Autocar India
•6w

My annual running is below 7,000 km, and I plan to keep my next car for 12-15 years. I am confused between Grand Vitara, Hyryder, Elevate, Creta, Seltos and Victoris. My priorities are reliability, a good balance of power and fuel efficiency, family comfort, low maintenance and long-term ownership. I am also concerned about India's future ethanol-blending policy (E20 and higher blends). Which of these would be the best long-term choice and why?

Verified
•6w
With an annual running of less than 7,000km, fuel efficiency should not be the deciding factor. Instead, you should focus on comfort, reliability, ownership experience and how well the car will age over the next 12-15 years. That's why we wouldn't prioritise the Grand Vitara, Hyryder or Victoris Hybrid. Their hybrid systems command a price premium that you'll struggle to recover with such low annual usage.
Between the remaining options, the Kia Seltos strikes the best balance. It offers a refined and proven naturally aspirated petrol engine, a smooth IVT automatic, a spacious and premium cabin, excellent comfort and a strong ownership experience. It also feels newer and more upmarket than the Elevate, while the Creta is due for a generational update sooner.
The Honda Elevate deserves a mention for its simplicity and reliability. If absolute mechanical simplicity is your priority, it is arguably the safest long-term bet. However, it doesn't feel as premium as the Seltos. The engine and CVT combination isn't quite as refined, and Honda's dealer network is smaller.
As for ethanol blending, we wouldn't let it influence your purchase decision. While there is plenty of discussion around E25, E27 and E30 fuels, there is currently no confirmed roadmap for such a transition. More importantly, all of these cars are E20-compliant, and manufacturers have engineered a degree of tolerance beyond that. The most likely effect of higher ethanol blends would be a small reduction in fuel efficiency and slightly accelerated wear of certain fuel-system components over a very long period, not a major reliability issue.
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•6w

When you plan to keep something for this long, it should feel future proof. The Seltos would be the best pick as it had latest technology, premium interiors and a comfortable ride. It is also larger compared to it's rivals. The problem with the Toyota Maruti triplets and Honda Elevate is that the design doesn't feel that premium and up to date. Moreover the screens will definitely not age well compared to the Seltos's. When running is only around 7-10Km a year then don't focus on fuel economy. If you really wanna make the most out of the few kms you drive then you can choose the 1.5L turbo petrol option otherwise the NA engine with an IVT also fits in well. As far as E20 is concerned, there is no certainty about rising blends but these cars are designed to handle more than their respective limits.

•6w

@aviral10 can also wait for the 3rd gen creta coming by the year end or early next year. Will have a similar package as the Seltos.

•6w

What r the views for kia Syros htk plus variant

•5w

Please share a comparison between Seltos and Duster

•5w

Next 12-15 years?? No one can suggest you a car for that. Better buy E20 complaint Used car & drive it for the next 2-3 years. By that time more Flex Fuel cars should be in the market to chose from. My 2 cents though.

•5w

Good recommendation 👍

•5w

I want to change my maruti suzuki swift vxi(o) purchased on September 2016(KL70. Kerala)Running to 43000 KM. Company delear service no issues. How much price expected to exchange with maruti suzuki Bressa or Grand victa please suggest

•5w

When will breeza face lift 2026 lounch

•5w

Which is best, sakoda kaylac, kia saltois, maruti fornex, duster 1.00

•5w

Can you give me good option mahindra 7co ?

•5w

my annual running is arround 28000 km i drive a cla 200d sports. I want to buy another car while i retain my old car. my budget is Rs. 60,00,000/-. suggest a car

•5w

Keeping it for 12-15 years , means it definitely needs to be either EV or FLEX FUEL Not for efficiency , but to safeguard from future norms and dilutions of petroleum

•5w

Seltos vs slavia ? I know two are different genre but still for a medical professional which one would shine ?

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More questions on similar cars

•3d

Hey, I’ve booked the 2026 Kia Seltos HTK IVT variant. As you know, it comes with a lot of features, and this variant covers almost everything I need for my daily usage. However, I’m a bit confused now because the next-generation Hyundai Creta is expected to launch either towards the end of this year or in early 2027. Is it really worth waiting for the new Creta, or should I go ahead with the Seltos without having second thoughts? If I do decide to wait, I’d also like to know whether Hyundai actually offers a better overall ownership experience in terms of maintenance costs, service quality, spare parts availability, reliability, resale value, pricing, mileage, and long-term ownership compared to Kia. It’s already almost August, so if we wait just a few more months, we could probably get a 2027-manufactured and registered vehicle, which is another reason we’re considering waiting. At the same time, we’re planning to keep this car for the long term (8-10 years or more), so we want to make the right decision now rather than regret it later. That’s why I have so many questions. I’d really appreciate an unbiased opinion from the experts on whether it’s better to stick with the Seltos or wait for the all-new Creta. Thanks in advance.

Verified
•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.

