New Delhi: There are two major factors that influence our car buying decisions in many ways. First of which is the rising fuel prices and second is the worsening traffic situation. Of course, WFH and other factors have reduced road congestion, but not many want to use a clutch in this day and age.


Therefore automatic petrol cars are in demand but their low efficiency in many cases might pinch wallets. So what is the solution? One such is the iMT technology. Till now we have seen cars like the Hyundai Venue and the Kia Sonet have that. These subcompact SUVs have the iMT option with turbo petrol.


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However, in a rather clever strategic move, Kia recently launched the updated Seltos with an iMT gearbox. However, unlike the Sonet, the Seltos iMT is being offered with the 1.5l petrol at a more aggressive price point with the HTK+ variant.


To put things in perspective the Seltos 1.5l iMT is priced at Rs 12.18 lakh. That means it is cheaper than subcompact SUVs and is the only 4m plus SUV with an iMT. Value enough to drive it and explain why this car could be an interesting choice.




iMT as technology is interesting but basically, it is a manual but without you having to use the clutch. It takes a few moments in getting used to it but it is remarkably easy to drive once you get the hang of it. What is nice is that shifting gears is smooth and there is hardly any lag.


It is way better than an AMT for sure as you have control here. Plus unlike any conventional manual, you will not stall it and it is not a pain in the city traffic. The engine used with this gearbox is also different. It is a 1.5l petrol motor.


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Performance is linear and it does not have the muscular power delivery of a turbo-petrol. But the engine has a smooth and linear power delivery. It does the job and the car does not feel underpowered at all. As a city-based SUV the iMT is just way better and more relaxing than a manual gearbox plus it is not as expensive as a conventional automatic.


The variant in which you get iMT is decently equipped with more than the basic features covered and the interior has good quality too. Hence at around Rs 12 lakh, you get a bigger compact SUV with an iMT and a decent features list.


It is actually a good value package and if you are looking for a petrol manual SUV, this will tempt you.


PS - The new Kia logo also looks good!




 


Kia Seltos iMT


What we like - Value, iMT convenience, 1.5l engine smoothness, price, design


What we do not - Kia needs to provide the iMT with more engines and variants in the Seltos.


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