Autocar India
•18w

Can you help me buy a new car? My budget is Rs. 24-25 lakh, and if I have to choose between Kia Seltos, Tata Sierra, and MG Hector, which one should I opt for? I prefer the top-end automatic model. Should I go for a petrol engine or a diesel?

Verified
•18w
If you want peace of mind, ownership, and a well-rounded package, the Kia Seltos is the easiest recommendation. Regardless of which engine you choose, it delivers a satisfying experience. The 1.5 turbo petrol is great if you enjoy strong performance, especially on highways. The 1.5 naturally aspirated petrol with the CVT automatic is smooth and relaxed, making it ideal for city driving. And if you have high running, particularly on highways, the diesel option is refined and efficient. On top of all this, the Seltos feels premium inside, offers good space and comfort for four adults and is very competitively priced.
If you are considering the Tata Sierra, the turbo-petrol would be the better engine choice. It is refined, punchy and enjoyable to drive. The diesel also performs well but is not as refined as the Kia diesel unit, while the naturally aspirated petrol can feel underpowered, particularly in fast moving traffic or on highways.
In terms of space, the Sierra actually has an advantage over the Seltos. Its wider body gives it a more comfortable five-seat layout, and the seats and suspension make it a good long distance cruiser.
The MG Hector still offers excellent value, especially after the recent update that added more features and competitive pricing. It offers a phenomenal rear seat space and comfort, which makes it a good choice if the car will often be chauffeur-driven. However, it is not as engaging to drive as the Seltos or the Sierra.
Kia Seltos

Kia Seltos

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Kia Seltos

Kia

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MG Hector

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from ₹14.15 Lakh

Tata Sierra

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•17w

What are option I have with 15lac budget in mid size SUV?

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More questions on similar cars

•1d

I am planning to purchase a new SUV. I have shortlisted two vehicles. Toyota Hyryder non-hybrid top model (manual) and Kia Seltos manual top model. Which one should I prefer? My daily running is very less around 10-15 kms.

Verified
•10h

With a daily running of just 10-15km, there's little benefit in stretching to a strong hybrid, and since you've shortlisted the non-hybrid Hyryder, the Seltos is the more complete package. It offers a more premium cabin, better performance from its naturally aspirated petrol engine, a stronger feature list and an overall more polished driving experience.The Toyota Hyryder still has its strengths. Toyota's reputation for reliability and aftersales support is second to none, and if long-term peace of mind is your top priority, it remains a very sensible choice. However, the non-hybrid petrol doesn't offer a significant efficiency advantage over the Seltos, so you miss out on the biggest reason to buy a Hyryder in the first place.Given your low running, we'd simply choose the SUV that you enjoy driving and living with every day. The Seltos also feels a little more modern inside and delivers a better overall ownership experience without asking you to compromise on reliability.

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•6d

I am looking to buy a car in the Rs 20-30 lakh budget. My driving is mostly in the city, and I cover around 50km every weekday, with occasional driving on Saturdays. I want a car with good after-sales service and decent fuel efficiency for city use. Most of my commute is along the Coastal Road from Bandra East to Fort in Mumbai. I am considering the Kia Seltos 2026 X-Line and the Tata Harrier EV, but I'm open to other suggestions if there's a better option in this price range. I have already ruled out the Honda Elevate, Toyota Hyryder, Honda City, and I don't want to buy a Maruti Suzuki.

Verified
•20h

If you can charge at home, go for the Hyundai Creta Electric. Your 50km Mumbai city run suits an EV perfectly, and this one will do the coastal road crawl very smoothly and deal with stop-start traffic well, thanks to its nicely tuned one-pedal driving mode. Hyundai’s service consistency in Mumbai is better than Tata’s today, and the Creta’s size is easier to park than a Harrier. Running costs in the city drop sharply versus petrol or diesel, and your budget will comfortably get you the larger 51.4kWh battery, which, as per our testing, delivers a combined real-world range of 430km.The Kia Seltos is a fine pick only if you cannot charge at home or at the office. In that case, pick the 1.5 NA IVT combo for the most seamless drive in the city. Kia’s service is also generally hassle-free.One honest catch with the Creta Electric is that you need a reliable charging point at home or work, and the upfront cost is higher than that of a petrol Seltos. If you have a fixed parking spot with a plug, it is the easiest, cheapest way to do your daily Bandra East to Fort grind.

