Autocar India
•5w

Hi experts, I have decided to go for the facelifted Seltos. Now I'm confused between the 1.5 Turbo Petrol iMT and the 1.5 Diesel MT. I did not get a chance to test-drive the iMT version, but I drove the diesel MT. My requirements are an enthusiastic driving experience on highways and strong overtaking performance both in the city and on highways. Very high speeds are not of much interest to me, but quick and powerful acceleration is. The specifications of the 1.5 Turbo Petrol look impressive and on par with the diesel. With the iMT, will I still get the low-rpm torque that a diesel usually generates? Also, for an aggressive driving style, I am concerned that there will be a significant difference in fuel economy. Is there a significant difference between the two engines in terms of pure performance, and will the turbo-petrol still make sense despite giving lower mileage for an enjoyable drive? My running would be around 8,000km a year, with a 60:40 split between highway and city driving. Also, will there be any issues with the panoramic sunroof in the long term? I have seen some posts on social media about them breaking and leaking. Looking forward to your answer. Thanks in advance.

Verified
•5w
With your usage pattern and priorities, the Seltos 1.5 Turbo Petrol iMT would be the recommendation. The 1.5-litre turbo petrol is the more exciting engine of the two. It revs more freely, responds more eagerly to throttle inputs and feels noticeably quicker when accelerating hard. The diesel remains a very capable engine, but its strength lies in effortless torque and efficiency rather than outright performance.
As for low-rpm pull, the diesel still has an advantage. It delivers its torque earlier and feels stronger at very low engine speeds. However, the turbo petrol has enough mid-range punch that most buyers will not miss the diesel's low-end grunt. In fact, once the turbo is on boost, the petrol feels more energetic and rewarding, especially during overtakes and spirited driving.
Given your annual running of just 8,000km, fuel economy should not be the deciding factor. The diesel will undoubtedly be more efficient, particularly when driven aggressively, but the annual fuel cost difference is unlikely to be significant enough to outweigh the enjoyment offered by the turbo petrol.
As for the panoramic sunroof, there is no widespread reliability issue with the Kia Seltos. The occasional reports of leaks or shattered glass tend to be isolated incidents that gain disproportionate attention on social media.
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Is the Toyota Hyryder Hybrid a good choice in 2026 compared to other cars available at the same price point?

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Hi, we live in Thane, and my commute is around 12 km on alternate days. Our budget is Rs. 20-25 lakh, and we’re looking for an automatic car. We’re open to both petrol and EV options. Based on reliability, comfort, mileage/running costs, and after-sales service, which cars would you recommend? Thanks!

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If you are happy with the Kia Seltos and the price, take delivery now. The Seltos is a strong all-rounder, and the IVT is a smooth, reliable gearbox for city use. The Rs 30,000 price increase is unfortunate, but it is not unusual for manufacturers to increase prices periodically, and waiting for a festive offer is not guaranteed to offset that increase. Kia’s festive offers are usually modest, and there is no certainty that a bigger discount will appear in October. You already have Rs 20,000 in discounts, which is a reasonable deal on a popular model. If you are still unsure, ask the dealer to honour the original price or offer additional accessories to compensate for the delay. If they refuse, and you are not in a hurry, you can wait until October, but do not expect a significantly better deal. The Seltos is a new car, and the price is unlikely to drop in the near term. Take delivery now and start enjoying the car.

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