Hello Autocar India. I am planning to purchase a car under Rs 40 lakh. Right now, I own a Creta diesel manual Knight Edition. I’m considering entering the full-size SUV segment, but there are no major options under Rs 40 lakh. I want a proper SUV with 7 seats, plush interiors that feel worth the money, strong brand value and genuine toughness. I considered the Fortuner, but the on-road price in Chennai is around Rs 44 lakh, and I do not want to go beyond Rs 40 lakh. I want something that is tough, something that could go anywhere it wanted to. I also looked at the Hilux, but it feels too long for Chennai roads. Right now, I have shortlisted the Jeep Meridian Longitude Plus manual. It seems to hit the sweet spot, but I am worried about reliability and resale value. What should I do? Are there any other options? I am open to other segments too, as long as it feels like a proper upgrade from my current car.

autocar.india

•11h

The Renault Duster 1.3 turbo DCT is a good car, with its biggest strength being its ride quality and handling. It feels planted on bad roads, absorbs bumps well and is genuinely enjoyable to drive. The 1.3 turbo petrol is punchy, and the DCT is quick, which makes it fun on open roads. But for your running of 800-900 km a month, mainly in the city, the 1.3 turbo-DCT isn't going to be very efficient.In comparison, the Hyundai Creta is more suited to your needs. Its interior feels airier and brighter, and overall it is a proven product with a stronger ownership track record. Sure, the Duster is the better driver’s car and feels more robust on rough roads, but the Creta will be more fuel efficient and is a better urban SUV, especially in its 1.5 Petrol IVT avatar, which is smooth and very seamless. A new Creta is expected to be launched early next year, so if you can wait, that could be worth getting.

Hyundai Creta

Renault Duster

autocar.india

•18h

If you can wait 3-6 months, it is worth waiting for the next-generation Hyundai Creta. Hyundai is expected to launch the all-new Creta in 2027, and it will be a completely new car on a new platform, not just a facelift. The current Creta is still a strong product, but it is nearing the end of its lifecycle, and the new model will likely bring significant improvements in design, technology and overall ownership experience.The Nissan Tekton is a good alternative and is a very good drivers car, so its a good buy if driving pleasure is high on your list. The new Creta is likely to be more of a relaxed commuter. Thus, if you can wait, it makes sense to see what the next-generation Creta has to offer before making a decision.

Nissan Tekton

Hyundai Creta

autocar.india

•1d

Go ahead with the Kia Seltos HTK IVT. The Seltos is a very well-rounded product, and the HTK IVT is a sweet spot in the range with a good balance of features and value. The bigger point is that the Seltos and Creta are fundamentally very similar cars underneath, sharing the same platform, engines and gearboxes. The ownership experience between Hyundai and Kia is also broadly similar in terms of maintenance costs, service reach, reliability and resale value. There is no clear advantage to waiting for the new Creta from that perspective.The only reason to wait would be if you are specifically interested in the new Creta’s design, interior or feature set. But that is an unknown at this stage, and there is no guarantee it will be meaningfully better than the Seltos. In fact, the Seltos is already one of the most complete cars in the segment, and the IVT gearbox is smooth and well-suited to city driving.Given you are planning to keep the car for 8-10 years, it makes more sense to buy a proven product now rather than wait for an unknown. The Seltos will serve you well over the long term, and you are unlikely to regret the decision.

Kia Seltos

Hyundai Creta