Tseminy

•2h

I’m confused between the Kia Seltos HTK Optional 1.5 NA IVT and 1.5 Turbo DCT. I plan to keep the car for 5-8 years. For the first 1-2 years, it will stay in my Tier-3 city for my parents for their daily use. Later, I may take my car to Pune for my daily commute. Overall, I expect around 80% city and 20% highway/outstation driving with occasional Pune-Vadodara trips, Goa/weekend trips, holiday road trips, and sometimes 4-5 people with luggage. My main questions are for the NA IVT. Does the 1.5 NA feel underpowered in the Seltos, especially with 4-5 people and luggage? How good is it for highway overtaking and quick acceleration? How useful are the paddle shifters/Sport mode for improving responsiveness? When accelerating hard, how noticeable is the high-RPM engine noise/CVT drone, and does it become annoying on highways? For the Turbo DCT, how does it behave in prolonged bumper-to-bumper/crawling traffic? Is clutch heat/wear or low-speed jerkiness/hesitation a genuine long-term concern over 5-8 years? What is the best way to drive it in heavy traffic to minimize clutch wear? How significant are the differences in real-world city mileage and long-term maintenance cost? Considering this usage pattern, which transmission would you recommend and why? I’m particularly interested in the real-world ownership experience rather than just performance figures.

•5m

For your 80 percent city usage and 5–8 year ownership, the NA IVT is the better fit. The 1.5-litre engine is not particularly powerful on paper at 115hp and 144Nm, but the IVT masks its weaknesses well in normal driving. It is smooth, jerk-free and relaxed in traffic, while the new Seltos has a much more comfortable ride than the previous generation.

With four or five people and luggage, it will feel slower, particularly when overtaking on the highway. The CVT rubber-band effect does appear when you accelerate hard, but it is less pronounced than in many other CVTs. Sport mode and the paddles do help by keeping the engine more responsive, although they cannot turn it into a performance SUV.

The turbo DCT is considerably quicker and is the obvious choice if spirited highway driving is important. However, for your predominantly urban use, the IVT's seamless low-speed behaviour is a significant advantage. A DCT can feel hesitant at crawling speeds, whereas the IVT avoids that characteristic.

The IVT also returned 10.3kpl in the city and 14.2kpl on the highway in testing, with better efficiency than the turbo DCT.

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•1d

I’ve been driving a Maruti Ritz Diesel for approximately 7 years and am looking for a proper upgrade. My running is around 750-1,000 km/month, with 75-80% highway driving, and typical long trips of 200-250 km one way. My budget is roughly Rs. 19-22 lakh (on-road) in Bangalore. I generally keep my cars for a long time, so long-term reliability and highway performance matter more to me than just features. I have shortlisted Kia Seltos 1.5 Turbo DCT that is around Rs. 20.6 lakh. This is probably the most fun of all the options. The turbo feels strong and the DCT is quick and smooth. My concern is long-term ownership because it is a dry-clutch DCT, and I’m wondering about DCT/turbo-petrol reliability over 5+ years. It is also around Rs. 1 lakh cheaper than the diesel. Another shortlisted car is Kia Seltos 1.5 Diesel AT for around Rs. 21.6 lakh. This feels like the natural upgrade from my Ritz Diesel. It generates 250 Nm torque, highway performance and potentially better mileage that are better for my usage. But my running is only 750-1,000 km/month, so I’m wondering whether the extra 1L and diesel-specific considerations, particularly DPF, are worth it when I don’t drive that much in the city. Would love to hear from long-term Seltos diesel owners. Another shortlisted car is Renault Duster 1.3 Turbo DCT Adventure that costs around Rs. 19 lakh. I’ve driven it multiple times and really like the way it feels. It feels more rugged and planted than the Seltos, with better suspension and less body movement at highway speeds. I can physically feel the difference in the heavier boot/doors and overall solidity. I know both cars are 5-star rated, so I’m not equating weight or feel with crash safety. The Duster has a wet-clutch DCT, unlike the Seltos dry clutch, which is another reason I’m considering it. The compromise is features and rear space as the Seltos has noticeably better knee/legroom. However, the Duster is still perfectly comfortable for my family’s height, so I can live with that. I have also shortlisted Kia Seltos 1.5 NA CVT/IVT that is priced around Rs. 19.65 lakh. I would select it for its simplicity. I know I’ll compromise significantly on torque as compared to the turbo and diesel, especially coming from a diesel Ritz, but a 4-cylinder NA petrol is a relatively straightforward option and potentially fewer powertrain-related headaches will be there compared to DPF and modern turbo/GDI systems. If I go this route, I may also wait for the Elevate facelift. Although the current Elevate’s poor thigh support is a major concern for me. My wife strongly prefers the Seltos, so realistically, my biggest dilemma is Seltos Turbo DCT vs Diesel AT. Duster is the wildcard because I personally like its ruggedness and driving character, while NA petrol is the fallback for its simplicity. I am looking for genuine 5-year ownership experience, highway performance, reliability, DCT/DPF experience, mileage and maintenance opinions rather than just brochure figures.

