Delhi

•6h

I’m planning to buy the 2026 Kia Seltos GTX (A) and am confused between the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol IVT and the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol DCT. The car will be used by two people. On weekdays, it will primarily be used for city commutes, where fuel efficiency, smoothness and reliability are important. On weekends, it will be used for a mix of city driving and occasional highway trips, where good performance and driving pleasure are also desirable. I’ve heard that the IVT is smoother and more stress-free in traffic, while the DCT offers significantly better performance but may face overheating issues in stop-and-go conditions. Which would you recommend for long-term ownership over 7–10 years, considering real-world mileage, reliability, maintenance costs and driving pleasure? Would you choose the IVT for greater peace of mind or the DCT for its turbocharged performance? I’d appreciate advice based on real-world ownership experiences. Thanks in advance!

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•42m

Go for the Kia Seltos GTX(A) Petrol CVT 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol IVT. For your usage pattern, it is the more sensible and stress-free choice. The IVT is smooth, reliable and well-suited to daily city commutes, where stop-and-go traffic is the norm. It delivers decent fuel efficiency and is generally easier to live with over a long ownership period.

The 1.5-litre turbo-petrol DCT is the enthusiast's choice, offering strong performance and a more engaging driving experience on highways. However, DCT gearboxes can get a bit jerky at low speeds and are not as happy in prolonged stop-and-go traffic, where they can heat up and become less smooth. For a 7-10 year ownership horizon, the IVT is the safer bet. It may not be as quick as the turbo, but performance is decent and consistent and dependable in everyday use. If you are looking for a balance between reliability, running costs and some driving pleasure, the IVT is the better fit.

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•3m•

CVT 1.5 is better. DCT only if you want to drive more on highways. It is less reliable than CVT.

•6m•

C/ivt will be the nice and easy choice for city if city commute is long. DCT gearbox itself can be confusing on bad roads and jerky. and Kia DCT is not as engaging as VW DSG so the fun is also not 100% fulfilled.

•33m•

Good recommendation 👍

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•6h

Hello, I regularly follow Autocar podcasts and episodes because I trust your reviews and opinions. I have been driving a Fiat Punto for over a decade, and I find it difficult to connect with Japanese cars, regardless of how feature-rich they are. There is a group of buyers like me who value the European driving experience, especially now that diesel options from the VW Group are no longer available. Do you think the Tata Sierra diesel automatic comes close to offering that European driving feel, and is it worth considering for long-term ownership, particularly given its relatively low sales numbers? Thanks in advance!

•1h

The Tata Sierra diesel automatic is worth considering if you are coming from a Fiat Punto and value that European driving feel. The Sierra’s diesel engine and automatic gearbox is well-matched, and the car has a solid, planted feel on the road that is reminiscent of older European cars. It also rides well and feels robust, which is something you will appreciate coming from a Punto. You can also consider the Kia Seltos, the diesel engine is stronger and more refined and the ride is quite planted. It may not be a European product but its built in a manner that does feel closest to one. If you really want to stick with a European car then consider something like a Skoda Kushaq or a Volkswagen Taigun. They are petrol driven but offer the most authentic European driving experience in the segment.

I am currently driving a 10-year-old Hyundai i20 and am planning to upgrade to an SUV. My annual running is relatively low, at around 8,000 to 10,000 km, with approximately 70% city driving and 30% highway driving. My top priority is safety, followed by fuel efficiency. My budget is around Rs 22 lakh on-road, and I am not considering an EV. Given these requirements, which SUVs would you recommend as the best options?

•4h

With your running of 8,000-10,000 km a year and a 70% city usage, petrol is the right choice. Your budget of Rs 22 lakh on-road puts you in the midsize SUV segment, where safety and fuel efficiency can both be prioritised.The Kia Seltos is the most balanced recommendation here. It is one of the safest cars in the segment, with a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating, and the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine is efficient and well-suited to city driving. The IVT automatic is smooth and reliable, making it easy to live with in traffic. The Seltos also offers a premium cabin and a strong ownership experience.The Hyundai Creta is the alternative. It shares the same engine and gearbox, so the driving experience is very similar but the Seltos feels slightly more premium inside. The choice between the two comes down to personal preference on design and interior feel.If you are willing to stretch your budget slightly, the Maruti Suzuki Victoris Hybrid is worth considering. The hybrid system delivers excellent fuel efficiency, especially in city driving, and the car is well-equipped and comfortable. However, the Seltos and Creta remain the more balanced choices given your priorities.

