My new Kia Seltos DCT 2026 rolled down while I was taking a steep U-turn and had to apply the brake due to traffic. As I accelerated to move forward, the vehicle rolled back and hit a wall behind. Why did this happen, and how can I avoid it in the future?

Autocar India

•4m

What you experienced is typical of how a DCT behaves, and it can catch you out on steep inclines. In your Kia Seltos DCT, there is no traditional torque converter to “creep” forward like a regular automatic, so on a steep U-turn when you come off the brake, the car can momentarily roll back before the gearbox engages and builds drive. If you then accelerate quickly, there can be a slight delay before power comes in, which is likely why the car rolled back and tapped the wall.

To avoid this, the key is to control the car on inclines rather than relying on the throttle alone. Use the brake firmly, then ease onto the accelerator smoothly instead of stabbing it, giving the gearbox a moment to engage. If your car has hill hold, make sure it is active, as it will hold the car briefly when you release the brake. In tighter situations, such as steep U-turns, it is also safer to use the handbrake method by holding the car with the handbrake, then releasing it as you start moving forward. Keeping a slightly larger gap behind you in such situations also helps.

The only drawback with DCTs is exactly this behaviour in stop-go or incline conditions, as they are not as intuitive as torque converter automatics.

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More questions on similar cars

Knt

•1d

I am a first-time car buyer looking to purchase an SUV within a budget of ₹16 lakh (on-road). My usage will primarily be for weekend drives, occasional trips, and highway driving, with minimal city use. My key requirements are good features, strong mileage, and overall comfort. Could you please suggest the best SUV option that offers a good balance of performance, features, and long-term ownership?

Autocar India

•9m

Mostly highway weekends with an Rs 16 lakh on-road cap, and you want strong features and low fuel use, in that case, the Kia Seltos HTK (manual) fits you best. The HTK trim brings the useful bits you will actually use on trips, like an HD touchscreen, a clear camera, auto climate control and solid safety features, without pushing the price past your limit. The 1.5 NA petrol is very refined, with adequate performance for most users and decent fuel efficiency. Since you do not drive in the city too much, we would stick with the manual, which is light and easy to use.One thing to keep in mind for your use: performance is adequate, but it can feel a bit underwhelming when pushed. If you want a bit more performance, then consider the Honda Elevate.Overall, for weekend and highway use under Rs 16 lakh, the Kia Seltos HTK (manual) lines up best with what you want.

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Mano

•16h

Hello! I am a 30-year-old from Coimbatore looking to buy a car in the ₹20-25 lakh range. My monthly driving is around 1,500 km, which includes a mix of daily city usage and short highway trips, along with a weekly 100 km drive to my farm on rural roads. I have shortlisted the Kia Seltos HTX diesel automatic, MG Windsor Pro EV, and the Toyota Hyryder G Hybrid automatic. Could you please suggest which would be the best option for my usage and requirements? I would also appreciate any alternative recommendations that may suit my needs better.

Autocar India

•2h

Go for the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder strong hybrid automatic. It fits your usage best by balancing low running cost, ease of use and long-term reliability without adding the dependency of charging, which is important given your mix of city driving, regular highway trips and rural road access.In your real-world use, the hybrid works brilliantly because most of your city driving will run on electric power. It gives you excellent efficiency and a very relaxed driving experience, while on highways and those weekly farm runs, the petrol engine seamlessly takes over without you needing to think about charging or range. In fact, the Hyryder hybrid is significantly more efficient than a diesel automatic like the Seltos in real-world conditions.The Kia Seltos diesel automatic is still a strong option if you prioritise performance, features and a more premium feel, and it will feel more powerful and planted on highways. But it will cost more to run over time and does not match the hybrid’s efficiency advantage. The MG Windsor EV is tempting on paper with very low running costs and decent range, but for your usage, it adds a layer of dependency on charging infrastructure, especially with rural drives, and while it can do long distances, it requires planning and adaptation, which may not be ideal right now .

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

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Sahil Kannangar

•1d

I am confused between the top-end turbo-petrol variants of the Tata Sierra and the Kia Seltos (2026). My usage will be primarily city driving in traffic, with occasional highway trips. I am looking for a feature-loaded car with a premium feel, good reliability, and strong after-sales service for long-term ownership.

Autocar India

•2h

Mostly city driving with the odd highway run and a strong focus on features, in that case, from your two, I would pick the Tata Sierra 1.5 turbo-petrol automatic in the top trim. It is feature-packed, with a refined and powerful engine, and its torque-converter automatic is smoother in city traffic than the Kia Seltos’ DCT.That said, Kia has a more consistent reputation for service in most cities, which is one of your main requirements. Tata’s service has improved, but dealer experience can vary by city, so check reviews in your area. If that is a concern, then the Seltos is a good alternative, packed with the feel-good features you asked for, like a 360-degree camera, ventilated front seats, and a panoramic sunroof. A trade-off to note for your city use: the DCT can hesitate a bit at slow speeds.Overall, for mostly city use and a feature-rich cabin, the Sierra turbo-petrol automatic in the top trim fits your brief.

Tata Sierra

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