Mumbai

Akshay Shah

•4w

Hi Autocar Team, I am planning to buy the Kia Seltos GTX+ (Automatic) and am confused about which engine to choose: 1.5L naturally aspirated petrol, 1.5L turbo petrol, or diesel. I have heard that the NA petrol is not very powerful. My monthly running is around 500-600 km in Ahmedabad city, with highway trips of 500-600 km once every 4-5 months. Could you please suggest which engine would be best suited for my usage? Also, should I consider the Mahindra XUV7XO, and if yes, which variant? My budget is not a constraint.

Autocar India

•4w

Your running is mostly city with relatively low monthly kilometres, so petrol makes more sense than diesel. It is smoother, easier to live with and avoids the need to think about DPF or long-term diesel usage patterns.

Now, within petrol, the choice depends on what you value more. The 1.5 NA petrol with IVT is the most suited for your use. It is smooth, very easy to drive in traffic and pairs well with the IVT gearbox, which is seamless in stop-go conditions. It may not feel very powerful on paper, but in real-world use, it is adequate for both city driving and occasional highway trips if you drive in a relaxed manner.

The 1.5 turbo petrol with DCT is the more performance-oriented option. It feels quicker and more responsive, especially on highways and during overtakes. However, in city traffic, the DCT can feel slightly less smooth, and fuel efficiency will be lower. It suits someone who prioritises performance over ease.

So the difference is clear. The IVT is about smoothness and comfort; the DCT is about performance.

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More questions on similar cars

Anup

•23h

I am a bit confused between the Kia Seltos HTX 1.5L Petrol Manual and the Renault Duster Iconic 1.3L Turbo Petrol Manual. Considering my daily commute of around 40 km (to and fro), the need for good fuel efficiency, and regular weekend outings with my family, which one would offer better value for money within a budget of Rs. 20 lakh?

Autocar India

•13h

With a 40km daily commute, fuel efficiency, refinement and ease of ownership become more important than outright performance. The naturally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol in the Kia Seltos is smoother in stop-start traffic, easier to drive and should return better real-world fuel economy than the Duster's 1.3-litre turbo-petrol.The Renault Duster's strengths lie elsewhere. It feels tougher, rides better on poor roads and has a more robust SUV character. The 1.3 turbo-petrol also delivers noticeably stronger mid-range performance, making it the more enjoyable car on highways. However, turbo-petrol engines generally reward a lighter right foot and tend to consume more fuel when driven enthusiastically.For weekend family trips, the Seltos also scores highly with its spacious cabin, feature-rich interior and overall refinement. The HTX trim offers a strong equipment list without stretching the budget, and the Seltos remains one of the most rounded family SUVs in the segment.

Kia Seltos

Renault Duster

Sabya

•4d

We're a family of three. I'm looking for a reliable petrol automatic with high safety, good fuel efficiency, E20 compliance, ADAS features, and all the modern equipment expected in a B- or C-segment car. A strong hybrid would be preferred, although options are limited. My budget is ideally under Rs 20 lakh on-road, with a maximum stretch to Rs 25 lakh. Running will be 30% city and 70% highway. Future-proofing is important, and while E20 compliance is essential, I am also interested in vehicles that may be compatible with future E30 fuel blends. Please suggest at least three models.

Autocar India

•22h

Our first recommendation would be the Kia Seltos 1.5 petrol automatic. With 70% highway driving, you will appreciate its comprehensive ADAS suite with adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance. It also has a 5-star Bharat NCAP safety rating, a wide service network, and you’ll get the full spread of modern features inside your budget. The honest catch is that the automatic is tuned for calm progress, not thrills. The honest catch is that the automatic is tuned for calm progress, not thrills.The Hyundai Creta 1.5 petrol automatic lands very close. It matches the features and ADAS you want, rides a touch softer for family comfort, and Hyundai’s service reach is the strongest. Highway economy is similar to the Seltos, and it is E20-ready.The Honda Elevate is a strong choice, too, giving you ADAS and a very easy drive. It also offers slightly quicker performance than the above two. It stays within your price range and is proven on long runs.All three are E20-compliant. No mainstream brand here officially guarantees E30 yet, so that is the one future-proofing gap today.