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•1d

Hi, I am an automotive enthusiast and go for track drive as well. Can you help me out with a suitable car under Rs. 15-17 lakh as I own Ritz diesel that has completed 2.3 lakh km in 10 years without any engine repair or changing timing chain with regular use of full synthetic oil. I do both city and highway driving regularly as my daily run would be 70 km and I do out station travel for work as I stay in Hyderabad and go for trip around Hyderabad to Bengaluru Chennai Pune and Mumbai. I have 3 elders who rarely travel outstation but they sometimes travel within city. My wife and children travel often with me especially for official and personal usage, suggest me a car with good driving dynamics that offers stability abd comfort. Can a 1 liter Skoda vehicle manage driving load or is 1.5 liter better. I don't have an opinion on Kia or Hyundai and I want to know if these brands are reliable and safe. Suggest me a suitable car.

•1d

Given your daily usage of 70km, and frequent highway trips, a diesel car will be a more economical choice. And in that price bracket, consider a higher-spec Mahindra XUV 3XO which has an excellent 1.5 Diesel engine that's punchy and refined, and its ride comfort and high speed stability easily matches cars from higher segments.If you insist on a petrol offering that'll appeal to an enthusiast like you, consider a Renault Duster or Nissan Tekton 1.3 Turbo, which are excellent to drive. The only real downside is that their turbo engine isn't efficient. A Slavia or Kushaq are great to drive too, and while their 1.0 TSI feels perfectly fine in the city, on the open road you'll certainly yearn for stronger performance and more effortless power delivery, something which is available with their 1.5 versions; unfortunately, these won't fit into your Rs 15-17 lakh on-road budget.The Hyundai Verna and Creta 1.5 Turbo variants are pricey, while a Kia Seltos with a 1.5 turbo petrol variant in your budget will be with an iMT (clutch-pedal-free manual transmission). It is a well-rounded car, and even though it drives well, it doesn't feel as engaging or as fun-to-drive as a Duster, Tekton or the Skoda offerings. Even the Kia's 1.5 diesel engine lacks outright punch and isn't likely to suit your driving style. Hence we'll suggest you to either consider the Mahindra XUV 3XO diesel, or look at the Renault Duster or Nissan Tekton 1.3 turbo instead.

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•5d

I am planning to buy my first car. I want to have a 7-seater and need it for long term ownership. I liked the Citroen Aircross X design for 5+2. I am planning to choose a car with automatic transmission. I have couple of major concerns for which I would like your advice. First one is Mileage, I heard Aircross has a mileage issue and its real-world city mileage is 8 kpl while on highway it is 14 kpl. Is it the same for X version also? Second advice is for its service network. I have heard from the people that its service is slow. Regular servicing also takes around 2 days of time. I have a service center within 10 km from my home. My budget is Rs. 20 Lakh and I need an automatic transmission with rear and front parking camera or 360-degree camera since I am a new driver. Are there any 7-seater alternatives within this budget?

•5d

The Citroen Aircross X is a good-looking car, now with a premium interior. It is the only SUV in its category which offers a 5+2 seating configuration, and even though the third row is not particularly spacious, it works for occasional use. The real-world fuel efficiency figures as per our tests are 9.5kpl and 13.62kpl in city and highway conditions, respectively, which is quite decent given the strong and smooth performance this 1.2-turbo-petrol-AT delivers. What's more is that ride comfort is outstanding, perhaps the best among all midsize SUVs. So as far as comfort and practicality goes, the Aircross X is a good car.Citroen's service centre network is limited, but since you have a touchpoint close to your home, your vehicle's regular servicing and maintenance is likely to be taken care of smoothly. If you love the Aircross X for what it is, go for it - as far as value goes, it is an outstanding proposition. If you're looking for proper seven-seater alternatives, we'd strongly recommend the Kia Carens Clavis HTK+ turbo-petrol automatic version. All three rows are properly spacious, well-suited for adults. This variant will be within your Rs 20 lakh on-road budget, and it has front and rear parking sensors, as well as rear-view camera to make parking easy for you. Sure, it isn't an SUV, but it is a very sensible car, if you need a proper seven-seater.

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•2d

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.

•2d

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.

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•6d

Please advise which car would be the best choice for long-term ownership: the Mahindra Scorpio, Tata Safari, Tata Harrier, Jeep Compass, Volkswagen SUV, or any other suitable option. My priority is reliability, long-term durability, and hassle-free ownership over the next 10 years or more. I would appreciate suggestions based on real-world ownership experience, maintenance costs, spare parts availability, and after-sales support.

•6d

For long-term ownership, the Mahindra Scorpio N is the safest recommendation from your shortlist. It has a proven track record, robust mechanicals and a strong service network, making it a dependable choice for 5-10 years of ownership. The Tata Harrier and Tata Safari have improved significantly, but the Scorpio N still has the edge on long-term reliability and ownership confidence. The Jeep Compass is a good product, but it is now an ageing model and does not offer the same value proposition as the Scorpio N. If you are open to alternatives, the Mahindra XUV 7XO is worth considering. It is a more modern product with a better balance of comfort, features and refinement, and it is a strong long-term ownership proposition as well. The Volkswagen Taigun and Skoda Kushaq are excellent driver's cars, but they are smaller and do not offer the same level of space or road presence as the Scorpio N or XUV 7XO.

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