Mumbai

Amit Verma

•17w

Hi I am looking for a new petrol automatic car with a running of 70% city and 30% highway with strong road presence and milege should range in between 12 to 16 kmpl. I am confused in between Tata harrier petrol , new kia sealtos and scorpio N Please suggest which option to go for in a budget of 18 lacs

Autocar India

•17w

The cars you have shortlisted are very different, but based on your usage and your mileage requirement, we would suggest going for the Kia Seltos with the 1.5 litre naturally aspirated engine paired to the IVT automatic.

The new Seltos has grown in size compared to the previous generation, which not only improves interior space, comfort and boot capacity, but also gives it better road presence. While it lacks outright punch, for most real world conditions and sedate driving it has more than enough performance, both in the city and on the highway. The biggest strength of this powertrain is its refinement and smoothness, which makes the Seltos a pleasure to drive, especially in urban conditions. In terms of mileage, the Seltos with this engine and gearbox should come close to your requirement of 12 kmpl or more, something the other two cars are unlikely to achieve. You can get the HTK(O) variant in your budget which is well loaded with features too.

The Tata Harrier petrol, on the other hand, is larger and has more presence, but it is also more expensive. In fact, the Harrier turbo petrol with the 6 speed automatic costs over Rs 20 lakh on road, which is more than Rs 2 lakh over your budget. Fuel efficiency will also be lower than the Kia’s, as the Harrier is heavier, more powerful, and turbo petrol engines are generally more sensitive to throttle inputs.

This issue is even more pronounced in the Mahindra Scorpio N. It is the heaviest car here, uses a large turbo petrol engine producing over 200 PS, and while it delivers effortless performance, efficiency takes a hit. Being based on a ladder frame chassis, it is more rugged, but for everyday use it won’t be as comfortable as the other two. If you want to buy a Mahindra, we would suggest looking at the new 7XO instead, as it is more practical, more comfortable, and will also be more fuel efficient.

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More questions on similar cars

Brijesh

•4d

I have a Brezza diesel, which I am planning to replace. I also have a Tiago EV as a second car, which I use for my daily 100km commute to work. I need a replacement for the Brezza, mainly for long family trips, though these are not very frequent, and occasionally for work travel. I am looking for something budget-friendly, economical, reliable and comfortable for the family. Please suggest.

Autocar India

•8h

Consider the Kia Seltos HTK 1.5 petrol, manual. It suits your use because you already have the Tata Tiago EV for 100 km daily runs, so a simple petrol makes more sense than a costly diesel. The Kia Seltos is well-equipped on the lower trims and will feel like a significant upgrade over your Brezza, gives decent highway economy, and Kia service has a good reputation.For family drives, it’s roomy, the ride is comfy, the cabin feels airy, and you get a big, useful boot. On the odd office run, the manual is light and easy to use, but alternatively, the IVT will make city driving even more effortless.One thing to note is that with a full load and luggage, it feels just “enough” for quick overtakes.If you don't need something quite as big, the Hyundai Venue is a solid choice too.

Ayush

I am planning to buy a new Kia Seltos around October. Should I go ahead with the Seltos, or would it be better to wait for the new Hyundai Creta?

Autocar India

•1d

Go ahead with the Seltos in October; it already offers the same core package the new-gen Creta is likely to bring, without waiting on launch dates or risking a price jump. Both share engines and most features, and the Seltos’ facelift brought all the modern, feel-good bits, so you are not missing anything major. October also tends to bring festival deals, and quicker delivery on the Seltos, which you can actually use.The next-gen Creta is likely to hit showrooms in the first half of 2027. And even post launch, deliveries could take a few weeks. Hence, your wait is likely to get even longer.

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Vimlesh

•1d

I am confused between the Honda Elevate V MT and the Kia Seltos HTE MT. I live in a Tier-5 city that also has some hilly terrain. My usage is around 40% city driving and 60% highway driving, and my annual running is moderate. I like the Honda Elevate for its engine response, strong initial pickup, mid-range performance, long-term reliability, and generous rear-seat legroom. However, I am not entirely comfortable with the driver's seating position and legroom, and I feel it may not be as comfortable on long drives. Another concern is that the nearest Honda service centre is about 100 km away from my location. On the other hand, the Kia Seltos offers a much better interior, more features, excellent driving comfort, and ample legroom. While the rear-seat space is not as generous as the Elevate, it is still comfortable and sufficient for my needs. It also has a service centre close to my location, a good service record, and better parts availability. However, I find the initial pickup to be less impressive, and I am slightly concerned about the engine's long-term reliability. Considering all these factors, which one would you recommend as a family car?

