Autocar India
•2d

I am planning to buy kia seltos in some time before the end of this year. With this Ethanol controversy going on, should I buy the petrol variant or go for the diesel variant of Seltos?

Verified
•3m

Buy the Seltos petrol. Kia’s current petrol engines are E20-ready, so the ethanol noise should not worry you, and the real-world hit is usually a small drop in mileage, not reliability. For mostly city use, the petrol is smoother, quieter and simpler to live with, and you avoid diesel’s soot filter quirks that show up on short trips. You also save on the higher upfront price of the diesel and sidestep longer-term policy risk around diesels in big cities.

Go diesel only if your running is high and largely highway. The diesel will give you noticeably better mileage and relaxed cruising, so if you do something like 1,200-1,500 km a month at steady speeds, the maths can work in its favour. Just keep in mind it needs occasional longer drives to keep the DPF happy.

If you are buying before year-end and plan regular mixed city use, the petrol Seltos is the safer, easier choice. The only real trade-off is fuel cost on long trips, where the diesel will sip less.

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•5d

I am confused between the Kia Seltos HTK Petrol Automatic and the HTE (O) Diesel Automatic, as both are similarly priced. My annual running will be around 10,000 km, with most of my driving in the city and occasional expressway trips. Which variant should I choose? My budget is around Rs. 17 lakh. I would also appreciate suggestions for any better alternatives from other brands.

Verified
•1d

Pick the Kia Seltos HTK petrol automatic. Your use is mostly city and only 10,000 km a year, so the smooth, quiet petrol suits you better, and the fuel cost gap to diesel will be small at that running. For similar money, the HTK gives you more useful kit than the lower HTE(O) diesel variant, so day-to-day it will feel like the nicer car to live with.The diesel automatic is great for long highway hauls and heavy loads, and will sip less on trips, but short city runs can be hard on modern diesels, and you’ll add urea top-ups and slightly higher service costs. It only starts to make sense if you do a lot more highway or cross 15,000 km a year.If you’re open to others around this budget, look at Honda Elevate with the automatic for a very easy city drive and simple ownership, or Skoda Kushaq 1.0 automatic if you want a stronger engine and a more fun feel. Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara automatic is another easy-going, efficient city pick, just not very quick.

VehicleKia Seltos
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VehicleMaruti Suzuki Grand Vitara
VehicleHonda Elevate
•1d

My usual running is approx 500 km in a month. I am a family of 3 plus 1 pet. We currently have a Kia Seltos 1.4 Petrol DCT and want to upgrade to a bigger vehicle. Which would be suitable for my use between the Innova Hycross and the Skoda Kodiaq?

Verified
•1d

The Skoda Kodiaq would be the right choice for you. Assuming you opted for a Kia Seltos 1.4 Turbo DCT for the way it drives, you'll like the Kodiaq's driving manners. It's got a peppy engine and neat handling, and there's also the added safety net of all-wheel drive. The Kodiaq also feels like an upgrade thanks to a more premium and upmarket interior ambience. Quality levels are really good, and it feels like an expensive car. Fuel economy isn't great, but for your kind of usage, running costs won't pinch. Routine service and spares will be pricier than the Toyota, though.The Toyota Innova Hycross is roomier and more efficient (if you take the hybrid), but doesn't match the performance and general feel-good factor of a Kodiaq.

VehicleSkoda Kodiaq
VehicleKia Seltos
VehicleToyota Innova HyCross
•2d

I am considering the Kia Seltos HTE petrol with the NA engine. Will it be suitable for 800 km highway trips and around 200 km of city driving in Tamil Nadu? Will it feel underpowered because of the K3 platform?

Verified
•8h

Yes, the Kia Seltos 1.5 petrol HTE will handle 800 km on highways and 200 km city in Tamil Nadu just fine. It will sit at 90-100 kph all day without feeling strained, the engine is smooth, and it’s easy to live with in traffic.It won’t feel weak because of the K3 platform. Platform decides stiffness and safety; how strong it feels is down to the 1.5 engine and gearing. This motor is good for steady cruising, but quick overtakes from 80-120 need a downshift and some space, especially with five adults and luggage. On flat TN highways like Chennai-Trichy or Salem-Kanyakumari, you’re sorted; on steeper ghats, you’ll work the gears a bit more.The honest catch is that it isn’t exciting when fully loaded. If you often drive with a full family and want easier, shorter overtakes, the Seltos turbo petrol feels much stronger, though it costs more and will use a bit more fuel. If your trips are mostly relaxed with two to four on board, the HTE NA is absolutely okay and won’t feel underpowered for your use.

