Hi, I want to purchase an SUV with an automatic transmission. There are so many vehicles, and I am confused. My budget is ₹18-20 lakh, and my daily city drive is between 30 and 40 km. Can you suggest the best vehicle with safety, comfort and good service?

Autocar India

•5w

For your requirements, the Kia Seltos is a good fit with the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine mated to the IVT automatic. In your budget, you can opt for the HTX variant, which is well-equipped with features like a 12.3-inch HD touchscreen infotainment system, ventilated front seats and a Bose sound system.

Performance from the naturally aspirated engine is more than adequate in the city, and the IVT automatic is smooth and seamless in operation. Alternatively, you could opt for the Hyundai Creta, which uses the same powertrain, but since the Seltos is on the newer platform, it would be our pick.

The Seltos gets six airbags, front and rear disc brakes, stability control, a tyre-pressure monitor and ISOFIX child-seat mounts as standard. The cabin is among the most spacious in the segment, and Kia’s service is generally very well regarded. Do a test drive before you commit.

Explore cars mentioned

Kia

Seltos

from ₹12.79 Lakh

Hyundai

Creta

from ₹12.56 Lakh

Rahul

•5w

Which is better kia seltos or tata Sierra ? My kid loved Sierra due to third screen and bigger sunroof, I already have another car so my monthly travel with new car won't be more than 50-60 km but once in 3-4 month will have family trips

Rahul

•5w

Which is better kia seltos or tata Sierra,my kid loved Sierra due to third screen and bigger sun roof

•5w

Please help me to decide Kia seltos vs carens clavis . Is XL6 is better choices

More questions on similar cars

Drnatarajan

•1d

I currently own a Volkswagen Taigun 1.5 TSI GT DSG and have been facing issues with jerky low-speed performance in city driving, along with persistent rattles despite multiple service visits. I am considering upgrading to either the Kia Seltos (turbo petrol DCT) or the upcoming Renault Duster (turbo DCT). My usage is around 60% city and 40% highway. My main concern is whether these alternatives will offer a smoother and more refined driving experience in city traffic compared to my current car, or if they will exhibit similar behaviour due to the nature of dual-clutch transmissions.

Autocar India

•3h

With 60% city use and you already unhappy with the Volkswagen Taigun’s DSG jerks and cabin rattles, the Kia Seltos 1.5 petrol IVT automatic is the safer bet for you rather than the turbo DCTs. The IVT is a belt-type automatic (essentially a CVT) that has no clutch to slip, so it moves off smoothly in slow traffic and is jerk-free at parking speeds. It is also easier to live with in our stop-go traffic, and power is adequate for your weekend highway runs, but it won't have the punch and pace of the VW Taigun 1.5.If you switch to a Seltos turbo DCT, its relaiively jerky too. Dual‑clutch gearboxes like the VW DSG and Kia’s DCT can still give a small lurch when you crawl in bumper-to-bumper traffic. On rattles, Seltos cabins we’ve used have held up quite well, but no car is fully immune to rough roadsTwo trade-offs with the Seltos IVT: it won’t feel as quick as your 1.5 TSI when you floor it, and on bigger wheels, the ride can feel a bit firm on sharp bumps.About the new Duster: it has a wet-clutch DCT, which is a bit slower to shift than the VW DSG, and it's not as smooth as the Kia IVT. t.Overall, for your mix and your pain points, the Seltos 1.5 IVT lines up best. If you really want a turbo punch, the Seltos turbo DCT is fine, but expect similar low-speed manners to your Taigun.

Volkswagen Taigun

Kia Seltos

Devakumar

•1d

I have booked the Tata Sierra Adventure Plus petrol manual, but I am now confused between the petrol and diesel manual variants, particularly in terms of mileage and performance. I am not interested in an automatic transmission. My annual running is less than 6,000 km. Could you please advise which engine option would be more suitable for my usage? Additionally, I would appreciate any alternative suggestions for a spacious car with good mileage that fits my needs.

Autocar India

•10h

The Tata Sierra is a big, heavy car, and the petrol engine, being a naturally aspirated unit, feels just about adequate, especially once you load it up or hit the highway. The diesel, on the other hand, suits the car far better with its stronger low-end pull, making overtakes easier and long-distance driving far more relaxed.That said, with your low annual running of under 6000 km, the petrol still makes sense if your usage is mostly in the city. It will feel smoother, easier to live with and perfectly adequate for everyday driving, even if it lacks that effortless punch on highways.If you are open to alternatives for a better petrol manual experience, the Renault Duster with its turbo petrol engine is a strong option. It feels far more effortless to drive, while naturally aspirated options like the Kia Seltos or Hyundai Creta offer a more refined and effortless experience than the Sierra petrol.

Knt

I am a first-time car buyer looking to purchase an SUV within a budget of ₹16 lakh (on-road). My usage will primarily be for weekend drives, occasional trips, and highway driving, with minimal city use. My key requirements are good features, strong mileage, and overall comfort. Could you please suggest the best SUV option that offers a good balance of performance, features, and long-term ownership?

Autocar India

•2d

Mostly highway weekends with an Rs 16 lakh on-road cap, and you want strong features and low fuel use, in that case, the Kia Seltos HTK (manual) fits you best. The HTK trim brings the useful bits you will actually use on trips, like an HD touchscreen, a clear camera, auto climate control and solid safety features, without pushing the price past your limit. The 1.5 NA petrol is very refined, with adequate performance for most users and decent fuel efficiency. Since you do not drive in the city too much, we would stick with the manual, which is light and easy to use.One thing to keep in mind for your use: performance is adequate, but it can feel a bit underwhelming when pushed. If you want a bit more performance, then consider the Honda Elevate.Overall, for weekend and highway use under Rs 16 lakh, the Kia Seltos HTK (manual) lines up best with what you want.

Kia Seltos

Honda Elevate

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