Delhi

•3h

I am planning to buy a diesel SUV with a budget of Rs 20 lakh. My annual running is around 30,000km. Which vehicle would you recommend for my requirements?

•8m

With annual running of around 30,000 km and a budget of Rs 20 lakh, we suggest choosing between the Kia Seltos diesel manual and the Tata Sierra diesel manual. Both make sense for high-mileage users, but they have different strengths.

The Tata car mentioned above is a comfortable highway cruiser, with a spacious cabin, a large boot and adequate performance for long-distance driving. The Seltos, however, is the more rounded product, with a more refined diesel engine and a premium-feeling cabin. Kia's established service network should also make ownership more reassuring over the long term.

The Creta diesel is another option if you prefer Hyundai, although the Kia car mentioned above feels more premium inside and offers more generous cabin space.

Explore cars mentioned

Tata

Sierra

from ₹13.33 Lakh

Kia

Seltos

from ₹12.76 Lakh

Hyundai

Creta

from ₹12.66 Lakh

•3m•

@ajay_jadhav_jadhav Go with Kia Seltos 👍

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•1w

Dear Team, I am planning to purchase an automatic petrol SUV priced under Rs. 20 lakhs. While I have been researching the Tata Sierra petrol automatic, I do have some concerns regarding their after-sales service. My key requirements are as follows: ● Seating Capacity: Comfortable seating for 4 to 5 adults ● Vehicle Segment: Mid-size SUV (non-compact) ● Safety: High safety standards and build quality ● Key Features: 360-degree camera and other modern amenities Could you please recommend the best car options that align with these specifications?

•1h

The Kia Seltos 1.5 petrol IVT would be our easiest recommendation for your requirements. It feels premium inside and out, has a comfortable ride and offers enough space for four to five adults, although it is not as spacious as the Tata Sierra. Kia also has a well-established after-sales network, which should help address your concerns about long-term ownership.The Seltos's naturally aspirated 1.5 litre petrol engine is refined and, paired with the IVT automatic, delivers smoother performance in everyday driving than the Sierra's 1.5 litre naturally aspirated petrol with DCA. The Seltos also feels more responsive, particularly when you need to accelerate for an overtake. Its five-star crash test rating is another plus, while higher variants offer features such as a 360-degree camera.

Kia Seltos

Tata Sierra

•3d

Dear experts, my budget is Rs. 20 lakh (on-road price) for a car that can be extended upto Rs. 25 lakh. I need a car except a sedan with powerful engine, bigger wheels and a good music system Please suggest a car that meets all these criteria.

•2d

With an on road budget of Rs. 20 lakh, stretchable to Rs. 25 lakh, the best fit is a compact or mid-size SUV with a punchy engine, large alloy wheels and a good factory-fitted sound system. The key is to choose a car that delivers all three without compromising ride comfort on Indian roads. A powerful engine and big wheels can make a car fun to drive, but the largest wheel option isn't always the most comfortable.The Tata Sierra turbo-petrol automatic is the closest match if you want something distinctive, powerful and with a premium sound system. Its top variants get 19-inch wheels and a banging 12-speaker JBL system. The Kia Seltos is another good option, with an available Bose sound system and 18-inch wheels, while the Skoda Kushaq is worth considering if driving enjoyment matters more than sheer size or visual presence.Before choosing, prioritise a test drive over the wheel size alone: larger wheels can make sharp bumps more noticeable.

I live in Bangalore and am planning to buy my first car. I prefer a low maintenance, reliable and smooth everyday drive. It should be a family-friendly car with a spacious cabin, comfortable rear seats and a spacious boot. My usage will be relatively low, with city driving once or twice a week and a highway road trip once every couple of months. As a first-time car buyer, I also value ease of driving, predictable ownership costs and hassle-free after-sales service. The cars that I am currently considering include Kia Seltos, Skoda Slavia and Hyundai Creta. My budget is somewhere around Rs. 17 lakh (all inclusive). I am eligible for a BH number plate. Would appreciate your advice before making a final decision.

•17h

Go for either the Hyundai Creta IVT or the Kia Seltos IVT within your budget. Both cars share the same 1.5 litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, which is refined and paired with a silky smooth CVT gearbox, making them easy to drive.Between the two, the Hyundai Creta has strong brand value, a wide dealer network and attractive offers currently available, making it a safe buy. However, as a product, the Seltos is slightly better as it is the newer car. It is more spacious, has a larger boot and its interiors feel more premium.The Skoda Slavia is a great driver's car, but if you are looking for a safe buy, go for either the Kia Seltos or Hyundai Creta.

Hyundai Creta

Kia Seltos

Skoda Slavia

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•1w

Dear Autocar Team, I currently own a Dzire diesel manual (2018) and now I am planning to buy a new car but I am very confused between Harrier EV Fearless Plus 75kwh and the XEV 9S Pack Two Above 79kwh. Although, I love diesel cars but since I live in Faridabad, my biggest concern is about increasing bans and restrictions on diesel cars. My main usage is on highways and bit within the city. I have clocked 1.3 lakh km on my Dzire in 8-9 years. I am getting the exact Harrier EV model for Rs. 22 lakh (on-road) whereas the XEV 9S will cost around Rs. 27-28 lakh (on-road) and that is my biggest confusion. Should I spend this additional amount on the XEV 9S for Harrier ev because I don't want any hassles as an since I plan to keep the car for the next several years.

•6d

Since your choice is between these two exact models, go for the Tata Harrier EV Fearless Plus 75kWh at Rs 22 lakh on-road. It is a much better value proposition given the Rs. 5-6 lakh savings over the Mahindra XEV 9S. The Harrier EV is a solidly-built, hardy SUV that's comfy for 5 adults and their luggage.Sure, the XEV 9S gives you the flexibility of three-rows of seating; a lighter steering with a tighter turning radius; and with a larger battery and a more efficient electric powertrain, real-world range will be better. But since you don't specifically need a three-row SUV, the Harrier EV's lower price makes it the more sensible buy.

Tata Harrier EV

Mahindra XEV 9S

•6d

I am looking for a petrol automatic car under Rs 12 lakh with good features. My first choice is the Honda Amaze, but I am concerned about its ground clearance and engine performance. Around 70% of my driving will be in the city. Would the Amaze be a good choice?

•5d

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

•3d

For my personal requirements, I have shortlisted two cars including Mahindra 3XO Edge automatic and Brezza VXI automatic. The only reason for which I have shortlisted Brezza is because of its simple engine. Otherwise, everyone in my family wants to go with 3XO for its space, unique looks and bigger width. I want to know about TCMPFi engine. Will it be reliable and at least better than Nexon's Revotron?

•2d

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

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