Delhi

•2w

With a budget of Rs 23–24 lakh, should I consider the Hyundai Alcazar Turbo Petrol DCT or the Kia Seltos GTX Petrol, comparing both the IVT and DCT options? My annual driving is approximately 6,000–7,000 km, and I would like a detailed comparison focusing on long-term ownership over 10–15 years, reliability, maintenance costs, transmission durability, fuel efficiency and overall value for money. I would also like to understand the practical differences between Hyundai’s K2 and Kia’s K3 platforms, particularly in terms of structural strength, safety, ride comfort, handling and long-term durability. Given my relatively low annual usage and preference for hassle-free ownership, which car and transmission combination would make the most sense within my budget?

•47m

Our top recommendation is the Kia Seltos GTX Petrol IVT. It is likely to be the most sensible combination of performance, comfort, running costs and long-term mechanical simplicity for your usage.

The Hyundai Alcazar Turbo DCT is tempting because of its larger cabin, more powerful engine and three-row practicality. However, unless you regularly need the third row, I don't think it offers enough additional value to justify choosing it over the Seltos.

There is also an important distinction between the Seltos IVT and DCT: for your relatively low annual mileage and long ownership horizon, I'd favour the IVT even though the DCT is considerably more engaging.

The Seltos has moved to the new K3 platform in its second generation, while the Alcazar continues on the K2 architecture. Interestingly, the K3 platform's biggest practical advantage might not be structural strength but its overall refinement. It absorbs bumps more effectively than the previous generation while retaining good body control and high-speed stability.

All things considered, the Seltos in its IVT guise makes for a better buy.

Explore cars mentioned

Hyundai

Alcazar

from ₹16.83 Lakh

Kia

Seltos

from ₹12.76 Lakh

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•3m•

@sonu1984

Go with Kia Seltos 👍

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•1d

I am thinking to buy either Seltos or Creta for my father. Which one do you suggest?

•2d

I’ve owned a Toyota Etios Liva diesel and a Honda City diesel, and I now drive a Hyundai Creta petrol. I drive about 100 km a day, and my fuel bill is currently around Rs 18,000 a month. Should my next car be a diesel SUV to cut fuel costs? The City diesel was an excellent car, but I had to switch because of its low ground clearance. The Creta is a good car, but I need better fuel efficiency. Would buying a diesel SUV help? I’d also like your advice on the Mahindra Scorpio N and XUV700: are they worth buying? Overall, which is the best SUV under Rs 25 lakh?

•1d

With a daily running of around 100km, switching to a diesel SUV makes sense, and we would suggest looking at the Kia Seltos diesel and Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic. However, don't assume that a larger diesel SUV will automatically reduce your monthly fuel bill significantly.The Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic is a great upgrade if you want more space, performance and comfort. Its 2.2-litre diesel engine produces 185hp and 450Nm, and returned 13.1kpl in Autocar India's real-world tests. However, given its size and weight, your monthly fuel expenditure may not reduce dramatically compared to your Creta petrol. The Kia Seltos diesel, on the other hand, will be more economical to run and is also a refined SUV with a premium cabin. It will feel more spacious than your Creta, although it cannot match the XUV 7XO for outright cabin space and performance.

Hi, I am planning to buy a new car for my family in India. Please suggest an SUV within a maximum budget of Rs 15 lakh (on-road). My options are the Kia Seltos HTE (O) and Maruti Victoris VXi. I had previously decided on the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX7, but my preferences have changed slightly.

•2d

Between your two picks, the Kia Seltos HTE (O) would be our recommendation. It is a larger car than the Maruti Suzuki Victoris and has a more spacious interior. The Seltos HTE (O) is also better equipped than the Victoris VXi, offering features like LED headlights and a larger infotainment screen. Despite being one of the lower-end trims, it also feels more premium inside than the Victoris VXi.Both cars offer similar 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engines, but the Kia Seltos has a bit more power. The Seltos does cost a little more than the Victoris, but we feel it is well worth the premium.

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•4d

I am planning to buy a car with a factory-fitted CNG kit, an automatic transmission, and cruise control within a budget of Rs 15 lakh. Please suggest some options.

•4d

There are quite a few options that would meet your requirements, so its hard to pinpoint a specific model without knowing a bit more about your requirements and driving conditions. If you are looking for a city car then pick the Tata Punch, the compact dimensions are easy to manage in tight city traffic and the elevated driving position gives you a decent view outside. If however you want something bigger and with more space then the Maruti Suzuki Dzire would be a good option as you will have more rear space as well as a larger boot. Both cars will fit well within your budget. If you want a larger CNG car then you will have to settle for a manual and the a model like the Kia Carens Clavis or the Maruti Victoris.

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•1w

improve the grammar and write it in a paragraph - Hi Autocar, Iam looking to book a car this week. I have narrowed it down to one of 3 cars. Petrol Automatic IVTs. My running is mostly going to be 95% city (office to work in Mumbai traffic). Daily commute is around 15km, so I don't want a turbo in traffic. That's roughly 5k annual running. I am 6ft tall so wouldn't want something that is cramped 1. New Seltos HTK(O) 2. New elevate VX 3. Bayon HX 8 All of these are close to the 16L ex showroom price. I've driven the Seltos and Elevate. I really liked both of them. The Seltos feels more premium from the inside and I feel like that is something worth having in a daily car. The elevate is brilliant, but it seems cheap on the inside. No pani sunroof too, although I would maybe use it 1 day in year, it's priced the same as the Seltos, so that felt a miss. I know Honda engines are top, but at my running and limited enthusiast journey, I'm not sure if that does justice to need. Now comes the bayon. I have not done a test drive yet as its not available, but the bayon pricing at Hx6 and hx8 seems very close to the Creta currently.. I am tempted to go for the hx8 as it as a 360 camera,( I think that might be usefull for parking etc as I am coming from a hatchback ) but I am getting a "lesser car" vs the Seltos here I wonder.. Which one would you recommend? I am keen on booking before diwali, will see if there are any discounts on the Seltos (unlikey though)

•2d

All things considered, the Kia Seltos is the better fit for your needs. Since you are on the taller side, you will appreciate the extra room it has to offer compared to the Hyundai Bayon. Opting for the Bayon does get you a higher variant with a 360-degree camera, which can be helpful in tight spots. However, once you get used to the size of the vehicle, you might find yourself using the camera less often.As for the Honda Elevate, as you rightly mentioned, the Seltos feels more premium inside and costs about the same. The Elevate does offer a bit more performance from its 1.5L naturally aspirated engine, but since 95% of your driving is in slow-moving Mumbai traffic, the added performance won't really make much of a difference.Overall, the Seltos is the right fit for your needs.

We’re a family of four, a couple with two kids aged one and three, and we’re upgrading from a 2013 Maruti Suzuki Wagon R. My daily office commute is a 20 km round trip in the NCR, usually with only me in the car. On weekends, the whole family drives about 100 km within the NCR. Three times a year, we take long trips of up to around 1,000 km round trip to Punjab or Himachal Pradesh. We intend to keep the car for about eight to ten years. We’re considering the Maruti Suzuki Brezza ZXi+ AT, Victoris VXi AT and XL6 Zeta AT. Which one would you suggest?

•2d

From your shortlist, we would go with the Maruti Brezza. The space on offer inside is quite generous, and given your family size, you do not really need a larger car. Moreover, since you drive daily within the city, the compact dimensions of the Brezza would be easier to manage in traffic and also in terms of finding parking. As for your yearly extended trips, the Brezza would also do just fine, though if you carry a lot of luggage, the Xl6 would be ideal. That aside the Brezza would more than suffice for you needs.

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