Kupwara

•2w

Hi Autocar Team, I am planning to buy a midsize SUV and can wait for about six months. My main confusion is between the upcoming Renault Duster, specifically the strong-hybrid variant, and the Kia Seltos. We are leaning towards the new Duster because of its rugged design, impressive 212 mm ground clearance, interior colour theme, and expected hybrid fuel efficiency. However, the Kia Seltos remains a compelling choice due to its generous rear-seat space and feature-packed cabin. Given that we are a family of three, our priorities are design, ride quality on bad roads, and fuel economy, while also considering rear-seat passenger comfort. Is it worth waiting six months for the Duster Strong Hybrid instead of buying the Seltos now? How does the Duster's rear-seat legroom and overall highway comfort compare with the Seltos? Looking forward to your advice!

•1w

We would suggest that you go for the Kia Seltos now. The Renault Duster hybrid is an interesting proposition, but the Seltos suits your needs better. For a family of three, the Seltos offers a more spacious rear seat, a wider cabin and a more premium overall experience, which will matter more on long drives and daily use. The Duster hybrid will likely offer better fuel efficiency and a tougher suspension setup, but the rear seat is not as spacious as the Seltos, and the expected hybrid premium will take time to recover. The Seltos is a proven product with a strong ownership track record, and you can buy it today without waiting for an unknown price and availability. If you are leaning towards the Duster for its design and hybrid tech, it is worth waiting only if fuel efficiency is your absolute top priority. Otherwise, the Seltos is the better all-rounder for your needs. It's also worth noting that there will be a hybrid version of the Seltos too, but that's only coming in 2027.

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Seltos

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Duster

from ₹12.07 Lakh

•1w

@samrudh Go for Seltos because

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•1d

Is the Hyundai Creta getting a facelift or an all-new generation? Will the new Creta get hybrid technology, and when is it expected to launch? Will the new Creta and Seltos look similar? Should I wait for the new Creta or buy the new Seltos?

•17h

Yes, the Hyundai Creta is going to be replaced by an all-new generation, rather than just receiving another facelift. The third-generation Creta is expected in India in 2027, and test cars have already been spotted. It will move to the newer K3 platform, which also underpins the new Seltos, and is expected to be larger and more sophisticated than the current car.There is also a strong possibility of a strong-hybrid powertrain for the new Creta. Hyundai is working on a hybrid based around its 1.5-litre petrol engine, although the exact launch timing and specifications haven't been confirmed yet.As for the styling, don't expect the Creta and Seltos to look identical. They will share the K3 platform and some design themes, but Hyundai and Kia will give them distinct identities. The test Creta does appear to borrow some cues from the Seltos, particularly around the grille, but the headlights and other elements are different.If you're not in a hurry, waiting for the new Creta makes sense, particularly if you're considering a strong hybrid. You'll get a newer platform, larger dimensions, more features and potentially the hybrid option.However, the new Kia Seltos is already here and is a more compelling proposition than waiting indefinitely. It has moved to the K3 platform, grown in size, gained more space and improved ride comfort, while retaining its wide choice of powertrains.

Hyundai Creta

Kia Seltos

•5d

I want to buy a diesel automatic car, and my monthly running is around 700–1,000 km. I am considering the Mahindra XUV 3XO, Tata Nexon, Kia Sonet and Kia Seltos, with a budget of Rs 13 lakh to Rs 15 lakh. Should I wait for the new Sonet, as I have heard that the facelift could be launched in the next 2–3 months? Please suggest which one would be suitable for my requirements. I mainly need practical features for everyday use.

•18h

With a monthly running of 700-1,000km, a diesel automatic is still a sensible choice, especially if you do a mix of city and highway driving. The Kia Sonet diesel automatic is a strong contender. It uses the same 1.5-litre diesel engine as the Seltos and is paired with a torque converter automatic, making it a very refined and efficient package. The Sonet is also well-equipped and has a premium feel inside. A new-generation Sonet is due, but a timeline is not clear, with our estimate being around mid-2027.The Tata Nexon and Mahindra XUV 3XO are good value options, but their AMT gearboxes are not as smooth as the torque converter automatics in the Kia. The Kia Seltos diesel automatic is a great car, but it will exceed your budget by quite some margin. Instead, consider the Kia Syros diesel auto if you want more interior room than the Sonet.Overall, the Sonet diesel automatic is the best fit for your requirements.

Hi AutoCar team, I live in Bangalore in a family of three with 2 adults and a 5 year old. My commute will be 3 days in a week with 16-16 km on the Outer Ring Road and am planning to go on weekend trips near Bangalore on highways with family luggage. I may sometimes go on hills like Ooty and Munnar but the car is not primarily for hill drives. Will a new Seltos NA IVT feel underpowered with these requirements and load conditions? Is CVT drone too much and at what speed and RPM does it become unpleasant. Also, how is it compared to Honda City CVT drone and insulation? What are the other alternatives?