Autocar India

•1d

You seem to have answered your own question. The Kia Seltos seems to be the better pick for you on account of its comfier seats, and proximity of its service centre. Sure you might miss the Elevate's energetic performance, at least initially. However, the Seltos' 1.5-litre petrol engine is smooth and has adequate pep for most scenarios. Also, this engine has been doing duty in many Hyundai and Kia models for many years now, and it has proven to be quite reliable so far.

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Jayvir Deol

•6d

I want to buy an SUV, and my budget is around 20 lakh. I have seen the MG Hector, the Mahindra XUV and the Tharr Rox. Which car should I buy, and given the current scenarios on the govt policies, should I go for petrol or diesel?

Autocar India

•6d

Pick the Mahindra XUV 7XO. At around Rs. 20 lakh, it gives you the best mix of space, strong performance and safety, and it is far easier to live with every day than the Thar Roxx while being a better value than a low or mid Hector variant. You also get both petrol and diesel choices, so you can match it to your running.Fuel choice is simple. Go petrol if most of your use is in the city or your running is under about 1,200 km a month. It is quieter, has fewer policy worries, and resale stays safe even if some cities tighten diesel rules. Pick diesel only if you drive long highway distances often, want a longer tank range, or haul a full family with luggage regularly.The only real downside with the XUV 7XO is that the fanciest features push you beyond Rs. 20 lakh, and there may be a wait period. If you mainly want a rugged toy, the Thar Roxx is great, but for family life, the XUV 7XO fits better.

I am confused between buying Skoda Kylaq and Kia Seltos. Please suggest.

Autocar India

•3d

Buy the Kia Seltos. It is simply easier to live with for most buyers, thanks to a much wider service network and many more variant and powertrain choices, including good automatics across a wider price range. For daily city runs with the odd highway trip, the Seltos will feel like the more complete package and it has a more spacious and premium cabin. The Skoda Kylaq will suit you only if you really enjoy driving. It feels tighter and more confidence inspiring on the move, and the steering has more feel. If you plan long, frequent road trips and care more about how it drives than gadgets, that’s where the Kylaq shines. The flip side is fewer dealers and fewer variant choices.

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Vaibhav Vats

•4d

I own a Hyundai Venue Turbo Petrol, which is driven around 4,000 km per year and is occasionally used by my parents. I have been considering to upgrade it, as I am tired of spending money on maintenance. The car has been problematic since its second year of ownership. I am currently considering the Kia Syros HTK (EX) manual and HTK+ (DCT). However, some automobile enthusiasts have advised me against buying a DCT if I am looking for a hassle-free ownership experience, especially since the car will mostly be driven in Delhi’s office-hour traffic and the overall running is quite low. Could you please suggest whether I should opt for the DCT, stick with a manual, or consider a diesel automatic instead? Alternatively, if there are better options within a budget of Rs. 15 lakh, I would be open to considering them. I can also wait if there are any promising new launches expected this year within my budget. I am not interested in an EV at the moment. Thanks in advance.

Autocar India

•3d

Given your low annual running and predominantly city use in Delhi, a diesel does not make sense. Modern diesels are happiest when regularly driven on longer runs, and with just 4,000km a year, the higher purchase cost and potential emission system issues are difficult to justify.As for DCTs, they have become far more reliable than early examples, but if the priority is a smooth, stress-free ownership experience in heavy urban traffic, a torque-converter automatic is still the safer bet. It is generally smoother at low speeds and better suited to constant stop-start driving.Rather than moving to a Syros DCT, it would be worth considering the Skoda Kylaq automatic or the Mahindra XUV 3XO automatic. Both use torque-converter gearboxes and offer a more relaxed driving experience in city conditions. The Kylaq feels particularly polished to drive, while the 3XO counters with a richer feature list and a more spacious cabin.If you like the Syros, the manual remains a sensible choice given your limited annual usage, but if an automatic is preferred, a torque-converter-equipped rival would be a better fit than a DCT.

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Posted on: 9 Feb 2026