Autocar India
17w

I am planning to upgrade from my current Suzuki Baleno top-spec Alpha variant. I am looking for higher ground clearance, ventilated seats, a 360-degree camera, and a smoother transmission (unlike my current AMT). I am considering the Duster, Seltos, Victoris, and Creta. My annual driving is mostly in the city and under 10,000 km. Kindly suggest the best option.

Verified
17w

You are looking for higher ground clearance, a smoother automatic, cooled seats and a more premium experience, and the Seltos delivers on all of these. The IVT gearbox is very smooth in city traffic, a clear step up from your current AMT, and the naturally aspirated petrol is refined and easy to drive for your low, city-heavy running. Being a newer generation car, it also feels more premium inside and out, offers better space and has a well-sorted ride that suits both city and occasional highway use.

The Duster is a strong alternative if you prioritise driving feel. The turbo petrol with DCT is more engaging, but in daily city use it will not feel as smooth as the Seltos IVT, and fuel efficiency will also be lower. 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.

The Grand Vitara is efficient and easy to drive, but it does not feel as premium, and the engine and gearbox combination is not as strong or responsive as the Seltos. It is also not as spacious. The Creta shares a similar powertrain, but being the older car, it does not feel as fresh or as premium inside, is slightly less spacious and costs similar money, which makes the Seltos the better pick.

Kia Seltos

Kia Seltos

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2d

I’m planning to buy my first car and would appreciate some suggestions. My budget is around Rs. 13-15 lakh ex-showroom, and I’m planning to register the car under the BH series. Safety is my top priority, so I strongly prefer a car with a 5-star safety rating, preferably from Global NCAP. An automatic transmission is a must. The car will mainly be used for weekend family trips and highway drives rather than daily commuting. Since it will be a family car, I’d prefer something that looks classy and elegant while offering good comfort. A premium-looking interior would be a plus, and features such as leather/leatherette upholstery and ventilated seats would be nice to have, but they aren't deal-breakers. At the same time, I don’t want a car that is purely comfort-oriented. I enjoy driving, so I’d like something with a good engine, enjoyable handling, and a fun-to-drive character. Good rear-seat comfort and reasonable luggage space for family trips would also be appreciated.

Verified
20h

Based on your requirements, the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI automatic is the recommendation. It strikes the right balance between safety, driving enjoyment and family usability. The 1.0 TSI engine is strong, the handling is engaging, and the car feels solid and confidence-inspiring on the highway. The interior feels premium, and while it may not be the largest in its segment, overall comfort is quite good. If you prefer the look of the VW Taigun, it offers largely the same experience as the Kushaq. The Renault Duster 1.3 DCT is also a strong alternative, offering excellent driving dynamics and a larger cabin. Overall, though, the Kushaq 1.0 TSI automatic is the car that best aligns with your requirements.

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17h

Hi everyone, I have a budget around 13 lakh and my annual running is around 8,000 km. I'm confused between buying a sedan or compact SUV like Kia Seltos etc. as I have sold my Tata Punch last month that I owned almost for 4.5 years but now I want to purchase good and elegant looking car that can last for 7 to 9 year without any hassle. Me and my wife have shortlisted cars like New Honda City SV variant, New Skoda Slavia Base one, or Upcoming Virtus in sedan segment. In suv segment, I have shortlisted cars like Seltos, Grand Vitara, etc. My wife wants to shortlist sedan. Please suggest me which one should I go for as it's the matter of investing my hard earned money. Also, which car will have good resale value in future.

Verified
5h

Go for the Honda City SV petrol manual. With your annual running of 8,000km, petrol is the right choice, and the City is one of the most reliable and hassle-free cars you can buy. It is also a car that is known to last well beyond 7-9 years with proper maintenance, which fits your ownership plan. The SV variant gives you the essentials within your budget, and the City’s strong resale value and Honda's wide service network make it a sensible long-term investment.The Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Virtus are both excellent to drive, but the City is the safer long-term bet. Skoda and Volkswagen have improved their ownership experience, but Honda still has the edge when it comes to reliability and peace of mind over a long ownership period. On the SUV side, the Seltos and Grand Vitara are both good cars, but at your budget you will be looking at base variants, and neither will have as much resale as the City.Since your wife prefers a sedan and you are looking for a car that will last without hassle, the Honda City SV is the best option.

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Popular discussions right now

1d

I am planning to buy a new car under 20-25 lakh for the next ten years. I have considered two cars Seltos DCT GTX(A) and Kushaq 1.5 Monte Carlo DSG but am afraid of the mileage and if I go with an EV, I am afraid that infrastructure will not be that good. I drive daily for 10-15 km and take 2-3 trips in a year on highway. Should I buy the car now or wait for Seltos Hybrid? Will it cost an additional 2-3 lakh or will it be value for money for my driving. Should I consider another car?

Verified
1d

With a daily running of just 10-15 km and only a few highway trips a year, fuel efficiency and long-term reliability should be your top priorities. The Seltos DCT GTX+ and Kushaq 1.5 DSG Monte Carlo are both excellent cars, but their turbo-petrol engines and dual-clutch gearboxes are not the most efficient or the most stress-free choices for predominantly short city runs. The DCT/DSG gearboxes are at their best on open roads, and in stop-start city traffic they can feel a bit jerky and are not as smooth or as durable as a torque converter automatic over the long term.The Seltos hybrid is worth waiting for if you are not in a hurry. It is expected to be priced roughly Rs. 2-3 lakh above the equivalent petrol variant, and for your usage pattern it will make more sense than the turbo-petrol DCT. Hybrids deliver their biggest efficiency gains in city driving, and over a 10-year ownership period the fuel savings and smoother driving experience will more than justify the premium.If you want to buy now, the Kia Seltos IVT (naturally aspirated petrol with CVT) is the better choice for your usage. It is smooth, reliable and well suited to city driving, and you will not be paying a premium for performance you will rarely use. The Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI with the torque converter automatic is another good option if you prefer a more engaging driving experience, but the Seltos IVT is the more refined and hassle-free choice.EVs are not the right fit for you at the moment given your concerns about charging infrastructure and your low daily running. The savings are not significant enough to justify the compromises.

VehicleKia Seltos
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Posted on: 2 May 2026