Delhi

•1d

I’m looking for a petrol automatic SUV under Rs 17 lakh that is safe, fun to drive and fuel-efficient. I’ve considered the Kia Seltos, the Hyundai Bayon and the Hyundai Creta (although the Creta hasn’t been crash-tested by Bharat NCAP). I could also step down to three-cylinder options like the Hyundai Venue or the Skoda Kylaq. German and Czech cars are really solid, but I don’t like their rear-view cameras. Most of my driving is in Gurgaon traffic, with occasional highway trips. Which car would you recommend?

•22m

Given your requirements, you should consider the Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TSI AT. It has a punchy 115 hp turbo petrol engine, a smooth 6-speed torque converter automatic and a sorted ride and handling balance, which makes it one of the most fun-to-drive SUVs in your budget. It is also safe as it has 6 airbags and has a 5-star crash safety rating from Bharat NCAP. However, it isn't the most economical and as you rightly pointed out, the camera quality isn't the best. Alternatively, you could also consider the Hyundai Bayon. It won't be as punchy or as fun to drive as the Kylaq but it will be more economical and have better camera quality.

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Skoda

Kylaq

from ₹8.47 Lakh

Hyundai

Bayon

from ₹11.15 Lakh

•3m•

Try venue hx8 facelift DCT petrol automatic

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•5h

I’m planning to buy a car with an on-road budget of around Rs 16 lakh. It will be on a corporate lease, so good fuel efficiency would help financially. We’ll drive 600-800 km a month. Would a diesel automatic Kia Sonet or Hyundai Venue be a good choice, or would a petrol suit my usage better? I’ve noticed that most petrol automatics in this range use a DCT. Is a DCT good for Bengaluru traffic, or is a torque converter better suited to stop-go driving? I’m really confused by the options in this budget, so please help. I currently drive a Ford Figo diesel manual.

•1h

With your monthly running of just 600- 800 km, we would recommend a petrol automatic over a diesel. The additional cost of buying a diesel is unlikely to be recovered through fuel savings at this level of usage. Also, with predominantly urban driving, a modern diesel's DPF can become a concern if the car does not regularly get sufficiently long runs to complete regeneration. Coming from your Ford Figo diesel, you may find the petrol's running costs higher, but the lower usage makes it the more sensible choice.For Bengaluru traffic, a torque converter automatic would be preferable to a DCT. DCTs are perfectly usable, but repeated crawling in heavy stop-start traffic can make them feel jerky at low speeds and less smooth than a torque converter.We would shortlist the Mahindra XUV 3XO petrol AT and Skoda Kylaq AT. Both get six-speed torque converter automatics. The 3XO has a stronger 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine with 200Nm, a spacious cabin and a comfortable ride. The Kylaq is more compact, feels engaging to drive and is easier to manoeuvre and park in tight spaces.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Skoda Kylaq

•4d

I am very confused between Kylaq AT and Syros DCT 1.0 petrol. Driving wise, Kylaq seems very good but Syros seems like a more practical car with a beautiful cabin. Rear seat comfort and leg room is so good in Syros along with a better AC, rear view camera and audio. Which one should I go for if I have 60% highway use as well as long distance travel? If two adults have to sit in the rear seat of Kylaq for a 5-6 hours drive, is it going to be comfortable? For suspension, quality, VFM and stability, which one is best for 7-8 years of ownership?

•1d

From a practicality perspective, the Kia Syros is a better choice than the Skoda Kylaq. Its cabin is easily the most spacious in the sub-4-metre segment, and it gets practical features such as a sliding rear bench, which lets you free up more boot space or increase rear passenger legroom. Accommodating two adults in the back seat on long journeys is no problem at all. Highway performance from the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and DCT combination is also very good, while high-speed stability is decent too. Ride quality is a touch firm, though, which is also the case with the Kylaq.The Kylaq is the more engaging car to drive, and its torque converter automatic is smoother in city traffic. The DCT in the Syros can feel a bit clunky at times in the city, but since most of your driving is on the highway, this is unlikely to be a deal-breaker.Pick the Kylaq if driving dynamics are your top priority, but when it comes to practicality, the Syros is hard to beat.

Kia Syros

Skoda Kylaq

•18h

Dear team, I want a petrol automatic car with a spacious cabin, a five-star safety rating, good rear-seat comfort, easy driving manners and a responsive service network. A sunroof isn’t necessary. I’ll opt for BH registration, as I’m eligible for it. I’m considering: Kia Seltos HTK IVT: It has manual AC instead of automatic climate control. Is that acceptable? I’m also eligible for a corporate discount and a loyalty bonus. Honda Elevate VX CVT: It has all the essential features, but reviews say its infotainment screen is small and its camera feed quality is poor. Tata Sierra Pure L(O) DCT: I’m sceptical about the quality of Tata’s service centres. Please help me choose one.

