Kia cars in India (12)

autocar.india

•1h

Go for a petrol automatic car. Your usage is predominantly city with a short daily commute, and diesel DPF issues are most likely to occur in exactly this kind of stop-start urban driving. Electric cars are ruled out for now due to the lack of home charging, so a petrol automatic is the most sensible and hassle-free choice.Within your budget, the Kia Seltos CVT is a strong recommendation. It offers a more premium cabin, is feature-rich, and is a spacious and comfortable car. On E20, do not let it influence your decision. Modern petrol engines are engineered to handle E20, and the impact is largely limited to a small drop in fuel efficiency. There is no official roadmap beyond E20 at this stage, so it should not be a deciding factor.

Kia Seltos

autocar.india

•3h

Yes, the Hyundai Creta is going to be replaced by an all-new generation, rather than just receiving another facelift. The third-generation Creta is expected in India in 2027, and test cars have already been spotted. It will move to the newer K3 platform, which also underpins the new Seltos, and is expected to be larger and more sophisticated than the current car.There is also a strong possibility of a strong-hybrid powertrain for the new Creta. Hyundai is working on a hybrid based around its 1.5-litre petrol engine, although the exact launch timing and specifications haven't been confirmed yet.As for the styling, don't expect the Creta and Seltos to look identical. They will share the K3 platform and some design themes, but Hyundai and Kia will give them distinct identities. The test Creta does appear to borrow some cues from the Seltos, particularly around the grille, but the headlights and other elements are different.If you're not in a hurry, waiting for the new Creta makes sense, particularly if you're considering a strong hybrid. You'll get a newer platform, larger dimensions, more features and potentially the hybrid option.However, the new Kia Seltos is already here and is a more compelling proposition than waiting indefinitely. It has moved to the K3 platform, grown in size, gained more space and improved ride comfort, while retaining its wide choice of powertrains.

Hyundai Creta

Kia Seltos

autocar.india

•3h

With a monthly running of 700-1,000km, a diesel automatic is still a sensible choice, especially if you do a mix of city and highway driving. The Kia Sonet diesel automatic is a strong contender. It uses the same 1.5-litre diesel engine as the Seltos and is paired with a torque converter automatic, making it a very refined and efficient package. The Sonet is also well-equipped and has a premium feel inside. A new-generation Sonet is due, but a timeline is not clear, with our estimate being around mid-2027.The Tata Nexon and Mahindra XUV 3XO are good value options, but their AMT gearboxes are not as smooth as the torque converter automatics in the Kia. The Kia Seltos diesel automatic is a great car, but it will exceed your budget by quite some margin. Instead, consider the Kia Syros diesel auto if you want more interior room than the Sonet.Overall, the Sonet diesel automatic is the best fit for your requirements.

Kia Sonet

Kia Seltos

Kia Syros

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Tata Nexon

autocar.india

•4h

With 80km a day and a mix of city and highway driving, the Kia Sonet diesel manual is the better fit. The diesel engine will give you strong fuel efficiency on the highway, good pulling power for overtakes and a more relaxed driving experience at higher speeds. The Sonet is also a more powerful and enjoyable car to drive than the Maruti Suzuki Brezza CNG, which will feel underpowered on highways and during overtakes.CNG is best suited to city-heavy usage where fuel savings are maximised. On highways, the savings are not as significant, and refuelling with CNG also requires a bit of planning. You can run the car mostly on CNG, but it is recommended to run on petrol occasionally to keep the fuel system healthy. Modern factory-fitted CNG systems are reliable, and there are no widespread issues with head or bore damage when used as intended.Go for the Sonet diesel manual. It will give you the best balance of power, efficiency and long-term suitability for your usage.

Kia Sonet

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

autocar.india

•19h

The Kia Seltos naturally aspirated IVT is actually a very sensible choice for your usage. Your commute on Bangalore ORR is stop-start, and the IVT is smooth and stress-free in traffic. For weekend highway trips with family and luggage, the 1.5 naturally aspirated petrol has enough power to cruise comfortably and overtake when needed. It will not feel underpowered in normal driving, but it is not a performance engine, so overtakes require a little planning when fully loaded.CVT drone is most noticeable when you accelerate hard and hold the throttle, typically during long overtakes or on steep inclines. However, the Seltos is better insulated than the Honda City, so the engine noise is less intrusive in the cabin. In everyday driving, it is not a major issue.Alternatives worth considering are the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI automatic and the Mahindra XUV 3XO automatic. The Kushaq’s turbo petrol engine offers stronger mid-range performance for highway overtakes, and the torque converter automatic is smooth. The XUV 3XO is spacious and feature-rich, but the boot is smaller than the Seltos, which matters for family trips.Overall, the Seltos IVT is a well-balanced choice for your usage. If you want a bit more performance for highway driving, the Kushaq 1.0 TSI automatic is worth a test drive.

Kia Seltos

Skoda Kushaq

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Honda City