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•4w

I am looking for a mid-size SUV in the Rs 15-16 lakh range. I have narrowed my list down to the new Duster 1.3 Turbo Techno+ and the Hyundai Creta 1.5 NA S(O). I really like the Creta's interior, but I am concerned that since Kia has already launched the new-generation Seltos, the new-generation Creta may not be far away. My daily running is approximately 80km, mostly on the highway, with some city driving. Please suggest which would be the better buy.

•4w

With an 80km daily run, mostly on the highway, the priority should be a car that is comfortable over long distances, stable at speed and easy to live with. The Duster 1.3 Turbo Techno+ is the better fit here. The Renault Duster’s ride quality is genuinely excellent, soaking up bad roads and undulations in a way few cars in this price range can. It also feels planted and confidence-inspiring at highway speeds, which makes long daily commutes far less tiring. The 1.3 turbo petrol engine is punchy and well-suited to highway driving, giving you strong overtaking performance when you need it. Moreover, the Techno+ variant represents excellent value in this price range, especially for your needs.

The Hyundai Creta 1.5 NA S(O) is a very good car, but the naturally aspirated engine is not as strong on the highway, especially when fully loaded. You're right about the new generation; Kia has already launched the new Seltos, and Hyundai is expected to bring the next-generation Creta to India in early 2027. That said, the current Creta is still a very competent product, and Hyundai’s ownership experience and service network are strong.

Given your usage, the Duster’s ride comfort, highway stability and stronger engine make it the better buy.

Explore cars mentioned

Renault

Duster

from ₹12.17 Lakh

Hyundai

Creta

from ₹12.66 Lakh

Kia

Seltos

from ₹12.76 Lakh

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•2d

I am planning to buy a new car under a budget of Rs. 22-23 lakh. I drive a 12-year old Chevrolet Sail diesel now. I really enjoy driving this car, particularly its MultiJet engine with a good mid-range torque. I value driving dynamics and pleasure of driving more than fuel efficiency and features. I prefer sedan over an SUV. My dad owns a 2022 Skoda Slavia 1.0 MT. I really like that car but in city driving, I've felt noticeable turbo lag at low speeds. Other than that, Slavia is a very good car. So I have shortlisted 2026 Slavia 1.5 TSI DSG. But only thing that I worry about is the reliability of a DSG with its dry clutch system, because I tend to keep the car for at least next 7-8 years. Also, I have doubts about its city driving manners. But I live in a tier-2 city and encounter stop and go traffic rarely. I hit the highways often though. So, will the Slavia 1.5 satisfy my needs coming from a good torquey diesel engine? Another SUV that I am interested is the Duster/Tekton, because I have heard that they are the closest to the German twins in driving pleasure and dynamics. Can I go with the Slavia 1.5 DSG or should I go with Duster/Tekton 1.3 DCT?

•2d

Go for the Skoda Slavia 1.5 TSI DSG. You will appreciate the 1.5 TSI's strong mid-range punch and the way it pulls on the highway. Since you live in a tier 2 city with minimal stop-and-go traffic and do frequent highway runs, the DSG should not be a major concern over a 7-8 year ownership period. The 1.5 Slavia also offers a more engaging driving experience than the 1.0 TSI, with noticeably stronger performance and less turbo lag once you are on the move.The Renault Duster/Tekton twins are genuinely good to drive, with excellent ride quality and strong dynamics, but they aren't as involving to drive or as agile as the Slavia. The Slavia also benefits from a more premium cabin and a better overall ownership experience. Overall, the Slavia 1.5 TSI DSG is the car that will keep you happiest over the long term.

Skoda Slavia (2022-2026)

Renault Duster

Nissan Tekton

•18h

Elevate facelift looks better equipped now. With these added features, do you think it can give Creta and Seltos a tougher fight?

•1d

I am Sagar and am planning to purchase Kia Seltos in Pune. I drive 20 km every day and around 30 km every weekend. I currently own a Honda Jazz. In a typical year, I undertake around 2-3 round trips under 500 km. I need your help to make decisions. First, is ADAS worth for my usage? I am unsure how useful ADAS would be. Should I go with turbo or naturally aspirated engine? Should I choose HTX or GTX without ADAS?

•18h

Go for the Kia Seltos HTX IVT. With your usage of 20km a day, 30km on weekends and only 2-3 round trips below 500km a year, the naturally aspirated petrol with the IVT automatic is the best fit. It is smooth, refined and perfectly suited to city driving, and you will not miss the extra performance of the turbo given your driving pattern. The HTX is also the sweet spot in the Seltos range, offering a strong feature set without pushing the price up unnecessarily.On ADAS, it is not essential for your usage. Most of your driving is in the city and on short highway runs, and while ADAS can be useful, it is not something you will rely on daily. The GTX line is tempting, but it is more expensive and the turbo petrol is not justified by your usage. The HTX IVT gives you the best balance of comfort, features and long-term ownership satisfaction.

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•6d

I am confused between Creta SX IVT and Elevate CVT for 8000 km of annual running with long trips of 1200 km 3-4 times in a year for a family of 4. Apart from this, day to day usage is less than 100km per month. I am looking for a car for long term ownership and travel comfort.

•6d

The Creta SX IVT is the better fit for your requirement. It offers a quieter, more refined cabin, comfortable rear seats and a smoother CVT, which are particularly valuable when spending several hours on the highway with four people and luggage. Autocar's long term experience with the Creta petrol IVT also found it refined, comfortable and particularly well suited to road trips.The Honda Elevate CVT has advantages of its own. Its 220mm ground clearance, long travel suspension and large 458-litre boot make it particularly good on poor roads, while its naturally aspirated 1.5-litre engine and CVT make for a relatively simple powertrain. However, the cabin is noticeably noisier, particularly when accelerating hard, and the CVT can produce the typical rubber band effect.

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•4d

Hi Autocar Team, I am confused between the XUV 7XO AX7T diesel manual and automatic. My current ride is a Fluidic Verna diesel manual, which is nearing 15 years of ownership and has clocked nearly 2.5 lakh km. My usage consists of mixed city and highway driving, with around 40km daily and weekend highway runs of about 400km. For long-term ownership, which would be the better choice: the manual or automatic?

•4d

Go for the XUV 7XO AX7T diesel automatic. The diesel engine is well suited to your high running, and the automatic gearbox is a proven torque converter unit that is reliable and well matched to the engine. This Mahindra car will make your daily city driving far less tiring, while still being smooth and efficient on the highway. Coming from a 15-year-old Hyundai Verna diesel manual, the automatic will feel like a significant upgrade in terms of comfort and ease of use, without compromising on long-term reliability. The manual is still a good option if you strongly prefer the engagement, but for your usage and ownership horizon, the automatic is the smarter choice.

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•6d

I have a budget of Rs. 16 lakh and I am getting Victoris ZXI AT and Creta S (O) iVT automatic in petrol. My monthly running is around 1000 km. Please suggest as this will be my first car.

•6d

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Victoris ZXI automatic. It is a well-rounded SUV with a reliable naturally aspirated petrol engine, a smooth automatic gearbox and Maruti's extensive service network, which makes ownership stress free. The Creta S Optional IVT is a good car, but at this price point you are getting a lower variant with fewer features, whereas the Victoris ZXI is a higher trim with a better overall value proposition. The Victoris also offers a comfortable ride, good fuel efficiency and a hassle-free ownership experience, which is exactly what you want from your first car.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

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