My monthly travel is around 1,050 km, with a mix of city and highway driving. I also take a long-distance highway trip of around 300 km once every two months. I currently own a Honda Amaze diesel and am planning to upgrade to an SUV. Kindly suggest a suitable SUV under ₹20 lakh.

Autocar India

•19m

Go for a turbo petrol SUV, and shortlist the Tata Sierra and the new Kia Seltos mid variants which just about fit in your budget. Both suit your usage well, but the decision comes down to driving feel versus long-term peace of mind.

The Tata Sierra turbo petrol automatic is the better choice if you prioritise comfort and smoothness. It feels more relaxed to drive, the engine is punchy without being aggressive, and the torque converter gearbox is smoother in daily city use as well as on highways. This Tata car is also larger and more comfortable, which makes a difference during longer drives.

The new Kia Seltos turbo petrol DCT is the more proven and dependable option overall. The powertrain is well-established, refinement is strong, and importantly, Kia has built a wider and more consistent aftersales network across India, which gives better ownership peace of mind. While individual experiences can vary, Kia’s service consistency across cities are generally considered more reliable than Tata’s, where service quality can still differ from dealer to dealer. The DCT gearbox of the Kia car also feels quicker and can be efficient in steady traffic, though it is not as smooth as a torque converter in stop-go conditions.

So the difference is clear. The Sierra feels smoother and more comfortable to drive. On the other hand, the Seltos feels more sorted as a long-term ownership package, especially because of its more established service ecosystem.

Explore cars mentioned

Kia

Seltos

from ₹13.01 Lakh

Tata

Sierra

from ₹13.60 Lakh

More questions on similar cars

Marivel Murugan

•2d

I currently drive a 2014 Honda City diesel and am planning an upgrade. I am 60, so ease of driving and parking is important. We are considering the Grand Vitara / e-Vitara and the new Seltos, but I am concerned that the Seltos may feel too large for city use (wider body and larger ORVMs). Would it be difficult to manoeuvre and park? Alternatively, would you suggest waiting for the Sierra EV or BYD Atto 2, or are they also likely to be similarly large? I find the Creta and Hyryder well balanced for narrow roads and easy driving (due to their relatively smaller ORVMs). I would appreciate your recommendation.

Autocar India

•2d

Given your mostly city use and the need for easy driving and parking, the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara or Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder Strong Hybrid fits you best from your list. They offer a slightly higher seating position than your 2014 City, so getting in and out is easier, and in traffic the hybrid often moves on electric power first, which makes it very smooth and calm to drive. The size feels friendly in narrow lanes, the mirrors are not bulky, and the steering is light, so slotting into tight spots is simple. If you pick a trim with a 360-degree camera and front sensors, it takes the stress out of parking.On your Seltos worry: in real life it is not meaningfully wider than Creta or Hyryder, and its steering is easy too. The mirrors do look larger, but once you set them and use auto-fold, they don’t get in the way. That said, since you already find the Hyryder comfortable on narrow roads, it (or the Grand Vitara) will feel more comfortable, as it is a bit smaller.Two things to note about these SUVs: the boot is smaller than the petrol-only versions, and when you press hard the engine gets a bit loud and quick highway passes need some planning. As for the Sierra EV, it is larger than all these, while the launch timeline of the BYD Atto 2 is still uncertain.

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Kia Seltos

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Hyundai Creta

Puneet Jain

•4d

I have booked the new Seltos HTE, but I'm confused. Should I upgrade to HTK or HTK(O)? Does that extra money I'll put make sense? My job is WFH, but I would use this car for 60% city and 40% highway for some long tours. I earn well, money is not an issue here, but I want to spend wisely.

Autocar India

•2d

With 60% city use and 40% highway trips in mind, I’d move your booking up to the Kia Seltos HTK(O). It suits your mix better because it adds the everyday things that cut stress on long drives and make city life easier, without going overboard on price.Compared to the HTE, the HTK(O) brings in useful bits, such as auto-folding mirrors, a rear wiper and defogger, smart key with push-button start, and front parking sensors. It also has niceties like a panoramic sunroof and leatherette seats with ventilation (only on the automatic). The HTK(O) will generally feel more premium inside and out, with better trim and alloy wheels, which can also help at resale.If you want to keep the spending tighter, the HTK is the sensible minimum upgrade, but since that is not an issue, the HTK(O) is the sweet spot. Overall, for your use and outlook, that’s the wise spend.

Kia Seltos

Annesha Chakraborty

•1d

I am looking to buy an automatic petrol car within a budget of ₹18 lakh. My requirements are: 5-star safety, comfort for family use, mostly city driving, and occasional trips outside the city. I have explored the Skoda Kushaq, Slavia, and Tata Nexon, but I do not want to go with Tata as I already own a Tiago. I am open to options from Toyota, Hyundai, and Kia, provided they meet my safety requirements. Please advise.

Autocar India

•18h

On a Rs 18 lakh budget, for your requirements, the Hyundai Verna HX6+ IVT automatic is a good pick because it meets your 5-star safety needs and feels the most relaxed in traffic. The IVT, a CVT by another name, is a type of automatic that does not shift in steps, so it feels very smooth at low speeds, which makes stop-and-go driving easy. The back seat is roomy, the ride is comfortable over rough patches, and Hyundai’s wide service network adds peace of mind on those occasional trips out of town. The latest Verna has a 5-star Global NCAP crash test rating in India, so you are not compromising on your main ask. You could stretch to the HX8 variant if you want more features and your budget is flexible.Two things to keep in mind with the Verna: it sits lower than a taller car like the Skoda Kushaq, so you need a bit more care on big speed breakers, and the rear seat is set a little low, so elderly family members who prefer a higher seat may not love it. If you want a higher seating position and more ground clearance without giving up 5-star safety, go for the Kia Seltos HTK(O) Petrol CVT, which recently got a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating. Though you might sacrifice some features in this variant on your budget.

Hyundai Verna

Skoda Kushaq

Kia Seltos

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