Kanyakumari

•16h

Hi all, I need some suggestions. I am looking for my first car and am a new driver. I will mainly use it for weekend trips, along with one or two long road trips across India each year. I am looking for a 5-seater SUV with very good suspension, with a maximum budget of Rs 20 lakh. Low running and maintenance costs are important, as I plan to keep the car for 10-15 years. Should I go for a naturally aspirated or turbo-petrol/diesel engine? I am currently considering the Tata Sierra Adventure+ diesel automatic. Should I wait for the Creta 2027? Also, should I consider a hybrid, plug-in hybrid, diesel or petrol? I have heard about high maintenance costs, electronic glitches, rusting and paint issues with Tata cars, although their build quality is said to be very good. What would be the best option for my requirements?

•4m

Go for the Tata Sierra Adventure+ diesel automatic. It is the best fit for your requirements. You are a new driver looking for your first car, with weekend trips and occasional long India tours, and you want a 5-seater SUV with very good suspension, low running and maintenance costs, and a long ownership period of 10-15 years. The Tata Sierra diesel automatic is a genuinely comfortable and spacious SUV with a strong diesel engine, and it is well-suited to long-distance touring. The diesel engine will keep running costs in check on highway trips, and the Sierra's ride quality is genuinely impressive, which is exactly what you are looking for.

On your other questions: do not wait for the Creta 2027. It is still a few months away, and there is no guarantee it will land exactly in your budget. On the fuel type, diesel makes sense for your usage pattern with long highway trips. Hybrid or plug-in hybrid only makes sense if your running is predominantly city, which is not the case here. On Tata reliability, the Sierra is a new-generation product, and Tata has made genuine improvements, but it is fair to say that Hyundai and Maruti still have a more consistent long-term ownership track record. That said, the Sierra is a genuinely good product and worth considering.

If you want the absolute safest long-term ownership experience, the Kia Seltos diesel automatic or the current-generation Hyundai Creta diesel automatic are the alternatives to consider. They are not as spacious as the Sierra, but it is a very reliable, with a proven ownership track record.

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Tata

Sierra

from ₹14.25 Lakh

Kia

Seltos

from ₹13.64 Lakh

Hyundai

Creta

from ₹13.53 Lakh

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•22h

My daily running is around 150 km, and I currently own a Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid, which gives me around 20 kmpl. I also don’t have a home charging facility, so buying an EV may not be viable for me. Considering these factors, could you please suggest an automatic SUV that is more frugal and easier on my pocket? My budget is around Rs. 25-30 lakh.

•13h

Your Grand Vitara strong hybrid is already one of the most fuel-efficient petrol SUVs available, and achieving 20kmpl is a strong result for that usage pattern. If your primary goal is to reduce running costs further, the most effective option is to move to a diesel car, as diesel engines are still the most cost-effective solution for high-mileage highway driving.Consider the Kia Seltos diesel automatic is also worth considering if you prefer a slightly more premium interior and a more compact package. Fuel efficiency will be impressive too, and the Seltos feels very modern compared to the Grand Vitara. If you want a larger vehicle, the XUV 7XO diesel automatic is a well-rounded SUV with a strong diesel engine, a comfortable ride and a spacious cabin. Do keep in mind that diesel engines are not as refined as hybrids, and also in city driving conditions, efficiency will be lower. However, diesel SUVs will be very efficient on the highway.

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Mahindra XUV 7XO

•21h

Hi Experts, I currently own a Tata Tiago petrol MT, which has covered around 34,500 km in the last 5.5 years. I am now planning to upgrade to an automatic SUV with a budget of under Rs. 17 lakh. Most of my trips are between Hyderabad and my hometown, around 450 km one way, and I occasionally travel with my family. Please suggest the best car for my requirements.

•16h

Given that your driving is moderate and your usage pattern is a mix of city driving and occasional highway trips, you should go for a comfortable, reliable automatic SUV that can handle highways well while remaining easy to live with in the city.You should consider the Mahindra XUV 3XO petrol automatic. It offers a strong turbo petrol engine, a smooth automatic gearbox and a comfortable ride, making it well suited for both city driving and long highway runs. The cabin is spacious enough for family trips, and the car feels solid and confidence-inspiring at highway speeds. This Mahindra car also offers good value for money with a strong feature set within your Rs 17 lakh budget.If you prefer a more premium feel and a slightly larger cabin, the Kia Seltos IVT is worth considering. The IVT (CVT) gearbox is smooth and well suited to city driving, and the Seltos offers a more premium interior experience. However, you will have to settle for a lower variant to stay within your budget.Overall, the XUV 3XO automatic is the best fit for your usage and budget, offering a strong combination of performance, comfort and value for both city and highway driving.

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Kia Seltos

•17h

Currently driving a 4-year-old Baleno Alpha AT (2022 model). My monthly running is around 500-600 km in Mumbai, mostly in bumper-to-bumper traffic, and I have a small family. Roughly 90% of my driving is in the city, with occasional trips outside town. I am considering upgrading to a mid-size SUV in the Rs. 17-20 lakh range. I would appreciate recommendations based on my usage.

