Hi, I am in the market for buying a compact SUV. I am a proud Kia Carens 1.5 TGDi owner as well. I have shortlisted the Kia Seltos NA 1.5 IVT (HTK or HTK(O)) to drive in Bengaluru (a lot of traffic). I personally like the new Duster as well. I have test-driven the Seltos and am yet to see the Duster in action. Being a Kia owner, I really like the new Seltos, but I have postponed the buying decision because of the Duster. I would happily choose the Techno+ or Iconic variant. My only concern is that the Duster has a DCT (wet clutch), but I am not sure about its reliability in the long run. Seven months of standard warranty gives some peace of mind, but I still have concerns about overheating issues in DCTs (like Kia’s). Kindly share your suggestions on choosing a reliable car. Thanks!

Autocar India

•2m

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.

Explore cars mentioned

Kia

Carens

from ₹13.02 Lakh

Kia

Seltos

from ₹13.01 Lakh

Renault

Duster

from ₹12.43 Lakh

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Related questions you may find helpful

kumar

•4d

Hi, I’m totally confused between the Tata Sierra Pure 1.5 NA and Seltos HTE 1.5 NA variants. My heart says go with the Sierra, but my mind says Seltos. I am also hearing a lot about the Sierra 1.5 NA engine, which is the least powerful in the segment or underpowered, with no pickup, so I am quite worried about it. I want to go with the Sierra because of its looks, bigger size, and good rear-seat space. I am hesitant about the Seltos because I earlier owned a Sonet 1.2 NA manual (now sold), and I have mixed feelings about Kia, especially regarding design. So I would prefer not to go with Kia again. I need your help in choosing the better car between these two. My usage will mostly be highway driving with family, and less than 10,000 km per year. Is the Sierra 1.5 NA really that underpowered? Please guide me.

Autocar India

•7h

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

Shruti

•1d

Which of the following is the best option, considering mainly city driving, daily 30km, once-a-month highway drives, and a family of four: Skoda Kylaq, Venue, Citroen Basalt, Maruti Jimny, and Kia Sonet.

Autocar India

•33m

For your usage of mainly city driving (30km daily) with occasional highway trips and a family of four, we would suggest going for the Skoda Kylaq.The Kylaq offers a comfortable ride, a spacious cabin for four adults, and the torque converter automatic is smooth, which makes it very easy to drive in city traffic. It is also compact enough, so parking and manoeuvring in tight spaces won’t be an issue. On highways, too, it feels stable and enjoyable to drive.The Kia Sonet and Hyundai Venue are good options for the city as well, but both use a DCT automatic, which is not as smooth at low speeds as a torque converter, especially in stop-and-go traffic.The Citroen Basalt is actually great value for money and offers excellent cabin space, making it very comfortable for a family. However, it is a larger car, so it won’t be as easy to park and manoeuvre in the city. If you prioritise space and comfort over ease of driving, it is definitely worth considering.The Maruti Suzuki Jimny is not suitable for your needs. It is primarily an off-roader, has heavier steering, and is not as easy to drive in the city. The ride is also bouncy, and overall, practicality is limited for family use.

Veluchamy P

Dear Autocar Team, I am currently using a Tata Altroz XT Petrol (2022). Due to my height (6.2 feet), I am required to push the driver's seat to its maximum extent, which results in restricted visibility on the right side while driving. I am now planning to purchase a new car, and after comparing options such as Nexon, XUV 3XO, and Hyundai Venue, I have shortlisted the Kia Sonet HTK(O) Diesel (Manual), as it appears to offer good value for money. However, I have some concerns regarding rear seat space and overall driving comfort for my height. In this regard, I request your expert advice on whether this would be a suitable choice, or if there are better alternatives available within an on-road budget of ₹12 lakhs. My usage is predominantly city driving (around 70%), with occasional highway travel (approximately 30%). Most of the time I drive alone, and occasionally with my wife. I would greatly appreciate your guidance and recommendations. Thanking you in advance.

Autocar India

•1h

While the Kia Sonet Diesel HTK (O) is a good value-for-money car, it may not be the best choice for your height. At 6.2 feet, you will likely have to push the seat all the way back, just like in your Tata Altroz. In that position, the Sonet’s cabin can feel a bit tight, and visibility issues may still persist. Also, once the driver's seat is pushed fully back, the rear seat space becomes quite limited, which may not be ideal even for occasional use.Instead, we would suggest looking at the Mahindra XUV 3XO diesel. It offers a wider cabin and more driver space, which will make a noticeable difference for your height. Even with the seat pushed all the way back, there is still usable space in the rear, making it a more practical choice overall. The wide cabin also makes it a genuine 5-seater, unlike many compact SUVs.The diesel engine is punchy and enjoyable to drive, and it works well for both city and highway usage. It feels strong in the mid-range, which makes overtaking easier and driving more effortless. The only real drawback is the boot space, which is on the smaller side compared to rivals, especially for larger luggage . If you frequently travel with a lot of bags, this is something you should keep in mind.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Kia Sonet

Tata Altroz

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