The SUV is likely to powered by a 1.6-litre petrol-hybrid from the Kia Niro.

According to a media report, Kia is likely to discontinue the diesel variants of the Seltos. It is expected to be replaced with a petrol-hybrid option.

The report states that the Seltos Hybrid will be offered with the same powertrain as the Kia Niro. It means the SUV will be powered by a 1.6-litre petrol engine paired with a parallel-hybrid system producing a combined output of 137 BHP @ 5,700 rpm and 264 Nm @ 4,000 rpm. The hybrid system features a 1.56 kWh lithium-ion battery that powers an AC electric motor that has an output of 42 BHP and 170 Nm.

In India, the Seltos is currently available with three engine options. These include a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol producing 113 BHP and 144 Nm, a 1.4-litre turbo-petrol that makes 138 BHP and 242 Nm and a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder diesel that produces 113 BHP and 250 Nm.

In the international market, the hybrid variant is likely to be introduced on the Seltos facelift that is due for launch sometime this year.

Source: The Korean Car Blog

Clean lines of the Taigun will leave lasting impressions. It is like the Polo GT of hatchbacks. Seltos is more like the Swift.

BHPian CkmGowda recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Background: My Nissan Terrano will be completing 8 years in a few weeks. I am considering to buy a new SUV using the company lease option.

Budget: Upper limit of my company lease plan is 22 lakhs on road (Bangalore). This will include Ex showroom price + registration charges + insurance + TCS.

Usage: My usage will be around 2000 km per month. Around 600 km in Bangalore city and 1400 Km on highway (Bangalore to Chikmagalur). Occasionally to Mangalore.

Requirements:

• Great to drive.
• Automatic transmission.
• Useful modern-day features.
• Safe Car.
• Good looks.
• Good mileage.
• Good ground clearance (hilly area drives).
• Good resale value (I am planning to see in 3 or 4 years after the lease plan ends).
• Good boot space (Terrano spoilt us).
• No nonsense service and maintenance.

I have finalized two cars which will closely meet my requirements – Taigun GT plus and Seltos GTX Plus.

Drive: Both are good at ride and handling, but Taigun feels little better. It also feels quick for overtaking. NVH is also better in Taigun (because of the petrol engine). Seltos has better seating position (sitting high).

Transmission: Both automatic transmissions are good, but Taigun is little better in Sport mode.

Features: Seltos wins hands down. In addition to everything that the Taigun offers, the Seltos has:

• 360-degree camera.
• Blind View Monitor.
• Bose audio system with 8 speakers.
• Ventilated and powered seats.
• Heads Up Display (HUD).
• LED fog lamps.
• Auto headlamps.
• Driver One Touch Auto up/ down with Anti Pinch function.
• Rear door sunshade curtain.
• Rain sensing wipers.
• All 4-disc brakes.
• All black sport interiors.

Safe Car: Although the Taigun is not NCAP rated, I am assuming it to be better than the Seltos given its history of making solid (safe?) cars.

Looks: Looks are subjective, but the Taigun GT wins hands down (personal preference). There is simply no car which matches the class and elegance of the Taigun under 25 lakhs (considering average price of the Jeep Compass is above 25 lakh). Not saying that the Seltos is less of a looker, but it falls into the mass category. Clean lines of the Taigun will leave lasting impressions. It is like the Polo GT of hatchbacks. Seltos is more like the  Swift.

Mileage and running costs: Here the Seltos come out as the winner. Yearly saving of 50k on fuel expenses alone.

Ground Clearance: No significant difference here (190 mm of Seltos vs 188 mm of Taigun).

Resale: I have a feeling the Seltos will be better here.

Good boot space: The Seltos has better boot space on paper, but I felt the Taigun will hold more luggage in real. Taigun boot space is deep.

Service and maintenance: Although the Hyundai group has better track record, I am willing to believe VW’s commitment on improving service and maintenance experience for Indian customers.

Wildcard: If the Work from Home continues, I am willing to wait till Q2 2022 for the all new Scorpio.

What do you all think?

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

Picking a car today has one major factor - delivery times. I don't know which one of these is available for delivery as per your requirements.

Second is price. And then servicing availability in your area.

My take regarding the features:

• 360-degree camera - not a must. But helpful.
• Blind View Monitor - Helpful.
• Bose audio system with 8 speakers - Good.
• Ventilated and powered seats - Good.
• Heads Up Display (HUD) - Good to have.
• LED fog lamps - not an advantage, exp if these are cool white..
• Auto headlamps - Good to have.
• Driver One Touch Auto up/ down with Anti Pinch function. Good to have.
• Rear Door Sun-Shade Curtain - Good to have.
• Rain sensing wipers - Good to have
• All 4-disc brakes - Not necessary. I have 4-disc brakes on my vehicle. But rear drum is sufficient.
• All black sport interiors - Personal choice.

Running costs: What you have mentioned is indicative. Actual numbers will be known after you start using it.

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

I just bought a Seltos DCT last month and so far I am satisfied as the whole package does add to the ownership experience, but I am not sure how many of those features I will use on a regular basis.

If you are looking at the Seltos, you may want to also consider 2 aspects (other than the safety which you already mentioned), which I also considered but still ended up buying it:

• It is a very common car. There is no exclusivity. While it is nice to buy a tried and tested product, but I would have preferred slightly more exclusivity.
• Facelift is long overdue. Since the car is selling so well, Kia is holding back on launching an update. They did one last year, but that was fairly limited. Consider the Creta as a comparison, they are going launch the 3rd variant (from the time Kia originally launched the Seltos) in India.

Looks are subjective. Honestly, I prefer the Seltos' SUV type body structure more (its not a true SUV, hence, play with the words) and it offers more in cabin space as well. With VW, I am just not sure what is the thought process they have in terms of launching and maintaining their product portfolio. They are quite abrupt in terms of discontinuing products (case in point, T-Roc, Karoq, Kodiaq, Taigun, which I can remember) or continuing with older gen products (Polo, Rapid, Vento selling forever).