VehicleHyundai Creta Electric
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•1d

If I am going for the new Seltos turbo petrol DCT this year, will I be fine for the next 12-15 years if higher ethanol blended fuel introductions happen, or will the e20 be available till 15 years at least as an option for the customer? Also, what about the case where if I am to sell my Seltos in the next 10 years, will I get similar resale value for the car like the current used car market rates?

Verified
•9h

We wouldn't let concerns around future ethanol blends stop you from buying the Kia Seltos Turbo Petrol DCT. The car is E20 compliant, and while there has been plenty of discussion around E25, E27 and even E30, there is currently no official roadmap for moving beyond E20. Even if higher blends are introduced gradually in the future, manufacturers engineer a degree of tolerance into E20-compatible engines. The most likely impact would be a slight reduction in fuel efficiency and marginally faster wear of some fuel-system components over a very long period, not a major reliability issue.It's also highly unlikely that E20 fuel would simply disappear overnight. Any future transition to higher ethanol blends would almost certainly be gradual, giving both manufacturers and owners time to adapt. If you plan to keep the car for 12-15 years, we don't see ethanol compatibility as a compelling reason to avoid it today.As for resale, we wouldn't expect an E20-compliant Seltos to be at any disadvantage compared to its rivals. Resale values are influenced far more by factors such as the brand's reputation, service history, condition, mileage and overall demand in the used car market than by concerns over ethanol compatibility. If you maintain the car well, there's no reason to expect it to depreciate disproportionately because of E20.

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•1w

Hi, I own a Wagon R 1.0 liter engine. I bought it in November 2025. I had done 2 free services of it. My car gives me about 13-15 kmpl in city driving when the AC is on. I drive at a speed of about 60 km in the city. Is this average ok? If not, then what should I do? My daily ride is about 20 km.

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•4d

A city fuel efficiency of 13-15kpl with the air conditioning on is slightly on the lower side for a Wagon R 1.0, but it isn't necessarily a cause for concern, especially if you're driving in Lucknow's city traffic with frequent stops and the AC running throughout your journey.Your 20km daily commute should be enough for the engine to reach its normal operating temperature, but fuel efficiency can still vary depending on traffic conditions, idling time and driving style. We'd recommend checking that your tyre pressures are maintained at the manufacturer's recommended levels, avoiding hard acceleration and excessive idling, and using good-quality fuel from reputed fuel stations.

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•2w

I am planning to buy a family car. Should I choose the Toyota HyCross or the Hyundai Alcazar? Please suggest.

Verified
•4d

Go for the Toyota Innova HyCross. For a family, it simply works better as the cabin is roomier, the third row is actually usable for adults, the ride is smoother, and the hybrid saves a lot of fuel in city traffic where most family cars spend their time. Long trips feel easier too, and Toyota’s hassle-free ownership and resale help over years.Pick the Hyundai Alcazar only if you’re on a tighter budget or you want a slightly smaller, easier-to-park 3-row. It’s great for four or five with the third row used occasionally, and the diesel suits heavy highway use. But the last row and boot are tighter, and it doesn’t feel as plush or relaxed on bad roads.One honest trade-off with the Innova HyCross is the higher price and possible waiting period, and the boot with all three rows up isn’t huge. If that stretch and wait are okay, it’s the better family car overall.

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•3d

Totally confused between XUV 7XO diesel auto and XEV 9E. My yearly usage is 10 to 15k kms. My usage will be primarily as a 5-seater. Among these two, which car has better ride and handling?

Verified
•3d

Pick the XUV 7XO diesel automatic for the better ride-handling balance. Over broken roads and big speed breakers, it stays calmer, and with five on board, it keeps its composure without that side-to-side bob you often feel in heavier SUVs. At highway speeds, it tracks straight, the steering has a natural weight, and body control feels more reassuring when you need to change lanes or brake hard.The XEV 9e does feel flatter through bends thanks to the battery’s low position, so quick direction changes are tidy, but its extra weight makes sharp edges and patchy city tarmac come through more firmly, and the braking feel is less consistent. On a long drive with family and bags, the Mahindra diesel’s suspension tuning feels more relaxed and confident.One caveat. In city traffic, the XEV 9e is quieter and smoother, so if most of your 10-15k km each year are short urban runs, you might enjoy that. But for mixed use as a five-seater, the XUV 7XO rides better and feels more secure.

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Posted on: 5 Mar 2026