Hi, I am Srini from Bangalore. I have a Kicks Turbo petrol 2022 XV manual (17,000km driven), and I am interested in the new Kia Seltos turbo DCT GT A variant. Kindly advise if this would be a good upgrade or if I should continue with my existing Kicks Turbo petrol with some additional accessories. Thanks!

Autocar India

•1m

Go for the Kia Seltos 1.5 turbo-petrol DCT in GT Line. It is a step up from your Kicks, and will feel like a real upgrade in terms of refinement, safety tech and overall cabin experience.

Your Kicks Turbo is a strong driver’s car, but the Kia Seltos brings the two big gains you’ll feel every day. First, the DCT automatic takes the hard work out of stop-and-go traffic, so your commute will be far more relaxed. Second, the Seltos cabin feels more upmarket, with better screens, a sharper camera system and many comfort touches . It is also better equipped on safety in higher trims, and Kia’s service reach in Bangalore is wide and usually smooth. Performance will not feel like a downgrade either; the 1.5 turbo is quick, and the Seltos feels stable and easy to drive.

One thing to be aware of is that a DCT can feel a bit hesitant at very low speeds. Also, the GT Line’s larger wheels make the ride a little firm. Do a long test drive on your usual commute and see if the Seltos DCT suits you.

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from ₹13.01 Lakh

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More questions on similar cars

Gopalaseshan S

•1d

I currently use a Maruti Ciaz petrol from 2019 and am planning to replace it with another 1500 cc SUV priced around ₹18 lakhs. My monthly city running is less than 1,000 km. Please suggest a comfortable car.

Autocar India

•16h

The key point here is what you are upgrading from. The Ciaz has one of the best rear seats, and at this price point, no SUV really matches that level of rear-seat space and comfort.We would have recommended the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara or the Hyryder, especially since you already own a car from the same brand. However, both are on the weaker side when it comes to rear-seat space and overall comfort, so they will feel like a step down compared to your current car.For a proper upgrade, you are better off looking at the Seltos, Creta or even the Elevate.The Kia Seltos would be the first recommendation. The new generation is a larger car than before, and that reflects in its cabin. It feels more spacious and the rear seat is comfortable enough for family use, making it the closest you will get to a proper upgrade in this segment.The Hyundai Creta is also a very good option. It offers a similar level of comfort and uses the same 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, which is refined, smooth and easy to drive. It is slightly smaller on the inside compared to the Seltos, but still comfortable for most family needs.The Honda Elevate is the more sensible and slightly more affordable option. It offers good space and a comfortable ride, and in fact has very good rear seat legroom, but the engine is not as refined as the Kia and Hyundai cars, which you will notice in everyday driving.

Kia Seltos

Hyundai Creta

Honda Elevate

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Hariprasad

•4d

I am planning to buy a new vehicle with a budget of ₹15 lakh (ex-showroom). My usage will be around 60-70% on highways, with occasional hill drives, while the rest will be city use, mainly on weekends, with around 30-40km of running. I prefer a manual transmission and am currently considering the Seltos. Please suggest a suitable variant for a fun-to-drive experience, or other car options.

Autocar India

•2h

For your usage, which is largely highway-focused with occasional hill drives and a clear preference for manual driving, the Kia Seltos HTK Petrol MT variant is a sensible and well-rounded choice within your Rs 15 lakh ex-showroom budget. It offers a comfortable and stable highway experience, light controls for occasional city use, and enough ground clearance to handle broken roads and hill sections without worry.However, if fun-to-drive is an important factor for you, the naturally aspirated petrol may feel a bit flat, especially on highways and inclines where you will need to work the gearbox more for overtakes.In that case, it is worth considering something like the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI manual. It offers a stronger mid-range and a more engaging driving experience, which suits highway driving and hill sections better, especially for someone who enjoys being behind the wheel.So the choice comes down to what you prioritise. If you want a comfortable, easy and well-equipped all-rounder, the Seltos HTK+ works well. But if you are looking for a more engaging and fun driving experience, the Kushaq 1.0 TSI manual is the better fit.

Kia Seltos

Skoda Kushaq

Prashant

•2d

I want to purchase a car within a budget of 12 to 13 lakh. My running is about 50km every day during office hours in Mumbai. I am open to a hatchback or SUV. My requirement is a 5-star safety, reliability, low maintenance, spacious, and a good-feel cabin. Presently, I own a Tata Altroz. Please suggest a suitable car.

Autocar India

•16h

For your requirement, the Hyundai Venue and the Kia Seltos fit quite well.The Hyundai Venue HX5 turbo DCT is the easier car to live with. It is compact, very easy to drive in city traffic, and the automatic transmission makes daily commuting effortless. The cabin of this Hyundai car feels modern and well-equipped, so you will not feel the need to add much later.The Kia Seltos HTE or HTK is the better overall upgrade. It is a larger car, more spacious and more comfortable, especially at the rear. The 1.5 naturally aspirated petrol engine is smooth, refined and easy to drive, making it well suited for long term use. Even in the base variants, it gets all the essential features you would need.

Hyundai Venue

Kia Seltos

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