Autocar India
TK

Tarun Kumar

•1d

Hi, I booked the new Seltos HTK (O) IVT variant last week. However, today the official ARAI mileage figures were released, and they show that the DCT has higher mileage than the IVT. How is that possible? The showroom salesperson had told me that the IVT would give around 11kpl in city driving, while the DCT would give around 6-7kpl. My usage is 95% city driving, with around 15 km daily running, so I do not really need the extra power. My question is: should I switch my booking to the DCT variant if the test results are so good? I do not mind spending ₹70-80k more for those 5% drives on the highways if the city mileage is similar. If real-world mileage is the same, I would prefer the DCT. I am not sure how to interpret these mileage numbers, so I would appreciate your guidance.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•1m
Stick with the Kia Seltos IVT. It is still the better choice for your usage, and those ARAI numbers do not reflect real-world city driving.
The key point is how these gearboxes behave in traffic. The IVT is tuned for smooth, steady driving and low-speed efficiency, which is exactly what your 95% city usage demands. It keeps the engine relaxed, avoids unnecessary revs and delivers consistent mileage in stop-and-go conditions. The DCT, on the other hand, is designed for performance. Even though the official numbers may look better, in real-world city traffic, it tends to run hotter, shift more frequently and can drop efficiency, especially in slow-moving conditions.
This is where your salesman’s input was directionally correct. In dense city use, the IVT will usually return better and more consistent mileage, while the DCT can dip significantly if you are crawling or constantly accelerating and braking.
Also, turbo-petrol engines like the one paired with the DCT are very sensitive to accelerator inputs. Drive gently, and they can be efficient, but even slightly aggressive inputs cause the turbo to spool up, fuel consumption rises quickly and mileage drops. In daily city driving, it is hard to maintain that discipline all the time.
Compared to the IVT, the DCT will feel quicker and more responsive, especially on highways, and is more enjoyable to drive when you push it. But that advantage matters only for your occasional highway runs, not your everyday usage.
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PS

prasad shiraskar

•1d

I’m planning to buy the new Kia Seltos 2026, but I’m confused between the petrol NA IVT and the turbo petrol DCT options. My usage will mainly be office commute in Navi Mumbai, around 900-1200 km per month, and city driving. So good mileage and ease of driving in traffic are important, but at the same time, I don’t want the car to feel underpowered or sluggish. Please suggest to me which variant would suit my needs, or if there's any other car in the same segment.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•2h

For mostly city runs in Navi Mumbai and 900-1200 km a month, the Kia Seltos 1.5 petrol with the IVT automatic fits your needs better than the 1.5 turbo with the DCT. The IVT is a type of automatic that prioritises smoothness, so it feels calm in stop-and-go traffic and usually uses less fuel in the city than the turbo DCT. It also edges forward smoothly at low speed, which makes bumper-to-bumper driving less tiring.In the city, using 1.5 petrol does not feel slow. It keeps up with traffic and climbs flyovers without stress. The steering is light, and the power delivery is smooth, so daily commuting is simple. The turbo DCT will feel quicker if you often need sudden bursts, but in heavy traffic, the DCT can feel a bit hesitant and clunky at crawling speeds, can run hotter in long jams, and will likely use more fuel in the city.The trade-off with the IVT is that when you press hard for a quick overtake, the engine gets loud and the pull is steady rather than instant. If you do frequent fast highway trips with a full load, the turbo will feel stronger. That said, the 115hp, 1.5-litre engine feels more than adequate and not underpowered. Overall, for your daily office run and focus on ease and mileage, pick the Seltos 1.5 IVT.

VehicleKia Seltos
VR

Vishal Raivadera

•2d

I am planning to buy a compact SUV with a budget of around ₹20-21 lakh (on-road). I have shortlisted two models: Hyundai Creta 1.5 NA IVT SX (O) / SX Premium and Kia Seltos 1.5 NA IVT HTX. My usage will be mainly daily city driving, with occasional highway trips (around once a quarter). I have already owned a Tata car and do not want to go with Tata again due to post-sales service issues. I also took the test-drive of Toyota Hyryder but did not like its driving experience. In test drives, I preferred the Creta over the Seltos in terms of driving feel. However, I am concerned that the current Creta is based on the K2 platform, which may become outdated after the expected facelift next year, whereas the Seltos is on the newer K3 platform. Given my requirements and concerns, which car would be the better choice for me: the Hyundai Creta 1.5 NA IVT SX (O)/SX Premium or the Kia Seltos 1.5 NA IVT HTX?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•1d

With mostly city use, occasional highway drives, and ₹20-21 lakh on-road, you are clearly looking for a smooth and stress-free automatic zone. In your case, we’d pick the Hyundai Creta 1.5 IVT. You already liked how the Creta drives, and that matters more in daily life than anything on a spec sheet. The 1.5 petrol with the IVT feels calm in stop-go traffic, and the steering is light, so parking and tight turns are easy. This Hyundai car is a touch softer than the Seltos, which takes the edge off bad roads and will keep you fresher after long city days. Hyundai’s service network is also wider, which should ease your worry after a poor Tata experience.While the K3 is a notable upgrade on the K2, bringing larger dimensions, improved structural rigidity and more features, it doesn’t matter if you don’t like how it drives.Two things to note with the Creta IVT: it is not very quick, so fast highway overtakes with a full load need a firmer press of the accelerator and a bit of planning. If you prefer a slightly sportier feel and a few extra features at this price, the Seltos 1.5 IVT HTX is a solid pick. But since you prefer the way the Creta drives, it’s the better choice for you.

VehicleHyundai Creta
VehicleKia Seltos
PC

PC

•1d

I was using a Hyundai i20 N-Line iMT 2023 model, which I purchased in 2023. I have now sold it due to low mileage and heating issues. I am currently confused between the XUV 7XO AX7T petrol automatic (₹27.32 lakh), MG Hector petrol CVT (₹23.5 lakh), and Kia Seltos IVT GTX+ (₹24 lakh). I will be using the car with my wife and 3-year-old child, driving twice a week to office in the city and taking a road trip once every 3 months.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•1d

Do keep in mind that none of the models that you've shortlisted are particularly fuel efficient. Among these, the Kia Seltos IVT is likely to be the most fuel efficient, delivering approximately 10.3kpl in the city and 14.22kpl on the highway, while the petrol-automatic versions of XUV 7XO and MG Hector are likely to return fuel efficiency in single digits.Additionally, the interior of Seltos feels upmarket. This Kia car is spacious and for a family of three, it feels the right size. Sure, performance isn't as strong as the XUV 7XO, however for leisurely drives with the family its 1.5-petrol IVT combination works well.

VehicleMahindra XUV 7XO
VehicleMG Hector
VehicleKia Seltos

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Posted on: 24 Apr 2026