Kia Seltos vs Hyundai Creta: Which SUV To Buy?

They may be related but the competition between them is fierce. Can the new Seltos steal the Creta’s thunder? We find out

With the launch of the Seltos compact SUV, Kia is the latest carmaker to join the Indian automotive industry. Kia may be Hyundai’s sibling but the two brands operate individually. The new Seltos has been launched at an introductory price range of Rs 9.69 lakh to Rs 15.99 lakh (ex-showroom, pan-India). Its direct rival is the segment-leading Hyundai Creta which is also priced similarly.

Which of these two Korean SUVs offers better value for money today? Let’s find out:

Dimensions

The new Kia Seltos is bigger in every way except height. It is 45mm longer, 20mm wider with 20mm longer wheelbase and an additional 33 litres of boot space over the Hyundai Creta. The Creta is 45mm taller though, which aids its SUV stance and lends it a taller driver position. 

Engines

Petrol

• The Kia boasts of BS6-compliant petrol engines over Hyundai’s single BS4 petrol engine.

• Kia offers the Seltos is two broad trims - Tech Line and GT Line, with the latter getting more features and slightly sportier aesthetics. The torquier and more powerful turbo-charged petrol engine is only available in the GT-Line variants while the 1.5-litre petrol is only offered in the Tech-Line (HT) variants.

• Between the two naturally-aspirated engines, the Creta’s slightly larger engine has more performance to offer but it is not as fuel efficient.

• The Seltos’ automatic transmission options include a CVT and a dual-clutch transmission while the Creta’s petrol unit is available with the choice of a 6-speed torque convertor automatic. The latter is known for its refinement while the new Kia petrol powertrains are yet to be tested thoroughly.

• Kia’s 1.5-litre unit will be replacing the 1.6-litre petrol offering in future Hyundai models, including the next-gen 2020 Creta.

Diesel

• The Seltos is available with a single BS6-compliant diesel unit while the Creta comes with a choice of two BS4 engines depending upon the variant.

• The largest engine, i.e. the 1.6-litre diesel unit, has the most power and torque here while getting the same transmission options as the Seltos’ 1.5-litre engine.

• The 1.4-litre engine has the least performance and is only available with a 6-speed manual. But it claims to deliver the highest mileage and can only be had with lower variants of the Creta.

• The 1.5-litre diesel in the Seltos will be offered in the next-gen 2020 Creta as well.

Also read: Kia Seltos vs Competition: Power, Fuel Efficiency and Dimensions Compared!

DETAILED PRICES

Petrol

Diesel

Prices of comparable variants (Detailed prices at the end of the story)

To keep things fair, we will compare variants that are priced within Rs 50,000 of each other.

Petrol Variants Comparison

Kia Seltos HTK vs Hyundai Creta E+   

Common features: Dual front airbags, rear parking sensors, ABS with EBD, day-night IRVM, impact sensing auto door lock, front passenger seatbelt reminder, height adjustable driver’s seat, keyless entry, manual AC with rear AC vents, front centre armrest with storage, front power outlet, electrically adjustable ORVMs with turn indicators, tilt adjustable steering, power windows.

What Seltos HTK offers over Creta E+: Rear view camera, driving rear view monitor  (allows you to use rear camera to see what’s behind you while driving normally, not just while reversing), projector front fog lamps, one-touch-down power window for driver, 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Arkamys-tuned six speaker audio, steering mounted audio controls, projector headlamps, shark fin antenna, roof rails and front USB charger.

What Creta E+ offers over Seltos HTK: Nothing.

Verdict: At almost identical prices, the Seltos petrol-manual has a lot more to offer and is an easy pick over the entry-level Creta.

Kia Seltos HTK+ vs Hyundai Creta EX   

Common features (over previously compared variants): Rear view camera, front fog lamps, LED DRLs, 6-speaker audio system with Bluetooth, steering mounted audio controls, front USB charger

What Seltos HTK+ offers over Creta EX: Driving rear view monitor, one-touch-down power window for driver, 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Arkamys-tuned audio, projector headlamps, rear windshield curtain, LED sound mood lighting, smart key with push-button engine-start, cruise control, auto folding ORVMs, rear wiper and washer, rear defogger, 16-inch alloys, auto headlamps, shark fin antenna.

What Creta EX offers over Seltos HTK+: Rear centre armrest with cupholders.

Verdict: The Seltos does command a significant premium over the Creta at this price point but the additional features on offer easily justify the cost. The Kia is our pick yet again.

Kia Seltos HTX/ HTX(AT) vs Hyundai Creta Sports Edition/SX (AT)   

Note - The Sports Edition was recently added to offer many premium features over the standard SX. That is why it has been jointly compared here with the SX(AT) against the Seltos HTX.

Common features (over previously compared variants): Rear defogger, alloy wheels, projector headlamps, cornering lamps, LED tail lamps, roof rails, shark fin antenna, leather wrapped steering wheel, rear parcel tray, cruise control, smart key with push-button engine-start, auto AC, electrically folding ORVMs, rear wiper and washer, rear power outlet, driver-side auto up-down, touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, rear centre armrest, dual tone exterior paint, ISOFIX child seat anchorage (AT only).

