Hey guys! We’ve been using a 2019 Kia Seltos 1.4 DCT and are now planning to change our car. I’m leaning towards a sedan, particularly the VW Virtus, mainly for its performance, driving comfort, and overall build quality. I’ve also driven the VW Vento 1.0 TSI before, so I’m familiar with the driving experience. However, the Virtus doesn’t quite feel like a significant upgrade from our current car, especially considering that the interiors feel a bit dated compared to what’s available today. I’ve also been looking at the Toyota Camry, which I think is a beautiful car and offers a more premium experience, but it’s a little too expensive for our budget. We drive around 15,000 km a year, with a mix of city driving and highway trips. I’m looking for a car that offers an engaging driving experience, good performance, comfortable long-distance cruising, and a premium feel. A sedan would be my first preference, but I’m open to an SUV if it makes more sense. What would you guys recommend? Are there any cars worth considering that would feel like a genuine upgrade from the Kia Seltos ?

autocar.india

•6d

With 70% city driving, the Honda Amaze is actually a very sensible choice. The CVT automatic is smooth and easy to drive in traffic. The engine is reliable, and the car’s compact dimensions make it easy to manoeuvre and park.The only real drawback is that the engine is not particularly torquey, so it can feel a bit flat on highways or when fully loaded. However, for predominantly city use, that is not a major concern. The ground clearance at 172 mm is adequate for most urban conditions, but a fully loaded car can cause the rear suspension to compress significantly, requiring caution over large speed breakers. If you like the Honda Amaze petrol automatic for what it offers, go for it.

Honda Amaze

autocar.india

•3d

Go for the Kia Seltos HTX IVT. Your usage pattern of around 500km a month in the city with only two outstation trips a year does not justify the premium of the Tata Sierra EV Empowered 75. The Seltos IVT is a smooth, refined and reliable petrol automatic that will handle your city driving effortlessly, and Kia’s service network and ownership experience are strong. Concerns about petrol availability and ethanol blending are largely overblown - E20-compliant engines are designed to handle the fuel, and there is no official roadmap beyond E20 at this stage. The Sierra EV is a very impressive product with a premium cabin and strong range, but it is significantly more expensive and you will not recover that premium through fuel savings at your level of usage. The Seltos is the more sensible and cost-effective choice for your requirements.

Kia Seltos

Tata Sierra EV

autocar.india

•3d

Go for the Mahindra XUV 3XO Edge automatic. The Brezza VXi automatic is a safe, simple and reliable choice, but the 3XO is the better fit for your requirements. It offers a wider cabin, more space and a more premium feel, which your family clearly values. The TCMPFi engine is a turbocharged petrol unit and is fundamentally a sound engine. It is not a new or unproven powertrain, and Mahindra has had time to refine it. It is also paired with a 6-speed torque converter automatic, which is a proven and reliable gearbox type. Compared to the Nexon’s Revotron engine, the 3XO’s powertrain is more refined and the gearbox is smoother and more conventional in its operation. The Brezza’s naturally aspirated petrol engine is simpler and will likely be marginally more reliable over a very long ownership period, but the 3XO’s engine is not something to worry about from a reliability perspective. Given your family’s preference for space and the more premium feel, the 3XO is the better choice.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Maruti Suzuki Brezza