Cars in consideration are including but not limited to the Kia Sonet, Hyundai Venue, Kia Seltos and the MG Astor.

BHPian Lord_Cheezus recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I am new here and am here to pick your brains to help me buy my first car in Bangalore! I have come here because after doing my research I am super confused and want some opinions from the veterans who have been doing it for quite a while. I did go through some past posts but I didn't find anything relevant to my requirements/options.

A little about me

I am a 28 year old single man working as the Regional Director in a leading Digital Marketing firm of the country. Currently I stay 4kms away from office and I plan to be married next year so I might move to my own apartment which could be max 10kms away from office, so the whole trip could be 20kms.

Car usage and buying factors

I am looking to have a vehicle that has good features to make life easier and also a car that has a great look/road presence. Apart from the office trips of 10 to 20 kms daily, I am also looking at exploring nearby areas in Bangalore on the weekends, so adding 300 kms occasionally each month. So a total usage of around 500-700 kms per month maximum.

Budget and Cars Considered

I am definitely more leaned towards SUVs or the bigger looking vehicles over Sedans and Hatchbacks.

My budget is 12-14 Lacs on road price. I can stretch by 1 Lac if I am convinced that it is worth it and I am also open to buying pre-owned cars if someone has a good recommendation or past experience. I am open to Diesel or Petrol and Manual or Automatic.

What catches my attention in a car is having a good touchscreen with GPS, sunroof, driving automations and good looking interiors apart from mileage etc.

• Hyundai Venue

• MG Astor: Really love the features, the automations and the interiors but the model that falls in my budget does not offer a panoramic sunroof :(

• Renault Duster: I like the road presence and was always fascinated by it as a kid but it lacks features and interiors don't look that premium I guess

• Kia Sonet

• Kia Seltos

• Tata Harrier (Used)

It would be great if you can weigh in and help me figure out what car and model/make would be best suited for me. Thank you for reading my post and I look forward to some positive responses.

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

Go for the Automatic. A year or two down the line if the Missus decides to take over the wheel, it's a far easier transition. In that sense, 14L is a very painful spot to be right now. 8L - 10L budget people can go buy fully loaded with an AMT and feel they got value. 17L-18L people can buy a proper CVT / DSG / DCT and be satisfied with it. Whereas 12-14L budget gives one a proper AT gearbox or loaded features with AMT but not both. Trust me, I'm hunting for one as well in this price range.

Kiger & Magnite fall bang in the price range, but the 1L turbo engine (turbo lag in city, FE) & Interiors (Magnite) is a downer. I would not dare touch a DCT/DSG for our driving conditions, let alone a Hyundai / Kia made one. Honda Jazz fits the bill, but too long in the tooth and the 1.2L NA engine is not a spirited performer either. Considering the new Brezza being priced into the stratosphere & MG being MG, I feel 5th Gen Honda City VX is the most VFM vehicle out there. A free revving 1.5L iVtec, CVT and loaded with features even from the base V variant.

Realistic options (with limitations) are:

1. City 5th Gen AT (17.5 L OTR for VX)

2. Kiger/ Magnite (No sunroof)

3. Jazz (Lethargic engine, dated)

4. Maruti Ciaz (No sunroof, dated 4 speed CVT)

5. Sonet / Venue (iMT or DCT)

6. Brezza (overpriced IMHO)

7. Altroz (DCT, TATA ASS)

8. MG Astor (fairly new, China)

If you decide to go for the Manual, it opens up a plethora of options but again AT has become a creature comfort especially in the mad cap Bangalore traffic

Hope this helps

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

Welcome to the T-bhp community!

Looking at your current and prospective usage, here are my suggestions:

• the car has to be a PETROL as your daily usage is hardly ever going to let you derive the FE benefits of a diesel. Plus, a petrol is much more refined and easier to drive in the city traffic. Considering that petrol and diesel prices are almost at par, it will take you a while in breaking even the initial premium you will pay for the diesel, hence petrol it should be.

