Kia cars in India (12)

Go with the Kia Seltos 1.5-litre IVT. The HTK trim with the automatic costs Rs 14.39 lakh ex-showroom and comes very well equipped with features such as alloy wheels, a 10.25-inch HD infotainment system with six speakers, cruise control, and rear-seat sunshades. If you can stretch to Rs 15.49 lakh ex-showroom for the HTK (O), you will get a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, and more.

For your limited usage with five adults, the 1.5-litre engine offers adequate performance, while the IVT automatic is seamless in operation. The cabin is also quite comfortable and can accommodate five passengers with ease. However, the Tata Sierra offers even more space in the rear seat and is a good option if that is a priority. That said, performance from the Sierra's 1.5 NA engine and DCT combination is lackluster.

Visit the showroom with your family members to check if they are comfortable with the space inside, and take a test drive to see if the performance is adequate with passengers on board.

Go for the Kia Seltos HTX with the 1.5-litre engine mated to the IVT automatic. Since 95 percent of your driving is in the city, you will appreciate its smooth and easy-to-drive nature.

The 1.5-litre engine is very refined, and the IVT makes good use of the available power. It feels responsive to light throttle inputs in city traffic and offers adequate performance for most scenarios. It also simulates shifts in eight steps, so it feels more natural than most CVTs and doesn’t exhibit too much of the rubber-band effect you might have experienced with your Honda Amaze CVT. The Seltos is also thoroughly modern inside and out and packed with features, so it will feel like a big step up from your Amaze.

The one thing you will compromise on is outright performance; the 1.5-litre petrol with a CVT prioritises smoothness, so quick highway overtakes above 80kph are not exactly effortless. If that is a concern, then consider the turbo-petrol Seltos instead.

During the test drive, crawl in stop-go traffic to assess creep and throttle response, and check steering lightness and ride comfort.

Between your two choices, the Mahindra XUV 3XO offers more for your money. It sits a segment above the Hyundai Exter and therefore has more interior space. That said, only go ahead with the Mahindra if the showroom is willing to offer a proper test drive.

In terms of the powertrain, the XUV 3XO’s turbo-petrol engine offers stronger performance than the Exter’s naturally aspirated unit, while ride and handling are also superior. While you will be giving up some creature comforts compared to the Hyundai, such as a dashcam and keyless entry, the XUV 3XO is still very well equipped for the price. In our real-world tests, the XUV 3XO managed 10.4kpl in the city and 14.9kpl on the highway, which is actually better than what we recorded in the Exter.

What you do give up is boot space. Despite its larger size, the XUV 3XO actually has a smaller boot than the Exter. If that is a concern, then consider the Kia Sonet HTK 1.2-litre petrol MT instead.

On the test drive, check if the clutch and shifter action are to your liking, and whether performance and refinement meet your expectations.

For your requirements, we'd recommend not an SUV or a sedan, but the Toyota Innova Hycross ZX(O) Hybrid. In your 40‑lakh range, it combines Toyota's famous longevity and reliability, the safety net of 6 airbags and ADAS, and outstanding long‑distance comfort for equal city and highway use. 

Toyota’s hybrid MPV has an 8‑year/1,60,000km battery warranty and 10,000km/12‑month service intervals. For your 50:50 city-highway split, the smooth e‑CVT is smooth around town and the steering light, with the e-motor doing a good percentage of the propulsion, which of course also keeps efficiency high. 

And surprisingly, on the highway, it still uses a lot of e-power, making sure the 2.0-litre petrol engine never feels overwhelmed. It's spacious, of course, and comfortable too - far more than its ladder-frame counterpart, the Crysta. If the MPV body style is not for you, and you're not in a huge hurry, Kia is expected to launch its premium SUV, the Sorento, which could also get a strong hybrid powertrain; it might be worth waiting for.