The midsize SUV segment offers a wide range of powertrains, including petrol, CNG, diesel, hybrid and electric options. While each one serves a different kind of buyer, the turbo-petrol is the enthusiast's choice. Here, we pit two popular turbo-petrol automatic SUVs against each other: the Kia Seltos and Tata Sierra.
For this comparison, we tested the top-spec Kia Seltos GTX (A) and the Tata Sierra Accomplished+. The Kia uses a dual-clutch transmission (DCT), while the Tata comes with a torque converter (TC), which is not the usual gearbox choice with a turbo-petrol engine. In fact, the Sierra is the only mid-size SUV to pair its turbo-petrol engine with a TC unit, and that makes this comparison even more interesting. Read on for the results.
Kia Seltos vs Tata Sierra: Turbo-petrol automatic specifications
Both use four-cylinder turbo-petrol engines producing 160hp, but the Sierra has a marginal 2Nm torque advantage at 255Nm. The Seltos, however, develops its peak torque earlier.
The Sierra, meanwhile, has a 5mm edge in ground clearance at 205mm, which will be beneficial over our unpredictable road conditions. But its 19-inch alloy wheel size, largest in the segment, impact ride comfort; versions with the smaller 18-inch and especially 17-inch wheels ride better still.
Coming to kerb weight, the 1552kg Sierra is 85kg heavier than the Seltos. This also gives the Kia SUV an edge in fuel efficiency, as its tested city and highway mileage figures are slightly higher than the Tata's, resulting in lower running costs. While both SUVs have the same 50-litre fuel tank capacity, the Seltos can travel further between fuel stops.
Kia Seltos vs Tata Sierra: Turbo-petrol automatic 0-100kph sprint test
The Tata Sierra is quicker than the Kia Seltos from a standstill in our tests, despite being heavier. The Sierra's advantage is most evident in the initial stages of acceleration. It reaches 20kph 0.27 seconds quicker and extends that lead to 0.39 seconds by 40kph. At 60kph, it remains ahead by 0.18 seconds, while the gap grows to 0.27 seconds at 80kph. By the time both SUVs hit 100kph, however, the difference is almost negligible, with the Sierra being just 0.02 seconds quicker.
Kia Seltos vs Tata Sierra: Turbo-petrol automatic rolling acceleration test
Opposite to the results of the 0-100kph acceleration tests, the Kia Seltos comes out ahead in both kickdown tests. It's 0.14 seconds quicker in the 20-80kph run and extends its advantage to 0.37 seconds in the 40-100kph test. Credit for this goes largely to its DCT, which responds promptly to paddle-shifter inputs. The Tata Sierra, meanwhile, feels more relaxed in comparison, even when you want aggressive responses. There is also a slight delay when switching between drive modes using the gear selector.
Kia Seltos vs Tata Sierra: Turbo-petrol automatic braking test
In our 80-0kph braking test, which simulates a panic stop, the Kia Seltos and Tata Sierra are almost neck and neck. Both SUVs get front and rear disc brakes, but the Seltos edges ahead by a very small margin. It stops only 0.01 metres shorter than the Sierra's 26.79 metres, and comes to a halt 0.2 seconds quicker, at 2.4 seconds. That said, the Seltos didn't feel as sure-footed as the Sierra under hard braking.
Kia Seltos vs Tata Sierra: Turbo-petrol automatic prices
*Turbo-petrol automatic variants.
Clearly, the Kia Seltos' turbo-petrol automatic range is priced significantly lower than the Tata Sierra. The Seltos DCT lineup starts at Rs 16.31 lakh, making it Rs 1.68 lakh more accessible than the Sierra's equivalent AT variant. The gap narrows higher up the range, but even then, the top-spec Seltos remains nearly Rs 1 lakh cheaper than the Sierra.
Autocar India's testing standards
Before we conduct our performance tests, we check and maintain tyre pressures based on the manufacturer's recommendations and ensure the car has a full tank of fuel. The car is then tested in a controlled environment with two people on board, and the data is collected via highly accurate GPS-based timing equipment.
Ex-showroom prices are as of June 5, 2026.
Dipan Sur
Saptarshi Mondal
Viraaj Bhatnagar