•17h

With 500- 600 km a month in Mumbai traffic and 90% city driving, your priorities should be ease of driving, comfort and reliability. A petrol automatic is the right choice here, and given your budget, the Kia Seltos IVT is the recommendation. The IVT gearbox is smooth and well suited to stop-start traffic; the car feels premium inside, and the Seltos is one of the most refined and comfortable midsize SUVs on the market. It is also a genuine step up from your Baleno in terms of space, comfort and overall ownership experience.The Hyundai Creta is also a good alternative with a similar mechanical package, but the Seltos feels slightly more premium inside and offers marginally better rear seat space. Overall, the Seltos IVT is the best fit for your usage and budget.

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Popular discussions right now

•2d

I am planning to buy a new car under 20-25 lakh for the next ten years. I have considered two cars Seltos DCT GTX(A) and Kushaq 1.5 Monte Carlo DSG but am afraid of the mileage and if I go with an EV, I am afraid that infrastructure will not be that good. I drive daily for 10-15 km and take 2-3 trips in a year on highway. Should I buy the car now or wait for Seltos Hybrid? Will it cost an additional 2-3 lakh or will it be value for money for my driving. Should I consider another car?

•2d

With a daily running of just 10-15 km and only a few highway trips a year, fuel efficiency and long-term reliability should be your top priorities. The Seltos DCT GTX+ and Kushaq 1.5 DSG Monte Carlo are both excellent cars, but their turbo-petrol engines and dual-clutch gearboxes are not the most efficient or the most stress-free choices for predominantly short city runs. The DCT/DSG gearboxes are at their best on open roads, and in stop-start city traffic they can feel a bit jerky and are not as smooth or as durable as a torque converter automatic over the long term.The Seltos hybrid is worth waiting for if you are not in a hurry. It is expected to be priced roughly Rs. 2-3 lakh above the equivalent petrol variant, and for your usage pattern it will make more sense than the turbo-petrol DCT. Hybrids deliver their biggest efficiency gains in city driving, and over a 10-year ownership period the fuel savings and smoother driving experience will more than justify the premium.If you want to buy now, the Kia Seltos IVT (naturally aspirated petrol with CVT) is the better choice for your usage. It is smooth, reliable and well suited to city driving, and you will not be paying a premium for performance you will rarely use. The Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI with the torque converter automatic is another good option if you prefer a more engaging driving experience, but the Seltos IVT is the more refined and hassle-free choice.EVs are not the right fit for you at the moment given your concerns about charging infrastructure and your low daily running. The savings are not significant enough to justify the compromises.

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Skoda Kushaq

•3d

I’m planning to buy my first car and would appreciate some suggestions. My budget is around Rs. 13-15 lakh ex-showroom, and I’m planning to register the car under the BH series. Safety is my top priority, so I strongly prefer a car with a 5-star safety rating, preferably from Global NCAP. An automatic transmission is a must. The car will mainly be used for weekend family trips and highway drives rather than daily commuting. Since it will be a family car, I’d prefer something that looks classy and elegant while offering good comfort. A premium-looking interior would be a plus, and features such as leather/leatherette upholstery and ventilated seats would be nice to have, but they aren't deal-breakers. At the same time, I don’t want a car that is purely comfort-oriented. I enjoy driving, so I’d like something with a good engine, enjoyable handling, and a fun-to-drive character. Good rear-seat comfort and reasonable luggage space for family trips would also be appreciated.

•2d

Based on your requirements, the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI automatic is the recommendation. It strikes the right balance between safety, driving enjoyment and family usability. The 1.0 TSI engine is strong, the handling is engaging, and the car feels solid and confidence-inspiring on the highway. The interior feels premium, and while it may not be the largest in its segment, overall comfort is quite good. If you prefer the look of the VW Taigun, it offers largely the same experience as the Kushaq. The Renault Duster 1.3 DCT is also a strong alternative, offering excellent driving dynamics and a larger cabin. Overall, though, the Kushaq 1.0 TSI automatic is the car that best aligns with your requirements.

Hi Experts! I am a first-time car buyer and a new driver. I want to buy a sub-4-meter SUV. My daily usage will be between 25- 30 km. It is mostly for city driving in Delhi NCR. I intend to buy an automatic and like the Kylaq as an option. But my understanding is that it is expensive to maintain. Among other options that I am considering are the Venue and the 3XO. However, Venue has DCT, which I understand is not great for city driving. Could you give me some more guidance on maintenance of the Kylaq and, generally, if I have to choose among these 3, what should be the best option? To clarify, my budget is 12-15 lakhs. I have already looked at the Brezza as an option but did not like the feel of it. Sonet has been disregarded because there is a new Sonet coming next year. Thank you for your input!

•6d

Go for the Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TSI automatic. This Skoda car is the best fit for your usage and budget. The Kylaq uses a 6-speed torque converter automatic, which is smooth, reliable and well suited to stop-start traffic. It is not a DCT, so you do not have to worry about overheating or jerkiness in city conditions. The 1.0 TSI engine is proven and has a good ownership track record. Skoda's maintenance costs are not significantly higher than Hyundai or Mahindra, especially with service packages available. The Kylaq is also one of the best driver's cars in the segment, with a solid, planted feel and good ride quality.The Hyundai Venue DCT is a good choice but not ideal for your usage, as DCT gearboxes are not ideal for heavy city traffic. The Mahindra XUV 3XO is a strong alternative. It is spacious, feature-rich and has a good torque converter automatic gearbox, but it does not feel as engaging to drive as the Kylaq. Since you have already ruled out the Brezza and Sonet, the Kylaq is the clear recommendation. It will give you the best ownership experience and driving enjoyment over the next 5-10 years.

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