Hi Autocar, I am looking to book a car this week. I have narrowed it down to one of 3 cars, all petrol automatic IVTs. My running is mostly 95% in the city (office commute in Mumbai traffic). My daily commute is around 15 km, so I don't want a turbo engine for bumper-to-bumper traffic. That comes out to roughly 5,000 km in annual running. I am 6 feet tall, so I wouldn't want something that feels cramped. New Seltos HTK+(O) New Elevate VX Bayon HX8 All of these are close to the Rs. 16 lakh ex-showroom price mark. I've driven the Seltos and the Elevate, and I really liked both of them. The Seltos feels more premium on the inside, which I feel is a feature worth having in a daily driver. The Elevate is brilliant, but it feels a bit cheap on the inside. It also lacks a panoramic sunroof; although I might use it only one day a year, given that it's priced the same as the Seltos, it feels like a miss. I know Honda engines are top-notch, but given my limited running and lack of driving enthusiast priorities, I'm not sure if that does justice to my needs. Now comes the Bayon. I haven't done a test drive yet as it is not available, but the Bayon pricing at the HX6 and HX8 trims seems very close to the Creta. I am tempted to go for the HX8 as it offers a 360-degree camera (which I think might be useful for parking since I am upgrading from a hatchback), but I wonder if I am getting a 'lesser car' compared to the Seltos. Which one would you recommend? I am keen on booking before Diwali and will see if there are any discounts on the Seltos (unlikely, though).

autocar.india

•23h

Considering your requirements, the Renault Duster hybrid will be a good choice for you. The hybrid Duster is the most powerful car against its rivals and is genuinely impressive to drive and handle. The new Duster also gets FDD (Frequency Dependent Dampers) that improve ride and handling. What also works well is the multi-mode gearbox that gives it smooth performance in the city and stable and refined driving on the highway. Being a strong hybrid, its efficiency is also much better in comparison to the Honda Elevate and the Kia Seltos. The Duster also has a 7 year warranty for the car and an 8 year warranty for the battery adding peace of mind. The only downside maybe Renaults service network which isn't as established as Honda or Kia. However, if there is a showroom near you, this should not be a problem.

Renault Duster

Honda Elevate

Kia Seltos

autocar.india

•1d

If you have the budget, the Kia Seltos IVT would be the best option for your needs. The Seltos' powertrain with the naturally aspirated engine and CVT gearbox is superb for the city and compared to the Honda Elevate it is a lot more feature-rich and practical. Space is good, seats are comfy and the engine is responsive too. The Elevate brings Honda's reliability but misses out on space, practicality and features compared to the Seltos. As a first car, the Seltos has easy to drive manners and will be a good choice for you.

Kia Seltos

Honda Elevate

autocar.india

•1d

The Kia Seltos is a strong choice given your requirements and budget. The Seltos in its GTX (A) guise is extremely well-equipped, with a proven powertrain: a 1.5-litre petrol engine and CVT gearbox. It is smooth and easy to drive in the city with no jerks usually seen on automatic gearboxes. Since you are used to good driving dynamics from the Ecosport, you will also enjoy the Seltos as it has good handling manners. The ride comfort is also very good, and the infotainment is one of the best in the segment. In its GTX guise, you get the expected safety suite of 6 airbags and electronics, but also Level 2 ADAS. Overall, as a package, the Seltos would be our top recommendation.

Kia Seltos