Delhi

Every helpful action can earn a badge.

•50w

I have a budget of ₹15 lakh, which I can stretch up to ₹20 lakh, for a quality automatic SUV (preferably a torque-converter AT, but I’m open to CVT). I initially preferred Japanese brands, but I’ve heard Japanese SUVs have lost their mojo — is that true? If so, what other reliable options require low maintenance and won’t create high ownership overhead?

•50w

Japanese SUVs haven't lost their mojo; it's just that there are far more options in the market now, many of which are more appealing or interesting. For example, the Honda Elevate is a great, no-nonsense Japanese SUV in your budget that's reliable and quite fun to drive too. However, you should also consider the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos, which offer better features, more upmarket interiors and more powertrain options with similar reliability and maintenance costs.

Explore cars mentioned

Honda

Elevate (2023-2026)

Hyundai

Creta

from ₹12.66 Lakh

Kia

Seltos

from ₹12.76 Lakh

More posts on similar cars

•3d

I have to buy a new SUV under a budget of Rs. 25 lakh. My running is 2500 km per month in Delhi - NCR with occasional long drive. My family wants XUV 7XO diesel. However, I do like new Kia Seltos diesel. Please guide.

•3d

Go for the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel. With 2,500 km a month and regular long drives, the diesel engine makes strong financial sense, and the 7XO is the better fit for your usage. It is a larger, more comfortable SUV with a stronger diesel engine, better highway stability and more space for family trips. The Seltos diesel is a very good car, but it is a smaller SUV and does not offer the same level of space or long-distance comfort. The 7XO also gives you the flexibility of a larger boot and occasional third-row use, which is useful for family outings. The only thing to keep in mind is that the 7XO is a bigger car to drive in the city, but overall it is the more complete package for your usage.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Kia Seltos

•3d

I own Toyota Etios and now want to purchase a new car under the budget of Rs. 20 to 25 lakh. I am planning to get a 7-seater as sometimes I need it (around 10% of the times). I am considering XUV 7XO (diesel). Please suggest a suitable vehicle.

•1d

Given your usage pattern, where only about 10 percent of your driving genuinely requires a third row, the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel is a sensible choice. It is one of the most complete 7-seaters in the segment, offering a strong diesel engine, good highway manners and a genuinely usable third row when needed. The diesel engine is particularly well suited to long-distance touring and occasional heavy loads, which aligns with your requirement for a car that can comfortably accommodate seven passengers on demand. Alternatively, consider the Kia Carens Clavis diesel if you want a seven seater with a smaller footprint. However, it is worth considering whether a 7-seater is truly the best fit for your needs. If 90 percent of your usage is as a 5-seater, you may be better served by a more spacious and comfortable 5-seater SUV, such as the Kia Seltos or the Tata Sierra, both of which offer excellent comfort and practicality.If you genuinely need the third row even 10 percent of the time, the XUV 7XO diesel is a strong recommendation. If those occasions are rare and can be managed with alternative arrangements, a 5-seater may actually deliver a better ownership experience over the long term.

Hi Autocar team, I am planning to buy the Hyundai Creta automatic but am confused between the petrol and diesel versions. I currently own a Swift diesel and drive around 10,000km a year, with a mix of city and highway use. I usually take 300-600 km trips every one or two months, along with occasional longer drives with family or friends. My city use includes hospital visits, school pickups and drops, shopping and family occasions. I am worried about DPF issues with diesel and petrol mileage. Which should I choose?

•1d

Go for the Hyundai Creta petrol automatic. With around 10,000 km a year and a genuinely mixed usage pattern, petrol is the safer and more sensible choice. Diesel will give you better fuel economy on your longer highway runs, but with your annual running, the savings are unlikely to justify the higher upfront cost and the potential hassle of DPF-related issues, especially given your city usage. Modern diesel cars are far better than they used to be, but short city runs and stop-start traffic can still cause the DPF to clog over time if the car is not regularly driven at sustained speeds.The petrol automatic is smooth, refined and well suited to your city driving, school runs and hospital visits, while still being perfectly capable on your longer highway trips.

Hyundai Creta

View all Posts

Has E20 fuel affected your mileage?