•1d

The Kia Seltos naturally aspirated IVT is actually a very sensible choice for your usage. Your commute on Bangalore ORR is stop-start, and the IVT is smooth and stress-free in traffic. For weekend highway trips with family and luggage, the 1.5 naturally aspirated petrol has enough power to cruise comfortably and overtake when needed. It will not feel underpowered in normal driving, but it is not a performance engine, so overtakes require a little planning when fully loaded.CVT drone is most noticeable when you accelerate hard and hold the throttle, typically during long overtakes or on steep inclines. However, the Seltos is better insulated than the Honda City, so the engine noise is less intrusive in the cabin. In everyday driving, it is not a major issue.Alternatives worth considering are the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI automatic and the Mahindra XUV 3XO automatic. The Kushaq’s turbo petrol engine offers stronger mid-range performance for highway overtakes, and the torque converter automatic is smooth. The XUV 3XO is spacious and feature-rich, but the boot is smaller than the Seltos, which matters for family trips.Overall, the Seltos IVT is a well-balanced choice for your usage. If you want a bit more performance for highway driving, the Kushaq 1.0 TSI automatic is worth a test drive.

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•4d

I am getting the Venue HX8 Turbo automatic for Rs. 15.40 lakh on-road, the Creta SX(O) automatic for Rs. 18.14 lakh on-road, with a discount of more than Rs. 1 lakh, and the Seltos HTK(O) IVT for Rs. 18.50 lakh on-road. My budget is Rs. 19 lakh. Which one should I buy for driving in Bangalore and occasional trips?

•4d

Go for the Kia Seltos HTK (O) IVT at Rs 18.14 lakh on-road. Your budget of Rs 19 lakh gives you enough room to get a large, spacious and well-equipped midsize SUV, and the Seltos is the sweet spot. The IVT gearbox is smooth and well-suited to Bangalore traffic, while the 1.5 petrol is refined and reliable. The HTK (O) trim is feature-rich, so you are not compromising on equipment. The Seltos also offers better rear seat space and comfort than the others, making it a better choice for occasional family trips. The Creta SX (O) might sound like better value with a few more features, but the Seltos's larger size, better quality and new-age tech push it ahead overall. The Venue HX8 turbo automatic at Rs 15.4 lakh is a good deal, but it is a segment below, and you would be compromising on space and comfort.

I am looking to buy a car under Rs. 22 lakh. I want an automatic transmission, a diesel or turbo-petrol engine, and a feature-loaded, stylish interior.

•6d

Go for the Kia Seltos diesel automatic. It is the most balanced choice under Rs 22 lakh. The diesel engine is strong, efficient, and well suited to both city and highway driving, while the automatic gearbox is smooth and easy to live with. If your usage is limited and you are open to a turbo petrol, this Kia car also gets the 1.5-litre turbo petrol with a DCT. The Seltos also offers one of the most feature-rich and stylish interiors in the segment, with a premium feel that stands out. This diesel car is a genuinely well-rounded package that delivers performance, comfort and a strong ownership experience.The Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic is also worth considering if you need more space and a stronger feature list, but it is a larger Mahindra car and not as easy to live with in the city.Overall, the Seltos diesel automatic strikes the best balance between performance, features, and long-term ownership satisfaction.

Kia Seltos

Mahindra XUV 7XO

•2d

Suggest a car Requirements: Daily city driving in Bangalore, with lots of potholes. I am open to either an SUV or a sedan. My budget is Rs. 25-30 lakh on-road. ADAS, cruise control, and hill assist are must-have features. I want a car that offers a comfortable drive, feels luxurious, and is fun to drive. An automatic transmission is a must.

•2d

Go for the Kia Seltos 1.5 T-GDi DCT. It is the best fit for your requirements. The Seltos turbo is genuinely fun to drive, with strong performance and a well-sorted chassis that makes it enjoyable on both city roads and highways. The 1.5 T-GDi engine paired with the DCT automatic is a highlight, offering quick shifts and a responsive driving experience. At the same time, this Kia car is comfortable over broken roads and potholes, with a suspension setup that strikes a good balance between ride comfort and handling. It also feels premium inside, with a well-built cabin and a solid feature set that includes ADAS, cruise control and hill assist. The only thing to be aware of is that the DCT gearbox can feel a bit clunky in stop-and-go traffic, but overall it is a well-rounded package that delivers exactly what you are looking for. If you want something a bit larger, the Mahindra XUV 7XO turbo-petrol is a good alternative, but it will feel large and cumbersome in Bangalore city traffic, and its fuel economy is very poor.

Kia Seltos

Mahindra XUV 7XO

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