Kia Seltos price in Surat

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.   

With a budget of around Rs 25 lakh and your priorities of fun to drive performance, comfort, safety and strong after sales support, the Kia Seltos fits your requirements very well. The current Seltos is larger than before, spacious and very comfortable for daily driving. Interior quality is among the best in the segment and it comes loaded with premium features, including the ones you have mentioned such as ventilated seats, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a panoramic sunroof and a 360 degree camera. The 1.5 litre turbo petrol engine paired with the 7 speed DCT transmission offers strong performance while remaining refined and smooth in city use. It also fits comfortably within your budget and Kia’s after sales service network is generally reliable.

If you want something different, the Tata Sierra with the turbo petrol automatic is another good option. It offers even more cabin space than the Seltos and its wider body makes it a more comfortable five seater. The ride quality is also very comfortable and it comes with all the features you are looking for. The downside is that it is about Rs 1.5 lakh more expensive than the Kia, and although Tata’s after sales service is improving, Kia still has the stronger reputation in that area.

If you want something larger, you can also consider the Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7 within your budget. Even though it is a seven seater, with the third row folded it becomes a very spacious and comfortable five seater. It gets a powerful 2.0 litre turbo petrol engine producing over 200 hp paired with a smooth six speed torque converter automatic that delivers effortless performance. The handling is good, the ride is comfortable and it comes with most of the features you want. The only notable omission compared to your list is ventilated front seats. If you can live without that feature, it is another strong option to consider.