I am planning to buy the Kia Seltos IVT automatic. My usage will be primarily city driving in Bangalore, along with occasional highway trips that include ghat sections. I would like to understand whether the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with the IVT gearbox will be sufficient when the car is fully loaded (5 passengers plus luggage).

Autocar India

•1h

Considering your requirements, the Kia Seltos 1.5 petrol IVT is a good fit and will do the job. The IVT is Kia’s smooth automatic that feels very easy to drive in stop-and-go traffic, which is what you face most days. On hills, it will climb cleanly if you don’t rush it. With a full load, you will need to press the throttle a bit more, but it will hold speed fine on steady inclines.

A few things to set expectations. When you ask for quick bursts, like an overtake uphill with five on board, the engine will need a moment to build speed, and it will sound louder when you push it hard. On the highway with a full car, you will find it happier at a calm, steady pace.

If you see yourself doing those sections very often with all five seats filled and lots of luggage, and you want stronger performance, the Seltos turbo-petrol automatic or the diesel automatic will feel noticeably stronger on climbs and during quick overtakes. But for mostly city use with occasional trips, the Seltos IVT keeps life simple and stress-free, which suits your routine best.

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More questions on similar cars

Shriram

•1w

I am considering purchasing a used Mercedes-Benz B-Class (2018 model), petrol automatic, with around 30,000 km on the odometer. The asking price is approximately ₹12 lakh, and the car appears to be in fair condition. However, I am concerned about the long-term reliability of the engine and suspension, as well as the overall maintenance costs associated with this model. Could you please advise whether this is a reasonable deal and good value for money? Also, are there any better alternatives in a similar budget that would offer lower maintenance and more peace of mind? Thank you.

Autocar India

•22h

Skip this 2018 Mercedes-Benz B-Class petrol automatic at Rs. 12 lakh at “fair” condition; it is not a good value. At eight years old, the risk sits in exactly what you are worried about: the engine and suspension. The 1.6 turbo and the dual-clutch automatic can feel jerky at low speeds and can get hot in heavy traffic if not cared for. Front suspension parts, mounts, and bushings on this car are known to wear with age. At 30,000 km, the mileage is low, but rubber parts age with time, not just kilometres. Any fixes on a Mercedes will be costly, and this car is long out of warranty.If it has a full Mercedes service history, drives smoothly with no low-speed jerks, no thuds over bumps, no warning lights, fresh tyres and brakes, and it passes a pre-purchase check at a Mercedes workshop, we would only consider it closer to Rs. 10-11 lakh and keep some money aside for immediate work. Otherwise, walk away.A better buy for your money is a newer used Hyundai Creta/Kia Seltos petrol automatic with the IVT/CVT type gearbox, which is a very smooth automatic. These SUVs are easier to live with, cheaper to run, and have wide service support.

Hyundai Creta

Kia Seltos

sudip

•1d

I am planning to buy either the Tata Sierra or the Kia Seltos turbo-petrol automatic. My usage will be 90% in Bengaluru city traffic, with occasional highway drives. Hence, I am not sure if the Seltos DCT gearbox would become problematic after a few years due to heavy traffic. Would the Sierra’s torque converter be more reliable and a better choice in these conditions?

Autocar India

•23h

Go for the Tata Sierra torque converter. The key difference lies in how these gearboxes behave in the real-world conditions. The Seltos turbo-petrol DCT is quick and exciting, but in slow, crawling traffic, it can feel hesitant and slightly jerky, as it constantly works the clutch. This is not ideal for long-term ease in heavy city conditions. The Sierra’s torque converter is the opposite. This Tata car is smoother at low speeds, more forgiving in stop-go traffic, and generally better suited to this kind of usage, making daily driving far less tiring.There is a trade-off, though. Torque converter automatics are typically less fuel efficient than DCTs, and in a large, heavy car like the Sierra, you will notice this in real-world mileage. So, you are essentially choosing smoothness and durability over outright efficiency.

Tata Sierra

Kia Seltos

Abhishek

•1d

I own a 2018 Maruti Swift ZXi petrol manual. We are a family of four, with a 20 km daily city drive and occasional highway trips every 3-4 months. I have no issues with my current car. Should I upgrade to a mid-size SUV now or wait? Also, should I sell the Swift or keep it? My budget for a new car is Rs 15-20 lakh.

Autocar India

•3h

Your daily 20 km city drive and occasional highway trips are exactly what the Maruti Suzuki Swift does well. It is easy, efficient and already familiar to you, and since you are not facing any real limitation, moving to a mid-size SUV right now will feel more like a lifestyle upgrade than a necessity. You will gain space, comfort and a higher driving position with options like the Hyundai Creta or Kia Seltos, but in your current usage, the difference in day-to-day practicality will not be dramatic.Waiting also works in your favour. Your car still has useful life left, and upgrading later means you extract better value from it while also stepping into a newer generation of cars, when the upgrade will feel more meaningful.On the question of selling versus retaining, the approach is simple. If you upgrade later, sell the Swift while it still holds good value. If you upgrade now, keep it only if you genuinely need a second car.

Maruti Suzuki Swift

Hyundai Creta

Kia Seltos

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