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

No point considering the Seltos because of the crash test rating. All those feel good features aren’t saving anyone in a crash. 20 lakhs is a lot of money to compromise on safety, especially when there are other options available. I would say wait. You don’t need a new car asap so wait. Even if you got one home tomorrow ,with the rapid rise in cases you probably aren’t going to risk a long drive anywhere. By then there might be a better idea if the Taigun’s safety. Plus the new Scorpio and the 5 door Gurkha will be out. They might just give you the best of both the Taigun and Scorpio.

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

I don’t see the point of spending 20L on a Seltos, a vehicle which barely managed a 3 star GNCAP rating with an unstable chassis. No amount of features can compensate for that, especially when you plan on doing plenty of highway running. Secondly, you are overestimating the 1.4 turbo petrol’s mileage. The engine is extremely sensitive to throttle inputs and FE figures tank very easily. The VW is at least as efficient, if not more, in real world conditions. It’s ride and handling is also better. The Seltos boot may be bigger on paper, but it’s shape doesn’t make it very useful. Neither car can accommodate anywhere near as much luggage as your Terrano.

I see the Tiguan and Kushaq as the best overall 4.3m SUVs in the market today, as long you seat only 2 people at the back. Mighty fine cars, these. If you are inclined to wait, I’d rather you wait for the Skoda Slavia. Mainly for the much bigger boot. Don’t see how the new Scorpio will work for you. It will be much less efficient and more cumbersome to drive than the smaller and lighter monocoque crossovers.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Prices of the Carnival MPV have increased by up to Rs. 54,000.

Just like other carmakers, Kia has also increased the prices of its models. Prices of the Sonet and Seltos have increased by up to Rs. 20,000.

Depending on the variant, prices of the Sonet have increased by Rs. 4,000 to Rs. 20,000. Seltos prices have increased by up to Rs. 10,000. The cost of the base 'HTE' variant remains unchanged.

Kia has also increased the prices of the Carnival MPV. The Premium and Prestige variants now cost Rs. 54,000 more, while the prices of the Limousine Plus variants has gone up by Rs. 50,000.

Vehicle should justify it’s price (Price value aspect).

BHPian i_s_bajwa recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hello Fellow T-BHP members,

I’m seeking an advice for my friend who's looking to buy a personal conveyance. He’s currently not on this forum but found this platform an apt one in relation to buying guide.

Writing on his behalf the required criteria to satisfy his need:

• Fuel efficient (Diesel / Petrol) (At least 16-17 kmpl on highways).
• C segment sedan / SUV.
• No compact sedan or compact SUV.
• Ease of maintenance / durable spares / long term reliability.
• Usage: Mix of city and highway (No fixed ratio).
• Budget upto 18L. Can be extended till 20L.
• No pre-owned alternatives.
• Vehicle should justify it’s price (Price value aspect).

Options considered:

• 5th gen. Honda City ZX: Interior looks premium, loved it. But what did Honda do to the exterior ? It’s a downgrade from the 4th gen; resembles a segment lower Amaze. Also, being longest and widest in it’s segment, doesn't seem so. Looks flimsy instead.
• 4th gen. Honda City V: Evergreen styling. Still looks a class apart and price aspect is justified. Only concern is cost cutting by Honda in relation to parts or build quality otherwise, a sensible option.
• Maruti Ciaz Alpha: Long old school fun fledged sedan like dimensions and easy maintenance is a plus point. It’s shorter in length than the 5th gen Honda City but still looks much bigger comparatively. Comfortable and no nonsense car it seems but build quality remains questionable.
• Tata Harrier XT: Bold looks, sturdy build, impressive ground clearance and features offered seems really catchy. However, Tata’s manufacturing defects / design flaws and after sales support is what puts one in a fix keeping in view the 20L price bracket and long term reliability. Is 2020 launched BS6 Harrier really improved from initially launched BS4 ? Any updates on 2022 facelift ?
• Mahindra XUV700: Impressive in it’s segment ! Ruled out because of long waiting period.
• Kia Seltos: Kinda impressive, kinda Not ! Looks better than other CSUVs.
• MG Hector / Hector Plus: Not an option considering long term reliability.
• Hyundai Alcazar Prestige: Value for money in relation to features offered, but exterior doesn’t look appealing at all. Ruled out.
• Verna SX diesel: Front grille on facelift model is big No ! And rear space is lacking. Ruled out.
• Skoda Slavia: Skoda niggles and breakdowns, after sales support and long term reliability issues.
• Toyota Innova Diesel GX: Highly reliable but out of budget.

Any other better alternative or soon to be launched model that satisfies the above mentioned criteria, please do share.

My friend and I would be grateful for all your valuable insights and recommendations.

Looking forward to it.

Thanks.

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

Honda City is a no-nonsense fuss-free car. We're happy customers of two 4th gen Honda City diesels. The interior material quality is not the best, but it's not so bad and I wouldn't consider it a deal breaker.

However, if you are going for the City I strongly recommend you go for the 5th gen. Why buy an older car?

Regarding Slavia's niggles: Yeah there's a high likelihood, but we don't know for sure yet. Who knows, it might turn out to be surprisingly reliable. Or probably not. Still, check it out.

I know you said no CSUVs, but do check out the Tata Nexon. You might be pleasantly surprised.

What's your friend's existing ride?

[slightly off topic]

Looks like there's a sudden spike demand for ₹18L cars, albeit with differing requirements.

There are at least 3 different threads discussing this:

• High Usage 2nd Car under 18L.
• Which 7 seater for 18L OTR?
• This one - Reliable, Fuel Efficient, under 18L.

And why 18 as opposed to a nice round number like 20? Seems like a funny coincidence.

