Hyundai Creta or Kia Seltos: which SUV should you buy?

I recently sold my 15-year-old Maruti Dzire, and I have shortlisted the Hyundai Creta SX(O) and Kia Seltos GTX+. I know both are cousins, but I am confused. Since my driving is mainly around 1,000km within the city, I am planning to buy an automatic. Should I go for a diesel or petrol?

Abhishek Shetty, Bengaluru

Autocar India says: Given that your monthly driving is around 1,000km and primarily within the city, we recommend opting for a petrol automatic over a diesel, as a diesel engine’s lower fuel costs only make financial sense for high-mileage users. At 1,000km/month, the savings won’t be significant enough to offset the higher initial cost of a diesel variant.

Another concern is that modern diesel engines come with a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF), which requires regular high-speed, long-distance drives to prevent clogging. In city driving, with frequent short trips, the DPF may not reach optimal temperatures, leading to maintenance issues and forced regeneration drives.

The best petrol options would be the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos, but we suggest the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine with the CVT. It’s smooth, refined and well-suited for city driving, unlike the turbo-petrol options that can feel jerky in stop-go traffic.

While both SUVs share the same platform, we recommend the Creta SX(O) over the Seltos GTX+ since the Creta is the newer model; the Seltos is due for a full model change in 2026. Opting for the Creta ensures that your car remains current for longer.

Also See:

2024 Hyundai Creta facelift video review

Hyundai Creta facelift review: Even more wholesome now

Kia Seltos facelift review: Small changes add up

Kia Seltos facelift video review

Hyundai Creta

₹ 12,54,439 * on road price (New Delhi)

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