•10h

I am using Tata Zest XM Diesel 90 PS since November 2024 and the odometer has crossed 1 lakh km. My annual running is around 8000 km but my monthly running sometimes might just be 150km. On day to day basis, I am using the car for commuting to office which is nearby. In a year, I have taken 4-5 long drives with more than 1000 km running that amounts to around 8000km annual running. Now, I have started looking for a new vehicle under 25 lakhs. And I want technologically advanced car with all bells and whistles along with reliability and affordable maintenance. Will BS6 diesel suit my commute pattern? Since I want upgrade from sub-4m range, which vehicle should i choose?

•1h

With your annual running of around 8,000km and a commute that is mostly short city trips, a BS6 diesel is not the right choice. Modern BS6 diesels use a diesel particulate filter (DPF) that needs regular long runs at steady speeds to regenerate properly. Your pattern of short, low-speed trips with only occasional long drives increases the risk of DPF issues over time. Petrol cars, hybrid or EV would be a better fit.

Given your budget of Rs. 25 lakh and your desire for a technologically advanced car with all the bells and whistles, the Kia Seltos is the most sensible upgrade from your Tata Zest. It is a genuinely premium midsize SUV with a strong feature list, a comfortable cabin and a good balance between city usability and highway capability. It also has a proven ownership track record and affordable maintenance.

If you want something a bit more driver-focused, the Skoda Kushaq is worth considering. It is a more engaging car to drive, but it does not feel as premium or as feature-rich as the Seltos.

Overall, the Seltos is the best fit for your requirements. It is a significant upgrade from your Zest, it is technologically advanced, it is reliable and it will be easy to live with over the long term.

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•18m

@axish Go for Seltos because the Autocar write up has covered all the major points. The Seltos fit & finish is as good as the Jap vehicles and KIA have hit the nail on the head with the Seltos. I wish they had a 150bhp diesel. Current diesel is adequate but does not get your hairy to stand on end.

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More questions on similar cars

•1d

I currently own a 2010 Hyundai i20 and a 2013 Honda City, and I'm looking to upgrade to a sedan or midsize SUV under Rs 30 lakh as my primary family car for five people. While I enjoy driving, I tend to prioritise features over outright driving performance, which is why I chose the i20 over the VW Polo back then. I had almost booked the Renault Duster Iconic, but the limited rear legroom, awkward rear door handle placement, concerns about the turbo-petrol's fuel efficiency, and the lack of some modern features made me reconsider. I've test-driven the Kia Seltos, and it ticks almost all the boxes, but I'm still struggling to get used to the flush door handles. I also considered the Tata Sierra (quality concerns and lacking the outright luxury or performance of its rivals), Hyundai Creta (feels dated), the Volkswagen/Skoda duo (look too small, and my wife ruled them out), and the Mahindra XUV 7XO (no physical switchgear), but ruled them out. I've been waiting nearly three years for the right car, and now I feel like I'm running out of options. Am I being too picky, or is there another car I should consider?

•11h

The Kia Seltos is the right car for you, as it meets your requirements of features, size, space, quality and performance. The flush door handles can be annoying, especially during the rains when they collect dirt inside, but are not a deal-breaker and can be grown accustomed to. The Seltos is the most complete package in this segment: it offers a premium cabin, strong feature list, good rear seat space for five, and a driving experience that strikes a nice balance between comfort and engagement. The turbo petrol is punchy and not as thirsty as some others, and the overall ownership experience is dependable.Your concerns about the other cars are valid, and while no model is perfect, this Kia car feels like the one that suits your needs best. If you're looking for an alternative, don't rule out a sedan. The Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Virtus are both due for facelifts soon, and the updated versions might be worth your while, offering driving pleasure, space and features in good measure.

I currently own a 2021 Hyundai Creta Diesel, which has covered nearly 2 lakh km without any major issues. I am now planning to buy a new diesel car/SUV with a budget of around Rs. 18 lakh (ex-showroom). My usage is primarily long-distance highway driving. I have shortlisted the Mahindra XUV 7XO, Tata Sierra, Tata Harrier, Kia Seltos, and Hyundai Creta. Considering the current market and long-term ownership, which one would you recommend?

•10h

For your usage, the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel is the best fit. You are doing very high mileage with long highway runs, so diesel efficiency and strong performance are the priorities. This Mahindra car is one of the most refined and powerful diesel SUVs in this price range, and it is also a very comfortable long-distance car with a spacious cabin - including a third row of seats - and a strong feature set. The Tata Harrier is also a good highway car with a strong diesel engine and a comfortable ride, but the 7XO is a more refined and better-rounded package overall. However, both these are in a higher segment, which means your budget will only get you a low- to mid-range variant. In the segment below, the Tata Sierra diesel is a newer product and looks very promising, but its diesel engine doesn't feel particularly strong considering its size and weight. The Hyundai Creta is just a facelifted version of your current car and hence won't feel as new, while the Seltos, though new and larger, uses the same engine as your Creta, and like the Sierra, doesn't feel as powerful given the SUV's size. Overall, the 7XO feels like the more premium and more complete product for your usage, but if you're not happy with the features on offer in your budget, try the Seltos instead.