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

These are the three I'd seriously reconsider:

• City 4th gen: Best VFM. The cost saving outweighs the slight negative. If budget is the focus, one could pick this.
• Innova base model: It is almost in budget (depending on where it is registered). The slight stretch over 20L is offset by a cheap maintenance (for it's size) and reliability, and also better resale. If reliability is the focus, one could pick this.
• MG Hector: One takes a somewhat higher risk with this one, but a lot of car for the money (dependent on trim). Diesel is pretty enjoyable to drive too. If space and comfort at a price is the focus, one could pick this. (Hector owners on T-BHP generally seem happy with it).

New launches have a much higher chances of niggles and maintenance issues from their first few batches. If that is a priority, sticking ones at least 1-2 years old models is a good idea. Also to take a trim with lesser features/electronics.

PS: Some details on the last 2 on the 'Choosing an SUV up to 22L' thread.

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

Suggestions :

• Honda City : Whatever gen/model you prefer.
• Maruti Suzuki S-Cross : A 4.3m crossover, since you had mentioned Ciaz this is worth a TD.

Suggest to narrow down the requirements to be more specific, since currently the options are covering a lot of segments which can't really be compared. Things like MT/AT, petrol/diesel after factoring in the driving feel, usage conditions, NCR registration etc.O

If its based on looks, remove the ones you cannot stand.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The pre-owned Hector is a little big for my city roads. And I'm unsure about the Creta because, I think, it's built on the same platform that underpins the Kia Seltos.

BHPian akashgurnani recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hi Guys, I have been reading lots of ownership reviews and posts by senior members here. It has brought a lot of insights to me in the car buying process.

I am looking for a safe, automatic car with a decent amount of features and interior quality. My budget is 18 Lakhs and can stretch up to 20 Lakhs on road. My monthly running will be about 600 km.

90% of my driving will be in the city. I have test driven Seltos, Creta, Taigun, Kushaq and Hector.

Here are my views on the cars mentioned above.

• I am not keen on Seltos due to safety.
• Taigun and Kushaq are good cars but interiors do not give a feeling of sitting in an 18 lakhs rupees car.
• Creta looks like a well-balanced car, maybe this is why it is the top-selling in the segment. But unsure as I think it is made on a platform that is being used in the Seltos.

I have also found a used Hector Sharp DCT 2019 model up for sale for 15.50 Lakhs. 16000 Kilometers on the ODO. The owner says it gives 8 KMPL in the city and 10 KMPL on highways. The car is in mint condition and has everything I am looking for. It's just a little big for narrow Indore roads. And fuel efficiency can pose a problem if monthly running increases.

I am very much confused between these cars. I am leaning towards Pre-owned Hector and Creta SX CVT.

Would like to have advice from the community. Which car should I go for?

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

That would depend on your definition of safety.

If it's GNCAP, then none of the cars you mentioned has been tested. If it's the feel of things then it's a personal choice.

For example, the untested S-Cross feels better built than the 4 stars GNCAP rated Brezza. Taigun/Kushaq are supposed to be good on safety but not tested yet.

Would recommend sticking to petrol cars only to avoid DPF issues in diesels with your 90% city usage.

To your options, I would advise against the pre-owned Hector because it's a DCT, not very efficient and has done 16k kms so chances of expensive DCT maintenance are high.

Creta CVT would be better than this IMO.

If you're looking at MG then the Astor has good reviews.

Here's what BHPian ron178 had to say about the matter:

Along with a crash test rating, please also try to consider a car that is equipped with ESC (Electronic Stability Control) and at least four airbags (double frontal, side torso), if not six (+head-protecting curtains), which are available aplenty in this segment, at least as optional equipment.

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

The mileage figures mentioned by the owner of Hector are realistic. If the owner has taken the 5-year MG Shield then it gives your further protection. The 5-year warranty is anyway standard. So overall you do get another 2-3 years of coverage.

If you are comparing it with Creta then you should also check out Astor. Hector is a segment above in terms of space, features and quality.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The Tata Zest was 6-years-old and was showing signs of ageing (rusting & rattles).

BHPian navigator_ravi recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Just completed month ownership of my new car Kia Seltos HTK plus IMT (Intense Red colour) and love the drive. I couldn’t find any ownership review for the IMT variant of Kia Seltos during my research period, so thought it would be apt to pen down one after owning. Currently, the odometer reads 1,280 km.

Why Kia Seltos?

Our previous ride TATA Zest was more than 6 years old and started showing typical Tata ageing signs(rusting & rattles). So the need and itch to replace the car started from the beginning of this year. We wanted an upgrade from the compact sedan so the natural option was to look for crossovers and CSUVs. Since I was out of the country, asked my wife to look around for CSUV in a 10-15 lakhs budget. Within a few hours, my wife informed me about her interest in Kia Seltos. I knew this was coming as Seltos was one of the best-looking cars around our budget. Told her to check out other cars as well but nothing could change her decision. I found HTK plus variant to be most VFM and our driving did not merit a diesel engine (Just 24k in 6.5 years in my previous car along with my wife's permanent WFH setup). Also, my wife wanted an automatic(hates to use clutch/do gear changes and if needed can drive the whole city in 2nd and 3rd gear) and I was against AMT and CVT. Wanted to get TC petrol (if automatic) or manual but the offerings were not pulling the strings of the heart. Asked the wife to take a test drive of the IMT variant. She took 2 test drives from different dealers, loved the car and told me that she can manage with the IMT. So IMT ticked both our requirements. I just had apprehension regarding the safety/crash ratings but was convinced by my wife saying we hardly do 1-2 road trips in a year plus in the city even reaching a speed of 60km/hr is hardly possible. I knew I would not be able to change her decision since she was the one paying for it. So Kia Seltos HTK plus IMT was finalised.

