Autocar India
VS

VK srivastava

1w

My daily running is 100 km (50 km each way), 26 days a month. I have always driven Scorpio and XUV vehicles. I test drove the Punch and Nexon, but I felt there was a ventilation issue. I want an airy car, but I am also facing problems managing finances. Please suggest.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
16m
With 100 km a day, 26 days a month, and a Rs 15-20 lakh budget, consider the Kia Seltos diesel manual. The diesel will keep your running costs in check and feel a lot smoother than the old Scorpio. For someone used to bigger cars, the Seltos cabin will still feel comfortable and airy. The tall seats and large windows give a clear view out, and the air conditioning works very well, which you will appreciate.
If the Seltos is stretching your budget, then consider the Sonet diesel instead. Its cabin isn’t as roomy, but the large vents mean that the AC cools the cabin very well.
Overall, for your commute and budget, the Seltos lines up best.
Kia Seltos

Kia Seltos

More questions on similar cars

RO

Rohit

2w

Hi Autocar, I currently own a Santro and now want to upgrade to an SUV. My budget is around Rs 13 lakh. My monthly running is around 2,500 km, with about 1,500 km on expressways and the rest in the city. Kindly suggest which car I should buy.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
2h

With 2,500 km a month and most of it on the expressway, a diesel compact SUV fits you best for Rs 13 lakh. The Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, Mahindra XUV 3XO and Tata Nexon are models to consider.The new Hyundai Venue is a great all-rounder with a refined diesel engine, a fairly spacious cabin and an upmarket interior. However, the Venue is on the pricey side by segment standard, so you'll have to look at a mid-spec diesel-manual within your budget. If you can extend your budget, go for the diesel-automatic. The torque converter automatic transmission delivers a very premium drive experience.If rear space is not a high priority, the Kia Sonet is also a strong option. The model is due to be replaced in the coming months, so there's scope to haggle hard and get a great deal on the outgoing model. Despite being among the older models in the segment, it impresses with its high-quality interior, feature set and smooth diesel engine. Again, it's the diesel-automatic combo that we'd recommend you go for.The Mahindra XUV 3XO diesel suits long highway runs because of its strong diesel engine and confidence-inspiring high-speed manners. It's also a roomy car and packs in plenty of feel-good features for the money.

VehicleHyundai Venue
VehicleKia Sonet
VehicleMahindra XUV 3XO

Popular discussions right now

DJ

Deepak Jain

4d

I am planning to buy the Honda City facelift that was launched yesterday. How does it compare with the Volkswagen Virtus? I am also assuming that the government will continue supporting E20 fuel even if E85 is introduced in the future. So, is it still safe to buy a petrol vehicle in Delhi/NCR?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
3d

The new City facelift does make a stronger case now because Honda has added genuinely useful features like a larger infotainment screen and ventilated front seats, while pricing has remained fairly sensible. But fundamentally, the character of the car has not changed.Against the VW Virtus, the choice still comes down to personality. The Virtus is the more fun to drive option, especially with the turbo petrol engines, because it feels stronger, more eager and more engaging from behind the wheel. The City, on the other hand, is the more balanced sedan. The 1.5 naturally aspirated petrol is smooth, refined and easy to live with, but if outright performance is your priority, it will not feel as quick as the turbo Virtus. The City hybrid changes that equation because it is genuinely quick and can match the 1.5 TSI for straight line pace, but it is still not what you would call an enthusiast’s car.On the fuel front, yes, it is safe to buy a petrol car in Delhi NCR. Current mainstream petrol cars are already E20 compatible, and even if India eventually pushes toward higher ethanol blends, that transition will be gradual rather than an overnight switch. Beyond a certain point, if the country were to move meaningfully toward very high blends like E85, manufacturers would need proper flex fuel engines engineered for that fuel, and the government would also need to continue offering lower blend fuel options during any transition.

VehicleVolkswagen Virtus
VehicleHonda City

Posted on: 28 May 2026