• since majority of your drive is going to be in the city and looking at the way our city roads are exploding with traffic, you "must" consider an AUTOMATIC transmission. It's a boon in city traffic. Unless you're an enthusiast who's really addicted to manuals, automatic will serve you very well.

• if you can stretch your budget slightly, check out the Hyundai Creta. It ticks all the boxes of your requirements quite perfectly!

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

Venue/sonet/Astor in there petrol automatic trims would be ideal for your usage case IMO. Venue has recieved a fresh facelift . I believe venue SX optional turbo dct would be around 15.5 lakh on road there which is fully feature packed(alongwith sunroof). If you are comfortable you can consider it's iMT variant too.

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

My suggestion is the Honda City 4th Gen manual comes to around Rs 11.76L OTR where I live and it's a gem of a car. Though a generation old it's got it's fundamentals right: Driving Pleasure, Fuel Efficiency, Seat Comfort a large boot, etc...

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

In 2022, the Seltos became the fastest SUV to reach the 3 lakh sales milestone.

Kia India is celebrating the completion of three years since the launch of the Seltos. Introduced on August 22, 2019, it was the brand’s first product for the Indian market.

In 2022, the Seltos became the fastest SUV to reach the 3 lakh sales milestone, allowing the brand to retain its position among the top 5 carmakers in the country. The first 1 lakh units were sold by August 2020.

Since this month, Kia started offering 6 airbags as standard on the Seltos. In September 2021, the carmaker introduced the 'X Line' trim finished in Matte Graphite exterior colour and 18-inch Matte Graphite alloy wheels.

The Kia Seltos comes with 1.5-litre petrol, 1.4-litre turbo-petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel engine options. Transmission choices include a 6-speed manual, 6-speed iMT, 6-speed automatic and a 7-speed DCT.

Aftermarket shop owners are saying that they can do it without affecting the airbag sensor.

BHPian mayank612722 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I am looking for airbag compliant seat covers for Kia Seltos HTK Plus Diesel IMT. Looked at many posts on the forum but this topic is vaguely covered which is why, I am unable to reach a conclusion. Would be great help if someone who has installed them on their car could point me in the correct direction.

Note:

Kia dealership advising against putting seat cover.

Aftermarket shop owners are saying that they can do it without affecting the airbag sensor but this post has me worried.

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

In critical areas (airbags, brake modifications etc.), I don't trust the after-market at all. Avoid seat covers. There are some upholstery vendors who will change the seat fabric / leather, but avoid them as well if your car has seat airbags.

OEM seats are pretty good, be it cloth or leather. In the last 20 years, I haven't installed seat covers in any of my cars.

Here's what BHPian SS-Traveller had to say on the matter:

The short and sweet advice would be: DO NOT install ANY seat cover.

Airbag compliant seat covers are supposed to have specially treated (weak) stitching at the point where the airbag deploys, to enable the airbag to rip through the stitching when it explodes. However, you can never be sure whether the stitching will work as intended. The original seat stitching has been specially made and tested to rip off the stitching on airbag explosive deployment, but who can test & guarantee the quality of stitching in an after-market accessory seat cover?

Here's what BHPian nik0502 had to say on the matter:

Even I am looking for seat covers for my Ecosport Titanium AT, however as mentioned by SS - Traveller & GTO I am not comfortable with the aftermarket seat covers claiming to be airbags friendly( the ones where accessories shop claims the stitching is weak). I bought this variant specially for six airbags and I wouldn’t take that risk of using seat covers which would leave airbags useless. However there are another type of seat covers in which the sides of the seats are left open. I am thinking about installing them. You may look for the same.

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

Avoid if possible. The Nexa guys had offered me Suzuki approved seat covers as an optional accessory for my 2022 Baleno (Alpha). I had declined as I don't want to take any chances.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Majority of Kia Seltos customers chose the HTX Petrol variant.

Kia has announced that it has sold over 3 lakh units of Seltos in less than 3-years. The carmaker claims to have achieved this feat in record time.

The Seltos is the most popular model in Kia India's line-up, accounting for almost 60% of its total sales. The company has also exported 1,03,033 units of the Seltos to more than 91 countries till date.

