Autocar India
6w

I’m planning to buy the Kia Seltos GTXO and am confused between the Turbo Petrol Automatic and the Diesel Automatic. My driving is a mix of city commutes and highway trips, although the majority of it is in the city. My annual running is around 10,000 km. I currently drive a diesel-manual Maruti Dzire, so I’m accustomed to the strong mileage of a diesel car. Initially, I was inclined towards the petrol Seltos, but I’m concerned about its lower fuel mileage compared to the diesel. At the same time, while the diesel offers better mileage, it comes with a DPF system that may require additional attention, especially with predominantly city driving. Considering my driving pattern, annual running, and the mix of city and highway usage, which would be the better choice for me: the Kia Seltos GTXO Turbo Petrol Automatic or the Diesel Automatic?

Verified
6w

Go for the Kia Seltos GTXO Turbo Petrol Automatic. With your annual running of around 10,000 km and a majority of city driving, the diesel’s fuel savings will take a long time to offset the higher purchase price. More importantly, the diesel’s DPF system is not ideal for predominantly city usage, as it relies on regular highway runs to regenerate properly. The turbo petrol, paired with the 7-speed dual-clutch automatic, is a strong performer and well suited to your mix of city and highway driving. It is responsive, refined and does not come with the DPF-related concerns of the diesel. Yes, the turbo petrol is not as fuel efficient as the diesel, but given your usage pattern, it is the more sensible and hassle-free choice. If you were doing significantly higher annual mileage with more highway driving, the diesel would make sense, but in your case, the turbo petrol is the better fit.

Kia Seltos

Kia Seltos

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15h

I have been using a Swift Dzire diesel for the last 11 years and now want to change to a new car. I am about to retire in a couple of years. My current car has covered around 1,50,000 km in the last 11 years, and I expect my usage to increase by around 10%. We are a family of five, but we rarely travel together. I love the driving power of the Dzire diesel, along with its fuel efficiency and low maintenance costs. Which car should I choose now? There is no budget constraint.

Verified
7h

With around 15,000 km a year and a 10% expected increase, you are still a high-mileage user, but your usage is not extreme. Since you rarely travel as a family of five, a midsize SUV would be the right segment.The key is to find a car that offers a similar sense of torque and effortless performance while keeping running costs reasonable. In your Rs 20-30 lakh price budget, you have quite a few diesel options to consider. Our top recommendation would be the Kia Seltos. The GTX (O) variant will fit your budget and comes with a proven 1.5-litre diesel engine that is reliable, efficient and torquey. This Kia car also comes paired with a 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox that is smooth to shift and offers a seamless and hassle-free drive in the city. The GTX (O) is also the top-spec model that comes extremely well-equipped with the likes of ADAS, LED headlamps, wireless connectivity, panoramic sunroof and a lot more. If you want to stray away from a diesel but still want the peace of mind of a Maruti, then a strong hybrid is also worth consideration. The Victoris, in its top spec, ZXi Plus (O), will get you a strong hybrid with an automatic gearbox and along with that you will get a decent amount of equipment as well. The strong hybrid means you have electric assist and that gives you good low-end performance in the city. Off-the-line response is a lot better and a lot like diesel, but then you get the convenience of an automatic, offering a nice smooth drive in the city. So overall it comes down to you. If you want to stick to a diesel, the Seltos is our top choice. If you want to move away, given the uncertainty of diesel, then a strong hybrid in the form of the Victoris will be a good choice to consider and will keep you in the Maruti family, which you are familiar with.

VehicleKia Seltos
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Victoris

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Posted on: 5 Aug 2026