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Dabas

•2w

I already have a 2019 Seltos petrol manual. Recently, I got a job, and my workplace is 45km away from my home, so it is a 90km daily drive. This long commute is taking a toll on my pocket, as I hardly get decent mileage. Moreover, pressing the clutch and brake in traffic during my return journey is frustrating and tiresome. Should I install CNG in my car, or should I sell it and buy a new one? If so, which one?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•2w
In our opinion, you should avoid retrofitting CNG to your around 7-year-old Seltos. Instead, it makes more sense to sell it and move to a newer car that is more efficient and easier on the pocket.
If you can set up home charging, an EV makes a lot of sense. It will significantly cut down your travel expenses, and, being an electric car, there is no hassle of changing gears. EVs are smooth and extremely easy to drive, which can greatly reduce daily driving stress.
Since you already own a Kia Seltos and would prefer something familiar, we would suggest considering the Hyundai Creta Electric. It is a very well-rounded product, and the calibration of the electric motor is spot on, making it extremely smooth and easy to drive. It also offers a single pedal regenerative braking mode that works beautifully, and once you get used to it, you will rarely need to use the brake pedal, reducing fatigue even further. Considering your running, we would recommend the larger 52 kWh battery pack, which should deliver over 350 km on a single charge, making it practical for your usage.
There are other, on-paper, more impressive EVs at this price point, such as the Tata Harrier EV and Mahindra BE 6. However, if you are looking for a car that is easy to drive, hassle-free and easy to live with, the Creta EV is a very strong choice.
If you prefer to stick with an internal combustion engine but want lower running costs, you should consider the Maruti Suzuki Victoris Hybrid. It runs in EV mode a lot of the time at low speeds and in stop-and-go traffic, making it very smooth and easy to drive. Being a strong hybrid, it is also extremely efficient, and even in the worst traffic conditions, you can safely expect over 20 kpl. Since it is still an ICE vehicle, occasional long highway trips don’t require planning, unlike an EV. What you will need to plan, however, is luggage, as the hybrid battery under the boot floor does eat into usable boot space.
If you are willing to wait, the new Renault Duster is expected to get a hybrid powertrain around Diwali, and the next-generation Creta and Seltos are also expected to receive hybrid options early next year.
Hyundai Creta Electric

Hyundai Creta Electric

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RS

Rajesh singh

•2d

With respect to my earlier query, I have booked the Maruti E Vitara Zeta variant, which is 61kW. Will this be a sensible buy, as I am replacing it with a 2016 Brezza diesel manual that has done 1.07 lakh km? The E Vitara would be automatic, as electric cars are. I plan to keep it for 10 years for city driving and occasional highway use, or would you suggest any other electric in this price band with the same battery pack and reliability as MS? Monthly run is 900km.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•2d

The Maruti Suzuki E Vitara is a sensible electric car, backed by Nexa's widespread sales and support network. It is also equipped with a large 61kWh battery, with which you can expect a highway range of approximately 370km on a full charge - city range will be better. The interiors feel premium, performance is smooth, and its light steering and tight turning radius make it very easy to manoeuvre. That said, the E Vitara's user experience is flawed, the floor is high, which results in a knees-up seating, and its suspension isn't as sorted as some rivals.We would suggest that you consider the entry-level variants of the Kia Carens Clavis EV or Hyundai Creta Electric, both of which cover the basics well. Yes, these have a smaller 42kWh battery, but their powertrain is very efficient, which will deliver impressive real-world range. Overall, both these are excellent options for similar money as the E Vitara.

VehicleHyundai Creta Electric
VehicleKia Carens Clavis EV
VehicleMaruti Suzuki e Vitara
RB

RAJARSHI BANERJEE

•5d

I own Maruti S-Cross Diesel 2018 model.I have driven 1 lac km approximately with one major accident till date.We are a family of four.I drive extensively with 60% city and 40% highway.Is it the time for switching to new car or continue with the old car? If yes what is your suggestion for cars within Rs.20 lacs?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•18h

1 lakh kilometres is significant mileage and speaks volumes about the durability of the Fiat-sourced MultiJet diesel in your Maruti Suzuki S-Cross. It also reflects Maruti Suzuki’s reputation for reliability. That said, once the odometer crosses 100,000km, you are entering a phase where wear-and-tear components, suspension, clutch, injectors, turbo, etc., start demanding attention. Also, since the S-Cross is now discontinued and was never a high-volume model, sourcing certain parts in the long term could become more time-consuming or expensive. On balance, this is a reasonable time to consider switching.Given your positive ownership experience, staying with Maruti makes sense. The Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara is a strong option. The strong-hybrid variant, around the Rs 20 lakh mark, will deliver very low running costs. It is possibly even better in city use than your current diesel, which suits your 60 per cent urban driving pattern. It should also give you the same easy ownership experience you’re used to.If you prefer sticking with diesel for highway efficiency and torque, the Hyundai Creta diesel is a very good alternative. It offers a more spacious rear seat than the Grand Vitara and a more usable boot, since the Grand Vitara's hybrid battery slightly eats into luggage space. For a family of four with a mix of city and highway use, both are sensible upgrades within your Rs 20 lakh budget.

VehicleMaruti Suzuki Grand Vitara
VehicleHyundai Creta
PS

PSR

•1d

I am using WagonR (CNG). I want to upgrade to an automatic petrol SUV. I am considering Grand Vitara Zeta AT, Victoris ZXI AT and Creta S (O) iVT. Please suggest me good car in terms of comfortable driving and milage. I use car 50% in city and 50% on highway. My annual usage is 5000-6000 km.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•18m

The Hyundai Creta IVT is the best pick of the three models on your shortlist. It's got the smoothest gearbox and engine performance is also significantly better than the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara AT and Victoris AT. Fuel economy is decent too, and should not pinch over your 5000-6000km of annual usage.What also strengthens the Creta's case is that it's more spacious than the Maruti Suzuki models.However, we'd also recommend checking the Kia Seltos IVT. As you may know, the Seltos and Creta are closely related products. The recently-launched second-gen Seltos is built on the Hyundai Group's latest platform (the Creta continues on the last-gen platform) and comes with better tech as well as the promise of better safety. The new Seltos is also roomier than the Creta making it better suited to family use.

VehicleHyundai Creta
VehicleKia Seltos
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Victoris
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

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Posted on: 16 Feb 2026