I would like to buy the 2026 Kia Seltos facelift. After comparing all variants, I would like to purchase the HTK, but there’s confusion. I am looking for a long-term car. Should I buy a manual or automatic in the HTK variant? I am from Hyderabad. Many suggest that an automatic gives more comfort in the city, but I am also worried about low mileage, high maintenance costs, and performance decrease over the years. I want genuine feedback from real owners who have driven automatic cars over the years, and would like to know their feedback. Please assist me in choosing the right option. Thanks.

Autocar India

•2h

Pick the Seltos simply because it feels more modern and premium on the inside, and thanks to its larger dimensions, cabin space is a bit better too. Both cars share their 1.5-petrol engine, and both have light and smooth controls, which make them equally easy to drive. Performance and efficiency will be similar too. The Creta on the other hand, is a car you can't go wrong with, and you will also find more Hyundai service touchpoints than Kia. That said, if you have a Kia service centre near you, it is the Seltos we'd recommend.

Kia Seltos

Hyundai Creta

Autocar India

•1h

Pick a used Hyundai Creta petrol automatic. It keeps the easy, fuss-free feel you’re used to in the City, adds a higher seat and better ground clearance, and within Rs. 10 lakh, you’ll find clean 2018-19 cars with good kit or even the new 2020 model with a higher mileage. Cabin and boot space are plenty for family use, the automatic is smooth in traffic, and Hyundai’s wide service network helps when you’re buying used.You may see lower mileage than your i-VTEC and the drive is relaxed rather than exciting. If sheer cabin space is the priority and you can stretch a bit, a first‑batch MG Hector petrol automatic is huge and very feature rich, but it usually sits just above Rs. 10 lakh and drinks more fuel. If you prefer a fresher feel and sharper features, an early Kia Seltos petrol automatic can land near your budget in some cities, though its rear seat is a touch tighter than the Creta.

Hyundai Creta

MG Hector

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

•16h

Go ahead with the Seltos HTX petrol automatic. For your mostly-highway 1000km a month with four on board, the 1.5 petrol with the smooth automatic is relaxed at cruising speeds, has enough space and comfort for a City owner to feel at home, and its simple engine-gearbox combo is the safer long-term bet for a 10-year ownership.The Kia Seltos hybrid was initially planned for later this year, but has since been pushed to 2027 as Kia wants to localise the hybrid powertrain as much as possible before launch for a competitive price, though it will still be noticeably higher than the petrol version. Moreover, hybrids work better in city traffic than high-speed highway driving, so given your usage, the petrol is probably a better bet. We'll have to test drive it to know this for sure. The next-gen Hyundai Creta is also due only next year, and it will share its platform and engines with the Seltos. If you really value the Hyundai brand over Kia, then it's worth waiting, but in most aspects, you're already getting everything from that car in the Seltos, so it's probably not worth the wait.All things considered, then, go with the Kia Seltos 1.5 Petrol IVT.

Kia Seltos

Hyundai Creta

Honda City