Story Time
The idea of purchasing something as large as a Seltos (relatively) started when I was at a hill station in Maharashtra in our beloved Wagon R. It had been serving us well until that point: surprisingly good performance when driven solo, a super-narrow fit anywhere attitude, and I had also juiced it up with a sick music setup. Because of its weight, it had zero complaints about off-roading either.
But it all changed when I hit this particularly large pothole at the hill station. The suspension was ruined.
I was lucky enough to find a garage nearby, but the “go-anywhere” confidence had died down a bit.
It had also been a good 6–7 years at this point, and we felt it was due for an upgrade.
Budget first
We set it at a good 15L (12 + 3 expected for the Wagon R). This would be a comfortable budget for most top-end version of sub 4-m CSUVs.
CSUV (Compact SUV) was a must - the main reason to upgrade was something with larger wheels and ground clearance.
We were willing to go up a tiny bit (happen every time, doesn't it?) but this was mostly what we were working with.
And then we got lucky - Spinny and Cars24 started outbidding each other for our car and we ended up at an amazing 4.4L for the WagonR! Sold to Spinny - very smooth process btw.
The budget was now at 16.4L, good enough for top-end versions of every CSUV model.
The wildcard here tho was that we were (very) open to used cars. So the options were very many.
Took me 8 months, but we finally landed on this Seltos.
Options
Let me roughly go through all the cars I tested during the 8-month period of searching for a car. This is also the part where I tell you why your choice sucks.
For context, this is 2022.
Also, I only do Automatic Transmissions. If you think manuals are superior - good for you but you're stupid.
Renault Kwid
Pros:
- Good GC
- Decent interiors and infotainment compared to Wagon R
- I like the styling
Cons:
- God awful refinement, horrible engine sound
- Not really an upgrade, same-ish segment
- Terrible AMT
- No manual mode in AMT
- No creep-mode in AMT!
Hyundai Grand i10
Pros:
- Good interior for the price
- Very refined and smooth engine
- Useable AT
Cons:
- Small, not a CSUV
Renault Triber
Pros:
- Same as Kwid but longer
Cons:
- Same as Kwid but longer
Maruti Suzuki Swift
Pros:
- Lovely engine
- I like the styling
- Maruti
Cons:
- Maruti, I'm bored of that AMT gearbox
- And dappa
- Rear space was kinda small, didn't feel like an upgrade
Nissan Magnite
Pros:
- Actualy liked this
- Good features and package for the price
Cons:
- Same as Kwid
- Long waiting period
Renault Kiger
Pros:
- Kwid but bigger and handsome-er
Cons:
- Kwid but bigger
- Same unrefinement and bad gearbox issues
- Feels "cheap"
Had almost finalised this. Had IMO matched all my requirements AND would also save good money. idk got greedy, wanted something "nice".
Maruti Suzuki Brezza (Diesel)
Pros:
- Comfy suspension
- Massive mileage
- Kinda nice styling
Cons:
- Good lord I've never driven an engine + gearbox that's as lethargic as this
- Just good for mileage
- Approximately nothing exciting
- Kinda bored of Maruti
Hyundai Venue
Cons:
- (1st gen) Ugly
Kia Sonet
Pros:
- Pretty good looking
- Incredible engine + gearbox with the DCT
- Great interior + refinement
Cons:
- 16L OTR for a sub 4m CSUV!
XUV 300
Pros:
- Nice punchy engine
Cons:
- Ugly
Tata Nexon
Pros:
- Very good engine
- Solid interior
- Incredible JBL music system; better than a LOT of vehicles twice its price
- Incredible handling around corners
- Decent suspension, decent boot, decent space at the rear
Cons:
- Kinda unrefined engine but was ok with it considering the price
- Terrible AMT
The bad AMT was the deal breaker. Had pretty much everything else going for it for me. New Nexon is a solid buy with its Dual-clutch gearbox. Would STRONGLY reccommend.
