Dear Autocar team, I’m planning to buy a new SUV with a budget of ₹20-₹25 lakh. Please suggest which would be a good one when comparing Sierra, New Seltos, etc. Also, please let me know if there’s a good 7-seater available in this range. Thank you.

Autocar India

•12h

We'd recommend you to go ahead with the Kia Seltos Diesel HTX manual. The engine is smoother, more refined and efficient than Tata's. Yes, the Seltos has an AdBlue tank, and you will have to top it up occasionally. However your frequent highway usage, will ensure that the DPF remains unclogged and work efficiently.The Sierra feels tougher, is more spacious, and has a larger boot. However Tata's reputation for aftersales service and support isn't as good as Kia's, and the Seltos also ranks higher as far as reliability goes. Hence, between the two, the Seltos is the better pick.

Tata Sierra

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

•2d

With short daily runs inside base and a big highway trip every couple of months, under Rs. 20 lakh, the Tata Sierra is a good fit for you. Your use is lots of start-stop and only 10-15 km a day, the 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine with the automatic is the better pick, and you avoid the diesel’s DPF filter, which can clog with frequent short trips. For the mountains and those 700-1000 km drives, the Sierra's turbo petrol pulls cleanly on inclines and during quick overtakes, it feels stable at speed, and it carries a full 5-star crash rating. Ground clearance is good enough for bad roads and hill routes without being bulky to park.Tata also has a wider service network compared to Skoda and Renault, so it'll be easier to find workshops near remote postings.One trade-off to note. Tata service experience can be hit or miss, and if that is an issue, then consider the Hyundai Creta.Overall, for your usage pattern and budget, the Sierra lines up best.

Tata Sierra

Hyundai Creta

Autocar India

•13h

With 20,000 km a year, mostly in the city, and a hard cap of around ₹20 lakh, the Kia Carens Clavis EV is the most sensible 7-seater for you. However, your budget will get you the 42kWh variant, which is fine for city use and short highway trips. If you want longer range, you will need to stretch your budget by about ₹4 lakh for the 51.4kWh variant.For your daily city runs, it will feel smooth, and an EV takes the stress out of traffic jams. It is light to drive and not too big, so parking is easier than in larger 7-seaters. For once-a-month trips, it has enough space for family and luggage if you travel light, and the third row can accommodate adults.There are no hybrid 7-seaters in your budget. The Toyota Innova HyCross hybrid starts upwards of ₹30 lakh, but if you want to stick to an ICE vehicle, the Carens Clavis with the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol and DCT is a good alternative. Do note though, the DCT can hesitate at slow speeds and won’t feel as smooth or as stress-free as the Clavis EV.Overall, for your budget and city-heavy use, the Kia Carens Clavis EV fits best.

Kia Carens Clavis EV

Kia Carens Clavis

Toyota Innova HyCross

Autocar India

•6d

You want a car that is comfortable in the city, easy to drive and capable of doing long trips for the next 10 years. The Toyota Innova Hycross fits this very well. The hybrid system makes it very smooth and quiet in city driving, and the automatic gearbox is effortless, which becomes more important with age. On highways, it is stable, comfortable and built for long-distance travel, which is what the Innova name has always stood for.What really works in your favour is long-term ownership. Toyota’s reliability, strong service network and resale value make it one of the safest bets if you plan to keep the car for many years. The Hycross also offers excellent space, easy ingress and egress and a comfortable ride, which are important for everyday use and for passengers as you grow older.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Autocar India

•6d

For your usage, a naturally aspirated petrol with a CVT or IVT is the best fit. These setups are smoother, easier to drive in traffic and more predictable, which matters far more in city conditions than outright performance. So yes, in your case, NA engines are better suited than turbo petrol.The Hyundai Verna IVT stands out as the most well-rounded option for city driving. The engine is smooth, the IVT gearbox is very intuitive in stop-and-go traffic, and the overall driving experience is effortless. It feels refined and easy to live with daily.The Honda City Hybrid is worth considering if your running is high. It offers excellent fuel efficiency, strong performance and is very easy to drive in the city thanks to its hybrid system. However, it comes with a higher upfront cost, and the battery placement results in a higher boot floor, which slightly affects practicality.Compared to the Verna, the standard Honda City CVT is also an option, but the engine feels a bit noisier, and the gearbox is not as intuitive as the Verna’s IVT in everyday use.

Hyundai Verna

Honda City

Autocar India

•1d

Going by your shortlist, you want a bigger family car on a tight budget and are looking at base trims. If you need the car in the next couple of months for mostly city use with some weekend trips, pick the Kia Seltos HTE (O) IVT. It is well equipped and, compared to the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, gives you more back-seat space and boot room.The Brezza update will be relatively minor, though we expect the 1.5 NA engine to make way for the 1.0 turbo-petrol from the Fronx. Waiting for it only makes sense if you mainly drive in tight city areas and want an easier-to-park car.Overall, for a near-term purchase and everyday comfort, the Seltos lines up best with what you’re considering.

Kia Seltos

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Maruti Suzuki Fronx