Kia Seltos Vs Tata Sierra: Find Out Which New SUV Is The More Compelling Choice

Interested in buying the new Kia Seltos? Here’s our Ultimate Buying Guide!

The compact SUV segment in India has seen many new SUVs towards the end of 2025 and the beginning of 2026. Out of the many options, the Kia Seltos facelift and the Tata Sierra are one of the most popular ones. They both bring their unique strengths to the table, and pack a lot in terms of equipment. 

If you were in the market looking for an SUV that costs around Rs 20 lakh, chances are that you might have considered these two names. So how do they compare, and which SUV appeals to you more? Let’s understand this better by going through their specifications, features, dimensions, and powertrains.

Price

All prices are ex-showroom, pan-India

• The Sierra’s base variant is around Rs 50,000 more expensive than the Seltos' base variant. 

• The top-spec variant of the Seltos is Rs 1.30 lakh more affordable than the Sierra. 

Let’s take a look at the specifications of both these SUVs: 

Dimensions

• The Seltos is the longest SUV in the segment, and beats the Sierra by as much as 120 mm. 

• The Sierra, on the other hand, is much taller than the Seltos. 

• In terms of wheelbase, the Tata SUV takes the lead. The extra wheelbase should lead to more space inside the cabin. 

• Due to the similar width, one can expect a similar shoulder room on offer. 

Colour Options

*Also available with a black roof in select variants

• The Seltos offers three extra shades over the Sierra SUV. 

• If you pick the X-Line version of the Seltos, you get the sporty-looking Matte Graphite shade.  

Powertrain

DCT- dual clutch transmission, AT- torque converter automatic transmission, CVT- Continuously variable transmission 

• Both SUVs get two petrol engines, one naturally aspirated and a turbo petrol mill. 

• The NA petrol engine of the Seltos generates more output and is known to be very refined. 

• The turbo petrol engines of both SUVs produce similar numbers and are among the most powerful engines in the segment. 

• Both SUVs also come with a diesel engine, if efficiency is your top priority.  

• You get several gearbox options. However, the turbo-petrol engines miss out on a manual gearbox. 

Features

• As seen above, both SUVs come equipped with all the bells and whistles that you would expect at this price point. 

• However, the Sierra gets a few extra feel-good features. 

• Over the Seltos, the Sierra gets a powered tailgate, manual boss mode, extendable underthigh support, more speakers and a third display for the co-driver. 

CarDekho Says

If your budget is around Rs 20 lakh and you’re looking for a feature-rich compact SUV, both the 2026 Kia Seltos and Tata Sierra make a strong case for themselves.

The Kia Seltos stands out with its longer length, better naturally aspirated petrol engine, and an interior that screams quality. It is also more affordable at both the entry and top-end levels, making it a more value-for-money choice for buyers who want a balanced package with strong road presence and proven performance. Its lower variants are loaded with equipment, and the Seltos’ proven reliability is something you cannot ignore. 

The Tata Sierra, on the other hand, focuses heavily on comfort and equipment. It offers a longer wheelbase for better cabin space, a taller stance, and feel-good features such as a powered tailgate, co-driver entertainment screen, and a 12-speaker JBL sound system. It is clearly the more feature-loaded SUV here. Its name also brings a sense of nostalgia and its road presence is something you cannot ignore. 

Both SUVs offer strong turbo-petrol and features, so neither feels lacking in terms of modern equipment. While the Sierra feels like the more complete package on paper, the Seltos feels more well-rounded overall. We recommend you going to the respective showrooms to check out both these SUVs in person, take a long test drive and then come to a conclusion. 

Here are some other options you can look at besides the Seltos or Sierra:

• Hyundai Creta: The Seltos’ oldest rival, and a well-rounded SUV that does most things well. Lots of features, a comfortable ride, and plenty of engine and variant options to choose from.

• Maruti Victoris: One of Maruti's more premium offerings. It is fuel-efficient, feature-rich, and very comfortable to travel in.

• Maruti Grand Vitara / Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder: Similar to the Victoris but a slightly older option. Great if saving fuel is your top priority, thanks to the strong hybrid powertrain. (Here's a comparison between the Seltos and Grand Vitara. Check this report if you want to compare the Seltos and Hyryder.)

• Honda Elevate: A good pick for those who want top-notch reliability. Offers a spacious cabin and one of the best petrol engines in this class. (Check out the comparison with between the Seltos here)

• Renault Duster: Stands out with its rugged styling, capable engines, and a suspension that handles both city roads and highways with ease.  Compare the Kia Seltos and Duster side by side.

• Volkswagen Taigun: The newest SUV on the block, featuring revised styling, even more features now and excellent driving dynamics. It is also one of the safest SUVs in the segment. (Read out the comparison report against Seltos here.)

• Skoda Kushaq: Very similar to the Taigun. Gets the same engines, comparable ride and handling, with a couple of feature differences between them. Here's how it stands against the Seltos.

• MG Astor: Great interior experience and decent features list at a lower price point. (Read out the comparison between the Seltos here) 
• Tata Curvv stands out with its bold coupe-SUV design and stronger safety credentials. (Take a look at the Kia Seltos and the Tata Curvv comparison here.)

In this report, you can take a closer look at how the new Seltos compares with the older version.