According to Kia, 58% of the Seltos sales came from its top variants, while majority of Kia customers chose the HTX Petrol variant. The automatic versions contributed around 25%, and 1 out of 10 Seltos buyers opted for the iMT clutchless manual transmission. Also, around 46% of the customers preferred the diesel variants of the Seltos.

The Kia Seltos is offered with three engine options. These include a 1.5-litre petrol, 1.4-litre turbo-petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel engine. Earlier this month, the SUV was upgraded with 6 airbags and rear disc brakes, which now come as standard.

I also wanted the door pads to be cushioned but found out that Kia doesn't provide any "gaps" in the panels to insert the fabric.

BHPian ashis89 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

As the car approaches the 3-year mark, some changes were in order. So I got new seat covers and while at it, I got a new set of floor mats as well (the current ones were difficult to clean). Got a leather steering cover too. The gray color was chosen to compliment the gray elements on the dashboard and yes, the gray Coyote.

I posted the details here

A look at those stripped-down interiors made me rethink my decision for seat covers so I didn't look further until the seats were back. Since the 7D mats were to be installed, I had to get the interiors vacuumed nearby. I had requested for full body water wash but had to bail out due to the waiting time.

I was very happy with the seats and started driving back home. But Google maps had other plans. Not too familiar with the roads in South Bangalore, I was blindly following my guide. And that bugger, instead of taking me through good wide roads, chose a lane where 2 autos can cross each other only when ridden carefully. And that bugger probably found many gullible guys like me - the lane had bikers, cars, pick-ups, a minibus and whatnot. Spent good 30 minutes stuck in the deadlock. And to get things moving, I crawled through some very tight situations, had to climb onto the footpath, doorstep and more to come out of it.

Now, need to find time to get the car washed properly.

I wanted the door pads to be cushioned as well but Shiva confirmed that it is not possible as KIA doesn't provide any "gap" in the panels for them to insert the fabric. That was a big disappointment for me. I had already checked at the dealership if those pads are available separately but they aren't. I need to replace the whole door panels - expensive and overkill. Let's see if I can find any other solution for this.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The base price of the Seltos has now been raised by Rs. 30,000.

The Kia Seltos now gets 6 airbags and rear disc brakes as standard across all variants. The base price of the SUV has now been raised by Rs. 30,000. Prices now start at Rs. 10.49 lakh (ex-showroom).

The Seltos also comes equipped with Electronic Stability Control, Hill Assist Control, Vehicle Stability Management, ABS with EBD and Brake Assist and a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System. Kia also offers front parking sensors and a 360-degree camera on select variants.

On the inside, the Seltos gets a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with an 8-speaker Bose sound system, power adjustable driver’s seat, ventilated front seats, ambient lighting, head-up display and electric sunroof among other features.

No mechanical changes have been made and the SUV continues to use the same of set of engines as before. These include a 1.5-litre petrol, 1.4-litre turbo-petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel engine.

Besides my own search, the idea of the thread also is to help fellow Bhpians looking for similar vehicles to select based on observations shared here.

BHPian poitive recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hi Folks,

Replacing the Optra Magnum after a decade of fruitful ownership. 'Finally' some might say. After having ‘Driven’ a few, seeking views from fellow mates for ‘Choosing' a vehicle.

Briefly: Being a well built guy with some recent back-issues, need a high vehicle with easy ingress+egress, a lot of headroom, legroom and foot-room. Am much inclined towards a torquey diesel. Fun to drive, though much desired comfort for the back is more important. Ideally of course have both. Budget reluctantly stretched it to about 20L OTR. 22L is a stretch to not rule out the Jeep Compass

Test Drive Reports + Thoughts below:

• Kia Seltos
• Tata Harrier / Safari
• MG Hector / Hector Plus
• Jeep Compass
• Mahindra XUV700 (NOT a TD - thoughts and questions) - EDIT: Test Drive report now added
• Nissan Kicks 1.3 Turbo

If I test drive more, shall report below.

