Kia Seltos HTE(O) Diesel MT

With your limited running, a petrol-engined vehicle would be advisable. Since you are looking at a top-end automatic version, the Tata Sierra and Kia Seltos are both good options. The Hyryder is good, but it is the oldest of this trio and you won’t see much benefit from its hybrid system with your limited running.

Between the Sierra and the Seltos, it depends on where your priorities lie. Both offer refined and powerful 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engines, but the Sierra uses a six-speed torque converter gearbox, which is smoother in the city, while the Seltos uses a 7-speed DCT that is quicker to shift but can sometimes hesitate in traffic. The Sierra is the pricier of the two but also has the roomier cabin and more features.

It is worth noting that Tata’s service experience can be hit or miss, while Kia’s is generally regarded as among the best in the segment. If the roomier cabin, features and the sheer road presence the Sierra offers are important to you, then it is the one to have. But if service experience is a priority, then the Seltos is the safer bet. However, before deciding, do take a test drive of both SUVs.

The Kia Seltos is the better pick. Being significantly larger than the Mahindra XUV 3XO, the Seltos offers a roomier cabin and larger boot. The Seltos IVT's engine-gearbox is also superior to the 3X0's diesel-AMT combo. The Seltos IVT delivers a seamless drive experience that the 3XO's AMT just can't match. However, the IVT will not be as fuel efficient as the 3XO diesel. 

We'd urge you to extend your budget for the Seltos IVT in HTK trim that adds in essentials like a rear wiper and defogger. The HTK also gets other features such as steering reach adjust, rear window sunshades and alloy wheels. 

While the Kia Seltos diesel MT will be more fuel efficient, the Seltos IVT is the better pick overall. The smooth engine and seamless gearbox deliver a great drive experience, especially in city drives. Performance is also adequate on the highway.

The Seltos diesel is pleasant scoring well for refinement (as diesels go). However, the engine feels a bit strained in the new Seltos that's grown in size and weight. Further, a comparable variant diesel will cost you significantly more than an IVT, negating any real savings that you'd get from its greater efficiency. As for your concern about DPF issues, you shouldn't have a problem given your usage includes highway drives. Steady cruises on the highway allow DPF regeneration and ensure trouble-free performance. 

With respect to variants, we'd recommend stretching for the HTK. The HTE(O) misses a rear defogger and rear wiper which are safety essentials. Further, the HTK also adds in comfort features like rear sunshades, keyless entry and reach adjust for the steering. The HTK's larger 17-inch alloy wheels (vs the HTE(O)'s 16-inch steel rims with wheel covers) also have a big bearing on the look.