2023 Kia Seltos Facelift vs Rivals: Price, Specs, and Features

The facelifted Kia Seltos has finally been launched in India, with significant design changes as well as new features and a mighty turbocharged petrol engine, making a strong case for the SUV against the likes of Hyundai Creta, Skoda Kushaq, Toyota Hyryder, Grand Vitara, Mg Astorr, Volkswagen Taigun and the upcoming Honda Elevate.

Here is a comprehensive comparison to help you make an informed decision.

Dimensions

	Kia Seltos	Honda Elevate	Maruti Grand Vitara / Toyota Hyryder	Hyundai Creta	Skoda Kushaq / VW Taigun	MG Astor
Length (In mm)	4365	4312	4365 (Grand Vitara measures 4345mm)	4,300	4225	4323
Width (In mm)	1800	1790	1795	1790	1760	1809
Height (In mm)	1645	1650	1645 (Hyryder measures 1635mm)	1635	1612	1650
Wheelbase (In mm)	2610	2650	2600	2610	2651	2585
Ground Clearance (In mm)	–	220	210	190	188	180
Boot Space (In litres)	433	458	355	433	385	448
Wheels (In inch)	18 (X Line) / 17 (others)	17	17	17	17	17

• Longest: 2023 Kia Seltos facelift
• Widest: MG Astor (+9mm from Seltos)
• Tallest: Honda Elevate and MG Astor (+5mm from Seltos)
• Longest Wheelbase: Skoda Kushaq, Volkswagen Taigun and Honda Elevate (up to +40mm from Seltos)
• Biggest Boot: Honda Elevate (25L more from Seltos)

Engine Specifications

Petrol

	Kia Seltos	Honda Elevate	Maruti Grand Vitara / Toyota Hyryder	Hyundai Creta	Skoda Kushaq / VW Taigun	MG Astor
Engine	1.5-litre N.A. 1.5-litre turbo	1.5-litre N.A.	1.5L NA mild-hybrid 1.5L strong-hybrid	1.5L NA	1L turbo 1.5L turbo	1.5L N.A. 1.3L turbo
Max Power	NA: 115PS Turbo: 160PS	121PS	Mild hybrid: 103PS Strong hybrid: 116PS (Combined)	115PS	1-litre: 115PS 1.5-litre: 150PS	NA: 110PS Turbo: 140PS
Max Torque	NA: 144Nm Turbo: 253Nm	145Nm	Mild hybrid: 135Nm Strong hybrid: 141Nm	144Nm	1-litre: 178Nm 1.5-litre: 250Nm	NA: 144Nm Turbo: 220Nm
Gearbox	NA: 6-speed manual / CVT Turbo: 6-speed iMT / 7-speed DCT	6-speed MT/7-speed CVT	Mild hybrid: 5-speed MT or 6-speed AT Strong hybrid: e-CVT	6-speed MT or CVT	1-litre: 6-speed MT / AT 1.5-litre: 6-speed MT / 7-speed DSG	NA: 5-speed MT / CVT Turbo: 6-speed AT
Drivetrain	FWD	FWD	Mild hybrid: FWD / AWD optional with manual Strong hybrid: FWD	FWD	FWD	FWD
Claimed Mileage	1.5L NA: 17 kmpl (MT), 17.70 kmpl (CVT) 1.5L Turbo: 17.7 kmpl (iMT), 17.90 kmpl (DCT)	15.31 kmpl (MT), 16.92 kmpl (CVT)	Mild hybrid: 21.11kmpl (MT), 20.58kmpl (AT), 19.38kmpl (AWD) CNG: 26.6 km/kg Strong hybrid: 27.97kmpl	16.8kmpl (MT), 16.9kmpl (CVT)	1-litre: up to 19.76 kmpl (MT), 18.09 kmpl (AT) 1.5-litre: up to 18.60 kmpl (MT), 18.86 (DSG)	NA: – 15.43 kmpl (MT), 14.85 kmpl (CVT) Turbo: – 14.34 kmpl

*N.A.: Naturally aspirated engine (which doesn’t require any forced induction system for air intake like a turbocharger)

• Most Powerful: Kia Seltos Turbo
• Most Torquiest: Kia Seltos Turbo, followed by Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun 1.5 TSI
• Most Fuel Efficient: Maruti Grand Vitara and Toyota Hyryder

• Among the mentioned vehicles, Honda Elevate and Hyundai Creta are equipped with a single petrol engine, while the others offer two engine options.
• The Germans only come with turbocharged petrol engine options.
• Only Maruti Grand Vitara and Toyota Hyryder are available as strong hybrid options. They also come with the segment’s first all-wheel-drive (AWD) system and a factory-fitted CNG powertrain option.
• MG Astor and the Grand Vitara-Hyryder duo are equipped with a 5-speed manual gearbox for their petrol engine, while other SUVs feature a 6-speed manual gearbox.
• Hyundai Creta is expected to get Seltos’ 1.5L turbocharged petrol engine in the near future.

