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Darshanpreet Singh

•20h

Hi Autocar Team, I need expert advice regarding my current car situation. I own a 2016 Hyundai Creta petrol, which is now about 10 years old. As per regulations, I understand I may have around 5 more years of usage left. Recently, the car had some engine heating and gasket issues, which have now been resolved. Currently, the car is running well with no major problems, and everything, including the AC, is functioning properly. My monthly usage is quite low, around 200 km. I am confused about what to do next. Should I continue using this car or consider replacing it? Given my low usage, would it make more sense to sell it and buy a smaller car? Alternatively, should I upgrade to a 7-seater, considering we are a family of five and also have two cars in the household? I am also considering switching to an EV and have looked at the MG Windsor EV, but it stretches my budget, and I am unsure about home charging infrastructure. Considering all these factors-budget, low usage, family needs, and future planning - could you please advise whether I should keep my current car or buy a new one, and what would be the most practical and future-proof decision in my case?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•11m

Keep your Hyundai Creta 2016 petrol for the next 3-5 years; with just 200 km a month and two cars already, it’s the most practical, lowest-cost, zero‑hassle option right now.

You’ve already fixed the heating and gasket, and there are no major issues, so you’re not “buying reliability.” With roughly 5 years of legal life left by your own estimate, you can spread any occasional maintenance over 60 months. At 200 km/month, a new car won’t pay back; you’d take a typical 10-15% first‑year depreciation with little usage benefit. 

EVs don’t add value for such low running, and you’re unsure about home charging, which needs overnight access and at least a dedicated 15A line. For a family of five with two cars, a 7‑seater only makes sense if all five travel together often; unused third rows just add length and parking effort without daily benefit.

If your family starts doing full‑house trips 2-3 times a month and you truly need three rows, consider the Maruti Ertiga ZXi instead; it’s a reliable 7‑seater that suits occasional highway runs.

 

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Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

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Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

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Raja

•1d

I previously owned a Toyota Innova Crysta 2.8 AT, which I sold and replaced with a Hyundai Creta 1.5 turbo petrol about a year ago. The car has run around 10,000 km so far. However, I now feel that the Creta is not as comfortable as the Crysta, and I am reconsidering my decision. Should I sell the Creta and upgrade to another car? My budget is around ₹27 lakh. Could you please advise whether upgrading again would be a sensible decision and suggest better alternatives in this price range?

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The Hyundai Creta is actually a very good car and is very comfortable for the mid-size SUV segment, but when you compare it to something like the Innova Crysta, you are always going to feel a drop in comfort. The Crysta is a larger people mover, built primarily for comfort, whereas the Creta’s strengths are being more compact, easier to drive and more feature-rich.If comfort is your top priority, then it does make sense to go back to an Innova. In your budget, we would suggest looking at the Innova Hycross GX(O) automatic.The Toyota Innova Hycross feels more car-like to drive compared to the Crysta, thanks to its monocoque construction. It has lighter steering, a smooth CVT gearbox and a comfortable ride, which makes it easier to use in the city as well. The naturally aspirated petrol engine is smooth and responsive enough for both city and highway driving.More importantly, there is a lot of space inside the cabin, and overall comfort is on another level compared to mid-size SUVs like the Creta. The GX(O) variant is not very feature-loaded, but it has all the essentials. Since your priority is comfort, that shouldn’t be a deal breaker.

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I am looking to buy a new car and am considering the Mahindra XUV 3XO RevX M, Hyundai Venue HX2, and the base variant of the Kia Seltos. My annual running is around 4,000 km, with 80% city driving. I am upgrading from a Hyundai Grand i10. My key requirements are low maintenance, a petrol manual transmission, a good infotainment system, and a car that looks and feels premium. Could you please suggest which of these options would be the best choice for my needs?

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•4h

Considering your usage of just 4,000 km a year with 80% city driving, all three options will work, but the choice depends on what you value more.If you want a proper upgrade in terms of space, feel and road presence, the Kia Seltos base variant stands out. It is a larger car, feels more premium and will be a noticeable step up from your Grand i10. Even though it is the base variant, it still gets the essentials, but the infotainment system is quite basic. This is something to keep in mind since that is one of your requirements.The Hyundai Venue HX2 is the more balanced and easier choice. It is compact, easy to drive in the city and offers a good ownership experience with low maintenance. It also feels like a decent upgrade, though not as big a jump as the Seltos in terms of size and presence.

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•3d

Hi Autocar Team, we are planning to buy a new car as a secondary vehicle, replacing our 2018 Ford Freestyle Petrol Titanium Plus. Our budget is around ₹16 lakh (with some flexibility). The car will be used mostly in the city, with 2-3 occupants, and we prefer a petrol automatic. We are inclined towards sub-4 metre compact SUVs due to the higher seating position. We initially considered the Kia Sonet, Hyundai Venue, and Tata Nexon, and have currently booked the Kia Sonet GTX+ petrol DCT. However, with several new launches, we are now confused. Cars like the new Kia Seltos are appealing for their space, but within our budget only the lower variants with the naturally aspirated petrol engine are feasible. The new Renault Duster also looks promising, but there is no Renault dealership in our area. Similarly, Skoda is not an option due to the absence of a dealership. Given this situation, are we making the right decision by going ahead with the Kia Sonet GTX+ petrol DCT in 2026, or should we reconsider other options within this budget?

Autocar India team

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•1d

The Kia Sonet GTX+ 1.0-turbo DCT you’ve booked does overlap with the entry-level HTE (O) variant of the Seltos. The Seltos comes quite well equipped for a base model, with features like a 10.25-inch infotainment screen with wireless connectivity, cruise control and even paddle shifters for the IVT. However, you will miss out on several features compared to the Sonet GTX+, such as ADAS, Bose audio and ventilated front seats. If features are important to you, then stick with the Sonet; otherwise, the Seltos is a good choice.The Seltos is the newer car, while the Sonet is now due for a refresh. Ride quality and cabin space will also be far better in the Seltos. Since it will mostly be driven in the city, the naturally aspirated engine is more than adequate in terms of performance, and the IVT offers a seamless experience. Do a test drive of the Seltos before you decide.

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Posted on: 20 Mar 2026