[mayank4823]

I was in the same dilemma. Feature loaded car (Seltos) vs Less tacky features but 5/5 safety. (Virtus/Taigun).

Couldn't go ahead with Seltos or any other KIA/Hyundai car because the fact that I will be compromising on safety even after paying 18 lacs was hard to gulp. People often tried to change my decision by telling me that I drive in city mostly and can't go beyond 60-70 kmph, but they ignore the factor that a 20kmph car can still collide with a 70 kmph car from any angle.

[abaliga]

When safety is one of the criteria that is being prioritized, there is no comparison between the Virtus and Seltos. Virtus is a no brainer

While I agree that there are corners cut on VW 2.0 cars but I find only XUV7OO and VW twins in the 15-30 lakh range that are both fun and safe at the same time, if you are specific about VW 2.0 twins, I am hopeful to see significant improvements on the quality front to happen with a facelift which may be introduced in about a year, Even without this, we have had a decent experience with the Taigun GT Plus in the extended family that was bought a year ago and has had no issues, the first year service was completed last week and it cost only Rs 5013/- with oil change and air filter replacement

Kia Seltos on the other hand has everything going for it except the safety, one can only guess on the crash safety ratings of the facelift, but with hardly any change in the kerb weight and no mention of structural improvements, it would be a well calculated gamble to not go for Kia

Good luck with the hunt

[mathlesh]

Both cars are excellent choices, and you can't make a wrong decision between them. However, if safety is a top priority, then VW or Skoda would be the better options. The Seltos received a modest 3-star rating in the last crash testing, whereas VW and Skoda got 5 stars.

[Dead_Pedal]

VAG sedan clones won't be an upgrade for sure. The features are poorly executed(example, incomplete digital instrument cluster). The overall quality of your current ride is much nicer.

The Seltos 2.0 is an amazing near perfect product and with all the nice stuff on offer you'll feel your money is well spent. There simply aren't many options in the 20-30 lakh range. You should go ahead with the new Seltos. Any used T-Roc's on sale?

[Mustang111]

Originally Posted by Bhodrolok

Now as I wait for the Kia delivery to be sorted, the doubts around the GNCAP rating keep coming back to my mind.

Should I go ahead with the Seltos with ADAS or should I stick to the tried and tested Virtus but no ADAS? Or should I look at something else?

Just to summarize need a car for 4-5 occupants, has to be fun to drive and safe which I would keep at least for next 5 years.

Help!!!

I have also been in a similar situation for the last one year. Have a 2011 Global Fiesta Petrol and have been looking for an upgrade. Short-listed the Virtus GT DCT, Slavia 1.5 DCT and Kia Seltos in order of priority. But could not go ahead because none of them felt like an upgrade. Seltos is a no-go due to NCAP rating and boot space. Virtus and Slavia are still in the reckoning but not too happy with the final & finesse quality of the product. Jeep Compass would have been an option if they launched the 2 l turbo Petrol in India, but haven't heard anything about it yet. Also, the ever declining sale figures of Jeep makes one wonder when they will shut shop in India like Ford and Chevy. Now I am waiting for a 5 seater XUV700 with all the AX7 L features and additional upgrades like ventilated seats, auto tailgate etc; which is rumoured to launch this festive season. But not yet fully convinced on it. It's such a shame that Octavia, Corolla, Civic, Jetta and Elantra, which would have actually felt like a genuine upgrade is not available.

[RaiAnish]

Hard to understand that people are discounting the Virtus due to the downgraded interior quality. If interior quality is really such a priority then probably driving dynamics and safety, especially aren't the top ones. (In an ideal world, we could have had both!)

There is hardly any doubt which is the proven safer car here with sorted driving dynamics. I'd get the Seltos for strictly city driving only. Virtus for everything else!!

[toretto]

It is a dilemma for sure. But I would say neither Virtus or Seltos will feel like an upgrade from the Vento. Take a test drive of VW Tiguan - eventhough slightly expensive at 43 lakhs on road Bangalore and slightly stiffer suspension it is guaranteed to make you smile.

I am in a similar predicament now, only problem with Tiguan is the cost. With lower segment cars getting better and better, difficult to justify cost compared to a fully loaded Seltos

[ssoni.1411]

Originally Posted by Bhodrolok

I have been driving my 2015 Vento with around 60K kms till date and it's getting a little old in the tooth now even as VW don't have any extended warranties beyond the 7th year. So the itch to upgrade has been around for close to a year now although the car seems to be doing pretty fine. In fact very recently completed a drive to Ooty & back and it was absolutely terrific.
Should I go ahead with the Seltos with ADAS or should I stick to the tried and tested Virtus but no ADAS? Or should I look at something else?

Just to summarize need a car for 4-5 occupants, has to be fun to drive and safe which I would keep at least for next 5 years.

Help!!!