Besides my own search, the idea of the thread also is to help fellow T-Bhpians looking for similar vehicles to select based on observations and drives shared here.

Some background/intro:

The last time I sought help from mates for selecting a car, was overwhelmed by the affection, camaraderie and interest. While the decision got made in about 12 pages, the thread became a more general thread and had 700 posts in 4 months, and became the first thread in What Car-Sedans section to cross over one lakh views. That was a decade ago.

Links:

Main What-Car thread

Sister Thread

Ownership thread

Details of Needs and Wants:

• Intend to keep the vehicle for long. Say 9-10 years if it holds up well.
• Need a spacious vehicle. Am bigly built.
• A comfortable seat
• Lots of headroom
• Ample legroom
• Decent space in the foot-well, ideally with a dead-pedal.
• Convenient ingress+egress is important. To be easily slide onto the seat is highly desired, hence focused on an SUV.
• A mix of self and chauffeur driven. It will typically have 1-2 people in the car.
• Monthly usage is highly uncertain. Could well be a few hundred a month, or even 2000kms odd kms a month.
• Mainly city usage. Could well have ample city-suburb use which includes expressways. Within the city too, less of bumper to bumper and more of free roads travel. Unlikely to have much highway use, but want to be prepared in case it is to be used such
• An Airy cabin is much preferred.
• Features and Gizmos are not a focus, though don’t hurt. I’d any day prefer a better suspension (ride+handling) to the bling-gizmos.
• Quite dislike the idea of an automatic, so am only considering Manual Transmission. It just feels natural, enjoyable and intuitive to me.
• Due to what I’ve been used (about 230Nm/tonne) to and enjoyed, and also potential use, have only focused on diesel till now.
• Budget: started with about 14-15 in mind while exploring, but have reached about 20L OTR. Very unhappy to extend beyond that. While I have already paid a booking amount and am frustrated with the wait, I am willing/considering a change. To avoid bias and keep views flowing freely, let us ignore that a booking has been made - at least for now.

Please share your thoughts

I like my car to be low slung, with a good independent suspension as the Optra Magnum had. Really enjoyed that finely tuned independent multi-link suspension and how it gave a wonderful ride, yet was an extremely well controlled car. Not as quick to react to steering inputs as it’s lighter and firm-suspension rivals might be, but a little anticipation took care of that. I have gotten spoilt with that. Got that for a bit over 9 lakhs about a decade ago – a lot of car for the money, and almost no bling.

It also had amongst the highest torque to weight ratios up to cars four times the price! (IIRC only the BMW 3 series, and perhaps one more had a higher ratio) So, been used to that sort of pulling power from a low RPM. It spoils you.

We usually try to spend as per our need, than splurge much on cars. Many other hobbies and expenses to take care of  If something of immense value comes up, one is willing to look at it.

With the above, you might ask: Why an SUV?

• As much as I like cars with a low centre of gravity, it causes the following issues in my case:
• Ingress+egress: It becomes an issue. That is my only major gripe with the Optra Magnum. A crossover or an SUV takes care of that aspect. I couldn’t think of a crossover appealing enough. Some back issues, which just might be transient in nature, made me think that I don’t want to commit to a vehicle I intend to keep for several years, and might trouble my back.
• Headroom: With a change in car design styles, roof lines usually taper down significantly, and there is insufficient headroom, especially at the rear seat. With my height and body proportions, my head almost touches the ceiling of a Passat, can’t sit in a Cruze or Vento – so you get the idea. In some cars, I even have a bit of an issue on the front seat, but that is rare.

The Hunt Begins:

Being extremely cautious about the pandemic (especially considering older members of the family), tried to minimize the test drives. Saw tonnes of youtube videos, pictures, stats, and of course T-bhp to narrow down things.

Trying to keep finances in check, especially after the big pandemic hit, casually started with what was priced around the Optra Magnum then – a Honda City. So a budget of about 12-14 odd lakhs OTR, I thought.

