Hi, I want a car for the long term, at least 8 to 9 years, with a reliable and spacious automatic petrol engine and a big boot space. My running will be about 1000 km per month, mostly in the city, with a couple of outstation trips every 3 months. I am confused between the new Seltos HTX DCT and the Hector/Hector Plus top models. I seek good features with a futuristic approach, as the car should not get obsolete in 4 to 5 years.

Autocar India

•9m

With mostly city use, occasional highway drives, and ₹20-21 lakh on-road, you are clearly looking for a smooth and stress-free automatic zone. In your case, we’d pick the Hyundai Creta 1.5 IVT. You already liked how the Creta drives, and that matters more in daily life than anything on a spec sheet. The 1.5 petrol with the IVT feels calm in stop-go traffic, and the steering is light, so parking and tight turns are easy. This Hyundai car is a touch softer than the Seltos, which takes the edge off bad roads and will keep you fresher after long city days. Hyundai’s service network is also wider, which should ease your worry after a poor Tata experience.While the K3 is a notable upgrade on the K2, bringing larger dimensions, improved structural rigidity and more features, it doesn’t matter if you don’t like how it drives.Two things to note with the Creta IVT: it is not very quick, so fast highway overtakes with a full load need a firmer press of the accelerator and a bit of planning. If you prefer a slightly sportier feel and a few extra features at this price, the Seltos 1.5 IVT HTX is a solid pick. But since you prefer the way the Creta drives, it’s the better choice for you.

Hyundai Creta

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

•4h

Do keep in mind that none of the models that you've shortlisted are particularly fuel efficient. Among these, the Kia Seltos IVT is likely to be the most fuel efficient, delivering approximately 10.3kpl in the city and 14.22kpl on the highway, while the petrol-automatic versions of XUV 7XO and MG Hector are likely to return fuel efficiency in single digits.Additionally, the interior of Seltos feels upmarket. This Kia car is spacious and for a family of three, it feels the right size. Sure, performance isn't as strong as the XUV 7XO, however for leisurely drives with the family its 1.5-petrol IVT combination works well.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

MG Hector

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

•3h

Your usage involves low monthly running, mostly city, and heavy traffic. In this scenario, the Seltos IVT works in your favour. This is smooth, creep-friendly and very easy to drive in stop-go conditions. There are no jerks, no clutch fatigue and very light controls, which makes daily driving stress-free. In real-world use, this engine-gearbox combo is known to be refined and well-tuned for everyday driving rather than outright performance.Now about the “lag” you’ve heard. It’s not exactly lag, it’s typical CVT behaviour. When you accelerate hard, the engine revs rise first and speed builds gradually, which can feel like a delay. But in city driving, where inputs are gentle and speeds are low, this is barely noticeable. This Kia car only feels weak if you expect quick overtakes or sporty response. The upside is that Kia has tuned it well, so the rubber-band effect is limited compared to older CVTs.Compared to alternatives, the turbo petrol DCT version is quicker and more fun, but in Mumbai traffic it can feel jerky and less reliable in long term. The IVT is the safer, smoother and more relaxed choice. Compared to something like a Creta CVT, the experience is very similar, but the Seltos feels a bit more premium inside.

Kia Seltos

Hyundai Creta