I am trying to finalise a car for my family, with a budget stretched up to ₹17 lakh. I liked the Renault Duster, but I am unsure whether the turbo engine would be suitable for city driving. I am also comparing it with the Kia Seltos HTK and HTK (O) variants. Which option would be better for my usage and why?

Autocar India

•8h

The Kia Seltos 1.5 petrol IVT is the easier car to live with in your kind of usage. The IVT gearbox is very smooth and works beautifully in city traffic, offering a creep-friendly, jerk-free experience that makes daily driving stress-free. The naturally aspirated engine is also predictable and linear, which suits stop-go conditions very well.

The Renault Duster turbo automatic, on the other hand, comes with a DCT gearbox. While it delivers stronger performance and a much better mid-range punch, the DCT is not as smooth as the Seltos’ IVT at low speeds. In crawling traffic, you may notice slight hesitation or jerkiness compared to the seamless nature of the IVT.

Where the Duster clearly stands out is in its ride quality and driving feel. It has a more rugged setup, absorbs bad roads better and feels more fun to drive, especially on highways and twisty roads. The turbo engine also makes it noticeably quicker and more effortless when you want to overtake.

If your driving is mostly city, and you want maximum comfort and smoothness, go for the Seltos IVT.

Explore cars mentioned

Kia

Seltos

from ₹13.01 Lakh

Renault

Duster

from ₹12.43 Lakh

Avi

•19m

My budget is 11 lakhs and I want a automatic car 90% city drive. I have test driven the Kia sonet 1.0T GDI 7Dct and Suzuki Baleno alpha automatic, both are good car's in different segments, but the sonet htk (o) lacks features, whereas Baleno is full features packed,. I am confused between both, can you suggest me which one to go for?

CarLover

•3h

My budget is 15 Lakhs, I am confused in Kia Seltos and Maruti Brezza 2026 which is going to be launched. I also want mielage, I mostly have to drive in the city. I want to go for Petrol Manual Transmission. Any other car suggestions are also welcomed.

Dhanasekaran

•2h

Always go for bigger car when comparing cars across next levels. Go for Seltos

Recommended questions for you

Anshul Anand

•1d

My budget is around ₹23 lakh, and I am confused between the Duster and the Creta. Which one is the better option? I love going on long drives, so which one should I prefer?

Autocar India

•8h

Given your love for long drives, you will be happier with the Renault Duster. It's got a fantastic ride and handling balance, which will make your journeys comfortable and very enjoyable. The great suspension and body control are matched by a strong 160hp, 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine. Power and performance are good. Going for a Duster does come with a slight compromise in terms of cabin space. It's not as roomy as the Hyundai Creta and other models, like the Kia Seltos and Tata Sierra. If more space is a key priority, the Hyundai Creta Turbo-DCT is worth a look. Of the other alternatives, the Kia Seltos Turbo DCT and Tata Sierra turbo AT are also strong options.

Keerthivasan

I live in Chennai and want a car with good performance and safety, and preferably better mileage. I am considering the Seltos HTK(O) DCT and the Kushaq 1.0 AT Classic Plus. My thought process is that I can upgrade to a bigger car after a year or so, when I sell my wife’s Venue DCT, and she can then drive the Kushaq Classic Plus. My monthly commuting will be around 1,000-1,200km, with 80% city use. Open to other suggestions as well. My budget for the Kushaq is ₹14 lakh, whereas for the Seltos it goes up to ₹18 lakh.

Autocar India

•12h

Choose the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 AT Classic Plus. For Chennai’s 80% city use and your budget, it delivers five-star safety and a smoother-shifting automatic. With your usage involving mostly stop-and-go driving, the Kushaq’s 8-speed torque-converter avoids the occasional hesitation of Kia’s DCT and potential clutch-pack wear. It’s easy to drive and park, and its five-star Global NCAP (adult and child) rating adds to the sense of safety. In city traffic, the smaller 1.0 TSI will also be more fuel efficient than the turbo-DCT Seltos.The one thing you give up is outright performance. The Kia Seltos 1.5-turbo DCT makes about 160hp and feels quicker, especially above 60kph and on highways. If you value stronger performance and can stretch your budget, then consider the Kia Seltos 1.5-turbo DCT.On the test drive, do a 15-minute crawl in traffic-like loops. Check low-speed creep smoothness and city ride comfort over speed breakers and rough patches.

Skoda Kushaq

Kia Seltos

Prashant

•2d

I want to purchase a car within a budget of 12 to 13 lakh. My running is about 50km every day during office hours in Mumbai. I am open to a hatchback or SUV. My requirement is a 5-star safety, reliability, low maintenance, spacious, and a good-feel cabin. Presently, I own a Tata Altroz. Please suggest a suitable car.

Autocar India

•4h

For your requirement, the Hyundai Venue and the Kia Seltos fit quite well.The Hyundai Venue HX5 turbo DCT is the easier car to live with. It is compact, very easy to drive in city traffic, and the automatic transmission makes daily commuting effortless. The cabin of this Hyundai car feels modern and well-equipped, so you will not feel the need to add much later.The Kia Seltos HTE or HTK is the better overall upgrade. It is a larger car, more spacious and more comfortable, especially at the rear. The 1.5 naturally aspirated petrol engine is smooth, refined and easy to drive, making it well suited for long term use. Even in the base variants, it gets all the essential features you would need.

Hyundai Venue

Kia Seltos

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