Honda City: Since it is a bit taller than the typical sedan (certainly as compared to the Optra), and have not really struggled with ingress-egress, considered it. Didn’t specifically try it, but have spent ample time in it’s various avatars to have a general idea. Somehow, despite good finish and features, and a much talked about engine, it really felt a big step down from the Optra Magnum in terms of driving pleasure and confidence. The steadiness, composure and torque of the Optra was not to be expected.

Vehicles considered:

• Mahindra XUV300: 2600 wheelbase on a budget

Status: Did not test. Others felt more appropriate.

• Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos: Much talked about and good reviews. Appropriate budget.

Status: Seltos Test Driven. Impressions below.

• Tata Harrier/ Tata Safari: Spacious with trims in an acceptable budget.

Status: Test Driven. Impressions below

• MG Hector/ MG Hector Plus: Despite talk of unimpressive handling, was an obvious consideration for a spacious SUV. 2750mm wheelbase.

Status: Test Driven. Impressions below

• Mahindra XUV700: Besides the badge, checked many of the boxes. Especially a multi-link suspension and the frequency sensing dampers.

Status: Not yet test driven. Studied a fair bit on the net including Youtube videos for space etc. Shared impressions based on that below.

• Volkswagen Taigun and Skoda Kushaq: Look impressive. Wheelbase of 2651 yet compact enough for city use.

Status: Not test driven. Mainly because there is no diesel engine.

• Jeep Compass (Base Model – Sport): Ticked many boxes, especially driving pleasure.

Status: Test Driven. Impressions below. Stretches budget beyond comfort.

Quickly dismissed:

• Toyota Innova Crysta: Personal discomfort to Van/MPV look, Extra life over 10 years less meaningful. Too large for city use?

• Hyundai Elantra: Diesel is only 1.5 litre, petrol at 2.0 likely to have low FE. Form factor (not high enough for easy ingress-egress?)

• Mahindra Thar/Force Gurkha: Very appealing to the heart, but only 2 door. Seemed impractical for daily use, especially when being chauffeured.

• Mahindra Scorpio: Felt dated, without requisite positive to compensate. Hadn’t liked it when I had driven the old versions (drive wasn’t confidence inspiring enough)
• Tata Nexon, Maruti Brezza etc : Wheelbase less than 2600mm. Imagine them to be cramped, especially in the rear. Other better options in the list.

Continue reading BHPian poitive's detailed analysis on the best SUV to buy below the 22L mark for more insights and information.

My love affair with Michelin started when I switched to them in my Fiesta TDCi with a 195/60/R 14 back in 2006.

BHPian Bibendum90949 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I had switched to the very same set up mentioned here on day 2 after taking delivery of my Seltos, a diesel mill with AT box.

The tyre upgrade and upsize is something which I religiously do whenever new cars are bought and it's always been Michelins for me since 2006. My love affair with Michelins started when I switched to them in my Fiesta TDCi with a 195/60/R 14 back in 2006. Boy, how it transformed an already brilliant handler was a revelation of sorts.

Coming back to the Seltos, it was clear during my test drives that the stock Good Year Assurances had to go as soon as I get the car. Few months later when I happened to drive my friends' Seltoses with stock tyres, I could make out the massive difference in the comfort, grip and the much improved ride quality and the enormous confidence these wider Michelins provide on Seltos. I feel even the steering feels a tad heavier to my liking with these tyres.

It's a 100% worthwhile upgrade for the Seltos and worth every penny. Also glad to know, Michelin stocks are slowly coming back into the market. When the import restrictions and the resultant short supplies were at it's peak, I had to frantically hunt for a fifth tyre since I had only bought four of them during the upgrade. Eventually, I managed to find one and had to pay through the nose, was billed at ₹16,300/- including warranty.

Here's the Michelin Man(bibendum) adorning my dash and few pictures of my Seltos with the Michelins, 235/55/R 17.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

I'm stuck on the engine power/torque because I drive a 1.6 L Vento which is super fun to drive and hugs the road when cornering uphill at even 60/70 kmph.

BHPian Aj346 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Good day all,

Would sincerely appreciate advice as per below. The confusion just gets worse each time I research more and into more options. At times, I prefer the old automobile scene where there was no choice.

