Mumbai

•16w

I have a base model diesel Kia Seltos manual, which I have been using since October 2019. I have driven it for 1.10 lakh km. I am now thinking of upgrading, and am considering the Tata Sierra, Renault Duster, and Skoda Kushaq. Should I go for a manual or automatic? My usage is mostly in Pune city, around 1,000 km per month, with an occasional 600 km highway trip every 2-3 months. My budget is 20 lakh. Should I consider petrol, diesel, or hybrid? Also, should I look at a second-hand luxury SUV?

•16w

With mostly Pune city use at about 1,000 km a month and an occasional 600 km highway run, the Renault Duster Techno Plus 1.3 Turbo Petrol DCT is the best of all your shortlisted cars under 20 lakh. It suits your mix because an automatic will take the strain out of traffic, the 1.3 turbo petrol feels smooth at city speeds yet punchy when you need it to be, and the Duster feels sturdy and stable on the highway.

Coming from a base Kia Seltos diesel manual, you will notice easier driving in stop-and-go traffic, better features, and a more comfortable ride. This version should sit close to your budget. Do check the current on-road prices in Pune. One trade-off to keep in mind is that a petrol will consume more fuel than your current diesel Seltos. However, given your usage pattern, petrol makes more sense than diesel.

The Renault Duster mileage is claimed at 19.41kpl for the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol manual, while the 1.3-litre turbo-petrol delivers 17.75kpl to 18.45kpl, depending on the transmission.

You could consider the strong hybrid Maruti Suzuki Victoris, or even the new-gen Kia Seltos, which is a big upgrade from your 2019 model, but they won't offer as much bang for your buck in your budget. A second-hand luxury SUV under Rs 20 lakh is tempting, but upkeep and repair costs can be high. Only consider it with a full service history and a strong warranty. Overall, for your city-heavy use and budget, the Duster 1.3 Turbo DCT lines up best.

Explore cars mentioned

Renault

Duster

from ₹12.38 Lakh

Maruti Suzuki

Victoris

from ₹12.39 Lakh

Kia

Seltos

from ₹12.98 Lakh

Want to sell your car?

Sell your car at the right price, without the stress.

Sell your Car

More questions on similar cars

•2d

Hi, I currently drive a 2014 Maruti Suzuki Dzire Petrol and am planning to upgrade to a new SUV. My shortlisted options are the Kia Seltos HTX(A) DCT and the Mahindra XUV 7XO Petrol Automatic. My biggest concern with the XUV 7XO is its low fuel efficiency. My monthly running is less than 1,000 km, as I work from home, with a 60:40 city-to-highway split in the NCR. I also plan to use the new car for trips to the mountains, so it should offer strong performance, sufficient torque, and confident handling. I also test-drove the new Renault Duster and loved the driving experience, but I wasn't impressed by Renault's showroom and after-sales experience. Which of these would you recommend for my requirements?

•1d

Given your usage of less than 1,000km a month with a 60:40 city-highway mix in NCR, the Kia Seltos HTX(A) DCT is the better fit. The Seltos turbo petrol DCT is a strong performer with good mid-range torque, making it well-suited for mountain drives and highway overtakes. It also offers a more polished ownership experience with Kia’s wider service network and better dealership consistency, which is important for long-term peace of mind.The Mahindra XUV 7XO petrol automatic is a more powerful and larger SUV, but it is also heavier and less efficient, which is a concern given your low running. The Seltos strikes a better balance between performance, efficiency and ease of ownership. The new Duster is a genuinely enjoyable driver’s car, but as a package does not score well against the Seltos in terms of equipment and space.The Seltos HTX(A) DCT is the most sensible choice here.

I currently own a 2022 Kia Seltos that has covered 35,000 km. My wife and I are the primary occupants, and we usually take one or two road trips every six months, covering up to 300 km in a day on highways. We are both 66 years old. I plan to continue driving myself for the next five years, after which I expect to hire a chauffeur. I have been considering replacing the Seltos with the MG Hector Savvy CVT 6-seater. Given my usage and future plans, would it be better to make the change now or wait?

•1d

Based on your usage and priorities, there is no compelling reason to change your Kia Seltos right now. Your 2022 Seltos with 35,000 km is still relatively new and well within its prime ownership period. Since you and your wife are usually the only occupants, and your travel is limited to one or two highway trips every six months with a maximum of 300 km a day, moving to a larger 6-seater like the MG Hector Savvy CVT does not offer any meaningful advantage. While the Hector is a comfortable SUV, its larger dimensions and third row are unlikely to be fully utilised based on your current needs. The Seltos is already a comfortable and capable highway car, and it will continue to serve you well for the next five years until you transition to a chauffeur-driven setup. At that point, you can reassess your requirements and choose a more comfort-focused upgrade if needed. For now, keeping the Seltos is the more practical and sensible decision.

