I want to sell my existing Honda Jazz petrol and want to purchase a new SUV. My budget range is 15-20 lakh. My workplace is within 4km, and travel is limited to Pune city. Occasionally, I travel to Mumbai or Nashik. I am particularly concerned about Indian roads and hence looking for an SUV. A few names that come to my mind are: Creta, Seltos, Duster, etc.

Autocar India

•1m

You should pick the Kia Seltos HTX Petrol CVT. For your Pune city use and the occasional Mumbai/Nashik run, it is the most comfortable and easy-to-live-with choice in your budget. Moving up from your Honda Jazz, you will appreciate the higher seating position, better view of the road, and extra ground clearance for broken patches and tall speed breakers. The IVT automatic is very smooth in stop-and-go Pune traffic and makes short office trips effortless. Ride comfort has also improved with the new generation. The steering is light in the city, and Kia’s service reach in and around Pune is strong.

One thing to be aware of is that the IVT is tuned for smoothness, not speed, so quick overtakes need a firmer press on the accelerator. If you want a similar experience with a bit more performance, then consider the Honda Elevate CVT.

On your test drive, take speed breakers and broken patches at low speeds, and also try a few slow stop-go starts.

Explore cars mentioned

Kia

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from ₹12.79 Lakh

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More questions on similar cars

Umang

•3d

I have a Honda City ZX MT, Jimny Zeta MT, and Ignis Alpha AMT. We are planning to get a new Seltos diesel automatic for convenience and mileage. Which of these should I replace, considering that I love the City for its VTEC? Also, is this a wise decision in terms of rear-seat comfort, driving feel, and fuel economy?

Autocar India

•1h

Of your cars, you should replace the Maruti Ignis with a Kia Seltos diesel automatic. This gives you the convenience and better fuel efficiency you are looking for, while allowing you to keep the City for its VTEC driving experience and the Jimny for rough roads or compact lanes. The Kia Seltos diesel auto is smooth and relaxed in traffic thanks to its smooth torque converter, and on highways, it cruises at low engine speed, so it feels calm and will likely use less fuel than your Honda City or Maruti Jimny. The back seat is wide enough for family use, the seat height is good for elders, and the boot is much larger than the Ignis, so it works well as the main family car.One thing to keep in mind is that you will miss the Ignis’s tiny size, and though the Jimny is a compact car, it isn't quite as light and manoeuvrable as the hatchback. Overall, the Seltos feels like a more upmarket and high-tech alternative to your existing cars, and should be a good upgrade that works in a variety of situations.

Mahesh

Planning to buy the Hyundai Creta N Line N10 (petrol manual). The N10 is the only turbo variant available with a manual transmission. I am looking for inputs from existing owners: is the N Line package worth the premium over the regular Creta 1.5 naturally aspirated manual? Does the improved driving feel justify the price difference in real-world use? Are there any trade-offs in comfort, mileage, or maintenance compared to the standard variant? I am also open to alternatives with a strong, powerful engine, manual transmission only, good safety, and solid build quality. I am not interested in features like a sunroof, a large touchscreen, or gimmicky tech. The objective is to evaluate whether the N10 delivers real value or if a simpler, driver-focused alternative makes more sense. I had also evaluated the Jeep Compass, but feedback on after-sales service is too bad.

Autocar India

•1h

The 150-160hp turbo-petrol manual midsize SUV is a dying breed due to limited demand, and more brands are offering only an auto, or, in the case of the Kia Seltos, an iMT. It's a shame Hyundai only offers it in the top-spec Creta N10 variant, because you end up paying for more features, and the N Line treatment, neither of which you may necessarily want.In terms of driving experience, it is a huge step up from the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol manual, with punchier performance, better response, and a more engaging feel. The engine is punchier and even has a sportier sound. That said, the 1.5 NA is the better all-rounder, mixing decent performance with smoothness and fuel economy. The standard Hyundai Creta also rides noticeably softer than the N Line thanks to its smaller wheels, and yes, service costs could be slightly lower than for the more complex T-GDi engine.If you're a driving enthusiast, the N Line N10 is definitely worth the stretch as one of the last remaining powerful turbo manuals in the segment.However, there is one more, and that's the Renault Duster. Its 160hp 1.3-litre turbo petrol is more than a match for the Hyundai 1.5-litre T-GDi unit, and in fact makes a bit more torque. Better still, Renault offers this powertrain from a much lower variant, so you don't have to pay for extra features if you don't see any value in them. Ride quality is better than the Creta N Line, and there's more boot space too, and it imparts that typically European confidence when you're at the wheel. The only area in which the Creta edges ahead is with a better rear seat and a wider service network.

I am confused between the Tata Sierra and the new Kia Seltos petrol automatic with ADAS. Which one would be the better choice? If your recommendation is the Kia Seltos, please explain why it would be preferable over the Tata Sierra, especially considering that the Sierra offers similar advanced features at a comparable price point. While I understand that the Seltos has better mileage, I would also like to know how significant the real-world mileage difference is between the two.

Autocar India

•16h

If it’s features that you want, then the Tata Sierra is the one to go for. The Accomplished+ will get you the full suite of ADAS features you’re looking for and also comes with goodies like a triple-screen setup, ventilated front seats with memory and power adjustment for the driver, and an electric tailgate. It is also roomier than the Kia Seltos, and its torque-converter automatic is smoother in the city. Ride and handling are well sorted too, and refinement is on par with the Seltos.One thing to note, however, is that Kia generally has a better reputation when it comes to aftersales service, whereas Tata’s can be a bit hit or miss. That said, Tata has made improvements in that area, and the Sierra has a lot going for it.Test drive both extensively before making a decision. Take them on busy city streets and on the highway to see how the ADAS works, check which transmission feels smoother, and dig into the infotainment systems to see which is more intuitive to use.

Tata Sierra

Kia Seltos

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