Kia Seltos HTE Petrol MT

Hi Autocar, I am looking to book a car this week. I have narrowed it down to one of 3 cars, all petrol automatic IVTs. My running is mostly 95% in the city (office commute in Mumbai traffic). My daily commute is around 15 km, so I don't want a turbo engine for bumper-to-bumper traffic. That comes out to roughly 5,000 km in annual running. I am 6 feet tall, so I wouldn't want something that feels cramped. New Seltos HTK+(O) New Elevate VX Bayon HX8 All of these are close to the Rs. 16 lakh ex-showroom price mark. I've driven the Seltos and the Elevate, and I really liked both of them. The Seltos feels more premium on the inside, which I feel is a feature worth having in a daily driver. The Elevate is brilliant, but it feels a bit cheap on the inside. It also lacks a panoramic sunroof; although I might use it only one day a year, given that it's priced the same as the Seltos, it feels like a miss. I know Honda engines are top-notch, but given my limited running and lack of driving enthusiast priorities, I'm not sure if that does justice to my needs. Now comes the Bayon. I haven't done a test drive yet as it is not available, but the Bayon pricing at the HX6 and HX8 trims seems very close to the Creta. I am tempted to go for the HX8 as it offers a 360-degree camera (which I think might be useful for parking since I am upgrading from a hatchback), but I wonder if I am getting a 'lesser car' compared to the Seltos. Which one would you recommend? I am keen on booking before Diwali and will see if there are any discounts on the Seltos (unlikely, though).

My budget is around Rs 20 lakh, and I’m based in Bangalore. The car will be used for a mix of city and highway driving, with an approximate usage split of 60:40. Since this will be my first car, my priorities, in order, are comfort, long-term reliability, driving dynamics and overall cost of ownership, including fuel efficiency and maintenance. My current shortlist includes the Renault Duster Hybrid, Honda Elevate CVT and Kia Seltos IVT. Which of these would be the best choice for my requirements?

I’m planning to buy a new car, and my annual running is around 40,000km, primarily involving highway drives and ghat sections. I have shortlisted the Kia Seltos Diesel HTX and the upcoming facelifted Toyota Innova Hycross ZX. I’m considering two approaches: either buy the Innova Hycross and keep it for the next 10 years, given its reputation for longevity and the expectation that its engine can last at least 4 lakh kilometres, or buy the Seltos, drive it for around 2 lakh kilometres over 4–5 years, sell it and upgrade to a brand-new Seltos or another car of a similar price and size. On paper, the Innova Hycross Hybrid seems like the better choice, considering its long-term reliability and features such as the Ottoman reclining seats. However, I’m concerned that I might get bored of it after four years or that it may start feeling outdated as newer technologies and features enter the market. This makes the second option appealing, as it would allow me to upgrade to a brand-new car every 4–5 years. Which approach would make more sense in the long run, considering my high annual running and ownership costs?

I'm planning to buy my first car, but I'm a little confused about which one to choose. Initially, I was considering sub-4-metre SUVs. I really liked the Skoda Kylaq, but the rear-seat comfort wasn't adequate for my family. I also checked out the Mahindra XUV 3XO, but the dealership has not been following up, and I noticed a few technical glitches during my experience with the vehicle. Next, I considered the Hyundai Venue HX8 DCT, but I'm concerned about potential DCT overheating issues, especially in Chennai's bumper-to-bumper traffic. I'm now considering moving up to the midsize SUV segment and have shortlisted the facelifted Honda Elevate VX CVT and Kia Seltos HTK(O) IVT. I haven't considered the Hyundai Creta because its next-generation model is expected to launch next year. I'd love to hear your suggestions on which would be the better choice, considering reliability, after-sales service, long-term ownership and suitability for city driving conditions.

I am confused between Clavis X-line Turbo DCT and Seltos X (O) DCT. My running is 1200km on highway. Both shortlisted cars are similarly priced. According to you, which is a better option considering Seltos has some more features whereas Clavis provide good flexibility? Also, out of two, which one is more safe? There are 5 members in my family. Since Seltos is a new product, it has new electronic architecture. Which one is a better option?