•20h

Given your usage pattern of 750–1,000 km a month with 75-80% highway driving and a long-term ownership mindset, we would pick between two. The Kia Seltos 1.5 diesel automatic would be a sensible choice as the diesel’s strong mid-range torque and better fuel efficiency on highways make it a natural upgrade from your Ritz diesel, and your running is sufficient to justify the diesel premium. The DPF concern is largely a non-issue in your case because your usage is predominantly highway, which is exactly the kind of driving that keeps the DPF healthy.The Duster would be the more fun option, and yes the wet-clutch DCT would be better in start stop conditions, but in your case this would be even lesser of a factor as your driving is mostly on the highway and since you said the space is ok for you and your family you could consider this one too. Overall for you the Seltos diesel automatic is more the head buy while the Renault Duster would appeal to the heart. It all comes down to which you want to lean towards.

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•1d

Hello, I’m looking to buy a good car in India. We previously had an Alto, and this will be our first new car. I’ve taken test drives of the Creta and Seltos. The Creta looks good overall, while the Seltos feels newer and more premium, although my family didn’t really like its door handles. This will primarily be a family car, with our usage being around 80 percent on highways and 20 percent in the city. I’m considering either of these two, but I’m also open to other options under a budget of Rs 20 lakh. Any suggestions or recommendations would be helpful. Thanks!

•22h

If the Kia Seltos pop-out door handles are a deal breaker then of course stay away from it. However, if you think you can live with it, then the Seltos is a good option. The Seltos has moved to a new platform and is thus newer and has all the latest electronic and electrical features, some of which can be upgraded in time.The Hyundai Creta too would be moving to this new generation in about 5 to 6 months' time. Thus, the Seltos would be the better choice here also, given that as far as powertrains go they both offer the very same units. If you are open to alternatives, the Skoda Kushaq 1.5 TSI is a good alternative, especially for highway driving, as it has a strong and peppy engine and good highway stability as well as handling around corners.

My monthly running is 3000km that translates to 40000 kilometers annually with most round trip of around 400-500 km thrice a month on highway. I own a petrol car and its mileage is close to 14 kpl. Should I opt for EV under 20 lakh budget or should I look for diesel or strong hybrid?In hybrid, we will not have a better boot space since we always use it to carry stuff.

•18h

With 40,000 km a year and frequent 400-500 km highway trips, a diesel SUV is the most sensible choice. At that kind of running, fuel efficiency and ease of long-distance travel become the top priorities. Diesel engines are still the most cost-effective option for high-mileage highway use, and you will recover the higher purchase price very quickly. An EV under Rs 20 lakh is not the right solution for your usage pattern. While EVs are excellent for city driving and predictable daily commutes, your frequent long highway runs would require careful charging planning and add unnecessary complexity to your ownership experience. Strong hybrids are a good middle ground, but as you rightly pointed out, many hybrid SUVs compromise boot space due to battery packaging, which is a problem if you regularly carry a lot of luggage. A diesel SUV like the Mahindra XUV 7XO or if you want something smaller then the Kia Seltos is the most practical and cost-effective solution for your usage.

