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

•5w

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 ₹12.35 Lakh

Honda

Elevate

from ₹13.35 Lakh

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More questions on similar cars

Priyanka

•1w

Hello, I am planning to buy the Hyundai Creta EV, but am confused between the Creta EV and the Creta automatic petrol. I drive around 30 km daily and intend to keep the car for the next 6-8 years. I am also concerned about resale value, as EVs are perceived to have lower resale value. I already own a Kia Seltos diesel. Kindly suggest a better option considering all these factors.

Autocar India

•6h

Pick the Hyundai Creta 1.5 petrol IVT, which is essentially a CVT automatic for 30 km a day and a 6-8 year plan, it suits you better than the Creta EV, given your clear worry about resale. Hyundai’s petrol Creta is a proven car with wide service support across India, and its resale is stronger and more predictable than most EVs today. You also already have a Kia Seltos diesel for long trips, so the Creta can focus on city duty without you having to think about charging or planning routes.One thing to be aware of: the IVT is tuned for smoothness, not speed, so fast highway overtakes with a full load need a bit more planning. Also, your fuel cost in the city will be higher than that of an EV.Consider the Creta EV only if you have hassle-free home charging and mainly city use, and you are okay with the risk of lower resale. It is very quiet and relaxing to drive, and with your Kia Seltos diesel covering highways, it can work well if charging is easy.Given your usage and time frame, the Creta 1.5 petrol IVT is the safer, simpler bet and will be easy to live with.

Hyundai Creta

Kia Seltos

Karan Singla

•4d

Hi, I am planning to buy a new diesel car and am confused between the Kia Seltos and the Hyundai Creta. Which one is the better choice?

Autocar India

•8h

You can choose the Kia Seltos diesel; it is the newer of the two cars you’ve shortlisted and a significant improvement over its predecessor. The car’s size has grown, offering more space inside, and the cabin is thoroughly modern too. There is also a notable improvement in ride quality, but not at the expense of handling.In everyday use, the diesel has enough performance, though it isn’t very punchy on the highway. Safety has also improved, with the Seltos scoring five stars in the Bharat NCAP crash tests.One thing to be aware of: Kia’s service network isn’t as widespread as Hyundai’s, so if that is a concern, then consider the Hyundai Creta instead.If you can drive both back-to-back on the same rough patch of road and try a tight parking spot, you will quickly feel which one suits you better.

Kia Seltos

Hyundai Creta

Av Sharma

•3d

I'm looking for a chauffeur driven car for my family. Most driving in tier 2 city traffic with occasional highway trips. Easy ingress/egress is needed for parents. Budget 20 lacs. I'll be driving the cars on highways so something a little exciting would be preferable.

Autocar India

•8h

Go for the Kia Carens Clavis DCT HTK+(O) 1.5 turbo-petrol for a chauffeur-driven family car with easy entry for parents and a little fun when you take the wheel. It fits your brief best at this budget.Your parents will find it easy to step in because the floor is low and the rear doors open wide, so they do not have to climb up or drop down. The rear seat is roomy and supportive, and the ride is comfortable at city speeds, which helps in tier-2 traffic. The automatic here is a DCT, which is an automatic that changes gears very quickly. On the highway, the turbo-petrol picks up speed easily, so overtaking feels stress-free and even exciting. Kia’s service reach in smaller towns is also quite good now, which matters for easy ownership.Two things to be aware of: in very slow bumper-to-bumper traffic, the DCT can feel a touch jerky and hesitant if you are gentle on the throttle, and the car is long, so tight parking needs some care. If you prefer two rows and an even softer ride, look at the Hyundai Creta 1.5 petrol IVT SX. It is very smooth in traffic and easy enough on ingress/egress, though not as exciting as the Clavis turbo.Take your parents along for the test drive and check step-in height and rear-seat comfort, then do a short highway run to feel how easily it gains speed.

Kia Carens Clavis

Hyundai Creta

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