The contenders are Kia Seltos, Toyota Hyryder, Honda Elevate and Mahindra XUV700.

BHPian Iyencar recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

My soon-to-be 70-year-old father is looking to replace the Venue he currently has. He is a sedate driver who drives around 40 kms daily to our factory.

• Budget: ~25 L
• Current drive: Venue Petrol Manual
• Previous drive: Grand i10, Wagon R (both manual shifts)
• Location: Trichy
• Home parking: Street and a bit small

What he would like to have

• Ground Clearance
• Petrol, 5 seater SUV
• A true top-end model: No saving money up front and having accessories fitted later. Need everything factory fitted
• No downtime due to niggles: the car will be in use every single day and cannot afford to be without one

What I would like for him to have

• Nice to have features: Sunroof, ventilated seats, good cabin, 360 cam, etc. He's worked hard all his life and deserves to have a feel-good vehicle now
• Good automatic
• Reliable
• Mass market and easy serviceability
• Safety: 6 airbags, TC, ESP, ABS, good body shell

The contenders

Kia Seltos

The car he wants which is why it is number 1 here.

Pros

• Feature loaded
• Facelift next month
• Decent service
• Sorted engine gearbox combos

Cons

• Crash test rating
• DCT is an animal with a mind of its own. Is the TC good enough and has the nice-to-have features that we are looking for?
• Stiff suspension

Toyota Hyryder Full Hybrid: The car I want for him

Pros

• Superb mileage and cutting-edge hybrid tech providing for a relaxing ride
• Toyota's reliability
• All the good features I want him to have

Cons

• Only one service centre in the city, Annamalai Motors. Can anyone shed light on the quality of service?
• The old Innovas, Crystas and Etios-es seem to be the most common cars on that side of the country. Will the service centre be able to handle the modern tech?
• The very thin sunroof curtain: Summers can get quite hot there and don't want this to become a nuisance. So how bad is it really? Does it make the car difficult to live with? Has anyone tried tinting the roof?
• Unknown build quality: probably more Maruti than Toyota

If any Bhpian can shed some light on Annamalai Motors or life with the Hyryder down south then that would be extremely helpful. Is Toyota service as excellent as it is in Tier-1 cities?

Honda Elevate

Pros

• The best GC
• Honda reliability

Cons

• Very poor feature list
• Possibly lethargic engine gearbox combos, considering the weight of the vehicle and the engine specs combined with BS 6.2 regulations (have the BRV CVT so am familiar with the specs. No, I'm not saying the BRV is underpowered)
• A new car so not much is known about it-good or bad (shared parts bin not withstanding)

What are the Honda dealers like down there? Google reviews of the two dealers there are good.

Wild card: XUV 700

Pros

• Loaded with everything possibly needed in a car
• Proven safety
• Blockbuster hit
• Initial niggles sorted out
• Great engine gearbox combos

Cons

• Odds of niggles popping up are much higher than for the other cars listed above.
• Maybe a bit too large. Don't need 7 seats and may have difficulty parking- will the 360 cam help?)
• Poor FE in the petrol. DEF issues if he goes for the diesel

Not considering the Compass, Kushaq and Taigun for their reliability, niggles and service centre experiences in general. Not considering the Nexon, Exter, Punch, XUV300 since they aren't much of an upgrade from the Venue. No Creta because we don't want another Hyundai. No to Renault, Nissan and Citroen because of their poor service network and lack of any aspirational models. Not considering the Vitara because I would rather we get the car from the same co which makes the hybrid, i.e. Toyota. Any other vehicle I've missed? Looking forward to your opinions.

Here's what GTO had to say about the matter:

Kia has now made the suspension in the Seltos way more compliant, based on customer feedback & complaints. The current car rides very differently from the launch Seltos.

Seltos Facelift launch is also around the corner. I'd consider that for the OP's Dad, along with the Toyota Hyryder Hybrid & MG ZS EV.

