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?

Autocar India

•1w

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.

Explore cars mentioned

Kia

Seltos

from ₹12.79 Lakh

Hector

from ₹13.94 Lakh

Tata

Sierra

from ₹13.37 Lakh

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Suraj Singh Thakur

•6d

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

Latest questions people are discussing

pooja

•1d

I am planning to buy a new petrol car with a manual gearbox. My budget is around ₹13 lakh. My usage will be 70% city and 30% highway. Could you please suggest SUV options within this budget?

Autocar India

•1h

With a daily running of around 50 to 60 km, a diesel automatic makes good sense as your monthly usage will easily justify the better fuel efficiency and relaxed nature of a diesel engine.Between the two options, the Kia Seltos diesel automatic is the better choice overall. The diesel engine is refined, and the 6-speed torque converter automatic is smooth and well-suited for normal city traffic as well as highway drives.The Tata Sierra is also a strong Midsize SUV with more cabin space. But its diesel engine is noticeably noisier and less refined than the Hyundai-Kia diesel. It is also over a lakh more expensive in comparable automatic variants.For your usage and preference for an automatic, the Seltos diesel automatic is the more balanced and sensible option thanks to its refinement, smooth gearbox and lower price.

Kia Seltos

Tata Sierra

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

•7h

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

•8h

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.

Kia Seltos

Kia Carens

Skoda Kushaq

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