Kakinada

•19w

I am concerned about the future increase in ethanol blending percentages. Will E20 continue to be available as the base fuel option alongside higher ethanol blends in the future? I am considering the Citroen BasaltX, Honda Elevate CVT, and Kia Seltos NA CVT. My usage is mostly in the city with occasional highway drives, and my annual running is around 10,000 km. I am looking for a long-term car for at least 10-12 years.

•19w

You do not need to worry too much about E20 or future ethanol blends while buying a new petrol car today, especially if you are planning to keep it for 10 to 12 years. All modern petrol cars from major manufacturers, including the Kia Seltos, Citroen Basalt and Honda Elevate, are already designed to run on E20 fuel. More importantly, cars that are only E20 compatible cannot run on E85 or higher ethanol blends, because those require dedicated flex fuel engines with significant changes to the fuel system and engine calibration. This means fuel companies and the government will still have to continue supplying E20-compatible fuel alongside any future higher ethanol blends for flex fuel vehicles.

For your usage, the Kia Seltos IVT is the best all-round choice. Since most of your driving is in the city, the naturally aspirated petrol with the IVT automatic will feel extremely smooth and effortless in traffic, while the cabin feels genuinely premium and well insulated for long-term ownership. It also strikes a very good balance between comfort, features and ease of driving, which is exactly what matters in a car you plan to keep for over a decade.

The Citroen Basalt is the alternative if you are more budget-conscious and want maximum practicality. It offers massive boot space, excellent rear seat room and a very comfortable ride, making it a superb family car for the money. However, it does not feel as polished, premium or as refined overall as the Seltos, especially inside the cabin and in terms of overall ownership experience. The Honda Elevate CVT sits somewhere in the middle with Honda’s strong reliability reputation and easygoing nature, but it feels less feature-rich and not as plush inside as the Kia.

Explore cars mentioned

Honda

Elevate

from ₹14.17 Lakh

Kia

Seltos

from ₹13.20 Lakh

Citroen

Basalt

from ₹9.97 Lakh

•13w•

Safest car within 10 lakh

•13w•

I have 7DCT KIA SELTOS 2019 is it compatible to use e20 ?petrol, my average running is 5000 km only

•14w•

My budget is around 12-13 lakhs . I am planning to buy kia seltos HTE Petrol variant . My avg run is approx 12k per year which majorily includes highway runs only. I am concerned about the future increase in ethanol blending percentages. Should i wait further or i can go to buy the car as i am planning to keep it for atleast 5-7 years.

•19w•

Good suggestion

More posts on similar cars

•1d

I am looking to upgrade to a petrol automatic car in Pune. My current car is a Ford Figo, and the new car will primarily be driven by four adults for city use, with occasional outstation trips. The overall running will be moderate rather than very high, so reliability is an important consideration. I have shortlisted the Maruti Suzuki Fronx 1.0 Turbo AT in the Alpha or Zeta variant, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza ZXI AT, and the Skoda Kylaq AT in the Signature Plus or Sportline variants. Please suggest the most suitable model and variant based on these requirements, and also recommend any other options from different brands within a budget of around Rs 15 lakh on-road in Pune.

•16h

Go for the Maruti Brezza ZXI AT. It is the most reliable and hassle-free upgrade from your Ford Figo, especially given your usage pattern of city driving with four adults and occasional outstation trips. The Brezza’s naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with a torque converter automatic is smooth, predictable and well-suited to city conditions, while also being robust and easy to live with over the long term. It is also a comfortable five-seater with good ride quality and Maruti’s extensive service network, which adds to peace of mind ownership.The Fronx 1.0 turbo AT is a good car, but the turbo petrol engine paired with an automatic is not as proven or as effortless in the long run as the Brezza’s setup, especially for a buyer prioritising reliability. The Skoda Kylaq is the better driver’s car and offers a more engaging experience, but in low speed traffic feels eager and can be jerky, so you need a lighter foot.If you are open to a slightly different approach, the Honda Elevate CVT is also worth considering. It is a simple, reliable and comfortable SUV with Honda’s reputation for longevity, and the CVT is very smooth in city traffic. Overall, the Brezza ZXI AT remains the most sensible and dependable choice for your requirements.

Hi guys, I’m looking for a four-car garage that can fulfil some specific roles. I need an EV for city use in Bangalore, and I’m considering either the Tata Tiago EV or Punch EV. I also need a high-mileage family hauler, for which I’m thinking of the Toyota Innova Hycross VX(O). For a fun car for myself, I’m considering the Volkswagen Virtus GT. Finally, I want another SUV that doesn’t need to be as large as the Hycross, so I’m considering the Mahindra XUV 7XO, Kia Seltos or Mahindra BE 6. I’ll be travelling frequently between Bangalore, Hyderabad and Coimbatore, and I’m also planning a road trip across India. My overall budget for the four cars is around Rs 1-1.5 crore. I’m open to suggestions, so I’d really appreciate any recommendations. Thanks in advance!

•19h

Purely as a city runabout, get the smaller battery version of the Tata Tiago EV. It is compact, easy to drive, and is very capable commuter. Sure, the Punch EV, with its larger battery is would be our recommendation had it been your only car, but since your usage is specific, the Tiago EV makes more sense.As a high-mileage family hauler, the Toyota Innova Hycross VX (O) is a sensible choice. It is spacious, comfortable and reliable, and the hybrid powertrain will help keep running costs in check on your frequent long-distance trips between Bangalore, Hyderabad and Coimbatore. That said, if you don't plan to use the third row for adults as much, you could also consider the new Kia Sorento - diesel or hybrid, take your pick. It is a far more sophisticated, value-for-money option.The Volkswagen Virtus GT is a solid choice. It offers strong performance, a well-balanced chassis and a genuinely enjoyable driving experience. But we'd suggest you either wait till the end of the year for the facelift, or pick the updated Skoda Slavia 1.5 TSI instead, both of which will have minor cosmetic tweaks along with an upgraded air-con for better cabin cooling.The Mahindra XUV 7XO is quite a large car, which defeats its purpose since you'll already have the Hycross or Sorento. Instead opt for the Kia Seltos which is a relatively more compact alternative, with a premium interior, lengthy features list, and a refined character. Alternatively, you could consider a Toyota Hyryder hybrid too, which is even more compact, drives well, and is extremely fuel efficient.

