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

•13m

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.

Explore cars mentioned

Kia

Seltos

from ₹13.01 Lakh

Hyundai

Creta

from ₹12.78 Lakh

Honda

Elevate

from ₹13.82 Lakh

Maruti Suzuki

Grand Vitara

from ₹12.75 Lakh

Toyota

Urban Cruiser Hyryder

from ₹13.01 Lakh

More questions on similar cars

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

•18m

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

Anshul Anand

•21h

My budget is around ₹23 lakh, and I am confused between the Duster and the Creta. Which one is the better option? I love going on long drives, so which one should I prefer?

Autocar India

•4h

Given your love for long drives, you will be happier with the Renault Duster. It's got a fantastic ride and handling balance, which will make your journeys comfortable and very enjoyable. The great suspension and body control are matched by a strong 160hp, 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine. Power and performance are good. Going for a Duster does come with a slight compromise in terms of cabin space. It's not as roomy as the Hyundai Creta and other models, like the Kia Seltos and Tata Sierra. If more space is a key priority, the Hyundai Creta Turbo-DCT is worth a look. Of the other alternatives, the Kia Seltos Turbo DCT and Tata Sierra turbo AT are also strong options.

Paras

I am trying to finalise a car for my family, with a budget stretched up to ₹17 lakh. I liked the Renault Duster, but I am unsure whether the turbo engine would be suitable for city driving. I am also comparing it with the Kia Seltos HTK and HTK (O) variants. Which option would be better for my usage and why?

Autocar India

•4h

The Kia Seltos 1.5 petrol IVT is the easier car to live with in your kind of usage. The IVT gearbox is very smooth and works beautifully in city traffic, offering a creep-friendly, jerk-free experience that makes daily driving stress-free. The naturally aspirated engine is also predictable and linear, which suits stop-go conditions very well.The Renault Duster turbo automatic, on the other hand, comes with a DCT gearbox. While it delivers stronger performance and a much better mid-range punch, the DCT is not as smooth as the Seltos’ IVT at low speeds. In crawling traffic, you may notice slight hesitation or jerkiness compared to the seamless nature of the IVT.Where the Duster clearly stands out is in its ride quality and driving feel. It has a more rugged setup, absorbs bad roads better and feels more fun to drive, especially on highways and twisty roads. The turbo engine also makes it noticeably quicker and more effortless when you want to overtake.If your driving is mostly city, and you want maximum comfort and smoothness, go for the Seltos IVT.

Kia Seltos

Renault Duster

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