Hello, I have a budget of around ₹18 lakh and am looking for a petrol car that will be used mostly for city driving (around 80%) and occasional highway trips (around 20%), usually once or twice a month. I currently seem inclined towards, and have almost booked, the Kia Seltos HTX Automatic with BH registration. I have two questions: Considering my usage and budget, is the Kia Seltos HTX Automatic the right choice, or are there any alternatives? With the current global fuel situation, growing discussions about alternative fuels, and increasing focus on hybrid and electric vehicles, does it still make sense to buy a petrol car this year? Or would it be wiser to wait and consider a hybrid or EV instead? Please advise.

Autocar India

•1h

For your usage, we would not switch to an EV purely because of ethanol blending worries. With 12,000 to 13,000 km a year, 60 per cent city use and a 10-year ownership plan, a petrol SUV like the Kia Seltos is still a perfectly practical choice. E20-compliant petrol cars will continue to be supported, and a move to higher ethanol blends like E85 would require dedicated flex fuel engines, so there is no realistic scenario where today’s compliant petrol cars suddenly become unusable.If you genuinely want to move to an EV, then the decision should be based on your usage pattern, charging convenience and ownership comfort, not fuel policy anxiety. Between your options, the Tata Harrier EV looks like the most complete fit today. It gives you the space you need for four adults and a child, feels like a proper family SUV and removes the uncertainty of waiting for an unlaunched product. The Mahindra XEV 9e is also a strong EV, but since you already find it a bit too gimmicky and are not looking for that kind of experience, it does not sound like the natural fit.As for the Tata Sierra EV, we would absolutely suggest waiting if you are not in a rush, because it is expected soon and could land in the sweet spot between the Harrier EV and the smaller EV SUVs in terms of practicality and positioning. The only caveat is that buying an EV without a reliable home charging setup would make far less sense than simply buying the Seltos petrol and moving on.

Kia Seltos

Tata Harrier EV

Mahindra XEV 9e

Tata Sierra EV

Autocar India

•1d

Yes, in good condition and well maintained, an old Creta petrol with a 6-speed torque converter and 30,000km on the clock is not a bad idea, at a good price. However, just bear in mind that the old 1.4 and 1.6 naturally aspirated petrol engines will have nowhere near as much pep as your Octavia TSI. As for BS4, while there have been some restrictions in the Delhi-NCR area regarding older vehicles, thus far, there haven't been too many in other states, and assuming the car you are looking at is 6-7 years old, it should definitely have some good years left in it for use in Bengaluru. That said, however, on a budget of Rs 12 lakh, there could possibly be newer, BS6 options you can look at, like a Maruti Suzuki Brezza, XL6 or, for a small stretch, a Grand Vitara. The 1.5 petrol in these isn't very powerful, but it does come with a torque-converter automatic. Alternatively, you could go down the diesel route, in which case a newer Hyundai Creta or Kia Seltos with a torque-converter auto also come into the picture, though then the associated shortcomings of a diesel come with it. The Creta is a good idea, but consider moving up to a BS6 model just to avoid potential future restrictions.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Maruti Suzuki XL6

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Hyundai Creta

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

•1d

For your requirements, we would recommend the Maruti Suzuki Victoris strong hybrid. With mostly driving in Tier-2 cities, rougher roads, and a clear focus on fuel efficiency, low maintenance and safety, it fits your brief extremely well. The strong hybrid system delivers excellent real-world fuel efficiency, especially in mixed city use, while Maruti’s service network remains one of the biggest advantages if you are driving beyond major metros. The 5-star safety rating also gives it an important edge if safety is a top priority.The hybrid powertrain also makes sense because you specifically want an automatic without compromising too much on running costs. Unlike turbo petrol automatics, which can get thirsty, the Victoris hybrid keeps fuel bills in check while still being smooth and effortless to drive. Ride quality is comfortable enough for poor roads, though it is tuned more for comfort than outright ruggedness.If you want something more premium, the Kia Seltos IVT is the alternative worth considering, but it will not come close on fuel efficiency or long-term running costs.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

•5d

You’re after a no-drama, long-term family car that is easy to drive, comfortable and roomy. For that brief, the Honda Elevate VX CVT is a good fit. The VX CVT is the sweet spot because the automatic keeps the engine smooth in traffic, and the VX trim gets the useful features without pushing the price too high.Why it fits your list: Honda’s simple 1.5 petrol has a long, clean track record, so it suits your “no issues for 10+ years” aim. The driving position is high, the steering is light, and the CVT makes stop-go city work very easy. Space is good for four adults, the seats are supportive, and the suspension deals with broken roads well, so daily comfort is strong.Trade-offs to note: it is not the quickest for fast highway passes, and rivals offer more flashy features. If you expect a lot of high-speed use with a full load, you may want more punch.Regarding waiting for a facelift, while it may launch this year, there is no confirmed date or list of changes. An update usually brings small styling tweaks and a few extra features, and prices can go up too. The basics you care about are space, ease of driving, Honda’s engine and service and these are unlikely to change much.If you do want to look around, pick the Kia Seltos IVT for more features and a more modern cabin. Overall, for your needs, the Elevate VX CVT lines up best right now.

Honda Elevate

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

•5d

Going by your shortlist, you want a bigger family car on a tight budget and are looking at base trims. If you need the car in the next couple of months for mostly city use with some weekend trips, pick the Kia Seltos HTE (O) IVT. It is well equipped and, compared to the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, gives you more back-seat space and boot room.The Brezza update will be relatively minor, though we expect the 1.5 NA engine to make way for the 1.0 turbo-petrol from the Fronx. Waiting for it only makes sense if you mainly drive in tight city areas and want an easier-to-park car.Overall, for a near-term purchase and everyday comfort, the Seltos lines up best with what you’re considering.

Kia Seltos

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Autocar India

•6d

You need a car for pure highway use and want the longest stretch between stops; in that case, we would lean towards the Mahindra XEV 9S 79kWh for its better real-world highway range. In our real-world testing, we managed 477 km on the highway, which suits your “pure highway” pattern. We have also tested the AWD Harrier EV, which managed 401 km (combined). While the RWD version should better that, it will likely still fall short of the XEV 9S’s range.One thing to note: the Mahindra’s ride can feel a bit floaty on undulating highway surfaces, so try it out before you commit. If that is an issue, the XEV 9e has a more settled ride.Overall, for highway-first use and maximum range, the XEV 9S 79kWh is the safer bet.

Mahindra XEV 9S

Tata Harrier EV