Hi Team, first-time car buyer in Chennai. Looking for an automatic gearbox with space for three comfortable passengers at the back. I am confused between Elevate and Seltos. Considering Elevate for engine reliability and Seltos mainly for ventilated seats. Could you please help? Not keen on the Creta.

Autocar India

•5w

In terms of rear seat space, the Kia Seltos would feel a bit wider and roomier than the Honda Elevate. The petrol automatic drivetrain on the Seltos is also more refined than the Elevate's, which suffers from noticeable engine noise.

The typical CVT rubberband effect - where the revs rise before a corresponding increase in engine rpm - is also less pronounced in the Kia. With these factors in mind, and the we would recommend the Seltos for you.

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Kia

Seltos

from ₹13.01 Lakh

Honda

Elevate

from ₹13.73 Lakh

Mahesh

•4w

Compare Kia Santor Innova rider and Škoda Kusagra all petrol top model

More questions on similar cars

Himanshu

•2d

Please suggest between Seltos IVT HTX/GTX petrol and Mahindra XUV 7XO automatic petrol AX5/AX7. The car will be mainly for driving in Mumbai city with occasional long-distance travel.

Autocar India

•3h

Choose the Kia Seltos IVT petrol in GTX guise. Its IVT smoothness and relatively compact size make it easier to drive in Mumbai traffic, especially important since that’s where you’ll be spending most of your time.The IVT (CVT) is smooth and seamless in operation and works rather well with the refined 1.5-litre NA engine. The engine feels responsive to light inputs and creeps smartly, making it very easy to drive in stop-and-go traffic. It also simulates shifts in eight steps, so it feels more natural than most CVTs and doesn’t exhibit too much of the rubber-band effect they are known for.What you do give up is the space and outright performance of the Mahindra XUV 7XO. It is significantly larger, has more room on the inside and even a third row suited for occasional use. The 2.0-litre turbo-petrol is also very powerful and hauls this big SUV with remarkable ease, but expect poor fuel efficiency in city use.On your test drive, spend 10 minutes in start-stop traffic to assess creep and brake feel, attempt a tight U-turn, and confirm if rear-seat space is adequate for your family.

Kia Seltos

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Nipen

•1w

Please share your views on the best car for city driving between the Kia Seltos HTK(O) CVT and the new Kushaq facelift automatic. My average daily drive is around 40km in the city.

Autocar India

•21h

Go for the Kia Seltos HTK(O) IVT (CVT) for city duty. With 40 km of daily driving, it’s the smoother choice that keeps stop‑go fatigue low.Given 40 km a day (about 1,200 km/month) in traffic, the IVT’s step‑less delivery feels calmer at 10-25kph, avoiding the small 1–2-3 shifts the new 8-speed AT makes. That means fewer throttle corrections, fewer head nods, and easier gaps. The naturally aspirated engine’s linear response makes speed‑breakers and U‑turns smoother.The one thing you give up is mid‑range punch. The Kushaq’s turbo feels stronger for quick gaps above 40kph and feels livelier if you enjoy brisk 60-100kph bursts.If you prioritise a smaller footprint and a stronger mid‑range for quick overtakes, consider the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI Ambition AT.On test drives, do a 0-20 kph crawl and a basement-ramp start. Compare creep, throttle-tip-in, hill‑hold smoothness, and steering effort at parking speeds in both cars.

Kia Seltos

Skoda Kushaq

Rajendra Chitara

•1w

I had selected the Kia Seltos IVT to buy, but now the Duster DCT turbo 1.3 has been launched. Is the Duster a good choice? I have heard that it comes with a wet-clutch DCT that does not heat up. Is this gearbox good and suitable for all types of driving conditions? Please guide me on overall performance in traffic, highway, hills, mileage, etc. My driving conditions are mixed.

Autocar India

•22h

Go for the Renault Duster 1.3 Turbo DCT. For your mix of city, highway, hills and bad roads, it combines strong punch, planted suspension and a heat‑resistant wet‑clutch gearbox.Your concern about DCT heating is valid in dry‑clutch units. The Renault Duster’s wet‑clutch design is oil‑cooled, so it tolerates prolonged crawling and hill starts better. The turbo motor helps on steep climbs with passengers, and overtakes at 80–100 kph feel effortless. The Duster’s long‑travel suspension shrugs off broken roads that unsettle softer crossovers.The one thing you give up is the Kia Seltos IVT’s ultra‑smooth low‑speed creep. Below 10kph, the DCT can feel a touch jerky and needs gentler throttle modulation while parking.

Renault Duster

Kia Seltos

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