Hi Autocar, you are doing a splendid job in the auto sector - congratulations to the Autocar team and thank you for your service. My query is about choosing between the Tata Sierra, Kia Seltos (new), and Škoda Kushaq. My budget is ₹15 lakh. Please guide me.

Autocar India

•6w

Hi, thank you so much for your kind words. Really glad you are enjoying our work.

Between the three cars, if you are looking for a car for city commutes and considering your budget, we would suggest the Kia Seltos. In your budget, you will get the HTE (O) powered by a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine. The engine is smooth, refined and has enough power for daily usage and even for highway driving, it feels enough. The new Seltos too feels premium inside out, and even in the bottom or in this case mid variant comes very well equipped.

The Tata Sierra’s 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine feels just about enough for city driving, but out on the highway, it could have done with more power. In your budget, you will get only the base Smart + variant, or if you stretch by 50,000 over your budget, then the Pure variant will fit. But the Sierra in the lower variants is not that well equipped. In fact, the base variant does’t come with an infotainment at all.

The Skoda Kushaq facelift will be launched in March 2026, and if you are willing to wait, do glance at it. It will come with revised design and more features than the current car.

Explore cars mentioned

Kia

New Seltos

Tata

Sierra

from ₹13.37 Lakh

Skoda

Kushaq

from ₹12.42 Lakh

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Latest questions people are discussing

Saransh

•3d

I am planning to buy a new SUV at around ₹17 lakh on-road price and have shortlisted the Honda Elevate ZX, Kia Seltos HTK and new Kushaq Prestige. I primarily need a car for 80% driving in the city and around 1000-1200 km per month. Which is better in terms of engine and mileage? Is the Honda Elevate outdated compared to other cars in the segment?

Autocar India

•4h

The Honda Elevate is a good option for your needs. The 1.5-litre petrol engine is smooth and refined, and the CVT automatic gearbox is well-suited to city driving. The car is spacious and comfortable, and the ZX variant is well-equipped too. However, in comparison to the Seltos, it does not have the space or the modernity, and the cabin does not feel as plush.The Kia Seltos HTK with the CVT gearbox is the best option considering all your needs. It is a lot better-equipped than the Honda, has a better ride quality, and the engine has a lot more punch and strong performance while still being easy to drive in the city. The smoothness, refinement and ease of use are why the Seltos will be our recommendation.The Skoda Kushaq is a good option, too. The 1.0-litre TSI engine is quite efficient, but it is not as smooth as the 1.5-litre engines of the Honda and Kia. The facelift that was recently revealed will be launched in a few days, but it hasn't changed much in the rear seat space, where it is still not as spacious as the Seltos. So we would advise you to shortlist the Seltos.

Subash

I am confused about whether to buy the petrol or diesel variant of the Kia Seltos. I always prefer to drive a manual transmission and am not interested in an automatic at all. I was owning a Kia Carens 1.5 Petrol MT previously and am now looking for a new SUV. Suggest which one to take, either petrol or diesel in the Seltos MT. Also considering the Skoda Kushaq, but afraid of the high maintenance cost in Skoda.

Autocar India

•5h

Since you have not mentioned your monthly running, the choice between petrol and diesel mainly depends on how much you drive and the kind of driving you do. As a general rule, if your running is more than about 1,300 to 1,400 km per month, then the diesel version of the Kia Seltos can make sense. You should also have regular highway drives so that the diesel engine can operate properly and avoid potential DPF related issues.If your running is lower than that or largely city-focused, the petrol Seltos will suit you very well. Since you prefer a proper manual gearbox, you should know that the turbo petrol engine is only available with the clutchless iMT. The conventional manual gearbox comes with the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine.While it is not as punchy as the turbo petrol, it is smooth and perfectly adequate for everyday driving, especially in the city. In fact, you are already familiar with this engine because your Kia Carens uses the same powertrain and transmission combination.Regarding the Skoda Kushaq, the brand has improved a lot over the past few years, and the earlier reliability concerns are largely sorted. However, since you already own a Kia car and are satisfied with the ownership experience, sticking with the Seltos would be the safer and more comfortable choice for you.

Nano

I am confused between the Mahindra XUV 7XO AX5 and Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7 variants, as I prefer practicality over extra features. Alternatively, should I consider waiting for the Tata Sierra?

Autocar India

•22h

If you don't mind the additional spend, we'd recommend the Mahindra XUV 7XO in AX7 trim. Elements like its larger 18-inch alloy wheels and leatherette upholstery add greatly to the look and feel of things. While auto climate control, a 540-degree camera and front parking sensors are features you will appreciate every day. The Tata Sierra is not a like-for-like alternative to the Mahindra 7XO. The 7XO is larger, more powerful and also offers three rows of seating.Further, the 7XO is slightly pricier, too. Within Tata's range, the Tata Safari is an alternative to the 7XO.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Tata Sierra

Tata Safari

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