Buying Experience:

The whole experience was just below average. My wife booked the car in July’21 in her name with SPL Kia, Kolkata as I was out of the country and there was a waiting period of 19-20 weeks as quoted by the dealer as well as mentioned in the booking docket. Came back in August end, went to see the car in the showroom to get the feel and told the SA for a test drive in the coming weeks along with my other requirements. The showroom was bustling with customers taking delivery, checking out the cars and the experience was definitely a notch above my previous experiences of TML. I called SA next week to arrange the test drive for the particular variant but couldn’t get one as the showroom was closed on a particular day owing to local elections. This happened again 2 times and I was given some reason or the other with the last being that the test drive car has met with a major accident and the repairs would take time. Called up other dealers in the city. Either they were reluctant to provide me with a test drive (maybe they knew we had already booked the car) or told me the same story of a car meets an accident. Frustrated asked my SA to give me a test drive of whichever variant is available and took the test drive of HTX diesel MT the next day. Instantly felt comfortable in the car and liked the handling of the car. Around Oct end got a call from my loan bank( I had already done the loan papers) that the car has been allotted. Aghast, called up my SA to confirm the same and provide me with VIN & engine no. The SA confirmed that the car has been allotted to us and gave me the lame excuse of he himself getting the news now but refused to provide me with the VIN before the PDI. Meanwhile got an email from the dealer on the same day to clear payment within 4 working days otherwise the car will be allotted to someone else. I had known about this email thing from the FB groups and replied back that the payment will only be done after PDI. Did the PDI using Team-Bhp checklist, found everything perfect and noted down the VIN and engine no. The next day made the full payment(including extended warranty) except the accessories and insurance amount as I had taken the insurance from outside. Also sent mail to dealer and Kia about payment done with respect to the car with VIN and engine no. that I had done PDI but received no reply. Called the SA for confirming the VIN and engine no. so that I can have it through the official channel and I needed it for my insurance work. The VIN and engine number were provided after 2 days and on the same day got an SMS from RTO that the payment has been made for registration and reg. No. will be allotted in next day. Called the SA and lambasted him. Asked him how can the car be registered without insurance details. The next day got the SMS from RTO with reg. No. and I immediately checked the VAHAN site to find wrong insurance details and error in name in RC adding more woes to the misery. The SA apologised and told me that the error will be corrected once the number plate is installed. I did not want my new car to stay with them for a single day and took the delivery in the next available opportunity on 11 NOV(exactly 4 months from the date of booking). The delivery was a normal affair. The wife did the paperwork, checked the documents, clicked key-handing over pic and asked for warranty cards for tire and battery to which the SA replied that they do not come with separate warranty cards and have the same warranty as to the car. I knew this was completely BS but did not want to create a scene over there as it was my wife 1st car in her name and she along with my in-laws were very excited. Took the delivery of the car without number plates( they say it's common in Kolkata) but booked a date from the service centre for installation as I had planned a short road trip. The SA even told me that I can drive out of the city with the registration number written on paper affixed to the windshield without number plates and temp. Reg No. I was taken aback by such a statement but did not want to argue further. Took the car straight to the temple and did the customary puja.

Total Amount = 12,29,000 (ex-showroom) +12,290 (TCS) + 69,635 (registration) + 19,102(extended warranty) + 9,965 (accessory) + 500 (fast tag) + 32,430 (Insurance - TATA AIG Saphire plus with RTI addon) = Rs 13,72,922

The current market is certainly a seller’s market and the car companies are making hay while the sun shines. There was no discount provided and no free accessories. I even had to be firm when I was told that I cannot take insurance from outside. Asked this thing in official writing and then the dealer obliged.

My wife named the car "ZESTY" in the loving memory of our previous car Tata Zest. It was our 1st car, gave fuss-free 6.5 years of ownership and was sold on the same day of the purchase to CARS24.

Driving Experience:

A lot has already been shared in the Team-Bhp official review and other owners' excellent ownership reports, so I will just concentrate on the IMT driving experience part.

The additions in the IMT variant from the regular HTK plus petrol variant are ACC, Electric Sunroof, Premium Beige Fabric Seats & LED cabin lamps. A 40k ex-showroom difference between the 2 variants is clearly justified. The Smartstream G1.5 L NA engine is purely meant for sedate driving. Period. Coming from turbo 1.2L Revotron engine of TATA Zest, the first few km of driving was a little underwhelming along with the first time experience of using IMT (remember no test drive of IMT) was something new in my 10 years of driving experience. But soon after, got accustomed to the engine characteristics and the transmission. The power delivery is linear and the driving is pure bliss in city traffic. But gone are the days of sprinting from the traffic signals, looking back at the trailing traffic even though if these instances were few. You win some, You lose some. IMT is a boon in the city and my left leg is thanking me mercilessly after the purchase. The engine will only start with gear in neutral and brake pressed. If not, one gets a warning in MID. Slot in the 1st gear and one can easily crawl at around 7-10 km/h. One can also start moving from the 2nd gear itself in stop and go traffic. The IMT gives a low sound and notification alarm in MID to shift to lower gears if the engine is not in the higher gear. I have usually experienced this when the car is in 3rd gear and I have to reduce my speed for taking turns or when the car is in a higher gear and I stop at traffic signals. Apart from these two situations, never faced the alarm. During taking turns when the alarm comes, the engines don’t stall but there is no power delivered and I feel its better to shift down than to increase the rpm in the same gear which can also remove the alarm but cannot fully confirm(I tried it once but did not like engine sound during the procedure). The IMT is basically a manual without the clutch. Till now have I haven't experienced any problem with gear shifts and shifts are quite smooth compared to my previous ride. The manual says that there could be a sense of obstruction when accelerating and changing gear for the IMT variant but I haven't experienced any such condition. My only problem with IMT in this particular variant is that it doesn’t come with Hill Hold Assist. I believe the Sonet IMT comes with one( I may be wrong) and KIA should have provided it in the elder sibling as well. But for experienced drivers, that's not much of a problem. One can use the handbrake technique and prevent the rollback on inclines. I have experienced that on relatively small inclines, a mere more pressing the accelerator after releasing the brake does the job and the car doesn't roll back but the distance from the front car has to be kept in mind. On higher/steep inclines, the car does roll about half a meter back when not using the hand brake technique and relying on the acceleration method. The engine is refined and NVH levels are satisfying. My car was delivered with Goodyear tires with 43 psi but I purposely did not lower them as wanted to get a feel of the suspension at higher tire pressure. Changed it to recommended pressure during the first visit to filling station after a fortnight. The change in the driving experience can be felt. The suspension became softer and the potholes and undulation of the road are now less felt. It is still not perfect but certainly not bone charring and the car is comfortable to drive. I had planned for a road trip once I got the news of the car being allotted. Did a 3 day Shantiniketan/Bolpur 400km round trip to experience the car on highways and the car performed flawlessly. Highway manners were commendable and overtakes were easily carried out. The cruise control on the highway and IMT in the city areas really helped in the driving. The ACC chills the car pretty fast but during hot days one has to keep the temperature setting at 22 deg or below for rear vents to blow cool air. This causes problems for front car dwellers if they are a little cold intolerant (like me). This is a commonly reported problem in Seltos. Rear comfort was good for the trip. The whole trip with 5 people on board and 3-day luggage returned a surprisingly good figure of 18km/l (shown in MID) including a Sunday of heavy traffic in Shantiniketan. I am getting around 13km/l (again MID figure) in the city(though not in B2B traffic) which I am ok with. I am yet to calculate the mileage using the full tank method.