If you have the budget why not go gor the XUV700 or the Tata Harrier. Has all the features you need, has a powerful engine and bulletproof safety. Only thing is ASS but even VW has ASS issues. IMO these two would be a better all round package for you

[07CR]

Originally Posted by Bhodrolok

Should I go ahead with the Seltos with ADAS or should I stick to the tried and tested Virtus but no ADAS? Or should I look at something else?

Just to summarize need a car for 4-5 occupants, has to be fun to drive and safe which I would keep at least for next 5 years.

Help!!!

Your last criteria says you need a car for 5 occupants occasionally atleast. The 2.0 VW cars fail big time in this area, with their bucket type design and the 5th passenger feels very unwelcome.

If GNCAP rating is the only parameter you are worried about, I would say there's a thousand things that can go wrong in an accident. Not only that there are many things that goes into preventing an accident and many of such safety features are not present in the Virtus. Personally, I like to preventive route.

Eyes closed, in all other parameters the Seltos remains the car for me between these two. Happy shopping!

[click]

I second this. I also own a 2013 Vento AT petrol and I don't feel the new replacements would qualify as upgrades. More like an update for few features and looks. If you go and get the shocks, suspension, gearbox checked and replaced if necessary, Vento will handle like a new one and I am sure you can get 4-5 years more out of it.

@rajeevraj Can you tell more about the remap? What difference did it make? and did you get it done a VW or outside?

Originally Posted by Rajeevraj

Maybe it makes sense to hold on for some more time. Understand the itch though as I went through the almost same process last year for my 2013 Vento TSI. In my personal opinion, neither the Virtus or Slavia felt like a possible significant upgrade from a Vento TSI. Same gearbox, slightly more powerful engine, questionable interior quality as compared to the older Vento's. Of course, loaded with much more features and looks better, but that was not enough to justify the purchase for me. Ultimately it is a lateral upgrade.

So what I did to get over the itch was some upgrades. A Stage 1+ ECU/TCU Remap, A new Android HU, some good speakers from Helix, some interior cosmetic changes. All this bought some freshness to the car and also the list of upgrades/changes one can do is limitless. Planning a few more this year.

If you really don't have a strong reason for changing, then suggest to freshen up the car and hold on for another year or two.

[tsi_niks1989]

This was the case when I upgraded last year from my beloved Polo after 10 years. The car was trouble free and never showed its age but the pathetic NCR rule of banning diesel cars left no option.

Checked out the Seltos 1.4 Turbo, did not feel connected with the car. The features were always available in any car from Hyundai/Kia but one needs to decide if they like a mechanically better package or a feature packed car which is mechanically just OK and structurally below average.

Checked out Virtus GT, fell in love with the Jetta inspired looks and the performance on offer. Interiors were just OK but instantly felt connected to the car which was not the case with others. The ergonomics are spot on, the usual touch-points like the steering, door pads are of good quality. Dashboard plastics are hard and scratchy but I haven't felt it a negative as I mostly never touch them. My car has no rattles till date, have driven close to 12500 KMs and the AC never felt that it required an update.

And Yes, I got the car in Sept 2022 when even the Taigun GNCAP rating was not released because I had a firm belief that VW being an international brand won't take customers for a ride on safety-one of their core DNA. All in all, the decision should be made based on your priorities.

[sanjayrozario]

Just go for either of the VW/Skoda 1.5 TSI twins. The twins are safe, have superb driving dynamics & feel comfortable. I believe the Virtus has an edge over the Slavia because its suspensions are tuned better.

[WindmillsFly]

Hi Bhodrolok,

If a manual car is ok, please do take a look at XUV300 diesel. I bought this in March this year and the power on tap is just fantastic. It easily ticks the safety and seating 5 people in the back comfortably.
Other positives, strong build, 300nm torque.
Ofcourse, it has several misses like rear middle passenger gets a lap belt, only 6 airbags. The 7th airbag for knees has been removed.
Went on a ‘long’ journey from Hyderabad to Bangalore and my wife (5’6 height) seated in the back was happy. I am 6 ft and driving was comfortable and not tiring.

[Cresterk]

Do you really want to drive hard or fast in a car that doesn't have a 5 star safety rating?

[Old_Salt]

Wondering, will KIA even send the “new” Seltos for a crash test? I think any manufacturer must be having a fair idea of the product in terms of what safety they are offering.
Let’s say, they know that after so called structural reinforcements, there will be improvements in the crash test scores, then logically they would have or will in the near future get a test done.
Alternatively, if the scores remain almost similar, sales would definitely get affected.

Coming to the post, I sold my 8 year old XUV 500 and when narrowing down the choices for a replacement, it was crystal, no Maruti/Hyundai/KIA.
As we have a Polo at home, test drove the Taigun GT and came super impressed.
Only downside was the rear seat space as we needed space for 3 adults.
Finally ended up booking the XUV700.

Since you are stuck between Seltos or Virtus, I would suggest the VW. Ticks all your boxes and the occasional 5 passenger can also be accommodated.