I own a 2022 Hyundai Venue Diesel (base model), and I'm planning to upgrade to a new car. I'm looking for a vehicle that is more comfortable, more spacious, and offers good fuel efficiency. My monthly driving is around 700-800 km, with most of it in the city and only occasional highway trips.

•1d

Given your requirements, the Tata Sierra Turbo is a good option to consider, but it may not be the best fit for your usage pattern. Your monthly running of 700-800 km, mostly in the city with only occasional highway trips, means fuel efficiency and ease of driving are more important than outright performance. The Sierra Turbo is a spacious and comfortable SUV with a modern design and a premium feel, but its turbo petrol engine is more performance-oriented and may not deliver the best fuel efficiency in city conditions.A better fit for your needs would be the Kia Seltos with the 1.5 litre petrol engine and the CVT automatic gearbox. The powertrain is smooth and easy to drive and perfect of cities and even on the highway the performance and overtaking ability is adequate. With the new generation Seltos, Kia have improved cabin space - especially at the rear - and the ride quality too. These are not class best but good enough and something you should be happy with. Being a Kia reliability is also good and the service network is quite wide spread.

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•6d

I want to buy a low-maintenance car for my father, who is 65 years old. My budget is around 15 lakh. His daily commute is around 30-40km, and he also visits our farm 7-8 times a month. Which car would you recommend?

•5d

For your father, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza petrol automatic is the most sensible recommendation. At 65, ease of use, reliability and low maintenance are far more important than outright performance or flashy features. The Brezza’s naturally aspirated petrol engine is simple, proven and well-suited to a 30-40 km daily commute, while the automatic gearbox makes city driving effortless. Maruti’s service network is the best in the country, which means low running costs and peace of mind over the long term.This Maruti Suzuki car also has enough ground clearance and a robust suspension setup to handle occasional farm visits without any fuss. It is not the most exciting car in the segment, but it is comfortable, easy to drive and built for hassle-free ownership. At Rs 15 lakh, it is one of the most dependable choices you can make for your father. Since the Brezza facelift is just around the corner, you can wait for that or try to get a good deal on the outgoing model.

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•2d

I am confused between the Toyota Innova Crysta and the Mahindra XUV 7XO. I am looking for a comfortable 7-seater with good luggage space and a premium interior, including a high-quality music system. My usage will be mostly on highways, with occasional city driving. Which one would you recommend?

•1d

Go for the Toyota Innova Crysta. Your usage is highway-heavy with occasional city runs, and you want a proper 7-seater with good luggage space and a premium feel. The Crysta is still the benchmark for this kind of requirement. It is genuinely spacious in all three rows, has a large and usable boot even with all seats up, and is built for long-distance comfort and reliability. The diesel engine is strong, refined and well-suited to highway cruising, and Toyota’s ownership experience and long-term reliability are hard to beat. The Mahindra XUV 7XO is the more modern product with a more premium-looking interior and a better sound system, but it does not match the Crysta for outright space, practicality or long-term peace of mind. If your priority is a proper 7-seater that will serve you well for years, the Crysta is the safer and more sensible choice. If you want a more premium cabin and a richer feature set, the XUV 7XO is the alternative, but it is not as practical as the Crysta.

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•5d

I am a senior citizen, 5'10" tall, and currently own a 2012 Maruti Wagon R. I am planning to replace it and am considering the Swift, Wagon R, and Exter. How is the Hyundai Exter Petrol AMT for my needs? My usage is limited to city driving with low annual running. Which one would you recommend?

•5d

Given your requirements, the Hyundai Exter AMT is the best fit. As a senior citizen with city-only driving and low annual kilometres, the Exter offers the right balance of ease of use, comfort and practicality. The higher seating position makes ingress and egress easier, visibility is excellent, and the AMT gearbox is smooth enough for city traffic. The cabin is more spacious than the Swift, especially in terms of headroom and rear seat comfort, and the ride quality is better over broken roads. Compared to the Wagon R, the Exter feels more premium, better built and more refined, while still offering the same ease of use and practicality. The Swift is a good car, but its lower seating position and tighter rear seat make it less suitable for your needs. The Wagon R remains a practical choice, but the Exter is a clear step up in comfort, safety and overall ownership experience. Go for the Exter AMT, and you will have a car that is easy to live with for many years.

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