Hi! Please help me with the purchase of a car with good interiors, strong performance, and excellent safety in the ₹15-16 lakh budget range. My running is about 70% city and 30% highway. I am flexible on car length (under or over 4 m). I had shortlisted the new Seltos, but am a bit apprehensive about the IMT tech in its turbo engine. Thanks!

Autocar India

•6w

The Kia Seltos is a good choice - its cabin feels high quality, is modern, and ride comfort is very good too. With a Rs 15-16 lakh budget, your options are limited to the 1.5-petrol with the 6-speed manual or IVT (automatic) and the 1.5-turbo-petrol with the 6-speed clutch pedal-less manual gearbox (iMT). Between these, our pick would be the petrol-IVT for its smoothness and convenience; however, performance isn't very exciting. The manual gives you full control over the engine, and it feels peppier, too.

For outright performance, you could opt for the turbo-petrol, but we understand your apprehensions for the iMT - it isn't as convenient as a traditional automatic. Also, it could wear out the clutch much quicker (compared to a standard manual gearbox) if not used correctly.

Hence, if it is the Seltos you want, we'd recommend the NA petrol engine with either the manual or automatic gearbox. However, if you want a powerful turbo-petrol engine and a conventional manual transmission, go for the entry-level Mahindra XUV 7XO AX variant instead.

Explore cars mentioned

Mahindra

XUV 7XO

from ₹16.14 Lakh

Ankush koul

•6w

Thanks @ Autocar India for the suggestions !

More questions on similar cars

Selva

•5d

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

•2d

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.

Skoda Kylaq

ONNIL SHARMMA

•6d

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

•2d

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.

Honda Elevate

Nipen

•4d

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

•1d

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.

Honda Elevate

Skoda Kushaq

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