Please also make him take a test-drive of the Elevate. It looks handsome, that 1.5L motor is the best NA engine in the country and the CVT is very smooth.

The Seltos Facelift & Elevate could be worth waiting for. Test-drive all of these and bring home the one that makes him smile.

Here's what BHPian mgastor2022grey had to say about the matter:

For us BHPians, driving is our life and we respect it very much. I know that you will choose the best car for your father.

I will not recommend the Kia Seltos for your father. Considering that he is a sedate driver, the performance is pretty much useless. The stiff suspension is good for highway comfort, not for sedate driving, which will make people uncomfortable. Also, it scored only 3 stars in the NCAP, not to mention it splitting into 2 in an accident.

I would also not recommend the Grand Vitara/Hyryder too, as it would mean a significant downgrade in terms of interior fit and finish, and misses out on a lot of features too. It also has a significantly weak bodyshell and misses out on even basic features like TPMS!

The XUV700 should be ruled out too, as considering that your father is 70 years old, he would find it difficult to navigate a big car, and stating that you have street parking, will be cumbersome to park too. But it can be taken into consideration if your father has no issues with it, as it is a very safe car, and is extremely luxurious.

I would personally suggest the MG Astor. It is a very comfortable car, and it has lots of safety features like 6 airbags, ESC, TPMS, ABS and more. Your father will also like the car due to its small presence and ease of manoeuvrability. It is a petrol-5 seater, and fits all his boxes correctly. However, it has missed some features like auto-dimming IRVM and ventilated seats. It is also fuel-efficient and drives inspiringly. The fuel efficiency is around 10-12 kmpl and has very less downtime. Being an Astor owner myself, the car is very nice, and is packed with features.

Hope this helps, good luck!

Here's what BHPian bijims had to say about the matter:

The Mahindra XUV700 would be my pick here, but the AX7 L variant in the petrol guise costs around 29 lakhs on-road in your place, so if you are fine with that, I would recommend getting it, but mileage will be poor in the petrol, we have a diesel XUV700 AWD AX7 L in our family and we are loving it.

As regards the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, it feels more like a Maruti, and parts quality and fit and finish are as such too, not worth the money for the "premium" feel in my opinion, but the Hybrid setup has its advantages and may be considered for the same if you have relatively high running.

The upcoming Seltos facelift would be the best pick under a budget of 25 lakhs and the Diesel TC AT is an excellent, tried and tested combo with good fuel efficiency and sufficient power as well. It will have all the features you ask for in your budget barring the 3-star safety rating.

So, if you plan on extending your budget to 30 lakhs, the XUV700 is the way to go, but I would prefer the Diesel over the Petrol in that scenario, ese under 25 lakhs, my pick would be the upcoming Seltos, followed by the Hyryder Hybrid.

Here's what BHPian androdev had to say about the matter:

I think you should go for an EV or a proper Hybrid. Simply because there is a lot to be excited about the technology, a lot to learn and familiarise oneself with how stuff works and the great feeling of being at the cutting edge of things - he would appreciate it. These cars make you curious like a child, which is a very good thing to happen when you are at an age feeling you have seen it all.

Don't buy a Honda - they sell boring utilitarian cars in India. Avoid gigantic cars like XUV700. Go for sophisticated and cutting edge - that would be EV or Hybrid in my opinion. All the best.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The Kia Seltos facelift will be unveiled on July 4, 2023.

Kia has released a new teaser video of the upcoming Seltos facelift. The SUV will be unveiled on July 4, 2023.

The updated Seltos features several exterior design changes, including a new front fascia. The teaser reveals the car's new LED daytime running lights. The SUV will also get redesigned taillights connected by an LED light bar.

Kia has also made some changes to the Seltos' cabin. As you can see, the car gets a digital instrument cluster and a touchscreen infotainment system housed within a single panel. The climate control module has also been reworked. The SUV will get a panoramic sunroof option along with advanced safety features like a 360-degree camera and ADAS.