What Seltos HTX offers over Creta Sports Edition/SX(AT): Driving rear view monitor, 10.25-inch touchscreen display, LED fog lamps, auto LED headlamps, rear windshield curtain, LED sound mood lighting, auto folding ORVMs, tyre pressure monitor, UVO Connect connected car features with an eSIM, rear USB charger, smart air purifier with perfume diffuser, adjustable rear seats, telescopic steering adjust, 60:40 split rear seat (common between AT variants) and leatherette upholstery, electrochromic IRVM.

What Creta Sports Edition/SX(AT) offers over Seltos HTX: Wireless phone charger, electric sunroof.

Verdict: This one is not as clear cut since both are well-equipped at this price point. However, the Seltos offers latest tech features such as remote engine start thanks to the connected car technology and a smart air purifier as well. The Creta may not be as well equipped but it does come with wireless charging and a sunroof at the same price point.

Also read: Kia Seltos vs MG Hector: Which SUV To Buy?

Diesel Variants Comparison

Kia Seltos HTE vs Hyundai Creta E+   

Common features: Dual front airbags, rear parking sensors, ABS with EBD, day-night IRVM, impact sensing auto door lock, front passenger seatbelt reminder, height adjustable driver’s seat, keyless entry, manual AC with rear AC vents, front centre armrest with storage, front power outlet, tilt adjustable steering, power windows.

What Seltos HTE offers over Creta E+: 2-DIN audio system with Bluetooth, four speakers, steering mounted audio controls, projector headlamps, rear disc brakes, shark fin antenna.

What Creta E+ offers over Seltos HTE: Electrically adjustable ORVMs with turn indicators.

Verdict: There is not much to separate the entry-level variants of the Seltos and Creta. However, the Kia does offer more safety (rear disc brakes) and features for a similar price, which makes it our pick over the Hyundai.

Kia Seltos HTK vs Hyundai Creta EX   

Common features (over previously compared variants): Rear view camera, front fog lamps, electrically adjustable ORVMs with turn indicators, six-speaker audio system with Bluetooth, steering mounted audio controls, front USB charger,

What Seltos HTK offers over Creta EX: Projector headlamps, rear disc brakes, shark fin antenna, roof rails, one-touch auto-down power window for driver,  8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, driving rear view monitor.

What Creta EX offers over Seltos HTK: Rear armrest with cupholders, LED DRLs.

Verdict: The Seltos’ comforts may not be worth the premium charged but it does come with rear disc brakes too, which add to the car’s safety. The Kia wins over the Hyundai Creta yet again.

Kia Seltos HTK+ vs Hyundai Creta S   

Common features (over previously compared variants): rear defogger, alloy wheels, roof rails, rear parcel tray, rear power outlet, LED DRLs.

What Seltos HTK+ offers over Creta S: Projector auto headlamps, rear disc brakes, shark fin antenna, LED sound mood lighting, one-touch auto up-down power window for driver,  8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, driving rear view monitor, smart key with push-button engine-start, cruise control, auto folding ORVMs.

What Creta S offers over Seltos HTK+: Rear armrest with cupholders.

Verdict: The Seltos is more expensive in the manual version while being less expensive with the automatic, as compared to similarly priced versions of the Creta S. In both cases, the Kia compact SUV takes the win for the host of additional features and comforts on offer.

Kia Seltos HTX vs Hyundai Creta SX   

Common features (over previously compared variants): Projector headlamps, cornering lamps, LED tail lamps, roof rails, shark fin antenna, leather wrapped steering wheel, rear parcel tray, cruise control, smart key with push-button engine-start, auto AC, electrically folding ORVMs, rear wiper and washer, rear power outlet, driver-side auto up-down, touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, rear centre armrest.

What Seltos HTX offers over Creta SX: Rear disc brakes, driving rear view monitor, 10.25-inch touchscreen display, LED fog lamps, auto LED headlamps, rear windshield curtain, LED sound mood lighting, auto folding ORVMs, tyre pressure monitor, UVO Connect connected car features with an eSIM, rear USB charger, smart air purifier with perfume diffuser, adjustable rear seats, telescopic steering adjust, 60:40 split rear seat and leatherette upholstery, electrochromic IRVM.

What Creta SX offers over Seltos HTX: Wireless phone charger.

Verdict: At this price point, the Seltos claims an easy win over the Creta, which is simply not modern enough to compete with the Kia. 

Kia Seltos HTX+ vs Hyundai Creta SX(O)   

Common features (over previously compared variants): Leatherette upholstery, electrochromic IRVM, multi-information display in instrument cluster, sunroof, power adjustable driver’s seat, wireless phone charger.

What Seltos HTX+ offers over Creta SX(O): Rear disc brakes, driving rear view monitor, 10.25-inch touchscreen display, LED fog lamps, auto LED headlamps, rear windshield curtain, LED sound mood lighting, auto folding ORVMs, tyre pressure monitor, UVO Connect connected car features, rear USB charger, smart air purifier with perfume diffuser, adjustable rear seats, telescopic steering adjust, 60:40 split rear seat, 8-way power adjustable driver’s seat (2 more than Creta), ventilated front seats, front parking sensors, larger 7-inch full-colour MID, UV protected glass, 8-speaker 400W Bose sound system.

What Creta SX(O) offers over Seltos HTX+: Side and curtain airbags (total 6), electronic stability control, vehicle stability management, hill start assist.

Verdict: With  its additional comforts and features, the Seltos is a far more attractive package while being substantially lower in price. However, we recommend the Creta for its extensive safety package in terms of additional airbags and active safety features.

Also read: Kia Seltos vs Tata Harrier: Which SUV To Pick?

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