I currently own a 2022 Kia Seltos that has covered 35,000 km. My wife and I are the primary occupants, and we usually take one or two road trips every six months, covering up to 300 km in a day on highways. We are both 66 years old. I plan to continue driving myself for the next five years, after which I expect to hire a chauffeur. I have been considering replacing the Seltos with the MG Hector Savvy CVT 6-seater. Given my usage and future plans, would it be better to make the change now or wait?

autocar.india

•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.

Kia Seltos

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

autocar.india

•9h

With 70-80% highway usage and a preference for a diesel automatic, the Kia Seltos diesel automatic is the most sensible upgrade from your i20 Active. The Seltos diesel is a good highway performer with a refined engine, a well-sorted automatic gearbox and a comfortable, premium cabin. The 1.5 diesel is very efficient too.The Tata Sierra diesel automatic is a good alternative if you prioritise ride comfort, rear seat space and a large boot, but the Seltos is the more polished and proven product overall.

Kia Seltos

Hyundai i20

Tata Sierra

autocar.india

•9h

The Clavis wasn’t part of your shortlist, but with seven members in the family, it is worth adding to the list. It makes more sense than the Seltos or Hyryder because you get a genuinely usable third row without making a major compromise on your budget, as it is around the same price. It also suits your very low running costs better than a hybrid, while offering easy city driving and relatively low running and maintenance costs.If you specifically want an SUV, the Mahindra XUV 7XO would be the next option. It offers stronger performance, a more substantial SUV feel and better highway ability, although it is larger and will cost more to run.The Seltos and Hyryder remain good five-seaters, but with seven people in the family, the third row will eventually become a requirement rather than a luxury.

Kia Carens Clavis

Kia Seltos

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Mahindra XUV 7XO