VehicleKia Seltos

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•6d

I am planning to buy an SUV and prefer the German twins Škoda and Volkswagen. Which one is better? Also, how significant is the DSG issue in bumper-to-bumper traffic in the NCR region? This will be my fourth car, so I want to try a German brand.

Verified
•4d

Between the German twins, the choice largely comes down to personal preference, as they share the same engines, gearboxes and underpinnings. We slightly prefer the Kushaq for its cleaner design, excellent ride and handling balance and overall value proposition.As for the DSG, it isn't as big a concern as it once was. The current DSGs are far more robust than the earlier units, but if your driving is predominantly in bumper-to-bumper NCR traffic, a torque-converter automatic is still the smoother and more relaxed option over the long term. If you want to stay with a German SUV but avoid the DSG altogether, the 1.0 TSI automatic in the Kushaq and Taigun now comes with an 8-speed Aisin torque-converter, which is smooth, refined and better suited to heavy city traffic.Coming from the S-Cross Petrol, you'll notice a significant step up in performance, cabin quality, safety and driving dynamics with either car.

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•6d

I have a Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid, and I am extremely satisfied with its mileage (900-1000 km from 45 liters). However, I am losing the joy of driving. I migrated to this car after owning a Swift Dzire Diesel and an XL6. The mismatch between engine revs and acceleration is becoming unpleasant. Overtaking feels riskier, and even the brakes feel spongy. I have experienced a few unpleasant situations because of this. As a result, I have reduced my overall speed, making the safety of my family a bigger priority. But the driver in me is unhappy. Should I upgrade to the Duster Hybrid, the Hycross Hybrid, or the newly launched Sierra EV? Also, do diesel engines still make sense today?

Verified
•5d

From what you've described, the Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid has impressed you with its efficiency but left you wanting more from behind the wheel. If driving enjoyment is back on your priority list, the Duster Hybrid looks like the most natural upgrade. It is expected to offer a much more engaging driving experience while retaining the fuel efficiency benefits of a strong hybrid.The Toyota Innova HyCross Hybrid will certainly improve on comfort, refinement and performance, but it won't fundamentally change the character you're looking for. It is still geared towards relaxed family motoring rather than enthusiastic driving.The Tata Sierra EV is an interesting option and has now been launched. It promises strong performance, a premium cabin and a spacious interior. However, if the "driver in you" misses the involvement and confidence of your earlier diesel cars, we'd still wait to experience how the Duster Hybrid drives before making a decision.As for diesels, we don't think they should be ruled out altogether. With the right usage, they continue to make sense. However, given your appreciation for the fuel economy of your Grand Vitara and the direction the market is heading, we'd lean towards a strong hybrid rather than going back to diesel.

VehicleMaruti Suzuki Grand Vitara
VehicleToyota Innova HyCross
VehicleTata Sierra EV
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•1w

Hi. I am planning to purchase an automatic car under Rs 15 lakh. My driving is split equally between traffic and normal roads. The options I'm considering are: Mahindra XUV 3XO REVX A TC, Hyundai Venue HX6 DCT, Skoda Kushaq Classic Plus TC, and Kia Sonet HTX DCT. Please suggest the best option for me.

Verified
•5d

Pick the Skoda Kushaq Classic Plus automatic. Your driving mix of traffic and open roads suits its 6-speed torque converter very well. It creeps smoothly in jams and never overheats, and the 1.0 turbo petrol is punchy for quick passes. It also feels more surefooted at speed than the others here, which makes longer runs less tiring, and it’s among the safest in this lot thanks to its 5-star crash safety rating. It's also the only one here that's not a compact SUV (sub-4 metre).The Hyundai Venue and Kia Sonet are tempting for the features they offer, but their DCTs aren't as smooth. The XUV 3XO with the torque converter is also a good fit and roomier, but the Kushaq still feels nicer to drive overall.Be aware that the Skoda’s cabin and feature list in Classic Plus isn't on par with the Koreans, and Skoda’s service reach is smaller. If you value a calm, durable auto for daily congestion and a confident feel on weekend runs, the Kushaq Classic Plus AT is the one to buy under Rs. 15 lakh.

VehicleSkoda Kushaq
VehicleHyundai Venue
VehicleKia Sonet

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Posted on: 7 Jul 2026