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 SUV comes with a dual-clutch transmission (DCT), while the Tata comes with a torque converter (TC) 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. As for kerb weight, the 1,552kg Sierra is 85kg heavier than the Seltos.
Kia Seltos vs Tata Sierra: Turbo-petrol automatic 0-100kph sprint test
Despite being heavier, the Tata Sierra is quicker than the Kia Seltos in the 0-100kph sprint. It stays ahead throughout the test, although the gap is small. By 100kph, the Sierra is only 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 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 line-up 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