Powertrain options will remain the same, albeit with a new 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine. It will, however, continue to be offered with the same 1.5-litre NA petrol and diesel engine options.

The Kia Seltos facelift will be officially unveiled on July 4, 2023.

New images of the Kia Seltos facelift have surfaced online as the Korean carmaker prepares to launch the updated SUV in India. The latest spy images showcase the mid-spec variant, which is also likely to get a panoramic sunroof option.

The spy image also reveals a part of the centre console on the updated Seltos. As you can see, the SUV is equipped with dual-zone automatic climate control. This particular vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission and is expected to come with an electronic parking brake. The Seltos will also get ADAS on select variants.

On the outside, the Seltos facelift will get a redesigned front fascia featuring a new grille and LED headlamps. It has L-shaped wraparound taillights with an LED light bar connecting the two and a new rear bumper.

Powertrain options will remain the same, with the Seltos facelift getting a new 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine, besides the 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engine options.

The Kia Seltos facelift will be officially unveiled on July 4, 2023.

Source: Rushlane

The Seltos facelift will get the new 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine, besides the existing 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engine options.

Kia is all set to reveal the India-spec Seltos facelift on July 4, 2023. The updated SUV is expected to go on sale by the end of next month.

The Seltos facelift made its global debut in June last year. The Indian version will receive similar updates, which include a redesigned front fascia with a reworked grille and LED headlamps. The rear end has also been redesigned and now features L-shaped wraparound taillights with an LED light bar connecting to two and a new rear bumper.

The Seltos is also expected to receive a few changes on the interior. The SUV will get a panoramic sunroof option along with advanced safety features like a 360-degree camera and ADAS.

Powertrain options will remain the same, with the Seltos facelift getting a new 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine, besides the 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engine options.

The top-spec Seltos GT Line could be offered with a panoramic sunroof.

The upcoming Kia Seltos facelift has been spied with zero camouflage for the first time. The latest spy images showcase the top-spec GT Line trim of the mid-size SUV.

As expected, the India-spec Seltos facelift looks identical to the global model. The SUV gets a refreshed front fascia with a reworked grille and bumper as well as new LED headlights.

The rear end has also been redesigned and now features L-shaped wraparound taillights with an LED light bar connecting to two. The rear bumper is also new and gets what appear to be dual faux exhausts.

The Seltos facelift will get a panoramic sunroof instead of a single-pane unit. The car is also expected to be equipped with a 360-degree camera and ADAS.

Powertrain options will remain the same, with the Seltos facelift getting a new 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine, besides the 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engine options.

Source: Motorbeam

Kia sold 27,159 units of the Seltos during the first quarter of 2023.

Kia India has achieved a new sales milestone as Seltos sales cross the 5 lakh unit mark in just 46 months of its launch.

Kia made its India foray in August 2019 with the launch of the Seltos mid-size SUV. Since then, the model has contributed to 55% of the brand's net sales, including exports and domestic sales. During the first quarter of 2023, Kia sold 27,159 units of the Seltos. The company sells an average of over 9,000 units per month.

According to the company, 1,35,885 units of the Seltos manufactured in India, have been exported to nearly 100 overseas markets. These include markets in the Middle East, Africa, Central and South America, Mexico and the Asia Pacific region.

Kia is now gearing up to launch the Seltos facelift in the Indian market. The updated model will get several changes both inside and out. The SUV is also expected to get safety features like a 360-degree camera with blind spot assistance as well as ADAS.

The Seltos facelift will receive several exterior as well as interior updates based on the global version.

Kia is gearing up to launch the Seltos facelift in India in a couple of months. The SUV will receive several exterior as well as interior updates based on the global version. The latest spy images suggest that the Seltos facelift will also come in X-Line trim.

