Autocar India
•11w

I am planning to buy a 5-seater compact SUV and am confused between the MG Hector Savvy Pro 1.5-litre turbo CVT and the Kia Seltos GTX (A) 1.5-litre naturally aspirated iVT. My usage will be mostly in the city, with occasional highway travel. Which car would you recommend considering safety, handling, engine performance, and after-sales service?

Verified
•11w

Of the two, for your needs, you should definitely go for the Kia Seltos GTX (A) 1.5 iVT. The iVT is a smooth automatic, so it works well in traffic and at lower speeds. The Seltos is the smaller car here, so it is easier to park and thread through tight lanes, and its steering feels lighter at low speeds. Kia also has a wider service network across cities and towns, which helps if you plan to keep the car long-term or travel outside your home city.

On safety, both SUVs pack the basics like multiple airbags and stability control, and higher variants can add driver assists. While the MG Hector hasn't been tested by any crash test rating agency, the Kia Seltos has scored a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating. The 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol is not as strong as the 1.5-litre turbo petrol in the Hector, but it is more than sufficient for city use and decent on the highway too. The Kia is also much lighter than the MG, which affects performance, too.

The MG Hector, which is not at all a compact SUV, scores higher on space in the back seat and boot, and is the better chauffeur-driven SUV, with a softer ride quality. However, a big drawback is fuel economy, which is considerably lower than what you will get from the Kia Seltos 1.5 petrol iVT.

Kia Seltos

Kia Seltos

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•11w

KIA delivery lead times are min 14 weeks .I have been waiting for my delivery since 8weeks.Was promised 4 to 6 weeks . They just changed it to 14 weeks.Customer Response is extremely poor.Please consider these negatives..

•11w

Hi i am confused between Škoda kylaq, Toyota taisor and mahindra 3xo and which version , also manual or automatic. Currently running Etios Liva. Daily run Around 10 km and one monthly long trip 250 km above.

•11w

I'm planning to buy my first car in Bengaluru. My budget is max 13L onroad. My usage is 60-40 city-highway. I'm considering seltos, elevate base models along with brezza zxi and 3xo ax5. I'm planning to keep car for 10yrs. Which would be best overall with good mileage and less service?

•11w

Go for the new duster all terrain diesal solid vehicle zabardasti torque 5 star ncap safety rating not indian zero bharat safety like kia or mg which are paper thin bodies

•11w

Is Duster diesel variant available?

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More questions on similar cars

•6d

Hi, we are a family of three living in Pune, where traffic is extremely congested. Our budget is 15-20 lakh, and we're looking for a car, preferably a hybrid, with good fuel efficiency. I'm 6ft 2in tall, so cabin space is also important. We currently own a Kia Sonet HTX Plus. What would you recommend?

Verified
•14h

Given your height, the family of three and Pune’s congestion, the Maruti Suzuki Victoris Hybrid is the most sensible recommendation. Its hybrid powertrain delivers excellent fuel efficiency in stop-start city driving, while the light controls and comfortable ride make it easy to live with every day. Headroom in the front seat is adequate for someone who is 6'2'', but it will feel a bit tight in the back seat. If you are the one who is driving, then it shouldn't be an issue. The sunroof also takes away a little headroom, so it's best avoided. The other drawback is that the boot is on the smaller side for the segment, but for a family of three, it should still be manageable.If you don't mind compromising on fuel efficiency, the Kia Seltos IVT is also worth considering. It is not a hybrid, but a reliable and comfortable SUV with a spacious cabin and a strong ownership reputation. However, given your focus on fuel efficiency in heavy traffic, the Maruti Suzuki car remains the stronger recommendation.

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•3d

I am planning to buy a petrol manual SUV with a budget of around Rs. 15 lakh. I am unable to decide between the Tata Sierra, Kia Seltos, and Hyundai Creta. Whichever car I choose will be a huge upgrade, as I currently drive a 2010 Maruti Suzuki Zen Estilo that is 16 years old. My usage is very minimal, around 200 km per month. Which one would you recommend?

Verified
•1d

With just 200km a month and a 16-year-old Zen Estilo as your current car, the priority should be a comfortable, reliable and easy-to-live-with upgrade rather than chasing the biggest or most feature-rich SUV. The Kia Seltos petrol manual is the best fit here. It is a well-rounded SUV with a comfortable ride, good refinement and a proven ownership track record. It will feel like a huge step up from the Estilo in terms of space, safety and overall driving experience without being unnecessarily large or complex for your low running.The Tata Sierra is a more premium and spacious option, but with such minimal usage, the extra size and cost are difficult to justify. The Hyundai Creta is a solid alternative too, but it will be replaced by a new one next year. The Seltos also feels more premium and is the better value proposition in this price range. Go for the Seltos petrol manual and enjoy a simple, dependable upgrade that will serve you well for years.