Service Experience:

• I went to SPL Kia SC for getting the number plate installed on 19-Nov as booked. The approach road (if it may be called so) to this SC is horrible and potholes are comparable to the craters on the moon. I was attended to immediately and SA was allotted. Told him about the reason for the visit and enquired about underbody anti-rust coating. Liked the option and price that was quoted and advised him to proceed with the job. The status of the job could be checked using the link provided through SMS when the job card is opened. It took around 3 hrs and the car was decently cleaned inside out. The SA did try to upsell the body anti-rust coating but I politely refused.
• Got the first service done(1month/1000km) on the 6th of this month from Celica Kia, Kolkata SC (near to where I reside) which was usual checking but was charged Rs. 615 for windshield washer fluid and some other stuff. I knew I was being taken for a ride but the service was prompt, so did not bother to enquire further. I was again promptly attended to and SA quickly assigned but this time no link through SMS was provided for checking the status. No extra service/work was insisted by SA maybe because of the 1st service.

The SPL Kia SC is almost out of the city(Batanagar, Kolkata) but with a slightly larger setup area. Both the SC have proper lounges for owners along with coffee/tea refreshments. At SPL Kia SC, I was upgraded to wait in their large meeting room all to ourselves when I made an apprehension for lounges being a bit crowded and was even offered cake, sweets and patties during lunch hours(maybe because my wife was accompanying me). This was clearly way better than the service I had received at TMSCs for my previous car in the city.

Note: Both the SC has a dedicated premium customer service section for Kia Carnival owners.

Dislikes/Problem faced:

• The barely 3-star rating received in the GNCAP crash test. This doesn't instil confidence in the owners and certainly makes me more conscious while driving.
• The headlight of the car is just not good enough for the highways. I did the night drive from Kolkata to Shantiniketan and had to be extra careful. This is the first modification I have in mind. Looking to upgrade to 35W 4300k HID setup but not able to find a reputed resource for doing the same. The Team-Bhp directory for Kolkata is certainly not helpful in this regard as compared to other metropolitan cities. Hopefully will be able to connect with fellow members from the city and get some clarity.
• The driver control switches on the door are not back-lit and it is very difficult to operate at night times. Even after a month of ownership, I am operating the wrong windows and wrongly operating the car lock/unlock buttons which sometimes becomes embarrassing in front of relatives/parking attendants. One of the owners had got fluorescent stickers from Aliexpress but that avenue is closed now. So requesting other owners if they have any DIY/ solution for the same.
• Lack of auto IRVM. Though it is not much of a problem but would have been great if it was provided at this price point as the car comes with auto headlights and rain-sensing wipers.

Modification:

Got anti-rust underbody coating as I live in Kolkata and my previous ride had started to develop rust in the underbody and below the doors ( TML quality and my car cleaning guy may be the culprits). Did Meguiars underbody and silencer anti-rust coating during SPL Kia SC visit for installing number plates? Celica Kia offers 3M service for almost the same price.

Accessories:

Boot mat, Window chrome beading, Head light chrome, Door handle chrome, Fog light chrome(wife loves chrome ), mud flaps , 3d mats , Steering cover , Rear windshield cover (All from showroom).

Conclusion:

All in all, our one-month ownership of "ZESTY" has been very satisfying. Hoping for the same fuss-free ownership as my previous ride. I intend to keep it for as long as I can but know the 7-year itch may bite again. Ending the post with a pic of our ride taken by my better half just for posting here.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Hyundai offered to give me the Alcazar and Verna in 2 weeks, which I politely declined.

BHPian sam264_2000 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

After selling my Zest on 15th Feb, I had to pause the process for about 6 months since the 2nd Covid wave hit us badly – almost everyone in my family was infected except me and we lost a few near and dear ones within our extended family and friend circle.

I managed to get TD of Seltos (all engine-auto gearbox combinations) in July ONLY after I registered my interest on the Kia website. Earlier in Jan, I had followed up with the 2 Kia dealerships in Pune for TD on phone and was outright rejected. Except for space and the bumpy ride, everything seemed good. The SA was super eager to sell the car and promised to deliver GTX+ Diesel AT in 3 to 4 months.

