I am planning to buy a Kia Seltos but am confused about which automatic variant to choose. My usage is around 70% highway and 30% city, with an annual driving of approximately 12,000 km. I am specifically looking for strong low-end torque for confident overtaking and prefer an automatic transmission. I am considering the diesel automatic and the turbo petrol DCT variants.

Autocar India

•2h

Go for the Kia Seltos diesel automatic. It suits your usage far better, especially with your highway-heavy driving and need for strong low-end pull. In real-world driving, the diesel feels effortless and relaxed. You get strong pulling power from low speeds, which makes overtaking easy without needing to push the engine hard. On highways, it feels calm and confident, and the automatic gearbox is smooth and predictable, which adds to the overall ease of driving.

The more powerful turbo petrol DCT, in comparison, is the more fun and responsive option, but its performance comes higher up the rev range. So you need to push it more for overtakes, and in city traffic, the DCT can sometimes feel a bit jerky. It is enjoyable when you are driving enthusiastically, but not as effortlessly as the diesel.

Explore cars mentioned

Kia

Seltos

from ₹13.01 Lakh

Rajeev Hiwale

•1h

Sir , DCT is expensive and jerky. You should go for intellegent imt to save cost and smooth gear change.

Rajeev Hiwale

•1h

I also don't know why diesel engine opttion is suggested to every buyet

Nobchem

•2h

Planning to buy a car, shortlisted nexon, 3 xo and Kylaq . Whether to go with manual or automatic.. usage is 10 km avg city ride and 1000 km highway quarterly..which is best suitable

More questions on similar cars

Devakumar

•1d

I have booked the Tata Sierra Adventure Plus petrol manual, but I am now confused between the petrol and diesel manual variants, particularly in terms of mileage and performance. I am not interested in an automatic transmission. My annual running is less than 6,000 km. Could you please advise which engine option would be more suitable for my usage? Additionally, I would appreciate any alternative suggestions for a spacious car with good mileage that fits my needs.

Autocar India

•1h

The Tata Sierra is a big, heavy car, and the petrol engine, being a naturally aspirated unit, feels just about adequate, especially once you load it up or hit the highway. The diesel, on the other hand, suits the car far better with its stronger low-end pull, making overtakes easier and long-distance driving far more relaxed.That said, with your low annual running of under 6000 km, the petrol still makes sense if your usage is mostly in the city. It will feel smoother, easier to live with and perfectly adequate for everyday driving, even if it lacks that effortless punch on highways.If you are open to alternatives for a better petrol manual experience, the Renault Duster with its turbo petrol engine is a strong option. It feels far more effortless to drive, while naturally aspirated options like the Kia Seltos or Hyundai Creta offer a more refined and effortless experience than the Sierra petrol.

Aditya Gupta

I am looking for a mid-size SUV with a diesel engine and an automatic transmission. I am confused between the Hyundai Creta and the new Kia Seltos. My running is mostly in the city, about 10 to 20 km daily. Please help.

Autocar India

•22h

Go for the Kia Seltos diesel automatic. It is essentially a more evolved version of the same package, using the same proven engine and gearbox as the Creta , but offering more space, a bigger boot and a noticeably more premium interior along with a longer feature list.Importantly, unlike the older Seltos, the new one has a much more pliant and comfortable ride, so that is no longer a drawback. This makes it just as usable for your daily 10 to 20 km city driving while still being better overall.The Hyundai Creta is still a solid, no-nonsense option with a comfortable cabin and proven track record, but it now feels like the more conservative choice rather than the best one, until the new Creta comes early next year.

Kia Seltos

Hyundai Creta

Kritarth

•1d

I am planning to buy the Renault Duster Techno 1.3 DCT. I also have the option of the Kia Seltos, but I am confused between the two. I drive very rarely, in the city two or three times a month, and on highways once a month.

Autocar India

•23h

Opt for the Kia Seltos. With your very low usage, just a few city drives a month and occasional highway trips, you need something that is easy, refined and completely hassle-free every time you take it out, and the Seltos fits that role perfectly.It feels smooth and effortless to drive, especially in the city, and overall comes across as a more polished and well-rounded product, which matters more when the car is not used daily. It is the kind of car you can pick up after a gap, and it just feels familiar and easy to live with, without demanding too much from you.The Renault Duster 1.3 DCT is the more enthusiast-focused option with a stronger, more engaging driving experience, and you will enjoy it more on highways, but that strength only really comes into play if you drive often and value that engagement regularly.

Kia Seltos

Renault Duster

View all Posts