Mumbai

•7w

Hi, Need your advice on choosing between the Kia Seltos 1.5 DCT, Renault Duster 1.3 DCT, and Skoda Kushaq 1.5 DSG. This will be our first car. We live in Bangalore, and our usage will be roughly 400-500 km/month in bumper-to-bumper city traffic, 500 km/month on highways, plus one 1,000 km road trip every quarter. I've driven (test drive in city) the Seltos and Kushaq, but not the Duster yet. I loved the plush ride and comfort of the Seltos. My wife's cousin, who owns a Slavia, says it's firm in the city road (but manageable) and much more stable on highways. Considering our usage, comfort, city drivability, highway stability, and long-term ownership, which one would we pick and why?

•6w

All three options have their highlights. The Kushaq is the most enjoyable to drive, the Duster feels the most rugged, while the Seltos feels the plushest.

Given your usage, we'd recommend the Skoda Kushaq 1.5 TSI DSG as the best pick. It's got the nicest gearbox, feels the peppiest, and will liven up your frequent highway drives. There is a firmness to the suspension, but it's not uncomfortable. The Skoda feels smaller than the others, and the positive to that is that it will put the driver at greater ease in congested city roads. On the flipside, the Kushaq isn't as spacious as the Duster or Seltos and is best thought of as a four-seater - the rear seat is not ideal for three passengers. The Skoda Kushaq mileage ranges from 18.72 kpl to 19.66 kpl, depending on the chosen powertrain option.

If you want a more complete all-rounder, the Kia Seltos is a great pick. The DCT isn't the smoothest in town, though.

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More questions on similar cars

•5h

Dear Autocar Team, I already own a Kushaq 1.5 TSI Manual, and I am looking to buy a B-segment SUV. I am confused between the Hyundai Creta IVT and the Kia Seltos Turbo DCT. Could you please help me choose the better option?

•39m

Since you already own a Skoda Kushaq 1.5 TSI manual, you are already enjoying a strong turbo petrol engine and a genuinely engaging driving experience. The Creta IVT is a naturally aspirated petrol with a CVT, which is smooth and easy in traffic but will feel like a step down in performance and driving enjoyment compared to your Kushaq. The Seltos turbo petrol DCT is the better fit here. It gives you the performance you are used to, a more premium cabin, and a genuinely enjoyable driving experience. The DCT is not as smooth as the IVT in stop-start traffic, but it is the more engaging car overall and will feel like a proper upgrade rather than a compromise. The Seltos also feels more premium inside and is the more satisfying car to own alongside your Kushaq.

My budget is Rs 18.5 lakh, and I am getting the Creta S(O) IVT and Kushaq Signature AT. I am confused between the two. Around 90% of my usage is in the city, and I need a good automatic car. My preferences are: 1. Three people should be able to sit comfortably in the rear seat. 2. Good driving quality and build quality. 3. Good AC performance. 4. Low maintenance and peace of mind. Could you please suggest one between these two? Thank you.

•8h

Between your picks, the Hyundai Creta fits your needs better. Its rear seat is wider than the Kushaq's, the IVT is seamless and very relaxing to drive in the city, and Hyundai has a great reputation for after-sales service. The AC is also strong, and the build quality is solid.The Skoda Kushaq is the better choice for highway use. Its turbo-petrol engine offers stronger performance for quick overtakes, the 8-speed automatic feels more responsive than the Hyundai's IVT, and it is more engaging to drive. The Skoda Kushaq mileage ranges from 18.72 kpl to 19.66 kpl, depending on the chosen powertrain option. Its AC performance has also improved significantly with the recent facelift, but the cabin is not as roomy as the Creta's.Overall, the Hyundai car mentioned above is the better fit for your needs.

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•1d

Hi, I currently drive a 2014 Maruti Suzuki Dzire Petrol and am planning to upgrade to a new SUV. My shortlisted options are the Kia Seltos HTX(A) DCT and the Mahindra XUV 7XO Petrol Automatic. My biggest concern with the XUV 7XO is its low fuel efficiency. My monthly running is less than 1,000 km, as I work from home, with a 60:40 city-to-highway split in the NCR. I also plan to use the new car for trips to the mountains, so it should offer strong performance, sufficient torque, and confident handling. I also test-drove the new Renault Duster and loved the driving experience, but I wasn't impressed by Renault's showroom and after-sales experience. Which of these would you recommend for my requirements?

•3h

Given your usage of less than 1,000km a month with a 60:40 city-highway mix in NCR, the Kia Seltos HTX(A) DCT is the better fit. The Seltos turbo petrol DCT is a strong performer with good mid-range torque, making it well-suited for mountain drives and highway overtakes. It also offers a more polished ownership experience with Kia’s wider service network and better dealership consistency, which is important for long-term peace of mind.The Mahindra XUV 7XO petrol automatic is a more powerful and larger SUV, but it is also heavier and less efficient, which is a concern given your low running. The Seltos strikes a better balance between performance, efficiency and ease of ownership. The new Duster is a genuinely enjoyable driver’s car, but as a package does not score well against the Seltos in terms of equipment and space.The Seltos HTX(A) DCT is the most sensible choice here.

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