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Rahul Singh

1w

My budget is fixed at ₹15L. I am looking for a midsize SUV for my daily commute. My running is 10k-12k per year, 80% city and 20% highway. I have shortlisted the Seltos HTE(O) IVT, but I have doubts about its performance. Should I consider the Seltos turbo iMT, which also offers the convenience of a clutch-less transmission and good performance? What will be the best option for me?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
1w
If performance is a big concern for you, then the Kia Seltos with the turbo-petrol iMT would be a good choice. However, given that the majority of your driving is within the city, performance from the naturally aspirated 1.5-litre engine and IVT transmission should be more than adequate.
The IVT does a good job of keeping the engine within its powerband and effectively masks any deficit in the city. It responds nicely to small throttle inputs, and in average day-to-day driving, there is little to complain about. The IVT is also seamless in operation and much more convenient than the iMT in the turbo-petrol.
We recommend that you test drive both back-to-back, if possible, to see which you prefer.
Kia Seltos

Kia Seltos

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Mohit

1w

I am currently driving baleno and want to purchase new car mini suv budget is till 20 and confused between kia seltos and tata harrier and tata sierra and I have mix of driving based upon work not regular but sometime city and highway majorly highway run so keep in mind of mileage and reliability of engine for long term which car is best among them kindly suggest with keep in mind mileage reliable engine spacious and if seltos is priority then which engine is better having decent performance with good mileage Thinking of purchasing htx a variant but when I see GTX is more good to go but need more spacious but looking at engine reliability service kia is preferable but need spacious so guide me what would be better.

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PO

pooja

2d

I am planning to buy a new petrol car with a manual gearbox. My budget is around ₹13 lakh. My usage will be 70% city and 30% highway. Could you please suggest SUV options within this budget?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
22h

With a daily running of around 50 to 60 km, a diesel automatic makes good sense as your monthly usage will easily justify the better fuel efficiency and relaxed nature of a diesel engine.Between the two options, the Kia Seltos diesel automatic is the better choice overall. The diesel engine is refined, and the 6-speed torque converter automatic is smooth and well-suited for normal city traffic as well as highway drives.The Tata Sierra is also a strong Midsize SUV with more cabin space. But its diesel engine is noticeably noisier and less refined than the Hyundai-Kia diesel. It is also over a lakh more expensive in comparable automatic variants.For your usage and preference for an automatic, the Seltos diesel automatic is the more balanced and sensible option thanks to its refinement, smooth gearbox and lower price.

VehicleKia Seltos
VehicleTata Sierra
VA

Vaibhav

4d

Hello Sir, I am looking to purchase an SUV within a budget of ₹15 lakh (on-road). Initially, the Tata Sierra was one of my preferred options, but after watching your video, I became a bit uncertain about it. Since then, I have also started considering the base petrol variant of the Harrier. I do not drive a car on a daily basis. My average monthly travel is around 400 km, and my annual usage is approximately 6,000-7,000 km. My driving is usually less in the city and more on highways. I frequently travel through the ghat sections of Pune and the Konkan region with five passengers and a significant amount of luggage. Therefore, I am looking for a car that is safe, fuel-efficient, and has relatively low maintenance costs. I would really appreciate your suggestion on which option would be the best choice for my requirements. Thank you.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
3h

The Tata Harrier Smart turbo-petrol MT (base) should be close to your Rs 15 lakh budget (on-road). It is a spacious 5-seater with a large boot, and its turbo-petrol has ample performance to effortlessly drive through the ghat sections with a full-load of passengers and luggage. Do keep in mind that the Harrier is a heavy car, and turbo-petrol engines are very sensitive to your driving style, so we'd advise you to keep your fuel efficiency expectations low.Alternatively, you can consider the Kia Seltos HTE(O) Turbo-petrol iMT. It is spacious, and performance is adequate, too. And being lighter, fuel efficiency is likely to be a bit better.

VehicleKia Seltos
VehicleTata Harrier
SA

Saransh

4d

I am planning to buy a new SUV at around ₹17 lakh on-road price and have shortlisted the Honda Elevate ZX, Kia Seltos HTK and new Kushaq Prestige. I primarily need a car for 80% driving in the city and around 1000-1200 km per month. Which is better in terms of engine and mileage? Is the Honda Elevate outdated compared to other cars in the segment?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
1d

The Honda Elevate is a good option for your needs. The 1.5-litre petrol engine is smooth and refined, and the CVT automatic gearbox is well-suited to city driving. The car is spacious and comfortable, and the ZX variant is well-equipped too. However, in comparison to the Seltos, it does not have the space or the modernity, and the cabin does not feel as plush.The Kia Seltos HTK with the CVT gearbox is the best option considering all your needs. It is a lot better-equipped than the Honda, has a better ride quality, and the engine has a lot more punch and strong performance while still being easy to drive in the city. The smoothness, refinement and ease of use are why the Seltos will be our recommendation.The Skoda Kushaq is a good option, too. The 1.0-litre TSI engine is quite efficient, but it is not as smooth as the 1.5-litre engines of the Honda and Kia. The facelift that was recently revealed will be launched in a few days, but it hasn't changed much in the rear seat space, where it is still not as spacious as the Seltos. So we would advise you to shortlist the Seltos.

VehicleKia Seltos
VehicleHonda Elevate
VehicleSkoda Kushaq

Posted on: 6 Mar 2026