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•6d

I am confused between the Elevate and the Creta. I understand that the Creta is the more established one, but with Honda, the value it brings is amazing, while the price of the Creta is a bit higher than the value it offers. I am mostly a city driver, with around 95% of my driving in the city and occasional highway trips, covering around 10,000km per year. Can you help me get some perspective?

•5d

The Hyundai Creta is the more premium product with a richer feature list. Since your usage is mainly in the city, you are likely to appreciate the Creta's smoothness and refinement, as well as the additional features it offers. Sure, this Hyundai car might cost a bit more, but it is a proven product that commands strong brand equity, which is likely to translate to higher resale value. The Honda Elevate gives you most of what you need at a significantly lower cost, and Honda’s service network is strong enough to make ownership hassle-free. Go for the Elevate if you value its stronger engine performance, else for a refined drive experience, pick the Creta.

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•6d

Help me choose the right car for my usage. Please be practical and challenge my assumptions. My situation: I am 31 and work as a software developer. I currently work from home in Balsane, Dhule, but I am moving to Mumbai around March. My wife and I are expecting a baby in February. My parents live in a village where local transport is poor. My Mumbai office is near Powai, but parking is difficult. I prefer a manual car. Usage: My current running is around 10,000 km per year, but it may increase. I travel between Mumbai and Balsane, which is around 400 km one way, around 5-7 times a year, along with Dhule/Sakri and local trips. I also drive around Mumbai on weekends. The AC is usually on, and on long trips, the car will have my wife, baby, and luggage. Budget: Rs. 6-9 lakh on-road. I am willing to spend more only if it is genuinely worth it. Shortlist: - Tiago XE Petrol - Punch Pure+/Smart Petrol - Punch Pure+/Smart CNG - Brezza LXi turbo-petrol Please tell me: 1. Which one should I buy and why? 2. Petrol vs CNG for my usage? The CNG premium is around Rs. 1 lakh, and the nearby village pump may open around Diwali, but this is not guaranteed. 3. What real-world mileage can I expect with the AC on? 4. Please consider loan interest, fuel costs, maintenance, depreciation, and resale value. 5. Is the Brezza worth the extra money? 6. Give me one final choice and tell me what I should avoid.

•5d

The Brezza LXI Turbo is far superior to the Punch and Tiago as far as smoothness, performance, and cabin space are concerned. It is also backed by Maruti's widespread support network, and the ownership experience is likely to be fuss-free. The on-road cost of the Brezza LXI will fall within your Rs 9 lakh budget, and even though you might miss a few features, it still feels worth opting for. Alternatively, you could also consider the Maruti Dzire VXI MT for its large boot, comfy ride and strong fuel efficiency.

I am planning to buy a new SUV under Rs 30 lakh and am open to both five- and seven-seater options. I have tried the Toyota Innova HyCross non-hybrid, Mahindra XUV 7XO, Hyundai Alcazar, Kia Seltos and Renault Duster, but I am confused about which one to choose. My main priorities are space, comfort and a good engine. My running is not very high, at just under 1,000km a month. Please advise.

•6d

Go for the Toyota Innova HyCross non-hybrid. Your priorities are space, comfort and a good engine, and the HyCross delivers on all three. It is one of the most spacious cars in the segment, with a genuinely usable third row and a comfortable ride that makes it an excellent family car. The petrol engine is smooth, refined and well suited to your running of under 1,000 km a month, where the hybrid premium is harder to justify.The Mahindra XUV 7XO is a strong alternative with a more powerful engine and a more feature-rich cabin, but the HyCross has the edge on space, comfort and long-term ownership experience.The Hyundai Alcazar and Kia Seltos are good cars, but they do not offer the same level of space or comfort, and the Renault Duster is more of a driver's car than a family car. The Toyota car mentioned above is the car you will be happiest with after five years of ownership.

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