I have to buy a car. So, I have shortlisted a few options: Sonet vs Syros vs Kylaq vs Xuv 3xo vs Tekton vs Seltos vs Clavis. My budget is under 13 lakh.

autocar.india

•9h

Go for the Hyundai Creta Diesel AT at Rs 21.6 lakh - and potentially less after further discounts. The Kia Seltos Diesel AT at Rs 25 lakh is simply too much more expensive for what is essentially a very similar car underneath. Both cars use the same diesel engine and the same 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. The new-gen Seltos does have a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating, while the outgoing-gen Creta has not been tested by BNCAP yet, but is not an unsafe car by any means. Hyundai has a strong global safety record, and the Creta is a well-engineered product. The next-gen Creta, built on the same K3 platform as the Seltos, is at least a year away from going on sale, and will see a similar - if not greater - price jump as seen on the Seltos. Similarly, these discounts you're getting on the current model will disappear, and frankly the benefits you're getting today are too good to ignore. If you simply must have the latest tech and a bit more space, get the Seltos, but the Creta with the same features at a far discounted price gives you far more bang for your buck.

Hyundai Creta

Kia Seltos

autocar.india

•10h

Given your priorities of reliability, good mileage, decent features and long-term ownership, the Kia Seltos IVT would be our recommendation. The automatic version will be better suited, as you are struggling with the heavy clutch. More specifically, the HTX(A) trim will get you everything you would want. The CVT gearbox is smooth and effortless in the city, and the naturally aspirated engine has good performance without sacrificing too much efficiency. The cabin space and quality are excellent, and the Kia cars are very reliable too. Safety is another aspect in which it scores a perfect 5-star rating in the Bharat NCAP tests. Overall, it is a very strong package and one that will suffice your needs the best.

Kia Seltos

autocar.india

•11h

With a monthly running of just 350km, diesel is not financially justified, so you should focus on petrol or hybrid options. The Maruti Suzuki Victoris Hybrid is the most sensible recommendation here. This Maruti Suzuki car offers excellent fuel efficiency, a comfortable ride and a proven ownership experience, making it a very easy car to live with over the long term. The hybrid system works seamlessly in city traffic and keeps running costs low, which is exactly what you want with your usage pattern.If you want something with a more premium feel and a stronger safety package, the Kia Seltos is the alternative to consider. It has a more upmarket cabin, a wider range of features and a more substantial feel on the road. The only trade-off is that it will not be as efficient as the Victoris Hybrid in city driving.Overall, the Victoris Hybrid in its ZXI trim will cost around your budget and is the most balanced recommendation for your requirements. It is efficient, comfortable and easy to own, which is exactly what you need coming from a Dzire diesel.

Maruti Suzuki Dzire

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Kia Seltos