Mahindra Thar
Pros:
- EXACTLY what I wanted, what I needed
- Straight Jeep copy, handsome
- Incredible feel from the driver seat. A proper "go anywhere" attitude
- Insanely good Petrol engine, more torque than the diesel!
- Decent AT box, decent everything else
- ACTUAL SUV
Cons:
- Jeep copy, cringe
- 4-6 kmpl on Petrol LOL
- 2 Seater, 4 is a scam. Also have to a bit of circus to get into rear seats
- Terrible ladder-on-frame chassis. The moment I hit 80kmph the car feels super unstable
- While TDing this, I hit a speed breaker at high speed and my dad almost flew. Veto from him
Skoda Kushaq/ VW Taigun
Pros:
- Solid VAG THUD
- TSI + DSG is (almost) magic
- Handsome styling
Cons:
- Above budget at 23 ish L
- Small dimensions - and space for the price
- DSG is terrible at city speeds - has an artifical lag. Very annoying in stop and go traffic
MG Hector
Pros:
- Gadgets
- Nice Fiat engine
Cons:
- China
- Ugly
Hyundai Creta (used)
Pros:
- Nice everything
- Soft suspension
- Great looks / proportions
Cons:
- The new one was way better but out of reach. Pre-facelift paled in comparison
- No 360 degree camera
Tata Harrier (used)
Pros:
- Great engine and handling
- BIG
Cons:
- And dappa
- That gen was quite ugly IMO
- Too BIG
Jeep Compass
Pros:
- Proper next segment, very premium
- Close glass: no longer hear plebs outside
- Diesel engine incredible
- 4x4 is a nice bonus
Cons:
- Petrol was horrible, I wanted a petrol
- AT is too expensive (used), disel manual was 19L ish
- Too long tbh
Loved this a TON. But could not unfortunately find one that fit our budget. If I were to buy now, this is definitely the car I'd go for, I think.
Kia Seltos (used)
Pros:
- Amazing interiors
- Very very lovely engine, also very smooth and refined
- DCT is the best gearbox out of every single car under 30L I had tried until this point
- Lovely proportions and styling - almost German looking
- Great Bose sound system
- Lots of bells and whistles - Korean cars doing Korean car things (and I am unfortunately a sucker for those)
- Sporty suspension - super stable at triple digit speeds
- 360 camera
Cons:
- Sporty suspension is very harsh in the city
- No wireless apple carplay/android auto
- Too many people have this / creta. Did not want a normie car
Oh well. This ticked every box.
Started looking everywhre for a good used one.
Found one at a Toyota U-trust dealership, 2 year used, 3 more years left in the warranty, 21k run, nice and clean 0 issues. Finalised it at 17.1L.
Thoughts post-purchase
- The way it drives around ghat section is incredible! Was really really impressed by a friend's VW Polo and this feels like a spiritual successor to it.
- The styling is great. Korean but feels German. Strong solid lines, clean minimal look. Love it in white.
- 360 degree camera works really really really well. I can't drive without it.
- Music system is incredible. I should probably upgrade it through some door sound dampening but for now it's about all I really need.
- The gearbox is simply the best. That's it. I've simply not come across a better one (yes, including VW DSG, fight me).
- The drive modes are actually useful - eco mode makes it chill to drive with smooth engine operation and light weight steering; While the sport mode tightens the steering a ton, makes engine more "angry", hold gears longer. Great!
- The terrain modes are ass. Have found 0 use to them. The ONLY thing I'm missing in the seltos is a 4x4 system. Have gotten myself stuck in couple of unfortunate locations because of it.
- The suspension is actually uncomfortable within Indian city limits - but is super delightful at high speeds and around twisties.
- Boot space is great, back space is great and wide, is a great "normal" car.
- Kitna deti hein - 7kmpl in city, 10kmpl on highways 💀. If I drive with a light foot, I've gotten up-to 21kmpl on a highway. Unfortunately, my right foot is quite heavy.