I want to buy both Mahindra Thar 3-door and a Kia Seltos. I am considering the base variants of both vehicles. The Thar will be used mainly for leisure, while the Seltos will be used primarily for city driving. In that case, would the petrol variant of the Seltos be a good choice? Also, I am looking at the base variant of the Thar, which is priced at around Rs. 9.99 lakh ex-showroom. Would this combination make sense for my requirements?

autocar.india

•1d

Go for the Kia Seltos Petrol IVT if it fits your budget, with the Hyundai Creta Petrol CVT as an equally good alternative if you prefer its styling or have a better local dealer. With a running of just 10 to 15km a day and predominantly city driving, a petrol automatic is the most sensible choice. A strong hybrid like the Victoris will save some fuel in traffic, but at this mileage, it will take a long time to recover its higher purchase price. The MG Windsor also doesn't make financial sense unless you have reliable home charging and specifically want to switch to an EV.The Seltos and Creta offer a very polished ownership experience with smooth, naturally aspirated petrol engines and reliable automatic gearboxes that are well-suited to stop-start traffic. They also have widespread service networks, good resale value and are likely to be easier and cheaper to own over the long term than newer alternatives.Since you don't want a sunroof but do want an automatic and a 360-degree camera, look at the variant lineup carefully, as these features are often bundled together.

Kia Seltos

Hyundai Creta

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

MG Windsor

autocar.india

•2d

Given your usage, go for the Kia Seltos HTX IVT. Considering you have extremely low city running and the occasional long, infrequent highway trip, in this scenario, the naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with the IVT automatic is the most sensible choice. It is smooth, reliable and stress-free in the city, and on the highway, it is relaxed and easy to live with. The Turbo DCT variant is not the right fit for your usage - DCTs are best suited to buyers who want a sporty driving experience and are willing to accept the higher complexity and potential long-term maintenance costs that come with the technology. Plus, the 1.5 turbo engine won't be as efficient in the city, and the DCT nowhere near as smooth. The Kushaq 1.0 TSI Prestige AT is a good car and packs a surprising punch, but the 1.0 TSI is not as refined or as effortless as the Seltos 1.5 IVT, and the Seltos offers a more premium and spacious cabin. The Seltos HTX IVT is the most balanced and ownership-friendly option for your needs.

Kia Seltos

autocar.india

•1d

The Kia Seltos HTK (O) Petrol Manual is the better value for this usage. With monthly running of less than 1,000km and predominantly city driving, a petrol engine is the right choice, while the Seltos' naturally aspirated 1.5-litre engine offers a smooth, reliable and low-maintenance ownership experience. It is also comfortable enough for the occasional 1,000 km-plus family road trip.The additional features on the HTK (O) do add to the ownership experience, but not all of them are equally important. The front parking sensors are genuinely useful in daily city driving, and the wireless charger is a convenient feature to have. The panoramic sunroof, leatherette upholstery, sporty pedals and LED personal lamps are more about enhancing the cabin ambience than adding functionality.If the price difference is manageable and the car will be kept for five years or more, the HTK (O) is worth stretching for, as it will feel more special to own and should also be a little more desirable in the used car market. However, if the premium is significant and those additional comfort features are not a priority, the HTK remains the better value buy because the core driving experience, safety and mechanical package are identical.

Kia Seltos