Hi Autocar, I need advice on choosing between the Seltos AT and Alcazar Manual, and also whether I should go for a petrol or diesel engine. I travel from Noida to Gurgaon around two times a week. In addition, I make two city trips every month, with each trip covering approximately 500-550 km. My total monthly driving is around 1,200 to 1,500 km. I currently own an automatic car, which has covered 47,000 km in 4.5 years. I am getting a very good discount on the Hyundai Alcazar Diesel Executive Manual variant. Its price is approximately ₹1 lakh lower than the Kia Seltos HTK AT Diesel variant. Please advise which option would be the better buy.

Autocar India

•23h

Yes, that is a very good choice for your usage. With mostly city driving, the Hyundai Creta S Optional petrol manual makes a lot of sense because the naturally aspirated petrol engine is smooth, refined and very easy to drive in traffic, while the clutch is light and power delivery is predictable, which makes everyday commuting far less tiring. Even for occasional highway runs, it has enough performance to feel comfortable without ever feeling strained.If you want to look at one alternative, the Kia Seltos petrol manual is worth considering as well. It uses the same engine, so the overall driving experience will feel very similar, but the Seltos is the newer product and even its lower variants are well equipped. It also feels slightly larger and a touch more comfortable inside.

Hyundai Creta

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

•1d

If you specifically want a diesel manual SUV with a more polished and premium overall experience, it is still worth waiting a little longer for the Kia Seltos HTX. The Seltos feels more mature and well-rounded in everyday use. It comes with a more refined diesel engine, a better finished cabin and a generally more easygoing ownership experience. Plus, it is also the more sensible size for daily driving while still being comfortable and capable on highways, and fuel efficiency will be noticeably better than the Mahindra.On the other hand, the Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7T gives you a much more powerful diesel engine, along with a bigger cabin, stronger road presence and a more involving overall driving experience. It feels more special from behind the wheel and offers superb value for money for such a large car at this price. However, it is also a larger and more cumbersome car to use daily, and real-world fuel efficiency will be significantly lower compared to the Seltos.

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

•1d

With 70% highway use from Bengaluru and a booking already on the Seltos HTX diesel manual, we would stay with the Seltos HTX rather than switch to the Sierra Adventure+ diesel manual. For long runs, the Kia’s diesel feels strong in higher gears, it is refined, and it stays steady and fairly quiet at cruising speeds. The HTX is also well equipped, and its size is easy to live with in the city.Pick the Sierra Adventure+ only if you truly need more rear cabin space and value extra features, and if you are okay with a bigger car to park and likely a higher on-road price. Given your highway-heavy use and the booking in hand, the Seltos HTX diesel manual lines up best right now for strong cruising, easy overtakes and simpler day-to-day use in the city.

Kia Seltos

Tata Sierra

Autocar India

•3d

Going by your shortlist, you want a bigger family car on a tight budget and are looking at base trims. If you need the car in the next couple of months for mostly city use with some weekend trips, pick the Kia Seltos HTE (O) IVT. It is well equipped and, compared to the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, gives you more back-seat space and boot room.The Brezza update will be relatively minor, though we expect the 1.5 NA engine to make way for the 1.0 turbo-petrol from the Fronx. Waiting for it only makes sense if you mainly drive in tight city areas and want an easier-to-park car.Overall, for a near-term purchase and everyday comfort, the Seltos lines up best with what you’re considering.

Kia Seltos

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Autocar India

•2d

You’re after a no-drama, long-term family car that is easy to drive, comfortable and roomy. For that brief, the Honda Elevate VX CVT is a good fit. The VX CVT is the sweet spot because the automatic keeps the engine smooth in traffic, and the VX trim gets the useful features without pushing the price too high.Why it fits your list: Honda’s simple 1.5 petrol has a long, clean track record, so it suits your “no issues for 10+ years” aim. The driving position is high, the steering is light, and the CVT makes stop-go city work very easy. Space is good for four adults, the seats are supportive, and the suspension deals with broken roads well, so daily comfort is strong.Trade-offs to note: it is not the quickest for fast highway passes, and rivals offer more flashy features. If you expect a lot of high-speed use with a full load, you may want more punch.Regarding waiting for a facelift, while it may launch this year, there is no confirmed date or list of changes. An update usually brings small styling tweaks and a few extra features, and prices can go up too. The basics you care about are space, ease of driving, Honda’s engine and service and these are unlikely to change much.If you do want to look around, pick the Kia Seltos IVT for more features and a more modern cabin. Overall, for your needs, the Elevate VX CVT lines up best right now.

Honda Elevate

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

•2d

Both perform very well for your requirements, but overall, the Skoda Kylaq is the better choice. The Citroen C3 X has a slightly comfier ride quality, its AC performance is very strong, and its 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine is quite punchy. However, the Kylaq's 1.0 TSI engine is more powerful, and the 6-speed automatic gearbox has been tuned for even greater responses. As such, it will feel more eager on ghats and highways. It too has excellent suspension and absorbs bumps and broken roads well. Moreover, the Kylaq sits in a segment above and hence offers more space in the back seat and the boot, which will be useful for your passengers and luggage. Moreover, the build quality is stronger, the interior feels more upmarket, and though it may be more expensive, there are more features on offer than in the Citroen. Hence, we recommend that you go with the Skoda.

Skoda Kylaq

Citroen C3