I am planning to buy a new car, my budget is 15 lakhs (can go 10% up). Main usage would be to drive within city with highway trips once every 2-3 months. My average running currently is around 16,000 to 18,000 kilometers.

Autocar India

•1d

Yes, the Kia Seltos HTX IVT is a good option for you. It offers a roomy cabin, smooth driving, and a robust safety kit. Your usage of mostly city driving will benefit from the convenience of the smooth-shifting IVT, which will be far easier than a manual in Punjab’s Tier‑3 city traffic. The Seltos’ rear bench can seat three better than most in this class, and installing a child seat is simple with ISOFIX mounts, helpful for your 3‑year‑old. For safety, 6 airbags are standard, come with a safety kit, and although the Kia has not yet been tested by any crash test agency, it is expected to score highly, thanks to its new-gen global platform. Highway stability is good, which will help on your Vrindavan trips every 1-2 months and though the engine isn't the strongest in the Seltos range, it is more than powerful enough. The one thing you give up is the absolute lowest running cost versus a diesel or strong hybrid, but it is not bad enough to be a deal breaker in what is otherwise a great all-around package.

Kia New Seltos

Autocar India

•2d

With your monthly running of 500-700 km and 80% city usage in Hyderabad, both EV and petrol automatic can work. But we would suggest leaning towards a petrol automatic as the safer and more practical choice.Your running is relatively low, so the cost advantage of an EV will not be very significant. While EVs are easier to drive and very smooth in the city, the initial cost is higher, and with your usage, it will take a long time to recover that premium.A petrol automatic like the Kia Seltos IVT or the Skoda Kushaq torque converter automatic will be more flexible and hassle-free, especially if you plan to keep the car for a long time. You won’t have to worry about charging infrastructure, planning trips, or battery-related concerns, and it will also handle occasional highway drives effortlessly.If you are specifically inclined towards EVs and have reliable home charging, then something like the MG Windsor EV can still work well for your city usage. But purely from a practical and value standpoint, it is not a necessity in your case.

Kia New Seltos

Skoda Kushaq

MG Windsor

Autocar India

•21h

Go for the Kia Seltos, the car is a very good all-rounder and provides a good balance of comfort, features and safety as well as being a good option for the long term. As for your query on the gearbox, yes, DCTs can heat and cause issues in the long run if driven in a lot of traffic. However, in Kia's case, IVT indicates a CVT, which is a generally more reliable option than a DCT.Coupled to the 1.5 litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, the IVT is quite smooth when driven in everyday situations. It has very little of that 'rubberband' effect where, during acceleration, the revs rise more than the corresponding vehicle speed.

Kia New Seltos