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•7w

Hello I am a Doctor currently drive around in an 2018 Honda Jazz, I am very happy with it but it's time now to get a new car and budget around Rs. 16-18 lakhs, I need a car which easily seats 5 and with a good trunk for outstation travels each month, my monthly run is around 200km tops when in city and a highway run every 2-3 months is around 300kms, I live in Mumbai so you guys know the usual problems, so need a advice as I am scared for e20 and e20+ fuel changes and am scared about EV resale prices, currently short listed the Kia Seltos (prefer petrol or CNG (if any chance in near future))as the most favourite and need some advise for other cars. Would a diesel make sense when I don't drive every day?

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•7w

Based on your usage, a diesel car does not make sense. Your monthly running is low, and your highway trips are infrequent, so you will not recover the higher upfront cost of a diesel. A Petrol car is the right choice here.

The Kia Seltos is a good option, but at your budget you will be looking at the lower variants, so you might have to skip a few features.

On E20, do not worry. Modern petrol engines are engineered to handle E20 fuel and are engineered to take on higher blends too (upto a certain level).

On CNG, there is no factory CNG option on this Kia car, but given your low running, a CNG car does not make financial sense anyway.

In case you're looking to get an electric car, and you can arrange for home charging, consider the Kia Syros EV or MG Windsor Pro. Both are spacious five-seater EVs which should serve your needs.

Kia Seltos

Kia Seltos

•7w•

@urmish_r Go for Windsor because

•6w•

My monthly run is around 1200km when in city and 1000 km when out station after 2 to 3 months. My budget is around 35 lakhs. Plz suggest me good options. I am looking for comfort and average both

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•3d

I want to move from a hatchback to a midsize SUV. I am looking for a reliable family SUV with good comfort, legroom and boot space. My daily driving is only 10-20 km, but every fortnight I drive 200km to work. I have no fixed budget and am ready to buy now, but the reviews of the new Kia Seltos are confusing. With so many new cars being launched, should I wait? Petrol seems ideal, but should I consider a diesel or hybrid instead? I am based between Bengaluru and Puttaparthi in Andhra Pradesh and work at both places for 15 days each. I am also considering buying the car from Gujarat, my home state, as I could save a significant amount. Is this sensible, or could I face any issues with the RTO?

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•1d

Go for the new Kia Seltos petrol, and there's no need to wait. Your driving is fairly light: short daily runs plus a 200km trip every fortnight, and that's exactly what the 1.5 petrol with the IVT gearbox does well. It's smooth in Bangalore traffic and settles down nicely on the highway. A diesel only pays off if you drive a lot more than you do. A strong hybrid would sip less fuel in town, but it costs more and eats into the boot, and you've said boot space matters.As for waiting, the Seltos you're looking at is the brand-new generation, so it isn't about to be replaced. If you want a second opinion on the road, drive the Hyundai Creta too, but keep in mind that an all-new one is due next year.On buying in Gujarat, we'd advise against it. Road tax goes to the state where the car is registered and used. Once it's running in Karnataka or Andhra Pradesh, you'll have to re-register it and pay tax there anyway. Whatever you save upfront will likely disappear, and you'll have the paperwork on top. Register the car where you live and drive most, and check the exact charges with your local RTO.

VehicleKia Seltos
VehicleHyundai Creta
•3d

Hello Experts, We are looking to replace our Suzuki Ciaz and are considering the new Seltos. Although mileage is not a major concern, could you please suggest whether going for the IVT would be a better option than the DCT? I have personally driven the IVT, and it does feel a bit underpowered for the weight of the new Seltos. Also, please suggest other cars that we should consider. We are upgrading from a sedan and are open to other options as well. Thank you.

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•1d

Go for the Seltos 1.5 turbo petrol DCT. Coming from a Ciaz, you will appreciate the stronger performance and the DCT’s quick shifts, especially on highways and during overtakes. The IVT is smooth and reliable, but it does feel a bit flat in a car of this size, and since mileage is not a big concern for you, the turbo petrol is the more satisfying choice. The DCT is not as seamless in stop-start traffic as the IVT, but it is a well-sorted unit and should not be a deal-breaker.If you are open to alternatives, the Tata Sierra is worth a look. It offers a more premium cabin, excellent ride comfort and a genuinely spacious rear seat, which makes it a great upgrade from a sedan. The turbo petrol is mated to a torque converter auto that is smoother than the Seltos' DCT in stop-and-go traffic.Another option is the new Honda Elevate. It has a naturally aspirated CVT engine like the Seltos IVT but it offers a bit more performance.Overall, the Seltos turbo petrol DCT is the best fit for your requirements. It offers the right balance of performance, refinement and features, and it will feel like a genuine step up from your Ciaz.

VehicleKia Seltos
VehicleTata Sierra
VehicleHonda Elevate

Has E20 fuel affected your mileage?

Is ADAS worth paying extra for in a car?

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•3d

I am a 6 ft driver who loves driving. I've driven the Swift 2013 petrol, Creta 1.6 Diesel Auto and the XUV500 the most on long trips. Now that I am planning to buy a car with a strict budget, do you think the 3XO AX5 TCMPFI petrol variant will be a wise decision to make, as I will be travelling once a month for short trips from Bangalore to Coorg, Pondicherry, GOA, and Mangalore? Which other car can be a perfect match for me, keeping a budget of 12 lakhs max? Also, the 3XO AX5 I'm getting from a friend who has hardly driven 6k km for 10 lakhs.

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•1d

Go for the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 TCMPFI petrol from your friend for Rs 10 lakh. At that price, it is a very good deal and a sensible upgrade from your Creta 1.6 diesel automatic. The 3XO is one of the most spacious compact SUVs in the segment, with a wide cabin and good rear seat comfort, which will make your long drives to Coorg, Pondicherry, Goa and Mangalore more comfortable. The turbo petrol engine is smooth and is well suited to both city driving and highway cruising. At Rs 10 lakh for a car with only 6,000 km on the clock, you are getting a nearly new car at a significant discount, which makes it a far better value proposition than buying new.If you are looking for alternatives under Rs 12 lakh, the Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TSI manual is the best option for an enthusiast driver. The new Brezza turbo-petrol could also be a good choice. Overall, the 3XO from your friend is the most sensible choice. It offers a good balance of comfort, reliability and value, and will serve you well on your monthly road trips.

VehicleMahindra XUV 3XO
VehicleHyundai Creta
VehicleSkoda Kylaq
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Brezza

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Posted on: 22 Aug 2026