I am planning to buy a new car and am confused between the 2026 Hyundai Creta EX(O) IVT, Kia Seltos HTK IVT and Honda Elevate V CVT. My usage will be around 50 percent in the city and 50 percent on highways. I also plan to sell the car after 3-4 years, so good resale value and overall value for money are important factors. Which of these cars would you recommend?

Autocar India

•7w

Among your three choices, the Hyundai Creta is in high demand in the used market and therefore holds its value the best. The current Kia Seltos is too new to accurately predict its resale value, but going by the resale values of the last generation, we expect it to be only slightly behind the Creta. Interestingly, the Elevate, despite Honda's good reputation, will likely see the most depreciation of the three, but in the V CVT variant you've chosen, it is also the cheapest to buy, and Honda dealers regularly offer sizeable discounts on it.

The Creta is the safest bet if you want the best value for money and strong resale value. It is good to drive, well-equipped, the engine is smooth and refined, and the IVT works seamlessly. However, do take a test drive of the Elevate as well. It offers better acceleration than the Creta, the seats are very comfortable, and the suspension feels more robust. If you can negotiate a good deal, it can represent very good value for money.

Explore cars mentioned

Hyundai

Creta

from ₹12.56 Lakh

Honda

Elevate

from ₹13.58 Lakh

More questions on similar cars

Shyam

•2d

Hi Team Autocar, I’m looking to buy a compact SUV car with an automatic transmission for my family, under 17 lakh. It should comfortably seat 5 people (4 adults and 1 child), plus luggage. My usage will be mostly city driving in Pune for office commutes, with occasional highway trips to Mumbai and other outstation routes that include ghat sections. I’m considering the Skoda Kushaq, Volkswagen Taigun, Hyundai Creta N Line, Kia Sonet, Maruti Suzuki Victoris, and MG Astor. Could you please help me decide which automatic option would be most reliable for me? I’d like to compare them on safety, mileage, comfort, and service/maintenance. If there’s another car you’d recommend that fits my needs better, please suggest.

Autocar India

•21h

You should opt for the Hyundai Creta IVT, not the N Line. It is the best fit for your needs and budget. If you want a more affordable but still spacious option, consider the Mahindra XUV 3XO automatic. Your usage is mostly city with occasional highway and ghat runs, plus a family of five with luggage. The Hyundai Creta works best here because it balances comfort, space and ease of driving better than anything else in this segment. The IVT automatic is smooth and predictable in traffic, which matters daily, and it is more efficient and stress-free than dual-clutch options. The ride quality is soft and forgiving, which helps on bad roads and long drives, and the cabin is spacious enough to seat five comfortably with decent boot space for trips.Now, about your shortlist. The Creta N Line you are considering is actually over your ₹17 lakh budget, and while it is more engaging to drive, it has a firmer suspension, which is not ideal for family comfort. The standard Creta is the smarter choice for your usage.If you want something well within budget and still very usable as a five-seater, the Mahindra XUV 3XO is worth a look. Its wide body makes it one of the better cars in this segment for rear-seat comfort, and it feels more spacious than most compact SUVs. It is also good to drive and well-equipped, though not as polished overall as the Creta.

Hyundai Creta

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Vishal Raivadera

•3d

I am planning to buy a compact SUV with a budget of around ₹20-21 lakh (on-road). I have shortlisted two models: Hyundai Creta 1.5 NA IVT SX (O) / SX Premium and Kia Seltos 1.5 NA IVT HTX. My usage will be mainly daily city driving, with occasional highway trips (around once a quarter). I have already owned a Tata car and do not want to go with Tata again due to post-sales service issues. I also took the test-drive of Toyota Hyryder but did not like its driving experience. In test drives, I preferred the Creta over the Seltos in terms of driving feel. However, I am concerned that the current Creta is based on the K2 platform, which may become outdated after the expected facelift next year, whereas the Seltos is on the newer K3 platform. Given my requirements and concerns, which car would be the better choice for me: the Hyundai Creta 1.5 NA IVT SX (O)/SX Premium or the Kia Seltos 1.5 NA IVT HTX?

Autocar India

•2d

With mostly city use, occasional highway drives, and ₹20-21 lakh on-road, you are clearly looking for a smooth and stress-free automatic zone. In your case, we’d pick the Hyundai Creta 1.5 IVT. You already liked how the Creta drives, and that matters more in daily life than anything on a spec sheet. The 1.5 petrol with the IVT feels calm in stop-go traffic, and the steering is light, so parking and tight turns are easy. This Hyundai car is a touch softer than the Seltos, which takes the edge off bad roads and will keep you fresher after long city days. Hyundai’s service network is also wider, which should ease your worry after a poor Tata experience.While the K3 is a notable upgrade on the K2, bringing larger dimensions, improved structural rigidity and more features, it doesn’t matter if you don’t like how it drives.Two things to note with the Creta IVT: it is not very quick, so fast highway overtakes with a full load need a firmer press of the accelerator and a bit of planning. If you prefer a slightly sportier feel and a few extra features at this price, the Seltos 1.5 IVT HTX is a solid pick. But since you prefer the way the Creta drives, it’s the better choice for you.

Hyundai Creta

Kia Seltos

Uma shankar A

•23h

I am looking to buy an all-rounder automatic diesel car within a ₹20 lakh budget. I will use the car equally in the city and on highways. Please suggest the most suitable option.

Autocar India

•19h

Equal city and highway use with a strict ₹20 lakh cap and diesel automatic requirement, points to the Hyundai Creta S (O) diesel automatic. It fits your brief best because the 6-speed automatic is smooth in stop-go traffic, and the diesel has a strong pull at low speeds, so you do not need to push the engine or change gears often. Out on the highway it sits steady, the ride is comfortable on rough patches, and the size is just right for parking in the city while still giving good back-seat space and a useful boot for trips. Hyundai’s service reach is also wide, which makes life easier over the years.A couple of things to note. The S(O) trim skips a few fancy items you may see in top trims, and the diesel is a touch louder at idle than a petrol. Depending on your city, the on-road price of this Hyundai car may edge a bit over ₹20 lakh, so do check current offers.Alternatively, look at the Kia Seltos HTK (O) diesel automatic, which is a more modern, more spacious SUV. However, as it is a larger, heavier car using the same diesel engine as the Creta, it won't feel as effortless, especially out on the highway. Overall, for your mixed use and budget, the Creta S (O) diesel automatic lines up best.

Hyundai Creta

Kia Seltos

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