Diesel

• As of now, only the Kia Seltos and Hyundai Creta come with a diesel engine option.
• Both SUVs get an identical 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder CRDi unit. Here’s a look at its specifications

Engine	1.5-litre CRDi diesel
No of Cylinders	4
Max Power	116PS
Peak Torque	250Nm
Gearbox options	6-speed Manual/AT
Claimed Mileage	Seltos: 20.70 kmpl (iMT), 19.21 kmpl (AT) Creta: 21.4 kmpl (Manual), 18.5 kmpl (AT)

Also Read: Honda Elevate Variant-Wise Features Revealed

Features Comparison

	Kia Seltos	Honda Elevate	Maruti Grand Vitara / Toyota Hyryder	Hyundai Creta	Skoda Kushaq / VW Taigun	MG Astor
LED Headlamps with DRLs	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Auto Headlamps	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Rain Sensing Wipers	✅	–	❌	❌	✅	✅
Cruise Control	✅ (Adaptive in X-Line)	✅(Adaptive)	✅	✅	✅	✅(Adaptive)
Auto AC	Dual-Zone	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Rear AC Vents	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Wireless Charger	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌
Powered Driver’s Seat	✅	❌ (manual adjustment)	❌ (manual adjustment)	✅	❌ (manual adjustment)	✅
Ventilated Front Seats	✅	❌	✅	✅	✅	❌
360-degree Camera	✅	Only lane watch camera	✅	❌	❌ (rear camera only)	✅
Heads-up display	✅	❌	✅	❌	❌	❌
Digital Driver’s Display	✅	Semi-digital	✅	Semi-digital	✅	✅
Touchscreen Infotainment	10.25-inch	10.25-inch	9-inch	10.25-inch	10-inch	10.1-inch
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto	✅	✅(Wireless)	✅(Wireless)	✅	✅(Wireless)	✅
Connected Car Tech	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Premium Sound System	BOSE	–	ARKAMYS tuned	BOSE	–	–
Keyless Entry with Puch Button Start	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Sunroof	Panoramic	Single-Pane	Panoramic	Panoramic	Single-Pane	Panoramic
Ambient lighting	✅	–	✅	✅	✅	❌
Reclining rear seats	✅	–	✅	✅	❌	❌
No of airbags	6 (standard)	6	6	6	6	6
Parking Sensors	Front + Rear	Rear	Rear	Rear	Rear	Rear
ESP	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Traction Control	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Hill Assist	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
ADAS	✅	✅	❌	❌	❌	✅ Level-2

Also Read: 2023 Kia Seltos Facelift Variants and Features Explained

In terms of features, all the SUVs are impressively equipped. Nevertheless, the facelifted Kia Seltos gains an advantage over its competitors with its dual-zone climate control, branded sound system, standard 6 airbags, heads-up display, front & rear parking sensors, and Level-2 ADAS system.

Price

Model	Price Range
2023 Kia Seltos Facelift	N.A. Petrol: Rs 10.89 – 16.59 lakh Diesel: Rs 11.99 – 19.99 lakh Turbo Petrol: Rs 14.99 – 19.99 lakh
Maruti Grand Vitara	Non-Hybrid: Rs 10.70 – 16.91 lakh CNG: Rs 13.05 – 14.86 lakh Hybrid: Rs 18.15 – 19.79 lakh
Toyota Hyryder	Non-Hybrid: Rs 10.73 – 17.21 lakh CNG: Rs 13.43 – 15.31 lakh Hybrid: Rs 16.21 – 19.74 lakh
Hyundai Creta	Petrol: Rs 10.87 – 18.34 lakh Diesel: Rs 11.96 – 19.20 lakh
Volkswagen Taigun	1.0 TSI: Rs 11.62 – 17.35 lakh 1.5 TSI: Rs 16.26 – 19.06 lakh
Skoda Kushaq	1.0 TSI: Rs 11.59 – 18.09 lakh 1.5 TSI: Rs 14.99 – 19.69 lakh
MG Astor	1.5 NA: Rs 10.82 – 17.10 lakh 1.3 Turbo: Rs 17.11 – 18.69 lakh
Honda Elevate	Yet-to-be-launched (Bookings are underway)

• The 2023 Kia Seltos is competitively priced, aligning with most of its competitors, save for the Maruti Grand Vitara and Toyota Hyryder, which have significantly lower starting prices, undercutting the new Seltos by a decent margin.
• The turbocharged petrol and diesel variants of the Kia Seltos make it the most expensive SUV in its class, touching almost Rs 20 mark. Nonetheless, it is worth noting that Seltos’s top-of-the-line X-Line variant is packed with tons of additional features over its rivals, including Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), which is otherwise only available with the MG Astor’s Savvy variants, that are more budget-friendly than the Seltos.