I'm planning to buy a new car in the next few months. I was really looking forward to the new Seltos. But I'm not satisfied with what it has to offer. I was expecting a powered tailgate, which it doesn't have; they let go of the air filter, no hybrid powertrain, and apparently, the quality is not up to par with what we expect from Kia. Right now, Tata Sierra feels like a good choice, but I'm not so sure of Tata's reliability and the new turbo-petrol engine. I can also go electric. Need advice.

Some of the features you find missing in the new Kia Seltos, like the powered tailgate, are available in the Sierra, which is packed to the gills with equipment and looks and feels very premium. Besides, the Tata Sierra has a strong and smooth 1.5 turbo-petrol engine allied to confident handling, which makes it enjoyable to drive.Yes, the Sierra is a good choice, and we can understand your concerns about reliability, which are well-founded. Tata Motors is working hard to change the negative perception of its reliability and is hoping that the quality culture and processes at the ex-Ford Sanand plant, where the Sierra is made, will result in better reliability.

We can understand that after driving a diesel car, you appreciate the great mileage they offer. However, if you want to switch to a diesel automatic, consider the Tata Nexon and Mahindra XUV 3XO diesels, which provide automatic transmissions and are within your budget.However, both the Tata and Mahindra diesels come with an AMT automatic transmission, which is not very smooth and has a noticeable lag when changing gears. On the highway, you have to plan your overtaking manoeuvres.If you are not too fixated on diesel, we suggest looking at the Honda Amaze, which has a CVT gearbox that is much smoother for city driving, good enough for the highway, and reasonably efficient.

Since you have your own parking at home and the hospital, you can indulge in the luxury of having a large vehicle and get a big SUV. Based on your budget, we believe the Mahindra XUV 7XO, launching next month, is the right choice for you.Firstly, it is expected to come with a fantastic audio system, which is essential to you; the air conditioning is good as always, and lastly, the suspension is new, so for long-distance trips, you can expect a more comfortable ride. Since you drive a long distance every month, it's best to choose the diesel option, which offers a good balance of performance and efficiency.

If you are getting a good deal, go for the Kia Seltos HTX iVT. The new Seltos is bigger and fresher but gets the same engines and is likely to be at least a lakh more expensive. Yes, your resale will be hit once the new model comes out, but that can be compensated with the good deal you get on the outgoing model. The Mahindra XUV 3XO is a smaller car than the Seltos, so it will be a step down in that sense.