I am planning to buy the Kia Seltos HTX (A) with the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine and automatic transmission. What are your thoughts on this variant? Is it a good choice, or would you recommend any other cars in the same segment?

Autocar India

•5w

The Kia Seltos with the 1.5 NA petrol engine is a nice pick if you are not necessarily looking for exciting performance. Power delivery is smooth, refinement is good, and there's enough performance for average city driving. There is enough power for gentle cruising on the highway, too. You will miss the punch from the engine when you want a fast overtake, though. The 1.5 NA petrol engine works particularly well with the IVT auto gearbox.

If it's a punchy performance you are looking for, the Seltos with the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine is worth a look. Alternatives include Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun, whose 1.0-litre/ 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engines feel strong and exciting.

Explore cars mentioned

Skoda

Kushaq

from ₹12.45 Lakh

Volkswagen

Taigun

from ₹12.80 Lakh

Anand

•1w

I am planning to buy Kia Seltos HTX petrol. However it does not have ADAS. SHOULD I spend more and buy HTX-A or HTX is good enough?

Anand

•1w

I am planning on buying Kia Seltos HTX petrol. It does not have adas. Is it worth buying it? Or I must shed out more money and go for htx-a?

More questions on similar cars

Rahul Singh

•1w

Hi, my family is planning to buy a car by the end of the year in December. Our current options are Venue, Kylaq, Punch, and Nexon. We want an automatic and preferably diesel if it fits within the budget of ₹12–14 lakh. I already own a 2021 Creta SX (O) CRDi AT and have driven it for 85,000 km across India without any performance issues, so I am slightly biased towards Hyundai Venue. What would be your advice?

Autocar India

•13h

Since you are leaning towards a diesel, the only models shortlisted by you, that offer a diesel engine are the Hyundai Venue and Tata Nexon. The Skoda Kushaq and Tata Punch do not come with a diesel option.Between the Hyundai Venue 1.5 diesel and the Tata Nexon 1.5 diesel, the Venue diesel would be my pick. Given your experience with the Creta SX(O) CRDi AT and 85,000 km of trouble‑free running across India, it makes sense to stay with a familiar and proven Hyundai diesel powertrain. In your budget, the Hyundai Venue HX5 Diesel AT is the variant to focus on. It gives you the 1.5‑litre diesel with a proper 6-speed automatic and a sensible balance of features without stretching the budget unnecessarily.The Nexon feels more robust, has a bigger boot, and is a strong product on its own. However, the Venue has more finesse, a higher quality interior, a smoother and more consistent drivetrain, and overall feels better put together. For your usage and preferences, the Venue HX5 Diesel AT is the more confidence‑inspiring choice.

Shervin PJ

I am planning to buy a 2026 Kushaq 1.5 DSG. My usage will be 60% city and 40% highway. Will the city usage be a dealbreaker? I do night shift, so I can expect real traffic only onward to the office, and I tend to travel to the office only twice a week. Am I making the right choice?

Autocar India

•1d

With 60% city, 40% highway, mostly night runs and only two commutes a week, the Skoda Kushaq 1.5 TSI DSG is a good choice for you. The DSG automatic, a dual-clutch gearbox, changes gears very quickly, which is good for confident overtaking on the highway and for scooting around in the city.On your night drives, the roads will be clearer, and this gearbox feels smooth and quick when you get a gap. The Kushaq’s size also helps in the city; it is not too big, so parking and narrow lanes are easier. Safety is a strong point too; the current Skoda Kushaq is rated 5-star, and the 2026 update should be just as safe.The one thing to know: in very slow, bumper-to-bumper traffic, a DSG can feel a bit jerky at crawl. But, given your driving pattern, which is light traffic at night, and only two office runs a week, this is unlikely to be a problem.

Skoda Kushaq

Annesha Chakraborty

•2d

I am looking to buy an automatic petrol car within a budget of ₹18 lakh. My requirements are: 5-star safety, comfort for family use, mostly city driving, and occasional trips outside the city. I have explored the Skoda Kushaq, Slavia, and Tata Nexon, but I do not want to go with Tata as I already own a Tiago. I am open to options from Toyota, Hyundai, and Kia, provided they meet my safety requirements. Please advise.

Autocar India

•1d

On a Rs 18 lakh budget, for your requirements, the Hyundai Verna HX6+ IVT automatic is a good pick because it meets your 5-star safety needs and feels the most relaxed in traffic. The IVT, a CVT by another name, is a type of automatic that does not shift in steps, so it feels very smooth at low speeds, which makes stop-and-go driving easy. The back seat is roomy, the ride is comfortable over rough patches, and Hyundai’s wide service network adds peace of mind on those occasional trips out of town. The latest Verna has a 5-star Global NCAP crash test rating in India, so you are not compromising on your main ask. You could stretch to the HX8 variant if you want more features and your budget is flexible.Two things to keep in mind with the Verna: it sits lower than a taller car like the Skoda Kushaq, so you need a bit more care on big speed breakers, and the rear seat is set a little low, so elderly family members who prefer a higher seat may not love it. If you want a higher seating position and more ground clearance without giving up 5-star safety, go for the Kia Seltos HTK(O) Petrol CVT, which recently got a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating. Though you might sacrifice some features in this variant on your budget.

Hyundai Verna

Skoda Kushaq

Kia Seltos

View all Posts