Then we test drove the Creta SX (O) Diesel AT again in July end and found it a bit better in space compared to Seltos. We were neutral on the looks and ready to compromise on our boot space requirement so booked a Silver one on 1-Aug-2021 with delivery in 4 to 5 months. The dealer agreed on an insurance price of 51K (quotation was 84k) but no Wonder Warranty in that case. I was okay since I was anyways going for an extended warranty. However, I didn’t receive any booking confirmation from Hyundai or the dealer for 2 months. Hyundai then increased the prices sometime in August and within a few weeks of booking, the dealer informed that the waiting period will increase to 7 to 8 months. I had already stretched my budget by 4.5L and the new ETA of March 2022 meant that I will have to face another price hike in Jan 2022. Checked with a few other dealers and no one was ready to entertain booking if I purchase my own insurance. The long waiting periods meant we will be without a car for more than the expected timeframe.

Revisited Honda City ZX CVT. The dealer agreed to deliver within 3 weeks. He didn't have a ZX CVT in stock but was confident that if we book immediately he can get one in 3 weeks if we were not fussy about the colour. Discussed within the family and we all agreed to book Honda City ZX CVT. Silver was our 1st choice followed by Golden Brown. Got a sweet deal from the dealer and booked one on 19th Sept and got it delivered on 10th Oct (VIN confirmed that it was a Sept 2021 manufactured car). I finally received the Hyundai booking confirmation after I booked the Honda City! Cancelled the Creta after multiple follow-ups with the dealer. I was immediately offered Alcazar (Petrol & Diesel AT in stock) and Verna to be delivered in 2 weeks (chip shortage notwithstanding!). Politely declined the offer and the dealer handed me a cheque of 18k after deducting 3k.

I have driven about 850 km since I got the car and I am loving the upgraded experience.

Here are my observations:

1. Since I am coming from 1.2 Zest petrol, I find the 1.5 NA iVTEC powerful, obviously.
2. Smooth CVT is like nirvana during my daily 45km trip to the office.
3. High quality and comfortable leather seats.
4. Adequate ground clearance – have taken the car on uneven roads/speed breakers (city + highway) with 4 adults, a kid and full boot – the car did not bottom out once. Honda has worked on the suspension and it shows. A Mahabaleshwar trip is planned end of November, so I would know more.
5. Minor road noise creeps in due to lack of cladding – doesn’t bother me much.
6. Digital rev-counter looks great.
7. Love the LED headlamp set up, keyless entry/exit and remote start via key.
8. Powerful air conditioner. The rotary buttons are helpful.
9. Steering leather is high quality and is chunky with perfect thickness.
10. All 4 windows get auto-up & down and can be controlled through the fob key as well. Also, all buttons are backlit too.
11. Rear camera resolution is pathetic in dark and okay-ish in daylight. The lane watch camera angle is wide.
12. ICE – sound quality is good but could be better with a bit more bass. The touchscreen is responsive though. Experience is much better with Android Auto or Apple CarPlay.
13. FE – 17.8kmpl on highway and 14.5kmpl in city.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The Volkswagen Taigun has its own fresh, European character and complements its cousin (the recently launched Skoda Kushaq) nicely in a segment dominated by Indian, Korean and Chinese SUVs.

Aditya recently shared this other enthusiasts.

MG Astor:

Preview Link

MG Hector:

What you'll like:

• Big size & lots of bling for the money! We find the Hector to be well-priced.
• A spacious cabin that can easily seat 5 adults. Massive 587 litre boot too.
• Fiat-sourced 2.0L diesel is simply fantastic.
• Compliant ride quality. Suspension is tuned for comfort.
• Lots of kit (panoramic sunroof, 360-degree camera, electric seats & tailgate etc.).
• ‘Connected’ Tablet ICE with an embedded SIM & lovely sound quality.
• 5-year / unlimited km warranty with roadside assistance.
• Top safety equipment includes 6 airbags, ESP, HSA, all-wheel disc brakes, TPMS & more.

What you won't:

• Awkward styling on the side & rear profiles. Looks weird from some angles.
• Sloppy high-speed handling, noticeable body roll & easy understeer.
• The petrol engine is “adequate” at best. Its guzzling Automatic variant is unimpressive.
• No Diesel AT (Creta, Seltos, XUV500, Hexa offer this combination, which we love).
• Some annoyances like the ~6 meter turning radius, strange rpm meter…
• Small after-sales network. Service quality & long-term reliability are big unknowns.
• Waiting period runs into a couple of months.
• Don’t get blinded by the British branding. This is a Chinese car.

Review link

Hyundai Creta:

What you'll like:

• A superbly engineered all-rounder that delivers a premium experience.
• We find the Hyundai Creta to be well-priced for what it offers.
• User-friendly interiors with sufficient space & good quality parts.
• Loved the 1.4L turbo-petrol & 1.5L diesel. These are fantastic engines.
• Smooth & competent automatic gearboxes available. With the useful "auto-hold" feature too.
• Sorted road manners & handling for a Hyundai, including on the highway. You will be surprised!
• The Creta's safety package includes 6 airbags, ESP, all-wheel disc brakes, TPMS etc.
• Impressive kit (panoramic sunroof, paddle shifters, Bose sound system, cooled seats, cabin air purifier & loads more).
• Hyundai's competent after-sales service, fuss-free ownership & upto 5-years standard warranty.

What you won't:

• Oddball love it or hate it styling. We find the Creta's exterior design to be too weird & futuristic.
• Firmer suspension isn't as cushy as the 1st-gen Creta. It is more comfortable than the Seltos though.
• Back seat's width makes it better for 2 adults and a kid, rather than 3 adults.
• Some misses (no auto wipers, 360-degree camera, illuminated window buttons, full-size spare tyre on top trims).
• Dual-clutch ATs (like the Hyundai Creta Petrol DCT) have a history of poor reliability in India.
• Diesel’s 113 BHP & 250 Nm – although adequate – are the lowest in the segment. Old 1.6L CRDi was superior.
• No manual transmission available with the fast 1.4L Petrol (Seltos offers this combo).
• The stiffer Seltos has an edge in the handling department. IMHO, the Kia is better looking too.
• You get bigger SUVs & Crossovers for the same money (e.g. Hector, Harrier, XUV500).