Like the current Seltos X-Line, the updated version will also feature a matte black exterior with black ORVMs and a black roof. The SUV is expected to get a piano black grille and newly designed dual-tone alloy wheels.

Speaking of the updates, the Seltos facelift will feature a redesigned front fascia with a split headlamp setup and a new grille. The rear end will be spruced up via new tail lamp clusters with an LED light bar in between.

The Seltos facelift will be offered with a new 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine, producing 158 BHP and 253 Nm. It replaces the current 1.4-litre turbo-petrol motor. Kia will carry forward the 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engine options.

Source: Motorbeam

There are also rumours that the soon-to-be-launched Seltos facelift 2023 will have a better safety rating than the current model.

BHPian dcoolnik recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I have been looking to buy a new mid-size SUV for quite some time now, and have made a booking (2 weeks back) for Skoda Kushaq 1.5 ltr MT Monte Carlo given the safety, engine performance and ride handling being best in the segment. However, with the launch of the new Hyundai/Kia 1.5ltr T-GDi engine, looks like Hyundai/Kia has closed that gap with Kushaq 1.5 at least on the engine performance front. The reviews of the new 1.5 T-GDi engine on Verna are also good. A few YouTubers also tested the new Verna 1.5 and Slavia 1.5 (same engine as Kushaq) with Verna winning quite comfortably in drag races. There are also rumours that the soon-to-be-launched Seltos facelift 2023 will have a better safety rating than the current model.

My priorities are in the following order:

• Safety (at least 4 star)
• Engine performance
• Ride handling

Given this, shall I wait for the Kia Seltos facelift launch or go ahead with the Kushaq?

Here's what GTO had to say on the matter:

If looking at performance, I'd agree with bijims. Best to wait as the Seltos 1.5L launch isn't too far away. Both the crossovers you are looking at are a load of fun-to-drive. As much fun as the Kushaq is, even the Seltos is dynamically sorted and a blast on the open road.

In the area of safety though, I'd trust Skoda over Kia. The Kushaq has scored 5-stars in the GNCAP & we have seen several customer attestments to the safety of VAG cars ever since the Polo's launch in India. On the other hand, even if Kia improves the safety rating of the Seltos, I doubt they'll get it retested by the GNCAP. It will lead to a lot of remorse from current Seltos owners. From the PR point of view, Kia would upset lakhs of existing Seltos owners.

Here's what BHPian bijims had to say on the matter:

Given your priorities, I am not so sure whether the new Seltos facelift would get higher than the 3 stars it scored previously in the GNCAP crash tests, however, engine performance would be much better in the 1.5 T-GDI and is worth looking out for.

Moreover, the Seltos and Creta are the most well-rounded cars in their budget as regards almost everything except the mediocre 3-star safety rating, so the facelift should ideally improve on the features front as well.

In my opinion, considering the launch is just a couple of months away, and with Skoda not in much demand, I think waiting for the Seltos would be a good option.

Here's what BHPian Shreyans_Jain had to say on the matter:

The Verna 1.5 DCT is a genuinely quick car, no doubt. Seltos 1.5 will be just as quick as Kushaq. Kia’s cabin has always been far nicer and better equipped. But two things still remain to be seen.

1. Suspension tune. Kushaq suspension is best in class, while present Seltos is just too stiff. Kia might soften it a touch, make it similar to Creta. Still, Kushaq is better than Creta. Rides better, handles better, remains FLAT at speed.

2. Safety. Kushaq is best in class, again. Full 5 stars, backed by 6 years anti corrosion warranty and from a company which has a good record on safety. Do not expect any major changes in Seltos in this regard, for they are only launching a facelift. Structural changes are not expected.

If safety is an important agenda and you do a lot of highway running, I suggest you pick the Kushaq 1.5 DSG. From the priorities you listed, safety and suspension go to Skoda, while performance is more or less a draw.

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

It has been only a few km since the parts have been replaced but I can feel a big difference while driving the car.