Been looking to buy a new car as my sedan is too low for most roads in Goa, where I have recently relocated to. My primary options are the Nexon, Brezza & the Sonet. Also test drove the Kia Carens but found it too under powered, 2nd gear was not up to the task of going uphill at slow speeds, had to even down shift to 1st when going over a speed-breaker slowly. The sales person admitted to this aspect. Thus ruled out.

The XL6 though a lot more spacious than the Brezza, was marginally under powered for highway driving but is still in the mix but not a favourite.

The Nexon drove the best, overtaking was good and could climb slopes satisfactorily. Only negative was the poor legroom in the back seat. Drove the XZ+ variant.

The Brezza though not best in any segment, mileage was the best overall, roomy feeling because of good headroom as compared to the Nexon and WR-V.

I'm stuck on the engine power/torque because I drive a 1.6 L Vento which is super fun to drive and hugs the road when cornering uphill at even 60/70 kmph. However, I need to move to smaller car with more ground clearance.

Kindly advice between the Nexon XZ+ and the Brezza ZXi or wait for the Hyryder lower variants. Do not wish to spend more than 13L for now as I eventually want to shift to an EV in 4/5 years.

Thanks,

Ajay.

Here's what BHPian Racer911 had to say on the matter:

If you're moving from the Vento especially the 1.6, I'd strongly advise the Tata Nexon as it has the best driving dynamics among the lot and the most mature suspension setup to go over rough roads and ditches. This is not based on reading 500 reviews online, but my personal observation when test driving cars for my sister's purchase. The Tata Nexon was the first Tata car I ever drove and was actually quite impressed. This is the first time I found the suspension setup of a non European car very satisfactory especially for its price segment. Its definitely better than the Hyundais and Kias, and if not better definitely at par with the current gen VWs, though the suspension setups of the 2nd and 3rd gen VW's are nothing to boast about. You'd know what I mean if you've been driving the 1.6 and ever drove the current 1.5 version.

PS: Can't say strongly but why not at least consider the Kushaq and Taigun. I haven't driven them or even seen the Taigun in the flesh but I feel they're definitely worth a look.

Here's what BHPian Roadster101 had to say on the matter:

Why not S-Cross?

• Reliable - check
• Excellent ride quality - check
• Wide dealer network - check
• Availability of spares - check
• Decent ground clearance - check
• Under your specified budget - check

Its bigger than the options you are considering at almost the same price. It might not be fancy and completely up to date like newer generation cars but its still got the basics right and the engine drives like a charm. I strongly urge you to consider the S-Cross over a Brezza or a Nexon.

Happy hunting.

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

If your driving is mainly going to be in the city and "build quality" is not very high on your priority list, which I think you will immediately relate to when compared to your Vento, Sonet fits the bill quite well for you. Having said that, long waiting period could be a bummer!

On the other hand, Tata Nexon is an excellent package overall but it wouldn't hurt to check out the VW twins - Taigun and Kushaq. Who knows you might as well fall for one of them and stretch your budget. 4/5 years is still a reasonable period of time to enjoy your new car before you go for an EV.

Here's what BHPian itsmeparvathy9 had to say on the matter:

Considering the fact that you are planning on selling your car and moving on to an EV in the next 5 years, I would like to propose the following:

Maruti Suzuki S-Cross:

You get the Zeta manual under 12 lakhs on-road in Goa and as iterated earlier has excellent ride quality, wide dealership network, decent ground clearance and is a reliable car on the whole. Although looks are subjective, it does have a crossover stance. Moreover, it is going to be replaced by the Grand Vitara in the Suzuki lineup. However, if you don't mind these, you can go for it.

Mahindra XUV300:

You have options of both petrol and diesel with the Mahindra XUV300 just like with the Tata Nexon and the Kia Sonet. Both engines are powerful and have enough torque on tap.
Boot space is the major concern here at just 257 litres, but the car is spacious and has the longest wheelbase among sub 4 metre SUVs.