Review link

Kia Seltos:

What you'll like:

• A superbly engineered all-rounder that delivers a premium experience.
• Handsome, contemporary styling. Looks very sharp.
• We find the Seltos to be well-priced for what it offers.
• Nice, user-friendly interiors with sufficient space & good quality.
• Loved the 1.4L turbo-petrol & 1.5L diesel. They are BS6 compliant too.
• Both the automatics - Diesel AT & Petrol DCT - are simply fantastic!
• Mature on-road behavior, including at highway speeds. A+ brakes as well.
• Unusually wide variant offering. Seems there is something for everyone.
• Safety kit includes 6 airbags, ESP, all-wheel disc brakes, blind spot monitor, TPMS etc.
• Impressive kit (360 degree camera, HUD, front parking sensors, Bose sound system, cooled seats, cabin air purifier & loads more).

What you won't:

• Barely managed 3-stars in the GNCAP crash tests (full discussion).
• Firm suspension. Liveable, but bad roads will bother you (especially on 17" wheel variants).
• Back seat's width makes it better for 2 adults and a kid, rather than 3 adults.
• Niggles are being reported by owners (details here).
• Some misses (illuminated window buttons, thinner spare tyre on top trims, no dual-tone option on GTX+ / HTX+).
• Dual-clutch ATs (like the Petrol DCT) have a history of poor reliability in India.
• Diesel’s 113 BHP & 250 Nm – although adequate – are the lowest in the segment.
• Extremely confusing & complicated variant spread. We still haven’t gotten the hang of it!
• Kia's after-sales service quality is an unknown. We await details in our ownership reports.
• You get bigger SUVs & Crossovers for the same money (e.g. Hector, Harrier, XUV500).

Review link

Skoda Kushaq:

What you'll like:

• A breath of fresh (European) air in a sea of Korean, Chinese & Indian SUVs.
• Classy exterior & interior styling matched with solid European build quality.
• Cabin has good legroom to offer, supportive seats, perfect ergonomics & lots of storage.
• 48 BHP engine makes the Kushaq one of the most fun-to-drive crossovers in the segment.
• Sporty 1.0L & 1.5L turbo-petrols are mated to slick 6-speed MTs & smooth ATs.
• Sorted suspension offers a balanced ride & handling package.
• Safety features include 6 airbags (sadly MT only), ESC (all variants), 3-point seatbelts for all, electronic differential lock, brake disc wiping, multi-collision brake and more.
• 6-year extended warranty & 4-year all inclusive service packages available.
• Features like active cylinder tech, ventilated seats, sunroof, wireless Android Auto and CarPlay, audio system with a punchy subwoofer, auto headlamps & wipers etc.

What you won't:

• No 1.5L diesel is a major disadvantage in a world where petrol costs over 100 bucks / litre.
• DQ200 DSG transmission has a history of poor reliability & breakdowns in India.
• Narrow width makes a 5th adult completely unwelcome. Best for 4 onboard.
• Lovely 1.5L TSI is only available on the top variant.
• At 385 litres, boot space is lesser than its direct rivals (Creta & Seltos = 433L).
• Sure lacks the street cred / presence offered by some competitors.
• Skoda’s notorious dealerships & after-sales horror stories.
• Missing some now expected features such as 6 airbags on the ATs, driving modes (sport), panoramic sunroof, 360-degree camera, electric driver's seat adjustment & regular USB ports.
• Turbo-petrols are very sensitive to driving style. FE will drop drastically when you drive hard.

Review link

Volkswagen Taigun:

What you'll like:

• Has its own fresh, European character and complements its cousin (the recently launched Skoda Kushaq) nicely in a segment dominated by Indian, Korean and Chinese SUVs.
• Unmistakably VW styling matched with solid European build quality.
• Cabin has good legroom to offer, supportive seats, perfect ergonomics & lots of storage.
• 148 BHP engine makes the Taigun one of the most fun-to-drive crossovers in the segment!
• Sporty 1.0L & 1.5L turbo-petrols are mated to slick 6-speed MTs & smooth ATs.
• Sorted suspension offers a balanced ride & handling package.
• Safety features include up to 6 airbags, ESC (all variants), 3-point seatbelts for all, electronic differential lock, brake disc wiping, multi-collision brake and more.
• Features like active cylinder tech, ventilated seats (weirdly 1.0 TSI only), sunroof, 10-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and CarPlay, auto headlamps & wipers etc.
• Advantages over the Kushaq = a top AT variant with 6 airbags, design that stands out more, cabin 'feels' better, fabric seats are executed in a nicer manner...

What you won't:

• No 1.5L diesel is a major disadvantage in a world where petrol costs over 100 bucks/litre.
• GT customers will need to choose between the rock (potential DQ200 transmission problems) and a hard place (GT manual variant misses out on many top-end features).
• Narrow cabin width makes a 5th adult completely unwelcome. Best for 4 onboard.
• Interior colour scheme and quality don't feel up to traditional VW standards. Some polarising details too (chrome outside, painted plastics inside...).
• Sure lacks the street cred / presence offered by some competitors.
• VW’s after-sales service can be a hit or miss. Many VW owners find it expensive too.
• Missing some now-expected features such as 6 airbags in the MTs, a subwoofer, driving modes (sport), panoramic sunroof, 360-degree camera, electric driver's seat adjustment & rear window blinds.
• Turbo-petrols are very sensitive to driving style. FE will drop drastically when you drive hard.
• Kushaq's 'clever' touches are missing = no spot on top of the dashboard to place a deity, no smartphone holders on the front seatbacks, no ticket clip on the windshield, no elastic band in the doorpad to keep items in place, or even something as simple as the small reflective tapes on the doorpads.

