I am looking to buy a new car and am considering the Mahindra XUV 3XO RevX M, Hyundai Venue HX2, and the base variant of the Kia Seltos. My annual running is around 4,000 km, with 80% city driving. I am upgrading from a Hyundai Grand i10. My key requirements are low maintenance, a petrol manual transmission, a good infotainment system, and a car that looks and feels premium. Could you please suggest which of these options would be the best choice for my needs?

Autocar India

•13m

Considering your usage of just 4,000 km a year with 80% city driving, all three options will work, but the choice depends on what you value more.

If you want a proper upgrade in terms of space, feel and road presence, the Kia Seltos base variant stands out. It is a larger car, feels more premium and will be a noticeable step up from your Grand i10. Even though it is the base variant, it still gets the essentials, but the infotainment system is quite basic. This is something to keep in mind since that is one of your requirements.

The Hyundai Venue HX2 is the more balanced and easier choice. It is compact, easy to drive in the city and offers a good ownership experience with low maintenance. It also feels like a decent upgrade, though not as big a jump as the Seltos in terms of size and presence.

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Krishnav

•2d

Hi Autocar Team, we are planning to buy a new car as a secondary vehicle, replacing our 2018 Ford Freestyle Petrol Titanium Plus. Our budget is around ₹16 lakh (with some flexibility). The car will be used mostly in the city, with 2-3 occupants, and we prefer a petrol automatic. We are inclined towards sub-4 metre compact SUVs due to the higher seating position. We initially considered the Kia Sonet, Hyundai Venue, and Tata Nexon, and have currently booked the Kia Sonet GTX+ petrol DCT. However, with several new launches, we are now confused. Cars like the new Kia Seltos are appealing for their space, but within our budget only the lower variants with the naturally aspirated petrol engine are feasible. The new Renault Duster also looks promising, but there is no Renault dealership in our area. Similarly, Skoda is not an option due to the absence of a dealership. Given this situation, are we making the right decision by going ahead with the Kia Sonet GTX+ petrol DCT in 2026, or should we reconsider other options within this budget?

Autocar India

•20h

The Kia Sonet GTX+ 1.0-turbo DCT you’ve booked does overlap with the entry-level HTE (O) variant of the Seltos. The Seltos comes quite well equipped for a base model, with features like a 10.25-inch infotainment screen with wireless connectivity, cruise control and even paddle shifters for the IVT. However, you will miss out on several features compared to the Sonet GTX+, such as ADAS, Bose audio and ventilated front seats. If features are important to you, then stick with the Sonet; otherwise, the Seltos is a good choice.The Seltos is the newer car, while the Sonet is now due for a refresh. Ride quality and cabin space will also be far better in the Seltos. Since it will mostly be driven in the city, the naturally aspirated engine is more than adequate in terms of performance, and the IVT offers a seamless experience. Do a test drive of the Seltos before you decide.

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Jeelan Basha

•1w

I have been considering purchasing the Honda Elevate ZX MT and recently visited a Honda showroom, although I did not take a test drive during the visit. I understand that the naturally aspirated engine is reliable and the overall ergonomics seem well designed. However, a few aspects have made me reconsider my decision, such as the under-thigh support for both the driver and rear passengers, the relatively boxy seat design (including how comfortable the middle seat is due to the hump), NVH levels, and Honda’s service experience. I am also wondering whether it would be advisable to wait for a potential hybrid version of the Elevate, although there is no clarity on when Honda might introduce it. Could you please advise whether I should proceed with the Elevate ZX MT or consider waiting or exploring other options?

Autocar India

•2d

Currently, Honda has no plans to introduce an Elevate Hybrid. Instead, it is focusing on its fully electric 0 Alpha SUV, which is poised to launch next year. If a hybrid is what you want, then your current options in this segment are limited to the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara/Toyota Hyryder and the Maruti Victoris. Renault has plans to introduce a hybrid version of the upcoming Duster, which should arrive around Diwali this year.If a hybrid is not a priority, then take a look at the new Kia Seltos. The 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine and CVT combination is a close match for the Elevate and works very well in the city. It is also more spacious, with comfortable seats at the front and rear, and has good NVH levels.

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Abhijit Saha

•1w

Hello Autocar Team, I am looking to buy a C-segment SUV within a budget of around ₹17-18 lakh. My driving is approximately 70% in the city and 30% on highways, with a monthly running of around 1,000 km. I am currently confused between the new Kia Seltos IVT, Renault Duster DCT, and Tata Sierra DCT. Could you please help me decide which would be the best option for my usage?

Autocar India

•1d

The Kia Seltos is a good choice for your needs. The combination of the 1.5-litre petrol engine and the IVT automatic works well together. The engine feels responsive to light throttle inputs in regular driving, and the IVT delivers a seamless experience with not much of the rubber-band effect you normally get with CVTs.On paper, the Renault Duster also looks like a good option, but we would wait until we have driven it before recommending it. The Tata Sierra with the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine feels quite sluggish, particularly when paired with the DCT, which is a bit slow to respond.Before you decide, test drive all three in the variants you are considering.

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