I’ve been driving a manual Hyundai Creta Petrol for the last six years and am now looking to upgrade to an automatic with better specifications and superior comfort. My driving split is roughly 75% city and 25% highway. I’m currently torn between the New Kia Seltos IVT (NA Petrol) and the Turbo Petrol DCT. As this will be my first automatic car, I’d appreciate insights on which gearbox better suits my heavy city usage versus occasional highway runs. Kindly suggest.

Autocar India

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For your usage in Bengaluru traffic and focus on long-term reliability, we would suggest going ahead with the Kia Seltos 1.5 NA IVT (HTK/HTK(O)) rather than waiting for the new Duster. The Seltos’ naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with the IVT/CVT gearbox is one of the smoothest combinations in this segment.In heavy stop-and-go traffic, it feels very easy and predictable to drive, with none of the hesitation or heat-related concerns that are sometimes associated with dual-clutch transmissions. Since you already own a Kia Carens, you are also familiar with Kia’s after-sales experience, which adds a layer of confidence for long-term ownership.That said, the new Renault Duster is a very interesting option and worth considering. On paper, it looks like a strong package with a more powerful turbo-petrol engine, expected to offer strong performance, a solid ride quality and a more rugged overall character. We would suggest test-driving the Duster before making a final decision.

Kia Carens

Kia Seltos

Renault Duster

Autocar India

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Between the two, we would suggest going for the Kia Seltos HTX(A) IVT.For a first-time buyer with mostly city driving, the Kia Seltos makes things easier thanks to its smooth IVT automatic gearbox and light controls, which reduce stress in traffic. It is also more spacious and comfortable, and the larger boot makes it more practical for your occasional long trips.The Seltos also feels more premium inside and better equipped, which adds to the overall ownership experience.The Maruti Suzuki Victoris is still a good option, especially if your priority is fuel efficiency and wider service reach, but in terms of overall comfort, premiumness and ease of driving, the Seltos has the edge.

Kia Seltos

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Autocar India

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We can totally understand why your heart is saying, Tata Sierra. It looks fantastic, has loads of road presence and, as you’ve rightly picked up, the rear seat is one of its biggest strengths with great space and comfort for the family. For your mostly highway usage with under 10,000km a year, that relaxed, big‑car feel and rear seat comfort are genuine positives.However, it’s also true that the Sierra 1.5 NA is objectively a very slow car, and that’s not social media gossip but borne out in our tests. The 1.5 NA petrol‑manual takes about 17.34sec for 0-100kph, and an even more telling 18.38sec for 20-80kph in third gear, which is where you really feel it for overtakes. The automatic is slower still to 100kph. By contrast, a Seltos 1.5 NA does 0-100kph in roughly the 12-13sec band, depending on gearbox, which is a full class quicker and feels it on the road. So yes, the Sierra NA is genuinely underpowered for the segment; it is one of the slowest midsize SUVs on sale.​That said, “underpowered” doesn’t mean undriveable, especially at the kind of steady‑state highway cruising you’re talking about. The Sierra NA’s torque comes in reasonably low, so it will sit at 90-100kph in a relaxed way and feel perfectly fine as a family cruiser. Where you will pay the price is every time you need a quick overtake or have to accelerate decisively uphill or with a full load. You will need more planning, more downshifts and a lot more patience than in the Kia Seltos. It’s not dangerous if you drive to its limits, but it is hard work, and you will always be aware that the engine is the weak link.In short, don’t let the Sierra’s 1.5 NA engine be a deal breaker, but instead learn to live with its lack of power, especially if your heart says Sierra.

Tata Sierra

Kia Seltos