Review link

Mahindra XUV700:

What you'll like:

• Handsome styling matched to solid build quality. Has street presence, feels robust.
• Very spacious interiors with comfy seats and sorted ergonomics. 6-footer passengers welcome!
• 182 BHP turbo-diesel & 197 BHP turbo-petrol make for a potent line-up.
• Smooth 6-speed torque converter Automatics available with both engines.
• Sorted suspension with good road manners & high speed stability.
• AWD available for the adventurous, unlike most FWD crossovers in the segment.
• Loaded with features like radar-based driver assistance system, pop-out door handles, panoramic sunroof, driver memory seat, 360-degree camera, 10.25" infotainment & instrument cluster etc.
• 12-speaker Sony audio system is fantastic! You'll enjoy its sound quality.
• Safety features include 7 airbags, ESP, all-wheel disc brakes, hill hold, hill descent control, driver drowsiness detection, TPMS, ISOFIX...

What you won't:

• Negligible boot space with the 3rd-row seat up. Either 5 onboard, or 7 with a roof-top carrier.
• Cramped 3rd-row seat is best suited to children only. A sliding middle row is sorely missed.
• Petrol AT is thirsty due to its hefty weight, 197 BHP & torque-converter AT.
• Some cabin plastics & a few rough areas don't feel premium in an otherwise loaded SUV.
• Missing features such as an auto-dimming IRVM, ventilated seats, paddle shifters, full-size spare wheel, ambient lighting, rear sunblinds....
• Concerns over niggles & bugs in a freshly baked, complex Mahindra. We saw 2!
• Mahindra's after-sales service is a hit or miss. Remains a gamble.
• AWD is available just with the Diesel AT, and not the MT or petrol motor.

Review link

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

The MG Astor sure has created an impression. It's no cheaply built Chinese product. Quite the opposite, honestly. Well put together, stylish interiors with the "wow" effect, tech and sorted suspension.

I personally love big cars though, so I'd go for the very impressive XUV700 Diesel AT. It's not a direct competitor, but there is some price overlap in the variants.

Among the smaller breed, I would probably pick a Skoda Kushaq 1.5L, although only after they sort out all the issues & problems. It's a heck of a lot of fun to drive. Haven't driven the Astor yet (expected soon), but I don't think my opinion will change after that drive.

Here's what BHPian ashis89 had to say on the matter:

Something bigger.

The VW twins are a tad too small for me and overpriced for what they offer (I would consider the 1.5L only).

On the Astor, the engine options are not too attractive but the size is perfect! All those connected features on the Astor dissuade me enough not to consider it.

Creta and Seltos are the perfect size for my use case. Still can't digest the looks of Creta, unfortunately. And their crash test result left a bad taste.

If I am looking for a car today, the Harrier and XUV700 would be my choice, but their niggles will be my worry as well as lugging the mammoth in the city. If not one of these, I will go with the Seltos.

Here's what BHPian abhishek46 had to say on the matter:

The VAG twins are a bit compact & un-reliable.

The Astor has un-enthusiastic powertrains & a cross-over stance which did not appeal to me.

And to add, none of the above offerings have a diesel option.

The Koreans have the largest permutation combination ever, of engines (Both petrol & diesel) and gearboxes.

Among the Koreans, Hyundai has more than a thousand service centers, and is fuss-free for most part.

That is why my vote goes to the Creta.

The Hector, XUV700 & Tata-twins are too large & expensive for my needs.

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

Voted for the MG Hector!

I was about to create a new What Car thread and this thread popped up at the right time. I am looking for a car in this segment and I am absolutely torn about what car to choose. I am considering diesels only for my usage and below are the only options (top variants only).

• Hyundai Creta:- Can't digest the looks plus poor headlights, however, seems the most complete along with that sweet diesel AT carrying loads of useful features. However safety concerns and the L-O-N-G waiting period has put this on the backburner. Maybe the rumored facelift next year would bring some more features from the Alcazar and make the looks more digestible.
• Kia Seltos:- 2 star safety rating, enough said. Not considering this at all, the waiting period also does not make it any easier.
• Tata Harrier:- Loved the car and it's available in diesel AT guise too but almost 5 lakhs expensive than Creta and does not get too many features for that money too. Also, the constant niggles on the Harrier thread do not help its case.
• XUV700:- Don't need a 7 seater and lugging such real estate daily in the city will be quite cumbersome. Those who booked it on 7th October still don't have a concrete delivery timeline, mere mortals like me would only be providing Mahindra free working capital plus Rs. 2100 donation when I cancel. PS:- My BIL has also booked one so one more reason its out of contention.
• MG Hector:- Feels too big for daily city usage but otherwise loaded to the gills with features, loved the ride quality coming from the 17 inch tyred Ecosport and family would be more than happy riding in it given its soft suspension. High speed behavior seemed satisfactory to me, maybe its something to do with the newer 18 inch wheels? This seems to be the most complete car for me barring its size and it being an unpopular choice here on the forum. Does not get a diesel AT too. However, still researching about it and seems its going to be the one mostly.
• Jeep Compass:- Expensive! However not too far from Harrier/Hector especially the Limited version. But it misses out on quite a few features present in Hector/Creta. Important one being ventilated seats on the Limited, would definitely need to stretch to Model S. Also, automatics are outside the budget range even if I stretch it since I would be stretching for the manual itself. Ride quality was good on the test drive, however, I found it low on space for my frame. My knee was constantly touching the console area and the footwell was cramped. Dead pedal was pretty useless on the manual. In the other cars I am considering, the upper shin area touches the console and that is fine with me since I sit quite wide legged and need free space for my knee.

In the end the battle seems to be narrowed down to the Creta and Hector. But the Hector scores more brownie points from me especially in that White/Black dual tone shade despite it being a manual only. Will take a decision by March/April 2022.

Leaving you all with another wild thought - retain the Ecosport and book a Thar diesel AT convertible top for the occassional adventure trips and thrills.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.