BHPian ashis89 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Clutch and Brakes Overhaul

I had been experiencing clutch chattering at times. During the last two services, the service advisor had confirmed that the clutch would need replacement but I should use it some more. During the last trip, I felt the clutch slipping at times and decided to replace it.

During long, high-speed runs, I noticed that the brakes vibrated under hard braking because of disc warping. While the braking was still very good, the vibration was irritating. So I decided to replace the front discs as well. The pads had a lot of life left but had to replace them as well.

All that ended up costing a neat sum of Rs 56,876 - the highest I have spent on the Coyote so far. That's almost Re.1/km on brakes and clutch.

That's 50k worth of parts and 7k worth of labor costs

I called up my SA Prashanth at Epitome KIA and asked him for an inventory check of the parts. He confirmed the next day that they have stock but suggested I give the car on May 2 so it doesn't get held due to the holidays. Booked an appointment for May 2 including a pick up and drop. The logistics were smooth and they sent the drivers only when I was available at home. I got regular updates and photos from Prashanth. He also got the evaporator coil cleaned to address the recurring musty smell that I get. The car was ready by the 3rd evening but I asked them to send it on the 4th.

At the time of pick-up

The old parts packed in the boxes, placed in the boot and returned to me

Clutch plate

Pressure plate

Release bearing

Flywheel

Front disc

Brake pads had a lot of life left

Looking at the condition of the discs, pads and flywheel, I could have opted to skim the former and not replace the latter. But they would need attention at a later point. With this replacement, the brakes and clutch shouldn't need any attention for another 50-60k km.

I had been driving regularly and got used to the heavy pedal, the stiff gear lever and jerky shifts. I have driven only a few kms post the replacement but the difference is stark - the pedal is super light now, shifts are seamless and the reverse gear falls into place smoothly.

Kia spares are expensive - 15.5k for the flywheel, 8k for the release bearing and 9.5k for the clutch kit. Add labor and one ends up spending ~45k on the overhaul. If one replaces the clutch set 3 times in the car's lifetime, they could pay equal money upfront ~1.4L to upgrade to the TC AT variant.

PS: I would have spent less than 7k (labor cost in the above KIA bill) on the full clutch overhaul of my WagonR. It is running on OE clutch till date.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The bike must have fallen on the car and someone just picked it up and ran away.

BHPian bluevolt recently shred this with other enthusiasts.

I want to share an incident that happened with my car and seek advice for the next steps.

My car (Kia Seltos), parked in my allotted parking, has been severely damaged by a bike parked adjacent to it. I notice the damage during my night walk (at 11.10 pm) today.

The bike must have fallen on the car and someone just picked it up and ran away. Please find photos of the damage attached.

Upon finding this, I called the guard at the tower and asked him to bring the owner of the bike along. But as per the guard, no one opened the gate of the flat even after 5-7 rings of the bell. After this, the main gate security was called. The supervisor came to the parking to see the damage. He checked the bike and it was found that the bike was on the side stand, with a punctured tyre, totally imbalanced and someone just made it fall on my car. As per the supervisor, the owner did not answer the phone.

Please advise me on the next steps to take. Should I call the police in the morning if the owner is still not reachable or does not accept his fault? How should I manage this damage? Get it done through insurance or at an outside workshop. My car is 3 years old and I haven't claimed insurance yet.

I have written an e-mail to the society maintenance office for action highlighting the below points:

• The parking next to mine is an empty space and besides that, it belongs to another flat. Hence, this bike is wrongly parked next to my parking spot. This has damaged my car badly due to the negligence of the owner in the first place.
• I have asked the security to scan the CCTV footage in the parking area to identify who caused the damage. If it is some other person who made the bike fall, he/she should be identified at the earliest and action should be taken against them. I parked my car at 2 pm in the slot in perfect condition and I saw it damaged at 11.10 pm during my night walk.
• The guard on duty at the tower prior to 8 pm must be called and interrogated - why he did not check the parking? When the bike would have fallen, it must have caused a loud noise and the guard must be attentive enough to check the incident in the first place. The car itself is parked close to the lift lobby.
• Even If the bike had fallen due to some other person, the owner of the bike will still be held liable for damage as it is his responsibility that the vehicle is in a stable condition when parked so that it doesn't fall on another vehicle.
• This is a clear case of unorganised bike parking near the designated parking slots of the owner. I have asked for immediate action to be taken to remove wrongly parked bikes near the designated parking spaces of others. Bike/scooter owners must be directed to park in their assigned slots, where they park their own cars so that their two-wheelers cause damage to their cars in case of a fall and not to others' property.

Here's what BHPian self_driven had to say on the matter:

I know it's heartbreaking for a car owner but police action for such trivial issues is really not worth it. Rather what you can do is make enough noise so that RWA members and security take a note of it and such accidents can be prevented in the future.

Check the CCTV footage. If the bike fell down on its own (which is owner's negligence), get your car repaired under insurance or otherwise and ask the bike owner to pay for damages.

If some kiddos or a third person did it, which is more likely to be the case, I doubt there's much you can do. Get it repaired and move on with life.

Here's what BHPian bblost had to say on the matter:

It will be impossible to pin the liability on the RWA. They will have some board or notice that will say parking at owners risk.

Your best bet is to hope that there is a CCTV that captured this and the person is a resident.

Additionally that that resident is a decent person who accepts his mistake.

Here's what BHPian am1m had to say on the matter:

Don't even think about involving the cops for this small damage. I understand how this feels to a car owner who loves his vehicle, but getting the cops involved will make things far worse. If you're lucky, they will refuse to get involved seeing the minor damage. If you are unlucky, they will use it as an excuse to extract money from both you and the person you are making the complaint about!]

Even about the other person accepting blame, it's going to be a matter of luck. If you are lucky, they will do the decent thing. But mentally prepare yourself that they won't. Get it repaired, move on. Certainly lodge it as an issue with the RWA. Whatever you do, don't continuously try and seek out the other party. Offense is the best form of defense and people who are wrong often get aggressive to cover their mistake. They might file a harassment complaint against you and that is certainly something the cops are more likely to act on!

Here's what BHPian TwentyDeewar had to say on the matter:

Agree with the opinion of folks on this thread.

I had a similar experience a couple of years ago when an overhead pipe came apart and fell on my car's roof and bonnet in the designated parking slot. I initially tried to take the path you want to go down on -> Managed to get CCTV evidence and tried to pin the fault on poor maintenance. Realised that the amount of time I was spending on this vs the benefit was just not worth it. I got the car repaired and moved on (that's what insurance is for). I just ensured that the pipe repair work was done properly so that it doesn't happen again.

I understand how you must be feeling, but its probably best to repair the car and move on. I think you have already brought it to the notice of the right folks, and a good win for you would be if the bike's owner is more careful in the future about how he parks and/or moves the bike away to a different slot.

Here's what BHPian  sumeethaldankar had to say on the matter:

Kindly claim insurance and get it fixed. The whole purpose of the insurance is for such things. Since no damage to life was done involving police is of no use, they will probably make you sit at the station for hours waiting till you change your mind of filing a complaint. A common tactic used by cops to have minimum people file reports etc.

The society could co-operate and provide you CCTV footage, hopefully the owner will come forward. Since you have already sent an email you could request the society to take positive action and desist wrong parking in designated areas and fine fellow society members for such violations.

In a society I visit vehicles parked wrong are clamped and the owner fined for such acts.

Here's what BHPian Hayek had to sy on the matter:

Don’t think you can prove who caused the damage to your car. Even if the bike fell, it’s an accident. Except if it was deliberate and malicious damage, you need to bear this cost your self - whether through your insurance or out of pocket is your call. Such things happen everywhere in the world - which is why you have insurance.

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