VehicleKia Seltos
VehicleHyundai Creta
•3d

I currently own a 2022 Kia Seltos that has covered 35,000 km. My wife and I are the primary occupants, and we usually take one or two road trips every six months, covering up to 300 km in a day on highways. We are both 66 years old. I plan to continue driving myself for the next five years, after which I expect to hire a chauffeur. I have been considering replacing the Seltos with the MG Hector Savvy CVT 6-seater. Given my usage and future plans, would it be better to make the change now or wait?

Verified
•1d

Based on your usage and priorities, there is no compelling reason to change your Kia Seltos right now. Your 2022 Seltos with 35,000 km is still relatively new and well within its prime ownership period. Since you and your wife are usually the only occupants, and your travel is limited to one or two highway trips every six months with a maximum of 300 km a day, moving to a larger 6-seater like the MG Hector Savvy CVT does not offer any meaningful advantage. While the Hector is a comfortable SUV, its larger dimensions and third row are unlikely to be fully utilised based on your current needs. The Seltos is already a comfortable and capable highway car, and it will continue to serve you well for the next five years until you transition to a chauffeur-driven setup. At that point, you can reassess your requirements and choose a more comfort-focused upgrade if needed. For now, keeping the Seltos is the more practical and sensible decision.

VehicleKia Seltos
VehicleMG Hector
•2d

Dear Autocar Team, I already own a Kushaq 1.5 TSI Manual, and I am looking to buy a B-segment SUV. I am confused between the Hyundai Creta IVT and the Kia Seltos Turbo DCT. Could you please help me choose the better option?

Verified
•2d

Since you already own a Skoda Kushaq 1.5 TSI manual, you are already enjoying a strong turbo petrol engine and a genuinely engaging driving experience. The Creta IVT is a naturally aspirated petrol with a CVT, which is smooth and easy in traffic but will feel like a step down in performance and driving enjoyment compared to your Kushaq. The Seltos turbo petrol DCT is the better fit here. It gives you the performance you are used to, a more premium cabin, and a genuinely enjoyable driving experience. The DCT is not as smooth as the IVT in stop-start traffic, but it is the more engaging car overall and will feel like a proper upgrade rather than a compromise. The Seltos also feels more premium inside and is the more satisfying car to own alongside your Kushaq.

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Popular discussions right now

•4d

I am confused between Taigun 1.5 Sport and Seltos Diesel X-Line top model. I have owned the Polo AT and Vento AT in the past, so my love for Volkswagen is making this decision difficult.

Verified
•4d

Go for the Volkswagen Taigun 1.5 TSI Sport. Coming from a Polo and Vento automatic, you already appreciate Volkswagen’s driving DNA, and the Taigun 1.5 TSI is a natural progression. The engine is punchy, the DSG gearbox is quick and engaging, and the overall driving experience is far more involving than the Seltos. The Taigun also feels more compact and agile in the city, while still being comfortable on the highway. The Volkswagen Taigun mileage is 19.54 kpl for the 1.0 TSI AT, 19.98 kpl for the 1.0 TSI MT, and 18.85 kpl for the 1.5 TSI DCT.The Kia Seltos diesel X-Line is a strong all-rounder with better space, a more premium cabin and a more relaxed long-distance character, but it does not offer the same level of driver engagement. The diesel engine is efficient and torquey, but it lacks the excitement of the 1.5 TSI. Given your history with Volkswagen cars, the Taigun will simply feel more familiar and more enjoyable to drive every day. The Taigun price starts at Rs 11.00 lakh (ex-showroom).

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•4d

I am looking to buy an electric car in the Rs. 20-30 lakh price range. My driving is mostly within the city, with an annual running of only 5,000-7,000 km. Would you recommend buying an EV now, or would it be better to wait for the newer models that are expected to launch over the next few months?

Verified
•4d

With 5,000-7,000 km a year and mostly city driving, you are the ideal EV buyer. The Mahindra XEV 9S in its top-spec Pack Three guise will comfortably fit in your budget. With a 79kWh battery pack, you can easily expect a real-world range of around 480km in daily driving conditions. The 9S is also a full-size SUV with three rows, so practicality is excellent. There is a usable frunk as well, and the feature list is extensive with connected tech, panoramic sunroof, front and rear ventilated seats, drive modes, Level 2 ADAS and much more. Also, with 286hp, the 9S has plenty of performance for everyday needs. The overall package strikes a good balance and hence is our recommendation.

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•4d

I want to buy my first car, and I have a strict budget of Rs 10 lakh. I will not use the car on a daily basis; I will drive it occasionally, and I live in Kolkata.

Verified
•2d

For a car under 10 lakh budget and occasional use, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno makes sense. It is a genuinely spacious hatchback with a comfortable ride. It's easy to drive in the city and has a proven ownership record. The naturally aspirated petrol engine is smooth and reliable, and Maruti’s service network in Kolkata is excellent, which keeps long-term running costs low.For occasional use, you want a car that is easy to live with, dependable and does not demand much attention, and the Baleno fits that brief perfectly. It also offers a good balance of features and practicality within your budget.If you prefer a slightly higher seating position, the Maruti Suzuki Fronx is worth considering.

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Posted on: 25 Jun 2026