Mumbai

•3d

I own a 2019 Hyundai i20, which has started giving me service-related problems. I live in Chennai and occasionally travel 300-500 km down south. I am 75 years old and sometimes lose control due to drowsiness. I want to replace my car with an SUV that has a driver sleep-alert system and front ventilated seats. Please recommend a suitable SUV within Rs 20 lakh.

•4m

Given your requirements, the Kia Seltos HTX (A) with the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine and IVT is the most suitable recommendation. It offers a comfortable and easy-driving experience, and also comes with a driver attention warning system that can alert you if it detects signs of drowsiness. However, while the ADAS suite is useful as an additional safety net, do not rely on it blindly. If you feel drowsy, it is always best to take a break and even have a short nap if required. Front ventilated seats are also available on this variant, which will be a big advantage in Chennai’s climate.

The Kia Seltos is also a reliable and well-supported car in Chennai, with good service reach and a proven ownership track record. It is easy to drive in the city, stable on the highway and offers a good balance of comfort and features within your Rs 20 lakh budget.

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from ₹12.98 Lakh

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•21h

Choosing a Lower Maintenance Car to Replace My TUV300 for Around 16 Lakh

•13h

Given your usage, the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic is the most sensible recommendation. Your running is predominantly long highway and hill trips, and diesel still makes the most financial sense in this scenario. The XUV 7XO diesel is a proven engine, and the automatic gearbox will offer you ease of use on steep inclines. The car also offers a comfortable ride, good ground clearance and a robust build, which is important given your experience with treacherous hill roads.On the E20 front, there is no reason to switch to diesel purely because of ethanol. Modern petrol engines are unaffected by E20. The main impact is a drop in fuel efficiency, not reliability. However, in your case since your running is high opt for diesel. EVs are not the right fit for your usage. Your running is low in the city, but your long trips in the hills would make charging infrastructure and range planning a hassle. The XUV 7XO diesel automatic is a lower maintenance car than your TUV 300, and Mahindra's service network is strong in Gurgaon and across North India.If you want a petrol alternative, the Kia Seltos petrol IVT is a good option. It is smooth, reliable and easy to drive, but it will not be as efficient as the diesel on long highway runs. Overall, the XUV 7XO diesel automatic is the best fit for your usage and budget.

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•1d

Tata Harrier Diesel Automatic Adventure Plus Dark Edition vs Kia Seltos Diesel Automatic GTX for Lon

•2h

Go for the Kia Seltos Diesel Automatic GTX. For a 10-year ownership plan with predominantly highway usage, the Kia Seltos is the safer long-term bet. The Tata Harrier is the more powerful and rugged SUV, and it feels more planted on the highway, but Tata still has some way to go in terms of consistency in electricals, service experience and small niggles over a decade of ownership.The Seltos diesel is a proven package, the GTX is a well-equipped variant, and Kia’s service network and ownership experience are more consistent over the long term. The Seltos is also a very capable highway car, and the diesel engine is well suited to long-distance touring. The Harrier is the better choice if you absolutely prioritise size, road presence and ruggedness, but for a 10-year ownership plan, the Kia car mentioned above is the more sensible and dependable choice.

Kia Seltos

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•21h

Should I Choose the Kia Seltos X-Line Petrol or an EV for ₹24 Lakh?

•16h

Go ahead with the Kia Seltos 1.5 petrol CVT (IVT). Your usage is 80% city and 20% highway, and you plan to keep the car for 10 years. In this scenario, a petrol automatic is the most sensible choice. The Seltos CVT is smooth, easy to drive in traffic and well suited to your usage pattern. It is also a proven product with a strong ownership track record.On ethanol blending, there is no need to worry. Modern petrol engines are engineered to handle E20, with a higher threshold for future blends. The impact is mainly a slight reduction in fuel economy, not a major long-term reliability concern.An EV only makes sense if you have home charging. If you were to consider an EV, the Hyundai Creta Electric would be our recommendation.

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Looking for an SUV Upgrade from Honda City CVT with Similar Comfort and Newer Technology

•6d

Given your usage of 700-800 km a month in Delhi and a 10-year ownership of a Honda City CVT, the Honda Elevate CVT is the most natural upgrade. It retains the same Honda ownership experience, offers a comfortable ride and the CVT gearbox is smooth and well-suited to city driving. The Elevate also sits at a sensible price point and is backed by Honda’s strong reliability record, making it a stress-free long-term ownership proposition.If you want a more premium experience with a richer feature set, the Kia Seltos IVT is a good option. The IVT gearbox is smoother in traffic, the cabin feels more upmarket and the Seltos offers a wider range of modern features. However, it does come at a higher price point. The Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI automatic is worth considering if you enjoy driving, as it offers a more engaging experience and the torque convertor gearbox is also the smoothest around. The ride is a bit firmer and the ownership experience is not as straightforward as Honda or Kia, so make sure the dealer in your area is well reputed.

Is the Maruti Suzuki Baleno AGS a Good Buy for Long Trips and City Use?

•6d

Given your usage pattern of 40% city and 60% long trips, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno AGS is actually a sensible upgrade from your 2015 Celerio AGS. The Baleno offers a more comfortable cabin, better highway stability and a more refined driving experience, which will make those long trips far more enjoyable. The AGS gearbox is also well suited to your occasional city use, keeping things simple and efficient.On the E20 front, there is no reason to worry. The Baleno is E20 compliant, and modern engines are engineered to handle this blend without any long-term reliability concerns. Maruti has also stated that their E20 engines are built for a material tolerance of slightly more than E20, so on the material front the car should be good for something like E22 for example. The main impact of a higher blend would be a reduction in fuel efficiency.The only thing to consider is whether you want to stick with AGS or move to a more conventional automatic. If you are happy with how AGS behaves, the Baleno is a solid choice. If you want a smoother and more premium automatic experience, you could look at something like the Hyundai i20 IVT or the Honda Amaze CVT instead. Both offer a more refined automatic gearbox, which can make a difference on long highway drives.Overall, the Baleno AGS is a good fit for your usage and there is no E20-related reason to avoid it. The decision really comes down to whether you are happy with AGS or want to move to a more conventional automatic.

Tata Safari vs Mahindra 7XO: Comfort, Practicality, and Fuel Efficiency Comparison

•5d

Go for the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic. With your usage pattern of 500 km a month, mostly city driving with occasional rural trips, the XUV 7XO is the more practical and comfortable choice. It offers a more refined and modern cabin, better ride comfort and a more premium overall feel. The diesel engine is efficient and well-suited to your occasional highway and rural runs, while the automatic gearbox makes city driving effortless. The Safari is a good car, but the XUV 7XO feels more polished and better suited to long-term ownership. If you are open to petrol, the XUV 7XO petrol automatic is also a strong option, especially if your running remains low. Overall, the XUV 7XO strikes the best balance between comfort, practicality, efficiency and value for money for your usage.

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