•1h

The Kia Seltos HTK IVT would be our first recommendation over the Honda Elevate VX CVT. The Seltos feels like the more premium product of the two, with a better-quality cabin, a more refined engine and transmission combination, and a more sophisticated overall driving experience. Its 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with the IVT is particularly smooth and well suited to city driving. The manual air conditioning in the HTK is a compromise, but it shouldn't be a deal-breaker if you are comfortable with conventional AC controls.The Honda Elevate VX CVT is also a sensible choice, with a spacious cabin, good rear-seat comfort and Honda's reputation for reliability. However, the Seltos has an advantage in perceived cabin quality and refinement.

Kia Seltos

Honda Elevate

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•20h

I’m a first-time car buyer and I’m confused between the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Delta (Rs 12.7 lakh on-road), the Brezza VXi automatic (Rs 11.4 lakh) and the Brezza ZXi manual (Rs 11.5 lakh). I’m not sure how much of my driving will be in the city and how much on the highway. If I choose the automatic, I’ll miss out on many features that come with the Brezza ZXi and the Grand Vitara Delta. Is it okay to give up those features and choose the VXi automatic?

•4h

It is a tricky choice, but we would lean towards the Maruti Suzuki Brezza VXi automatic. In today's increasingly congested traffic conditions, the convenience of an automatic transmission is something you will appreciate every day. The additional features on the Brezza ZXi manual or Grand Vitara Delta may seem attractive initially, but over the years, the ease of driving an automatic is likely to matter more.The Brezza VXi AT is not poorly equipped either. It gets a touchscreen infotainment system, automatic climate control, six airbags, ESP and hill-hold assist. You will miss out on features such as cruise control, a rear parking camera and a sunroof, but some convenience features can be added later through accessories.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

•2d

What are Mahindra’s plans for an ICE SUV positioned above the XUV 7XO? Specifically, does Mahindra plan to launch any ICE SUVs in the Rs 30-40 lakh bracket?

•2d

Mahindra has not yet confirmed an all-new ICE SUV positioned above the XUV 7XO in the Rs 30-40 lakh bracket. However, there are some interesting developments on its future product roadmap. The company has outlined plans for 10 new ICE models by 2031, including nine new nameplates, with several expected to use its upcoming NU_IQ platform. The Vision X and Vision SXT concepts are among the products to watch, although their final positioning and specifications are yet to be revealed. A more immediate development is the possibility of a strong-hybrid version of the XUV 7XO, which Mahindra is evaluating and could introduce around 2027. This would potentially sit above the current petrol and diesel variants, offering better fuel efficiency and a more sophisticated powertrain. Mahindra is also working on a coupe-styled hybrid SUV, internally codenamed W623, which could arrive around 2028, although its positioning is not yet clear.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

•1w

improve the grammar and write it in a paragraph - Hi Autocar, Iam looking to book a car this week. I have narrowed it down to one of 3 cars. Petrol Automatic IVTs. My running is mostly going to be 95% city (office to work in Mumbai traffic). Daily commute is around 15km, so I don't want a turbo in traffic. That's roughly 5k annual running. I am 6ft tall so wouldn't want something that is cramped 1. New Seltos HTK(O) 2. New elevate VX 3. Bayon HX 8 All of these are close to the 16L ex showroom price. I've driven the Seltos and Elevate. I really liked both of them. The Seltos feels more premium from the inside and I feel like that is something worth having in a daily car. The elevate is brilliant, but it seems cheap on the inside. No pani sunroof too, although I would maybe use it 1 day in year, it's priced the same as the Seltos, so that felt a miss. I know Honda engines are top, but at my running and limited enthusiast journey, I'm not sure if that does justice to need. Now comes the bayon. I have not done a test drive yet as its not available, but the bayon pricing at Hx6 and hx8 seems very close to the Creta currently.. I am tempted to go for the hx8 as it as a 360 camera,( I think that might be usefull for parking etc as I am coming from a hatchback ) but I am getting a "lesser car" vs the Seltos here I wonder.. Which one would you recommend? I am keen on booking before diwali, will see if there are any discounts on the Seltos (unlikey though)

•6d

All things considered, the Kia Seltos is the better fit for your needs. Since you are on the taller side, you will appreciate the extra room it has to offer compared to the Hyundai Bayon. Opting for the Bayon does get you a higher variant with a 360-degree camera, which can be helpful in tight spots. However, once you get used to the size of the vehicle, you might find yourself using the camera less often.As for the Honda Elevate, as you rightly mentioned, the Seltos feels more premium inside and costs about the same. The Elevate does offer a bit more performance from its 1.5L naturally aspirated engine, but since 95% of your driving is in slow-moving Mumbai traffic, the added performance won't really make much of a difference.Overall, the Seltos is the right fit for your needs.

Kia Seltos

Hyundai Bayon

Honda Elevate

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