Shourya

I want to buy an SUV and have a daily commute of around 40 km, along with occasional highway trips of up to 1,000 km. However, I am confused about whether I should choose an EV or a diesel variant. I am currently based in Indore, and given the current oil situation, I am inclined towards an EV. However, I am concerned about the limited availability of charging infrastructure in Tier 3 and Tier 4 cities such as Damoh and Sagar. My main worries are the availability of charging stations during long highway journeys, as well as the time required to recharge the vehicle. Could you please advise whether an EV or a diesel SUV would be the better choice?

Autocar India

•1d

Pick a diesel SUV for now, because your 1000 km highway runs will be far less stressful. Owning a diesel means 5 minute refuels almost anywhere, no hunting for chargers or waiting for the battery to be topped up. With today’s patchy fast-charging in tier 3-4 towns, an EV road trip still needs careful planning, backup options, and usually 2-3 long stops. Your 40 km daily run does suit an EV, but only if you have reliable home charging and if those long trips are rare.For diesel, a Hyundai Creta or Kia Seltos is the easy, efficient, and comfortable choice. If you want lower city running cost without charging worries, pick a strong-hybrid like the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder or Maruti Suzuki Victoris instead.

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Balaji

•3d

I am looking to buy a 6/7-seater EV. My primary usage will be as a 4-seater, with occasional 6-seater use. I will mainly drive it in the city for my daily office commute and undertake long-distance trips of around 500 km once every two months. I have a solar setup at home and can charge the vehicle comfortably. My budget is Rs 30-40 lakh, although I can stretch it slightly if required.

Autocar India

•2d

You should go for the Mahindra XEV 9S. It's a proper three-row EV, and it fits your use case perfectly. With home solar charging, your running costs are very low, and the smooth, quiet drive is just right for city runs as a 4-seater. When you do need six or seven seats, the third row is reasonably spacious, and for your 500 km trip every couple of months, you’ll need just one quick top-up at a highway charger.Do note that with all three rows up, boot space is tight, so your highway trips will require some planning.Alternatively, consider the Kia Carens Clavis EV. It isn't as feature-rich and doesn't have as much range as the XEV 9S, but its third row is more comfortable for adults.

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Mohamed khalidh

•1w

I am getting the Hyundai i20 Sportz IVT for Rs. 9.5 lakh and the Honda Amaze VX CVT for Rs. 10.5 lakh. Which one should I buy?

Autocar India

•6d

Pick the Hyundai i20 Sportz IVT. Besides being Rs 1 lakh more affordable, the i20 feels like a more refined, smooth and polished car in comparison. The cabin feels a touch nicer with better quality of materials and fit-finish, and the rear seat is wider if you occasionally seat three.If you often do airport runs or road trips with family, the Amaze CVT VX could makes sense on account of its huge boot. But overall, the i20 IVT is the better pick.

Hyundai i20

Honda Amaze

Sandeep

•2d

I want to buy a car under Rs 12 lakh. It should be a petrol automatic and will be my first car. I need good ground clearance, a good engine and gearbox combination for 70% city and 30% highway use, and my daily running is around 30 km in Bengaluru traffic. Comfort, space, decent fuel efficiency, ease of driving, and long-term ownership are important to me. I do not want a Fronx, Baleno, i20, Exter, Punch, or Nexon. Please suggest a value-for-money option. Thank you.

Autocar India

•1d

Given your exclusions, the Skoda Kylaq automatic would be our first recommendation. Specifically, the Signature automatic is if you can stretch slightly. The 1.0 TSI turbo petrol and torque converter automatic are a very good combination for Bangalore traffic. The gearbox is smooth, the engine has enough punch for highway overtakes, and the car feels more premium and substantial than most options in this price range. Ground clearance is good, it is easy to drive, and it has the solid feel that many first-time buyers appreciate.Another strong option is the Mahindra XUV 3XO MX2 Pro automatic. It has a wider rear seat, feels bigger inside and is one of the most spacious compact SUVs in the segment. The torque converter automatic is smooth, and it is comfortable for city use. The downside is that fuel efficiency is not that great, and the boot is on the smaller side.If you are willing to consider a sedan, the Honda Amaze CVT is also worth a look. The CVT is exceptionally smooth in traffic, reliability is excellent, and it is the kind of car you can comfortably keep for a decade. The only reason it is not our primary recommendation is that you specifically mentioned wanting good ground clearance.

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