Hi, I am a doctor and drive 90-100km daily, with 90% highway usage and 10% city driving. I currently own a Hyundai Aura SX CNG, which has done 87,000km in 2 years. I am looking to buy a new car. My priorities are mileage, safety, and comfort. Most of my driving is solo, but for trips (6-7 times a year), we are five people. My budget is flexible, up to 18-20 lakh, but I prefer to spend as little as possible.

Autocar India

•1d

Go for the Kia Seltos HTX Petrol CVT for your mostly city use, as it is the smoothest and least stressful Seltos to drive.The iVT is Kia’s CVT automatic gearbox that comes paired with a 115hp, 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine. For your running, this powertrain will feel calm, quiet and easy-going. You still get a rich cabin, and the key features most people want, and Kia’s service reach in cities is strong. One thing to be aware of is that this petrol IVT is not as quick as the 160hp, 1.5-litre turbo-petrol, and it doesn’t have every single feature of the top-most trim.If you truly want the full top trim and stronger power, look at the 1.5 turbo-petrol DCT in GTX+ or X-Line, but know that this twin-clutch automatic can feel a bit hesitant and jerky in bumper-to-bumper jams.

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

•1h

Pick the Kia Seltos GTX(A)Turbo Petrol DCT. For your mostly city use, shared driving with your wife, and weekend runs, it is the easier, more complete choice within your budget. It is smaller and lighter to handle than the Mahindra XUV 7XO, so parking and U-turns feel simple, and the seats and cabin quality are a clear step up from your i20. The DCT works well in normal city driving, and highway performance is good, too.One thing to be aware of is that a DCT can feel hesitant at very slow speeds if you inch forward a lot, and it can run warm in constant stop-and-go traffic. Drive it accordingly, and it is fine. The back seat is also not as wide as the Mahindra car.If you genuinely need more space or do long trips with a full family often, pick the Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7 T petrol automatic. It rides very comfortably and feels solid on highways, but in daily city use, its size needs more care in traffic. On the AX7 L vs AX7 T, L is the fully loaded one with boss mode controls, rear ventilated seats and larger 19-inch wheels, but if you can do without them then the AX7 T is a good pick.On your test drives, sit in slow traffic for 10 minutes to feel how each automatic behaves, and try parking in a tight spot. That will make the choice clear.

Kia Seltos

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Autocar India

•2d

If you found the Hyundai Creta the most comfortable but too dated, the obvious answer is the new Kia Seltos. It gives you that same relaxed, easy-going ride but is more spacious than the Creta and feels more modern and upmarket inside, which will make your frequent Jaipur-Delhi runs nicer to live with.Given your usage is mainly highway with the Polo handling city duty, we would strongly recommend the 1.5 turbo-petrol Seltos. It has a strong mid-range punch, plenty of torque for effortless overtakes, and cruises very comfortably, which is exactly what you want for long, fast runs.The new Skoda Kushaq, Volkswagen Taigun and Renault Duster are all very good to drive on the highway and dynamically more engaging, but as you’ve noticed, their rear seats are tighter for three adults across, and that’s a compromise on long trips with family. That’s where the Seltos scores: it strikes the best balance between space, comfort and a properly fresh cabin.

Hyundai Creta

Kia Seltos

Skoda Kushaq

Volkswagen Taigun

Renault Duster