Hi Autocar Team, I am planning to buy the 2026 Kia Seltos but am confused between the turbo petrol DCT and the naturally aspirated petrol IVT. My usage will be around 60% on highways and 40% in the city. I feel the turbo DCT would be better for performance, especially on highways, but I am concerned about the long-term reliability of Hyundai/Kia DCT gearboxes and possible overheating issues in traffic. Could you please advise which option would be the better choice for my usage?

Autocar India

•11m

Considering your usage of 60% highway and 40% city, you can go for the Kia Seltos 1.5 turbo petrol DCT. The turbo petrol engine offers much stronger performance, especially for highway driving. Overtakes feel more effortless compared to the naturally aspirated petrol.

The concern about DCT overheating is valid, but in real-world usage, it typically happens only in very heavy, prolonged bumper-to-bumper traffic. Since a large part of your driving will be on highways, this should not be a major issue. Over the years, the Hyundai-Kia DCT gearbox has also improved and is now quite mature.

That said, in slow-moving city traffic, the IVT (CVT) will feel smoother and more relaxed, especially at very low speeds. The DCT can feel slightly hesitant in such conditions.

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Kia

New Seltos

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Abhijit Saha

•1w

Hello Autocar Team, I am looking to buy a C-segment SUV within a budget of around ₹17-18 lakh. My driving is approximately 70% in the city and 30% on highways, with a monthly running of around 1,000 km. I am currently confused between the new Kia Seltos IVT, Renault Duster DCT, and Tata Sierra DCT. Could you please help me decide which would be the best option for my usage?

Autocar India

•2d

The Kia Seltos is a good choice for your needs. The combination of the 1.5-litre petrol engine and the IVT automatic works well together. The engine feels responsive to light throttle inputs in regular driving, and the IVT delivers a seamless experience with not much of the rubber-band effect you normally get with CVTs.On paper, the Renault Duster also looks like a good option, but we would wait until we have driven it before recommending it. The Tata Sierra with the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine feels quite sluggish, particularly when paired with the DCT, which is a bit slow to respond.Before you decide, test drive all three in the variants you are considering.

Kunal

I am looking to buy a new car and am considering the Mahindra XUV 3XO RevX M, Hyundai Venue HX2, and the base variant of the Kia Seltos. My annual running is around 4,000 km, with 80% city driving. I am upgrading from a Hyundai Grand i10. My key requirements are low maintenance, a petrol manual transmission, a good infotainment system, and a car that looks and feels premium. Could you please suggest which of these options would be the best choice for my needs?

Autocar India

•2h

Considering your usage of just 4,000 km a year with 80% city driving, all three options will work, but the choice depends on what you value more.If you want a proper upgrade in terms of space, feel and road presence, the Kia Seltos base variant stands out. It is a larger car, feels more premium and will be a noticeable step up from your Grand i10. Even though it is the base variant, it still gets the essentials, but the infotainment system is quite basic. This is something to keep in mind since that is one of your requirements.The Hyundai Venue HX2 is the more balanced and easier choice. It is compact, easy to drive in the city and offers a good ownership experience with low maintenance. It also feels like a decent upgrade, though not as big a jump as the Seltos in terms of size and presence.

Kia New Seltos

Hyundai Venue

Pradip

•21h

Hi Autocar Team, my daily running is around 40 km, mostly in the city. I am confused about whether I should choose a petrol car or an electric vehicle. I have shortlisted the Honda Amaze and the Tata Punch EV. Could you please suggest which option would be better suited for my usage?

Autocar India

•46m

Since your driving is within the city and on the higher side, opt for the electric Tata Punch. The smooth EV drive and compact dimensions is something you will appreciate in the city. Also, the higher seating helps with visibility in tight lanes. Since you drive about 40kms per day, you can opt for the smaller battery '30' model, but if your budget allows, opt for the larger '40' model. With its real-world range of about 300 kms, you'll have fewer charges per week. Speaking of which, opt for the EV only if you have the ability to charge at home or your place of work, as relying on public chargers is not convenient. The one thing you give up is quick refuelling if you plan long trips; even with fast charging, you’ll need to plan stops. Thus, if you do frequent long drives, consider the Honda Amaze CVT instead, which offers easy refuelling and a relaxed automatic for traffic.

Tata Punch EV

Honda Amaze

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