Hello, I have a budget of around ₹18 lakh and am looking for a petrol car that will be used mostly for city driving (around 90%) and occasional highway trips (around 10%), usually once or twice a month. My approximate running is around 500 km per month. I am currently inclined towards the Kia Seltos HTX Automatic and the Toyota Hyryder NeoDrive V AT. I have two questions. Firstly, considering my usage and budget, which one would be better for long-term ownership and a comfortable driving experience? Secondly, which SUV is more reliable in terms of after-sales service and maintenance costs? Please advise.

Autocar India

•7h

With a 50-50 city-highway mix, some 5-person trips, and a Rs. 16 lakh cap, the Kia Seltos HTK 1.5 petrol manual is the stronger fit than the Hyundai Venue 1.0 turbo with the automatic (DCT). It gives you more space for people and bags, and the smooth, linear power works well with your habit of downshifting for quick overtakes.Will the Seltos 1.5 manual feel underpowered when loaded? Yes, but this can be overcome by using the gears. At 70-100 kph, a shift to 4th gives enough pull for safe passes. It won’t jump forward like a turbo, so start the move a little earlier on hills or when fully loaded.Is the Seltos IVT capable? Yes for cruising and single-car passes, but with five on board, it will hold high revs and sound loud. It does the job, but responses are softer than the manual, so you may miss that direct control and pickup you enjoy.Over the long run, the Seltos 1.5 manual suits your use better. It avoids the low-speed lag you felt in the Venue, is less fussy in traffic than a DCT, and is simply the better 5-person car.

Kia Seltos

Hyundai Venue

Autocar India

•1h

Bengaluru’s slow, stop-start traffic and your need for the 360-degree camera point you to the Seltos HTX automatic with the IVT. It suits daily city use better because it moves off the line smoothly and crawls along without any fuss. You won’t feel that slight jerk or hesitation you can get with the Turbo DCT at very low speeds, and there’s less worry about heat and clutch wear when traffic barely moves. Power-wise, the 1.5 petrol with the IVT feels fine in the city and light highway runs; use the Sport mode when you need a quick overtake and it responds cleanly.The trade-off is clear: the Turbo-DCT is quicker and more fun on open roads, but in packed Bengaluru traffic it can feel a bit hesitant. If most of your driving shifts to highways with a full load, then the Turbo-DCT is worth it.Overall, for your usage, pick the HTX IVT.

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

•1d

For your usage of around 70 km daily, running costs become very important, and since you are also hesitant about diesel due to future regulations, it makes more sense to go for the Maruti Suzuki Victoris CNG.With this kind of running, CNG will be significantly more efficient and cost-effective compared to a modern diesel. Due to stricter emission norms, diesel cars are not as efficient as they used to be, so the cost advantage over CNG is no longer as strong as before. The Victoris CNG will help you keep running costs low while still offering a smooth and reliable ownership experience.One of the usual drawbacks of CNG cars is the loss of boot space, but in the case of the Victoris, this is less of a compromise. The CNG cylinder is smartly packaged under the boot floor, where the spare wheel would usually sit, so you still retain a usable boot. The only trade-off is that the car does not get a spare wheel, and instead comes with a puncture repair kit.The Kia Seltos diesel, on the other hand, is the better choice in terms of performance and driving experience, especially on highways. But given your hesitation towards diesel and the higher running costs compared to CNG, it may not be the most suitable option for your needs.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Kia Seltos