Tata Tiago EV

Tata Punch EV

Toyota Innova HyCross

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

My monthly running is 3000km that translates to 40000 kilometers annually with most round trip of around 400-500 km thrice a month on highway. I own a petrol car and its mileage is close to 14 kpl. Should I opt for EV under 20 lakh budget or should I look for diesel or strong hybrid?In hybrid, we will not have a better boot space since we always use it to carry stuff.

•13h

With 40,000 km a year and frequent 400-500 km highway trips, a diesel SUV is the most sensible choice. At that kind of running, fuel efficiency and ease of long-distance travel become the top priorities. Diesel engines are still the most cost-effective option for high-mileage highway use, and you will recover the higher purchase price very quickly. An EV under Rs 20 lakh is not the right solution for your usage pattern. While EVs are excellent for city driving and predictable daily commutes, your frequent long highway runs would require careful charging planning and add unnecessary complexity to your ownership experience. Strong hybrids are a good middle ground, but as you rightly pointed out, many hybrid SUVs compromise boot space due to battery packaging, which is a problem if you regularly carry a lot of luggage. A diesel SUV like the Mahindra XUV 7XO or if you want something smaller then the Kia Seltos is the most practical and cost-effective solution for your usage.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Kia Seltos

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Popular discussions right now

•6d

I am confused between the Elevate and the Creta. I understand that the Creta is the more established one, but with Honda, the value it brings is amazing, while the price of the Creta is a bit higher than the value it offers. I am mostly a city driver, with around 95% of my driving in the city and occasional highway trips, covering around 10,000km per year. Can you help me get some perspective?

•5d

The Hyundai Creta is the more premium product with a richer feature list. Since your usage is mainly in the city, you are likely to appreciate the Creta's smoothness and refinement, as well as the additional features it offers. Sure, this Hyundai car might cost a bit more, but it is a proven product that commands strong brand equity, which is likely to translate to higher resale value. The Honda Elevate gives you most of what you need at a significantly lower cost, and Honda’s service network is strong enough to make ownership hassle-free. Go for the Elevate if you value its stronger engine performance, else for a refined drive experience, pick the Creta.

Hyundai Creta

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•6d

Help me choose the right car for my usage. Please be practical and challenge my assumptions. My situation: I am 31 and work as a software developer. I currently work from home in Balsane, Dhule, but I am moving to Mumbai around March. My wife and I are expecting a baby in February. My parents live in a village where local transport is poor. My Mumbai office is near Powai, but parking is difficult. I prefer a manual car. Usage: My current running is around 10,000 km per year, but it may increase. I travel between Mumbai and Balsane, which is around 400 km one way, around 5-7 times a year, along with Dhule/Sakri and local trips. I also drive around Mumbai on weekends. The AC is usually on, and on long trips, the car will have my wife, baby, and luggage. Budget: Rs. 6-9 lakh on-road. I am willing to spend more only if it is genuinely worth it. Shortlist: - Tiago XE Petrol - Punch Pure+/Smart Petrol - Punch Pure+/Smart CNG - Brezza LXi turbo-petrol Please tell me: 1. Which one should I buy and why? 2. Petrol vs CNG for my usage? The CNG premium is around Rs. 1 lakh, and the nearby village pump may open around Diwali, but this is not guaranteed. 3. What real-world mileage can I expect with the AC on? 4. Please consider loan interest, fuel costs, maintenance, depreciation, and resale value. 5. Is the Brezza worth the extra money? 6. Give me one final choice and tell me what I should avoid.

•5d

The Brezza LXI Turbo is far superior to the Punch and Tiago as far as smoothness, performance, and cabin space are concerned. It is also backed by Maruti's widespread support network, and the ownership experience is likely to be fuss-free. The on-road cost of the Brezza LXI will fall within your Rs 9 lakh budget, and even though you might miss a few features, it still feels worth opting for. Alternatively, you could also consider the Maruti Dzire VXI MT for its large boot, comfy ride and strong fuel efficiency.

I am planning to buy a new SUV under Rs 30 lakh and am open to both five- and seven-seater options. I have tried the Toyota Innova HyCross non-hybrid, Mahindra XUV 7XO, Hyundai Alcazar, Kia Seltos and Renault Duster, but I am confused about which one to choose. My main priorities are space, comfort and a good engine. My running is not very high, at just under 1,000km a month. Please advise.

•5d

Go for the Toyota Innova HyCross non-hybrid. Your priorities are space, comfort and a good engine, and the HyCross delivers on all three. It is one of the most spacious cars in the segment, with a genuinely usable third row and a comfortable ride that makes it an excellent family car. The petrol engine is smooth, refined and well suited to your running of under 1,000 km a month, where the hybrid premium is harder to justify.The Mahindra XUV 7XO is a strong alternative with a more powerful engine and a more feature-rich cabin, but the HyCross has the edge on space, comfort and long-term ownership experience.The Hyundai Alcazar and Kia Seltos are good cars, but they do not offer the same level of space or comfort, and the Renault Duster is more of a driver's car than a family car. The Toyota car mentioned above is the car you will be happiest with after five years of ownership.

Toyota Innova HyCross

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