Expert reviews worth reading

HondaElevate (2023-2026)

Is ADAS worth paying extra for in a car?

Popular discussions right now

•1w

I currently own a Jeep Compass and want to get an additional car for my father, with good reliability, unlike the Jeep. My father still drives a 2008 Honda City, and I am torn between a few choices: the Honda City, Skoda Slavia, Nissan Tekton and Toyota Hyryder. Or should I wait for the Virtus facelift or the new-generation Creta? His usage is low, at almost 500 km per month. Please suggest.

•4d

With just 500km a month, petrol is the clear choice, and reliability and ease of ownership become the most important factors. The Honda City is the safest recommendation here. It is a proven product with a strong reliability record, a comfortable ride and a familiar ownership experience that your father will appreciate, especially coming from a 2008 City. The Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Virtus are both excellent to drive, but the 1.0 TSI engine can feel a bit laggy at low speeds, and the 1.5 TSI is overkill for this kind of usage. The Nissan Tekton is a good value proposition, but engines are not responsive at low speeds and Nissan's service network is not as strong as Honda's, which matters more for a low-running, long-term ownership scenario. The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder is a solid option if you specifically want an SUV, but the hybrid premium does not make financial sense at this running, and the naturally aspirated petrol is not as refined as the City's engine. The new-generation Hyundai Creta is worth waiting for only if your father specifically wants an SUV; otherwise, the City remains the more sensible choice. Overall, the Honda City is the most reliable, comfortable and hassle-free option for your father's usage.

Honda City

Skoda Slavia

Volkswagen Virtus

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Nissan Tekton

•1w

I’ve almost finalised the Skoda Kylaq Signature Automatic, and I really like the car. However, I’m a little worried about Skoda’s long-term service and maintenance costs, especially after the warranty period. I’m planning to keep the car for around 7–8 years. Would you recommend taking the Service Maintenance Package (SMP) along with the car? Is it worth the additional cost considering regular servicing and potential maintenance expenses? Also, compared with the Brezza and Nexon, how is the Kylaq Signature Automatic in terms of long-term reliability, service costs and parts replacement? Would really appreciate your advice before I make the final purchase decision.

•4d

If you like the Skoda Kylaq Signature Automatic, go ahead and buy it. It is a genuinely good car and one of the best driver’s cars in the segment. The 1.0 TSI engine paired with the 6-speed torque converter automatic is a proven combination, and Skoda’s reliability has improved significantly in recent years. The bigger concern is not reliability but long-term maintenance costs, which can be higher than Maruti or Tata once the car is out of warranty.This is where the Service Maintenance Package (SMP) makes sense. It locks in your service costs for the first 4-5 years, covers all scheduled maintenance and gives you peace of mind during the most expensive ownership period. If you are planning to keep the car for 7-8 years, it is worth the additional cost because it protects you from unexpected bills and helps you budget ownership costs more accurately.Compared to the Brezza and Nexon, the Kylaq is the better driver’s car with a more engaging driving experience and a stronger engine. The Brezza is the benchmark for long-term reliability and low maintenance costs, while the Nexon sits somewhere in between. The Kylaq is not unreliable, but parts and service can be more expensive once you are out of warranty.If you are buying the Kylaq, take the SMP and enjoy the car. If long-term ownership costs are your absolute priority, the Brezza is the safer financial choice.

Hi, I am planning to buy a new car and am confused between the Kia Seltos HTX (A) DCT and the Tata Safari Adventure Plus. I liked the interior quality of the Seltos, while the Safari’s road presence is impressive. My annual running is around 15,000km, including both city driving and highway trips. Could you please guide me on which car would be the better choice for my needs?

•5d

Go for the Kia Seltos HTX(A) DCT. At 15,000 km a year with a mix of city and highway driving, the Seltos is the more sensible choice. This Kia car is easier to drive in the city, more efficient and still comfortable on long trips. The DCT gearbox is quick but a bit jerky in traffic, but the car feels premium inside, which you already like. The Tata Safari has great road presence and more space, but this Tata car is a much bigger car to live with every day and does not feel as well-finished inside. The Seltos is the better all-rounder for your usage.

Kia Seltos

Tata Safari

View all Posts

Upcoming launch buzz

Community discussions on upcoming launches