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amita Dommalapaty

12w

I am planning to take the new kia seltos HTX A variant, I will use this in 50:50 % in city and highways, which transmission is better IVT or DCT?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
12w

Choosing the right petrol transmission when buying the new Kia Seltos depends on what you want. If you are looking for performance then without doubt go for the turbo petrol variant as it packs more punch and on open roads this extra performance will translate to more fun and effortless performance. On the downside fuel efficiency will be on the lower side and in city driving it will not feel as smooth as the 1.5 naturally aspirated engine.

The 1.5 litre IVT on the other hand feels much better than what the spec sheet suggests. It is creamy smooth to drive in the city thanks to the naturally aspirated engine’s smooth power delivery and the seamless CVT transmission and in fact even on the highway it has enough power to cruise or make overtakes. 

So as I said it depends on what you are looking for. If you want a smooth, more fuel efficient commuter then the 1.5 NA IVT would do just fine or if you want that extra performance then go for the turbo petrol DCT.

Kia Seltos

Kia Seltos

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CH

Chintan

12h

I am confused between the Kia Seltos and the Skoda Slavia. My monthly running is under 1,000 km, with a usage split of 60% city and 40% highway. The car should comfortably accommodate five passengers and offer a practical boot space. My budget is under ₹16 lakh (on-road). Please suggest which option would be better, along with the most value-for-money and practical variant. Also, let me know if there are any other cars I should consider within this budget.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
4h

The Kia Seltos 1.5 petrol HTK (O) MT fits your brief best. In daily traffic, the Seltos will be easy to drive thanks to its smooth, naturally aspirated petrol engine and light gearshift and clutch, and the higher seat makes getting in and out easy. It also rides over bad roads and tall speed breakers without worry, which matters on mixed city-highway use. Space is good for four and fine for five for shorter trips, and the boot will take a family’s weekend bags.The HTK (O) MT is a good value for money as it offers quite a few features for the price. Just bear in mind that, on the highway, the engine will require a bit more effort to make easy overtakes. If your trips are often with four adults and lots of luggage, and you value a bigger boot and stronger pull on the highway, look at the Skoda Slavia 1.0 TSI Sportline MT. Its small turbo engine gives more punch. But it is a lower car, so entry is not as easy, and you have to be a bit more careful on rough roads. Compared to the Seltos' naturally aspirated 1.5, you'll also experience some turbo lag at city speeds, and at your budget, you won't get as many features. Overall, for your mix of city and highway and firm budget, the Seltos HTK is the most practical pick.

VehicleKia Seltos
VehicleSkoda Slavia
RA

Rahul

3d

I am a 38-year-old professional planning to buy a new car. My usage is 60% city, 30% highway, and 10% rural, with a monthly running of 1,200–1,500 km. I am confused about whether to buy the Kia Seltos IVT, DCT, or diesel variant, or consider any other options.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
11h

With 60 percent city, 30 percent highway and a bit of rough-road use, and 1,200-1,500 km a month, the Kia Seltos 1.5 diesel with the 6-speed automatic is the stronger fit for you. It pulls well from low speeds, so city drives and rural patches feel easy without pressing the pedal hard, and on the highway, it sits at speed calmly with enough power for safe passes. This automatic Kia car is a 6-speed torque-converter unit, smooth in traffic. At your monthly distance, it will also use less fuel than the petrol options.A couple of watch-outs: the diesel costs more to buy and is a bit louder at idle. If most of your city trips are very short in heavy traffic, the diesel’s particulate filter can clog over time, so plan one longer run each week to keep it clear.If your driving is mostly city and you value a quiet, easy feel, the Seltos 1.5 petrol IVT is the one to pick. The IVT feels smooth and is very relaxed in stop-go traffic. The turbo-petrol DCT offers the most performance, but the gearbox can feel a bit jerky in slow traffic.For your mix, we’d choose the Seltos diesel automatic.

VehicleKia Seltos
VN

Vedant Nawange

3d

Hi, I am confused between buying the Kia Seltos diesel, which I love for its interior and power and which gives around 15 km/l mileage, and the Toyota Hyryder, which involves a slight design compromise but offers 22+ km/l mileage. My daily running is around 70 km, including both city traffic and highway cruising. Also, please share if there is even the slightest possibility of a Kia Seltos hybrid coming next year, as I would be happy to wait.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
13h

With a 70 km daily mix of traffic and highway use, we would lean towards the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder strong-hybrid. Your usage is high, and the hybrid will use far less fuel in city traffic while staying calm and smooth. It pulls away on electric power at low speeds, so stop-go driving feels quiet and easy.You like the Seltos for its cabin and stronger shove, and that is fair. The Seltos diesel feels stronger when you press the throttle for quick passes, and its cabin does look and feel richer. If most of your 70 km is open highway and you really value that strong pull and the Kia car interior, the Seltos diesel automatic is still a solid pick.On a Kia Seltos hybrid: Kia does intend to introduce a hybrid, but timing is not yet decided as they are trying to localise components. We estimate it could arrive in 2027, but that could change. For your mix of city and highway, the Hyryder strong-hybrid lines up best with what you need right now.

VehicleKia Seltos
VehicleToyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Posted on: 4 Feb 2026