the most comfortable or practical daily driver in dense city traffic. The ride is firm, the turning circle is large, and the overall driving experience can become tiring in stop-and-go conditions.Given your budget of Rs 25 lakh, a more practical upgrade would be something like the Kia Seltos or Hyundai Creta. Both offer a significant step up in space, comfort and refinement over the Sonet, and are far better suited to daily city driving while still being capable on highways. If you are looking for something with a bit more character, the Skoda Kushaq or Volkswagen Taigun are also worth considering, especially if you enjoy driving.If you are still drawn to the Thar Roxx for its lifestyle appeal, it is best approached as a second car rather than a primary daily driver. For your usage pattern, prioritising comfort, ease of driving and practicality will make you much happier over the long term.

Hi, I currently drive a Kia Sonet HTX, purchased in December 2020. It has covered around 46,000 km so far, with an annual running of approximately 9,000 km. I am now looking to upgrade to a mid-size SUV with an automatic transmission. My priorities are a feature-rich car with a 5-star safety rating, suitable for a family of four. The expected usage will be around 80% city and 20% highway driving. My budget is around Rs 20 lakh, although I can stretch it slightly for a better overall package. Please suggest some suitable options.

•1d

With 9,000 km a year and an 80:20 city-highway split, a petrol automatic is the right choice. The Kia Seltos IVT is the recommendation here. It offers a smooth, reliable CVT automatic that is well suited to city driving, a comfortable and spacious cabin for a family of four, and a strong feature set. The Seltos also has a proven ownership track record and a good service network, which matters for long-term peace of mind.If you are willing to stretch your budget slightly, the Kia Seltos GTX+ DCT is worth considering. It adds a more powerful turbo petrol engine and a richer feature list, including ADAS, ventilated seats and a more premium cabin experience. The DCT is quick and engaging, but it is not as smooth as the IVT in stop-start traffic.If you want a more driver-focused alternative, the Skoda Kushaq 1.5 TSI DSG is a strong option. It offers excellent performance and driving dynamics, but the Seltos remains the more rounded family car.Overall, the Seltos IVT hits the sweet spot for your usage and budget.

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•5d

I currently drive a Grand i10 Manual petrol and am now planning to buy a new compact SUV that is comfortable, fuel efficient and has low maintenance. My usage is 35km of daily office commute in Delhi-NCR traffic. Please advice which option is best fit amongst Hyundai Venue HX 6T, SONET HTK+O and XUV 3XO.

•4d

Go for the Hyundai Venue. With your daily 35km commute in Delhi NCR traffic, comfort and low maintenance are key, and the Venue delivers on both. The 1.2 NA petrol is smooth, refined and easy to drive in stop-start conditions, while Hyundai’s service network and ownership experience are among the best in the segment. The HX6T variant also gives you a good balance of features without pushing the budget too far.The Sonet HTK+O is mechanically very similar, but the Venue is a newer model and offers a more spacious cabin. The XUV 3XO is also a good option, but its turbo petrol engine won't be as efficient as the Hyundai’s.Overall, the Venue is the most sensible upgrade from your Grand i10 for daily city use.

I am planning to buy a sub-compact SUV. My budget is Rs. 13-14 lakh, and my priorities are a smooth automatic transmission and good mileage. I am considering the Brezza ZXi AT, Sonet HXT DCT, and Venue HX6 DCT. I am very confused because the Brezza’s torque-converter automatic offers good fuel efficiency but lacks some features, while the Sonet and Venue offer all the features I need. However, I am concerned that the DCT may be less fuel-efficient and could involve higher maintenance costs. My daily commute is around 30 km, mostly in heavy bumper-to-bumper traffic. Please suggest which one would be the best choice for my requirements.

•3d

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Brezza ZXI AT. Your priorities are a smooth automatic, good fuel efficiency and a daily 30km commute in heavy bumper-to-bumper traffic. The Brezza’s 6-speed torque converter automatic is the best fit for this usage. It is smooth, reliable and well suited to stop-start conditions, and the naturally aspirated petrol engine is efficient and easy to live with. Maruti’s service reach and low maintenance costs add to the ownership peace of mind.The Sonet and Venue DCTs are good cars, but the DCT gearbox is not ideal for heavy traffic. It can feel jerky at low speeds.Alternatively, if you can arrange for home charging, the Tata Punch EV is an excellent option.

I want to buy my second car, an SUV, within a 15 lakh to 17 lakh budget. I drive occasionally in hilly areas and on highways. Suggest a car in my budget?

•3d

Considering your budget and usage pattern, the Skoda Kushaq Signature 1.0 MT is the best fit. It is one of the most fun-to-drive SUVs in this price range, with a strong turbo petrol engine and a well-sorted chassis that gives you confidence on winding hill roads and highways. The Skoda Kushaq also offers good ride comfort, a solid build and a premium feel inside the cabin. You'll just have to be content with missing some features compared to the top-spec Kushaq Monte Carlo.If you want a more feature-rich and value-focused option, the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX7 Luxury petrol is also worth considering. It offers a roomy cabin, more features than the Kushaq Signature and a strong 1.2 turbo petrol engine as well. However, the Kushaq is a larger car and feels more enjoyable to drive.

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