Kia cars in India (10)
FAQs
Trending Questions on Kia Cars - Answered by Autocar Experts
I am planning to buy a new Kia Seltos but am confused between the IVT and DCT transmissions. Considering heavy Bangalore traffic and occasional long drives, which transmission would you recommend?
The New Kia Seltos with the IVT gearbox is a better option for you. The IVT is a very smooth transmission and provides jerk-free gearshifts, which you will really appreciate in city driving. Kia's IVT also works well on highway drives and doesn't have that 'rubberband effect' (sharp rise in revs without a corresponding rise in road speed) that other CVT gearboxes are notorious for.
The DCT gearbox is quicker shifting and also comes paired to a more powerful engine. On the flip side, gearshifts on the DCT are not as smooth as the IVT in slow-speed driving scenarios.
Hi Experts, I have a daily running of about 80-85 km, with a mix of city and highway. I am a first-time buyer and need a reliable car with essential features and a good engine within a ₹10-12 lakh budget. I’m open to any fuel option that suits my needs. Please suggest some good options to consider. I had the Tata Altroz diesel and Kia Sonet diesel in mind.
Given your requirements, we would recommend you opt for the Kia Sonet diesel. The car will likely be more reliable, and the Kia diesel engine delivers a good mix of refinement and performance. It's also very well equipped and, with the SUV body style, will give you a better view of the road outside. Do bear in mind, though, that the rear seat space is quite limited, so we would suggest you personally check to see if this is ok with you.
I currently own an Ertiga Diesel VDI and am planning to change my car. I want a 7-seater vehicle with an automatic transmission and would like suggestions on suitable options.
The most logical option for you would be to upgrade to the current Ertiga, which is a generation ahead of the one you currently have.
The current Maruti Suzuki Ertiga is more spacious than your model and comes with a smooth 6-speed automatic too.
However, there is no diesel option available like in the previous generation Ertiga that you own. So if you are looking for an MPV with the low running cost of diesel, the next best option, if you have the budget, is the Kia Carens Clavis diesel. It comes with a 1.5 diesel automatic, coupled to a smooth-shifting six-speed auto transmission.
I currently drive a Hyundai Grand i10 (manual, petrol) and want to buy a new automatic petrol SUV within a ₹15 lakh budget. My priorities are safety, rear-seat space and boot capacity. I prefer models such as the Tata Sierra, Curv, Nexon, Venue N Line and Kia cars. My usage is mostly city driving, with highway trips once every three months. Please suggest the right car.
Since you already drive a Hyundai car, it's best to stick with the brand, and in your budget, the new Hyundai Venue makes sense. It's the latest car in its segment, and as such, offers the newest tech and features.
While it hasn't been crash tested yet, it uses a new-gen platform and features plenty of safety kit, so we expect it to perform. Its rear seat and boot are both pretty spacious for the class, and if you choose the N Line variant, as you prefer, you'll get some sporty design elements as well.
The Tata Sierra and new Kia Seltos would have been better options for your requirements, but sadly, automatic versions of those cars will be outside of your budget.
I have been using automatic cars, a Celerio and a Grand i10, for the past 8 years. Both are good, and the i10 is smoother. I now want to replace the Celerio and buy a new automatic petrol car or an EV within a 20 lakh budget. My monthly usage is around 1,000 km, mostly in the city with rare highway trips. Which is better: an automatic SUV priced around 16 to 20 lakh, or an EV like the Windsor or Nexon within an 18 lakh budget? I also have a home charging facility. My wife will use the car sometimes. Are there any other EV or automatic options available in this range?
I plan to buy a new car in 2026. My monthly running is about 500-600 km, around 80% on highways. My budget is ₹15-17 lakh on road. I want a 5-seater petrol SUV with decent looks and strong road presence. Please suggest suitable options.
Looks and styling are very subjective, but we would lean towards the new Kia Seltos. The car looks funky, and it is nice and large too and well equipped.
We will be reviewing the car this month, so look out for our detailed review on our website and YouTube channel.
I want to buy a car with an on-road budget of ₹10-12 lakh. My priorities are safety and mileage, with rear-seat space (for sleeping) as an optional preference. I do occasional long drives and typically drive about 100 km per week. I listed the Tata Nexon only to fill the form; please suggest the most appropriate car.
The Kia Syros is a great option for you due to its spacious cabin and backseats, which recline for more comfort. Furthermore, its boxy design enhances the sense of space inside this cabin. Another good, spacious option is the Citroen Aircross X, which is a large car for compact SUV money. If you have a Citroen showroom near you, it is worth considering.
I currently own a premium hatchback (Baleno) and want to upgrade to an automatic SUV, but I’m unsure which model suits me best. My priorities are strong engine performance, seating comfort and legroom, and reasonable fuel efficiency (about 12-14 km/l in Bangalore city). My budget is ₹15-20 lakh. Which reliable brands and models offer low maintenance costs while meeting these requirements?
Expecting 12-14kpl in peak Bangalore traffic from an automatic SUV is a bit optimistic, and if you really want that kind of efficiency, you will have to look at diesel alternatives.
Consider a Kia Sonet or Hyundai Venue diesel AT for its smooth transmission and refined diesel engine. The Tata Nexon diesel is efficient too, although its AMT isn't as smooth as its Korean rivals.
I am moving on from a manual Tata Nexon and have test-driven the Renault Kiger Turbo Emotion and the Kia Sonet HTK Plus iMT. The Kiger is fully loaded, looks modern and has a good feel, while the Sonet offers a sunroof, iMT useful for city driving, and stronger overall road and brand presence. I’m confused because the Sonet seems like a better car but feels outdated, and the Kiger is very cool and feature-rich but might have poorer resale or other issues. Please advise.
You're right, the Renault Kiger is a modern car which is decently equipped, but its resale value isn't as strong as some other options in this segment. The Kia Sonet feels more polished overall, and it will get you more features too.
Yes, the iMT is convenient, but try getting a proper automatic instead, which will be a far more convenient and smoother option. If you want something a bit more modern, the Hyundai Venue is also an option you must consider. The Mahindra XUV3XO is also a compact SUV you may consider.
How is the Citroen Aircross X AT? Is it worth investing in, and what would you suggest within a ₹16 lakh budget?
The Citroen Aircross X AT is a good SUV with a crucial USP being the extra set of seats in the third row. It isn't a 7-seater but more of a 5+2, which means the third row is good enough for kids and short adults for quick city drives.
You can also remove the seats entirely and use the space as a big boot. The turbo-petrol engine is responsive and nice to drive, the ride is extremely comfortable, and it has a decent feature list too. If you want maximum practicality, the Aircross X is a good choice.
The other option worth looking at would be the Kia Syros. The Syros has an unconventional design, but is excellent when it comes to space and packaging. It also has a higher level of quality throughout the cabin. Sure, it does not have an extra set of seats, but it has a spacious rear seat that gets ventilation for the base and a good degree of recline, too.
Also, Kia's network is more widespread than that of Citroen, and that does help when it comes to after-sales and service.
Last Updated on: 12 Dec 2025