Kia Sonet:

The Kia Sonet gives you many engine and gearbox options to choose from, the car although has limited rear space excels in everything else and is an all-round performer.
Be ir class leading boot, High Ground clearance, fit and finish of the cabin and 4 airbags as standard. The HTX 1.0 IMT, the HTX 1.5 Diesel and even the HTX 1.0 DCT can all be considered and are priced in the ballpark of around 13 lakhs.

Hyundai Venue:

Similar to the Kia Sonet in terms of engine and gearbox combinations, if the styling appeals to you, you may consider the Venue over the Sonet.

Tata Nexon:

The Tata Nexon is one of the favourites in the segment and has both petrol and diesel engine options. It has all necessary features, 5-star safety, enough space in the cabin, excellent Ground clearance, what more could you ask for.

If you want a bigger car for less money, the S-Cross would be my pick, if you want an automatic, the Sonet is the winner here. If you want space and comfort, 5-star safety the Nexon would be the better choice followed by the XUV300.

The Hyryder/Grand Vitara's pricing is yet to be revealed. so, can't comment but considering its heavier than the Brezza with the same engine, power to weight ratio would be less.

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

IMHO the XUV300 petrol which is priced 10 lakhs on road or lesser in few states in it's base trim is the best choice, as the same is a delight to drive both in its petrol and diesel avatars and justifies your need for performance and ground clearance.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Michelins have not only inspired confidence, but are also helping in putting down the power much better on one of the least preferred road construction types for the enthusiasts.

BHPian karan561 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Update:

New tyres (Upsized):

A very exciting update and an upgrade which I wanted to do since the time I bought the car is finally done:

Michelin Primacy 4ST Tyres (Size 235/55 R17):

These are Feb 2022 manufactured and were installed couple of months back (May 2022).

Installation was done at Super Tyres' new workshop in Mulund West:

Here's a pic of the TPMS:

The immediate difference is the looks & overall aggressive stance, here's a comparo with the OE 215's on the left:

Kindly note this upsize has a diameter variance of only 0.07%:

Ride quality:

This is where most of the improvements have been noticed. Michelins have truly transformed the ride of the Seltos. I correctly remember the ride of the OE Good Years (When New) and it was nowhere close to what these are when new, hence its definitely not a case of just new rubber v/s old. Overall the Michelin compound is soft (& should remain soft longer knowing Michelin). For Seltos owners who need more comfort and don't want to downsize the rims then this setup will surely satisfy you.

Highway performance:

The Seltos was always a great handling car, thanks to the overall tuning of the suspension (being on the stiff side), chassis & also the drive modes which gave good steering feel when in Sport Mode. Now with this upsize & great rubber has unlocked that hidden potential of this Kia. I'd like to discuss the improvements as under:

Highway driving on concrete roads (Like in this case Mum-Pune Expressway):

Substantial improvements on this surface as the older Good Years were losing grip and a lot of careful acceleration was required because of the choppy nature of the earlier tyres. Michelins have not only inspired confidence but also helping in putting down the power much better on one of the least preferred road construction types for the enthusiasts.

Highway driving on tar roads:

Excellent performance on this road surface. The braking performance has also enhanced. The car is most enjoyable now with the upgraded setup on this road type.

Driving on mountain/ghat roads:

More than the rubber quality, the upsize has come into play to aid better handling performance & reduced understeer in the twisties.

Driving in the wet:

Its the 1st Monsoon for the new tyres and so far its been a great feeling with this upsize. This Setup is also a psychologically boost on wet roads.

Fuel economy:

To those concerned before it turns into a FAQ let me address that the FE is all related to the way you drive. Hence even though technically the fuel economy should reduce marginally but if driven well the Seltos 1.4 Turbo DCT can still be economical. Like in the above case I was able to get 19.4 km/l with controlled cruising at highway speeds on these upsized tyres.

Conclusive thoughts:

This upgrade was done when the odometer reading was just under 23k kms. Even though the OE Good Years' had about 50% life left in them but I went ahead with this upsize as I could not resist waiting any further to explore the handling & ride benefits. My above thoughts are based on driving about 1500 kms on this new upsized setup.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.