Kia Seltos

MG Hector

•2d

Hey, I’ve booked the 2026 Kia Seltos HTK IVT variant. As you know, it comes with a lot of features, and this variant covers almost everything I need for my daily usage. However, I’m a bit confused now because the next-generation Hyundai Creta is expected to launch either towards the end of this year or in early 2027. Is it really worth waiting for the new Creta, or should I go ahead with the Seltos without having second thoughts? If I do decide to wait, I’d also like to know whether Hyundai actually offers a better overall ownership experience in terms of maintenance costs, service quality, spare parts availability, reliability, resale value, pricing, mileage, and long-term ownership compared to Kia. It’s already almost August, so if we wait just a few more months, we could probably get a 2027-manufactured and registered vehicle, which is another reason we’re considering waiting. At the same time, we’re planning to keep this car for the long term (8-10 years or more), so we want to make the right decision now rather than regret it later. That’s why I have so many questions. I’d really appreciate an unbiased opinion from the experts on whether it’s better to stick with the Seltos or wait for the all-new Creta. Thanks in advance.

•13h

Go ahead with the Kia Seltos HTK IVT. The Seltos is a very well-rounded product, and the HTK IVT is a sweet spot in the range with a good balance of features and value. The bigger point is that the Seltos and Creta are fundamentally very similar cars underneath, sharing the same platform, engines and gearboxes. The ownership experience between Hyundai and Kia is also broadly similar in terms of maintenance costs, service reach, reliability and resale value. There is no clear advantage to waiting for the new Creta from that perspective.The only reason to wait would be if you are specifically interested in the new Creta’s design, interior or feature set. But that is an unknown at this stage, and there is no guarantee it will be meaningfully better than the Seltos. In fact, the Seltos is already one of the most complete cars in the segment, and the IVT gearbox is smooth and well-suited to city driving.Given you are planning to keep the car for 8-10 years, it makes more sense to buy a proven product now rather than wait for an unknown. The Seltos will serve you well over the long term, and you are unlikely to regret the decision.

Kia Seltos

Hyundai Creta

View all Posts

Popular discussions right now

•1w

I’m planning to buy an EV with a budget of Rs. 19 - 20 lakh. My heart says the Tata Sierra EV Pure 63, but my mind says the Kia Syros top variant because of features like ventilated seats. Kindly suggest which one would be the better choice.

•6d

The choice really comes down to your usage and what you value in the car. If you need more space for both passengers and luggage and have a few long drives that you would undertake, then opt for the Tata Sierra. This Tata car is much larger and has a very spacious interior. The ride quality is also very good over both bad city roads as well as high highway speeds. If, however, your usage is mainly going to be within the city, then the Kia Syros is the better buy. Its compact footprint will be much easier to manage while driving congested streets, and finding parking would be easier. You would also enjoy the top variant of the Kia car and its features.

Tata Sierra

Kia Syros

•3d

I am confused between Taigun 1.5 Sport and Seltos Diesel X-Line top model. I have owned the Polo AT and Vento AT in the past, so my love for Volkswagen is making this decision difficult.

•3d

Go for the Volkswagen Taigun 1.5 TSI Sport. Coming from a Polo and Vento automatic, you already appreciate Volkswagen’s driving DNA, and the Taigun 1.5 TSI is a natural progression. The engine is punchy, the DSG gearbox is quick and engaging, and the overall driving experience is far more involving than the Seltos. The Taigun also feels more compact and agile in the city, while still being comfortable on the highway. The Volkswagen Taigun mileage is 19.54 kpl for the 1.0 TSI AT, 19.98 kpl for the 1.0 TSI MT, and 18.85 kpl for the 1.5 TSI DCT.The Kia Seltos diesel X-Line is a strong all-rounder with better space, a more premium cabin and a more relaxed long-distance character, but it does not offer the same level of driver engagement. The diesel engine is efficient and torquey, but it lacks the excitement of the 1.5 TSI. Given your history with Volkswagen cars, the Taigun will simply feel more familiar and more enjoyable to drive every day. The Taigun price starts at Rs 11.00 lakh (ex-showroom).

Volkswagen Taigun

Kia Seltos

•6d

I want to buy a seven-seater car for my family. It will be used by my uncle and me, and my budget is Rs. 25 lakh. I am looking for an automatic transmission, a panoramic sunroof, and good fuel efficiency.

•6d

Go for the Kia Carens Clavis diesel automatic. It is the most sensible and well-rounded choice for your requirements. The Carens is a genuinely spacious seven-seater with a comfortable third row, which is important when the car will be shared between families. The diesel automatic is the right powertrain for strong fuel efficiency and effortless performance, especially on highways and with a full load. The Carens also comes well equipped with features like a panoramic sunroof, and Kia’s service network and ownership experience are among the best in the segment. The only real drawback is that the Carens does not have the same SUV-like road presence as some rivals, but as a practical family car it is hard to fault. If you want something with a more rugged SUV feel, the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic is worth considering, but mileage would be lower. The Carens is the better all-round family car.

Kia Carens Clavis

Mahindra XUV 7XO

View all Posts

Posted on: 16 Apr 2026

Need expert advice?

Ask the Autocar community and experts.

Found this useful? Your experience matters to others

Still have questions?