I’m considering the Kia Seltos GTX automatic and need advice on choosing between petrol and diesel. My annual running is 15-18k km, with the majority of highway usage (50-60%). Looking for insights on real-world mileage, maintenance, long-term cost of ownership, and highway drivability

Autocar India

•2h

Pick the Kia Seltos GTX diesel automatic with 15-18k km a year and lots of highway use, it will cost you less to run, and it feels stronger and more relaxed on the open road. The 6‑speed automatic is smooth and friendly in traffic, and on the highway, it settles into a calm, easy drive that suits long trips.

On mileage, the diesel will give you clearly better real-world numbers than the turbo petrol DCT, especially on the highway, think roughly 3-4 kpl more on long runs, and a bit more in the city too. Service for the diesel can be slightly costlier per visit than petrol, but even with that, total ownership cost usually works out lower for your usage. Resale for diesel automatics in this class is strong today, which also helps long-term cost.

One thing to be aware of: the diesel is a little noisier at idle than the turbo petrol, and like all new diesels, it has an exhaust filter that prefers some highway time now, and then your driving mix suits it well.

If you mainly want a quieter cabin in town and more outright performance, then the Seltos GTX turbo petrol DCT is the better choice. But expect higher fuel use and an automatic that can feel a bit jerky at very low speeds.

For your pattern, the diesel automatic fits best. On your test drive, do a steady 90-100 kph cruise and a few quick overtakes from 60-80 to feel how little effort the diesel needs. Then check if you are comfortable with the engine sound at idle.

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Vicky Purohit

•3d

Hi Team, I am planning to buy a new car as I currently own a 2012 Hyundai i10. My budget is strictly ₹13.5 lakh, and my daily running is around 30 km, mostly on highways. I am considering the Kia Seltos, as it seems to offer good value even in the base variant. Could you please suggest whether this is the right choice or recommend better alternatives within my budget?

Autocar India

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Go for the Kia Seltos HTE 1.5 petrol manual, which has an on-road price of about Rs 13.1 lakh. For your daily 30 km highway run and as an upgrade from your 2012 i10, it fits best. You will feel a clear step up in space, seat comfort and high-speed stability on the highway, and the taller driving position gives you a better view out. The 1.5 petrol is smooth and easy to live with, the clutch and gearshift are light, and Kia’s service reach is strong in most cities, so ownership should be simple.One thing to be aware of: the Seltos 1.5-litre NA engine is very refined, but not the most enthusiastic performer. If you find performance lacking, then try the Honda Elevate instead. However, you will be giving up a few features.Overall, the Seltos HTE suits your use and will feel like a big, easy step up from your i10.

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Rohit Khedkar

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I have been using a Honda City for the past 15 years and have been completely satisfied with it. However, with increasing traffic, I am now considering switching to an automatic car. My driving is about 85% in the city, with a monthly usage of around 300 km. Which SUV under ₹20 lakh would be the best choice for long-term ownership?

Autocar India

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Go for the Honda Elevate ZX CVT. Given you’ve loved your City for 15 years, this feels familiar in quality and service, but it makes daily traffic much easier and gives you the taller seating you now want.For 85 percent city use and just 300 km a month, the CVT automatic suits you best. The Elevate’s light steering, good all-round view and higher ground clearance make speed breakers and broken roads far less stressful than in your City. Honda’s simple, proven petrol setup and wide service network mean worry-free ownership for the long run, and you’ll likely feel right at home with the controls and the way it drives.It's worth noting that the cabin isn’t as flashy or feature-packed as some others in this price range. If this is a deal-breaker, then consider the Kia Seltos CVT instead.On your test drive, crawl in heavy traffic and try a few steep speed breakers back to back. Also, hop in the back seat and see if it feels comfortable and spacious enough.

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Satheesh

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I am planning to buy a new car with a budget of around ₹15-19 lakh. I drive approximately 5,000-6,000 km per year. I have been considering the Kia Seltos and the Skoda Kushaq 2026 facelift, but I am unsure which one would be the better choice for my needs. Could you please advise which car I should consider? Also, feel free to suggest any other suitable options in this segment.

Autocar India

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Go for the Kia Seltos HTX 1.5 petrol CVT with your low yearly running and budget; it is the easiest, smoothest choice right now. The 1.5 petrol suits 5-6k km a year, and the CVT automatic, makes driving in city traffic very calm with no sudden jerks. The Seltos is easy to see out of, light to steer in town, and feels steady on the highway. Kia’s service network is wide, so upkeep is simple in most cities.One thing to be aware of is that this engine and CVT are tuned for smoothness more than strong bursts of speed, so highway overtakes need a steady press on the pedal rather than a quick stab.Consider the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI AT if you find the highway performance of the Seltos inadequate. It offers more performance, and its 8-speed automatic is smooth in traffic too, though it isn't as large or spacious as the Seltos.Overall, the Seltos HTX CVT fits your use best. During the test drive, spend 10 minutes in slow traffic to feel the smoothness, then hit a rough stretch to check ride comfort.

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