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•6d

I currently own a 2020 Maruti Wagon R 1.2 Manual and am planning to upgrade. I live in Mangalore, where bumper-to-bumper traffic is rare, so I would prefer a diesel automatic. I'm confused about whether to buy a 5-seater or a 7-seater. I feel a 5-seater like the Hyundai Venue Diesel AT might be enough, but I'm also considering the Kia Seltos. If neither seems like the right choice, the Mahindra XUV 7XO AX3 Diesel AT is my only 7-seater option. My family consists of my parents, my wife, and our two children (one is 4 years old). We manage comfortably in our Wagon R and go on long rides as well, so I'm unsure if a 7-seater is really necessary. I'm also open to considering an EV, but range is an issue during long rides. I'd appreciate suggestions on which option would be the best fit.

Verified
•1d

Go for the Mahindra XUV 7XO AX3 2.2 Diesel AT. While your family of six has been managing in the Wagon R, the safest way to travel is for everyone to have their own seat and be properly buckled in. As your children grow, the extra space of a seven-seater will become even more valuable. The XUV 7XO is an excellent long-distance car with a refined diesel engine and a smooth-shifting automatic gearbox. The facelift also introduced a more polished suspension setup, making it a big upgrade over the previous XUV700. The only drawback is that the third row is a bit cramped for adults, and its size can make it less convenient to drive in the city.Alternatively, consider the Kia Carens Clavis. Its diesel-automatic powertrain is also refined, and its third row is more accommodating for adults than the XUV 7XO's. The other two options, the Hyundai Venue and Kia Seltos, can be ruled out simply because they are five-seaters.Overall, the diesel automatic of this Mahindra car is the most complete upgrade for your needs, while the Carens Clavis is the better choice if a more usable third row in a smaller, city-friendly package is the priority.

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Popular discussions right now

•4d

I want to buy a low-maintenance car for my father, who is 65 years old. My budget is around 15 lakh. His daily commute is around 30-40km, and he also visits our farm 7-8 times a month. Which car would you recommend?

Verified
•3d

For your father, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza petrol automatic is the most sensible recommendation. At 65, ease of use, reliability and low maintenance are far more important than outright performance or flashy features. The Brezza’s naturally aspirated petrol engine is simple, proven and well-suited to a 30-40 km daily commute, while the automatic gearbox makes city driving effortless. Maruti’s service network is the best in the country, which means low running costs and peace of mind over the long term.This Maruti Suzuki car also has enough ground clearance and a robust suspension setup to handle occasional farm visits without any fuss. It is not the most exciting car in the segment, but it is comfortable, easy to drive and built for hassle-free ownership. At Rs 15 lakh, it is one of the most dependable choices you can make for your father. Since the Brezza facelift is just around the corner, you can wait for that or try to get a good deal on the outgoing model.

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•1w

I currently own a Toyota Innova Crysta 2.8 ZX Variant AT, which has covered 55,000 km and has been an absolute peace of mind. I am now planning to upgrade my vehicle with a budget of around Rs. 30 lakh. Which car would you recommend?

Verified
•6d

If you have enjoyed 55,000 km of trouble-free ownership with the Innova Crysta, the most logical upgrade is the Toyota Innova HyCross. It retains the core strengths of the Crysta - reliability, comfort and Toyota's experience - while offering a genuinely meaningful step up in refinement, technology and efficiency. The Toyota Cars hybrid powertrain is particularly well-suited to Indian conditions, delivering strong fuel economy in the city and a smooth, effortless driving experience on the highway. The cabin is a significant upgrade over the Crysta, with a more modern layout, better materials and a more premium feel overall. The only caveat is that the HyCross does not offer the same diesel torque as the 2.8, so if you are a very heavy highway user who values that diesel punch, you may want to consider the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel as an alternative. However, for most owners, the HyCross represents the best balance of reliability, comfort and long-term peace of mind.

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•1w

I'm planning to buy a small automatic car for my wife, who is 5'1" tall. The car will be used mostly in the city, with occasional highway trips. Which would be the best option?

Verified
•5d

For your wife, consider the Hyundai Exter. At 5'1", she will benefit from its good all-round visibility, light steering and compact dimensions, which make it very easy to manoeuvre in city traffic and tight parking spaces. This Hyundai car also gets driver's seat height adjustment from the base trim, which will be very handy for your wife. The AMT gearbox is smooth enough for daily commuting, and the car is very easy to drive. Fuel efficiency is decent; expect 9 to 10kpl in the city and 15kpl on the highway.If you want something a bit more efficient, consider the Maruti Suzuki Swift. In our testing we managed 12.7kpl in the city and 19kpl on the highway with the AGS. However, height adjustment for the driver's seat is only available on the ZXi trim onwards.Overall, the Hyundai Exter AMT is the better fit for your requirements. It is simple, reliable, easy to drive and well-suited to both city use and occasional highway trips.

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Posted on: 28 Apr 2026