I want to buy an automatic car in the sub-SUV segment. I’ve shortlisted the Hyundai Elevate, Kia Seltos, Toyota Hyryder, Hyundai Victorious Venue, and Hyundai Creta. My budget is around ₹14-16 lakh. I’m a normal driver - neither very expert nor very enthusiastic. I want to use my car for the next 10 years with low maintenance and good reliability. My average distance will be around 300 km per month, mostly in the city and rarely on highways. Could you suggest a car with an automatic variant based on my requirements?

Autocar India

•12w

We would recommend you look at the new Kia Seltos. The new car is built on Kia's latest platform, bringing in some new tech, including the ability to have over-the-air updates for many modules.

This will be handy for you, given that you are planning to keep the car for a long time. Also, given that you are not so enthusiastic about driving and your running per month is very low, we would recommend the 1.5 litre naturally aspirated (NA) petrol engine coupled to the automatic.

The autoxbox is a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which is quite smooth and, with the 1.5 NA engine, does a good job as a daily driver in the city. Lastly, of course, Kia's are generally reliable and should do you well over the course of your ownership.

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Selva

•4d

Hi, I am looking to buy a family car with an automatic transmission. My usage will be around 90% on highways and 10% on rough or off-road conditions, and it should be comfortable for adult passengers. I am considering the Skoda Kylaq AT with a budget of ₹15 lakh and expect good mileage. Please suggest suitable options.

Autocar India

•1d

Go for the Skoda Kylaq Prestige AT; at your Rs 15 lakh budget, it balances excellent highway stability, 189mm of ground clearance for mild off-road use, and supportive seats for adults.With 90 percent highway driving, the Kylaq feels secure and planted, while its five-star Bharat NCAP rating adds peace of mind. The seats are comfortable and supportive for longer journeys, though you might find rear legroom a bit tight for taller folks. In our real-world testing, the 1.0 TSI AT managed 8.7kpl in the city and 13.36kpl on the highway.The one trade-off is outright boot space; at 360 litres, it is a bit smaller than rivals, so carrying five adults with large bags will be tight.If you regularly carry five adults along with large luggage, consider the Kia Seltos IVT instead; its 433-litre boot and slightly wider rear seat make packing and seating easier.On your test drive, seat two adults in the rear and do a 60-80kph run over patchy roads to assess ride comfort, cabin noise and stability.

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ONNIL SHARMMA

•5d

I want to buy honda elevate. Please suggest to me if it is good in terms of safety and mileage. I am a first-time car buyer.

Autocar India

•1d

The Honda Elevate is a sensible, no-nonsense pick. The visibility is good due to its high seating, the seats are comfy, and the ride quality is impressive. Its petrol engine is strong and responsive, and drivability is very good too. Fuel efficiency, however, isn't its strength, with the manual and automatic (CVT) both averaging around 11kpl. If you are a new user, though, we'd recommend opting for the CVT, simply because it is smooth and makes the driving experience much more convenient.The Elevate is equipped with standard kit such as ESP, 6 airbags, etc., and most variants also get camera-based ADAS, which further adds a layer of safety.Alternatively, you could consider the new Kia Seltos, which is newer, better equipped and more spacious.

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Nipen

•3d

If I have to choose between the Honda Elevate AT, Skoda Kushaq 1.5, and Kia Seltos IVT for a family of four, with most of the driving being within city limits (around 40 km daily), which one would be the best option in terms of long-term benefits and lower maintenance costs?

Autocar India

•21h

Go for the Honda Elevate CVT, which seems like the best fit among these three for your needs. It's not quite as spacious as the Kia Seltos, but for a family of four, there's more than enough space. And it's not as exhilarating as the Skoda Kushaq 1.5 TSI to drive, but it's still quite enjoyable and far more fuel efficient for your usage of roughly 40km per day in the city. While all three cars have decent warranties, with the ability to extend them for a fee, but Honda offers a unique 'Anytime Warranty' which lets you extend in increments of 1-year/20,000km for up to 10 years. Plus, Honda is known for its reliability and rock-solid after-sales experience, which should give you the best overall long-term experience. The downside is that the Elevate is a bit plain and not quite as well equipped as the others, but then it is also considerably more affordable. Your next best bet is the Kia Seltos, but be prepared to shell out a bit more money for spec.

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