Delhi

Ajay Thilakan

•3w

I’m looking for a compact SUV, and I am a big fan of the Kia Seltos. I am a driving enthusiast, but the TGDi engine of the Seltos will stretch my budget considerably. I also want all the bells and whistles like a 360-degree camera and a fully digital instrument cluster. I wanted a manual gearbox with the TGDi, but that is no longer an option. My dilemma is whether to choose the Kia Seltos HTX(A) manual with the naturally aspirated engine or the Hyundai Venue N-Line N10 DCT. Is spending ₹2-4 lakh extra on the Kia Seltos (considering both NA and TGDi engines) justifiable, or should I settle for the sub-4-metre Hyundai Venue (1.0L turbo engine)?

Autocar India

•3w

If you enjoy driving, the Kia Seltos's 1.5 naturally aspirated petrol is not the engine for you - capable as it is in everyday driving. Similarly, the Hyundai Venue, even though its 1.0-litre T-GDi engine has a strong 120hp power figure, just doesn't feel quite as punchy or enthusiastic as the numbers suggest. And since you're on a budget, but you also want all the bells and whistles, there are a couple of different ways you could go.

Since Kia doesn't offer the 1.5 T-GDi with a manual gearbox (the iMT is not as enjoyable), you could increase your budget and go for the DCT. If that's not an option, consider other fun-to-drive and fully loaded cars that could serve all your needs.

The Mahindra XUV 3XO with its 131hp, T-GDi engine is exciting to drive, especially in manual guise, and gets you loads of features within your budget. However, our recommendation is the Hyundai Creta N-Line - it's a little older than the Seltos and doesn't have the latest tech, but it's still very well-loaded with features and good on space too. Moreover, you get the smooth yet punchy 1.5 T-GDi engine with a manual, and the N-Line arguably handles better than the Seltos, too.

Explore cars mentioned

Hyundai

Creta

from ₹12.56 Lakh

Hyundai

Venue

from ₹9.07 Lakh

Kia

Seltos

from ₹12.79 Lakh

Mahindra

XUV 3XO

from ₹8.37 Lakh

Was this helpful? Ask a follow-up

HonestExpert

•3w

Why not the Kylaq?

Gaurav

•3w

My budget is 15 lac pls suggest which is better skoda seltos or duster and which engine is better 1. turbo or 1.5 petrol

•3w

Duster 1.0 liter engine is a big no! Such small engine cannot handle a big cr like duster and if travelling in hills with family, you would see a big lag in 1.0 l engine. Skoda's 1.0 l is good and new kushaq would be best if u want a big car.

Latest questions in the community

Jithin

•2d

I am looking to buy my first car. I will mainly use it for travel between my hometown Kochi and Bangalore, while the rest of the driving will be frequent city usage. I was initially planning to buy the Kia Sonet diesel GT variant, but I am also very attracted to the Skoda Slavia, mainly for its driving quality. The Sonet would cost around ₹16 lakh, while the Slavia Sportline automatic comes to about ₹17 lakh. Which of these would be the more suitable option for my needs? I previously owned a Ford Figo 1.5 TDCi, which I absolutely loved, so I would prefer something with similar power and performance.

Autocar India

•7m

The Kia Sonet diesel AT is a great car - compact, frugal, smooth and efficient - and feels like a logical compact upgrade to your Figo TDI. However, the fact that you're even considering the drive quality on your long journey to your hometown means you should go for the Skoda Slavia instead. Yes, the fuel efficiency won't be as good as the diesel, and it is a larger vehicle, which you might feel during your use in the city. But other than that, the driving pleasure it offers is on a different level, and will remind you fondly of your Ford, which is also a great handler. Its punchy 1.0 TSI makes a strong 115hp and 178Nm of torque, which are comparable to what you get in the Figo, and comes with a slick 6-speed MT or smooth 6-speed AT. Whichever you choose, you'll get a car that's fun to drive, stable out on the highway and friendly to use around town.

Kia Sonet

Skoda Slavia

•3d

I currently own a Hyundai Grand i10 petrol manual and am planning to upgrade to a mid-size SUV. I am considering the Honda Elevate, Skoda Kushaq, and Kia Seltos. My driving pattern is 80% city and 20% highway (occasional trips). My priorities are safety, driving comfort, co-passenger comfort, rear-seat space, and good mileage. Also, does it make sense to wait for the Honda Elevate Hybrid, which is expected to launch in the second half of this year, or should I go ahead with one of the current options?

Autocar India

•1h

Of the options you've listed, you should consider the Kia Seltos, given that it is the best all-rounder that fits your wide range of requirements. You can pick from one of three engines that suit your needs best. The turbo petrol has the strongest performance, the diesel has the best fuel efficiency, and the naturally aspirated petrol is the best compromise between the two. It's also the most spacious and comfortable of the three, and though it hasn't been awarded a safety rating yet, its new K3 platform is engineered for a high score, and it has all the necessary safety features. Sadly, it is highly unlikely that Honda will launch the Elevate Hybrid, as the company has stated it is moving straight to an EV, which should be here in 2027.

Kia New Seltos

Dinesh Kotwani

•6w

Hello Autocar Team, I currently own a Honda City 4th-gen CVT V (2016) and am planning to upgrade to a new car. My monthly running will be around 500–800 km, and I am looking for a comfortable and solid-built automatic car. I have taken long test drives of the Škoda Kushaq 1.0, Skoda Kushaq 1.5, Kia Sonet 1.0 DCT, Honda Elevate CVT, and Skoda Slavia 1.0 AT. Out of these, I enjoyed driving the Slavia 1.0 AT the most, while I did not like driving the Elevate and Sonet at all. However, I am concerned about the long-term reliability of the Slavia 1.0 AT for city usage, as I plan to keep the car for around 15 years. Do you think I should also test drive the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos IVT? Also, could my preference for sedans be influencing my bias against SUVs? Please advise whether I should stick with the Slavia AT or seriously consider the Creta/Seltos IVT. My maximum budget is ₹20 lakh on-road in Mumbai.

Autocar India

•2h

SUVs, no matter how well honed and engineered, are unlikely to be as enjoyable to drive as their sedan counterparts, simply because of their higher centre of gravity and relatively greater mass. That said, Skoda and Volkswagen have knocked it out of the park with their India 2.0 cars, whether sedans or SUVs, and all are exceptional to drive. If you enjoyed the Skoda Slavia, go for it. You should have no issues if you drive and maintain it properly, and Skoda's service has improved significantly in recent years, both in quality and cost. You could try the Kia Seltos and Hyundai Creta, which are better all-rounders than the Slavia, but given that you enjoy the Skoda sedan, we think you should go for it.

Skoda Slavia

Kia New Seltos

Hyundai Creta

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