HTK manual is a better choice for just a bit more investment. The added features like better safety tech and a more premium feel make a big difference, especially for highway drives. The base HTE is fine, but you might miss those extras in the long run. Plus, the Seltos has great mileage, so your fuel costs won’t be high.

Antony J•3 Aug 2026

4/5

Seltos has become one of the reliable cars now.

Ashish Singhal•3 Aug 2026

3/5

The Seltos offers a more premium experience but has lesser fuel economy compared to others.

Dipan Roy•3 Aug 2026

4/5

Go for the Kia Seltos as it has the newer platform. Also, the space is more.

Anjali Bhatt•3 Aug 2026

4/5

The Kia Seltos is more engaging with its sporty design and features. If you prioritize a modern cabin and tech, go for the Seltos.

Mohit•3 Aug 2026

3/5

I am considering the Seltos diesel X-Line top model.

Dipesh Arora•3 Aug 2026

4/5

I think the Seltos has better looks and road presence.

Utsav Atha•2 Aug 2026

5/5

The Kia Seltos offers a smooth drive with a refined engine. It has better fuel efficiency and the IVT transmission makes driving relaxed in traffic and on the highway. The customer service and after-sales are well organized across Kia dealerships.

Siddharth Menon•2 Aug 2026

5/5

The Kia Seltos offers excellent highway mileage, comfort, and features.

Kartik Rana•2 Aug 2026

3/5

The Seltos has a great ride, but if you’re mainly using it for city commutes, the Elevate should meet your needs well.

Kia Seltos Expert Reviews

Autocar score

We like

Ride that’s comfort oriented without sacrificing handling balance
Smooth and strong turbo-petrol engine performance

We don't like

Misses some expected features in this segment
The diesel engine lacks punch

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Kia Seltos Images

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Questions you may find useful

•2d

Dear Autocar Team, I already own a Kushaq 1.5 TSI Manual, and I am looking to buy a B-segment SUV. I am confused between the Hyundai Creta IVT and the Kia Seltos Turbo DCT. Could you please help me choose the better option?

•2d

Since you already own a Skoda Kushaq 1.5 TSI manual, you are already enjoying a strong turbo petrol engine and a genuinely engaging driving experience. The Creta IVT is a naturally aspirated petrol with a CVT, which is smooth and easy in traffic but will feel like a step down in performance and driving enjoyment compared to your Kushaq. The Seltos turbo petrol DCT is the better fit here. It gives you the performance you are used to, a more premium cabin, and a genuinely enjoyable driving experience. The DCT is not as smooth as the IVT in stop-start traffic, but it is the more engaging car overall and will feel like a proper upgrade rather than a compromise. The Seltos also feels more premium inside and is the more satisfying car to own alongside your Kushaq.

Skoda Kushaq

Hyundai Creta

Kia Seltos

•3d

Hey, I’ve booked the 2026 Kia Seltos HTK IVT variant. As you know, it comes with a lot of features, and this variant covers almost everything I need for my daily usage. However, I’m a bit confused now because the next-generation Hyundai Creta is expected to launch either towards the end of this year or in early 2027. Is it really worth waiting for the new Creta, or should I go ahead with the Seltos without having second thoughts? If I do decide to wait, I’d also like to know whether Hyundai actually offers a better overall ownership experience in terms of maintenance costs, service quality, spare parts availability, reliability, resale value, pricing, mileage, and long-term ownership compared to Kia. It’s already almost August, so if we wait just a few more months, we could probably get a 2027-manufactured and registered vehicle, which is another reason we’re considering waiting. At the same time, we’re planning to keep this car for the long term (8-10 years or more), so we want to make the right decision now rather than regret it later. That’s why I have so many questions. I’d really appreciate an unbiased opinion from the experts on whether it’s better to stick with the Seltos or wait for the all-new Creta. Thanks in advance.

•1d

Go ahead with the Kia Seltos HTK IVT. The Seltos is a very well-rounded product, and the HTK IVT is a sweet spot in the range with a good balance of features and value. The bigger point is that the Seltos and Creta are fundamentally very similar cars underneath, sharing the same platform, engines and gearboxes. The ownership experience between Hyundai and Kia is also broadly similar in terms of maintenance costs, service reach, reliability and resale value. There is no clear advantage to waiting for the new Creta from that perspective.The only reason to wait would be if you are specifically interested in the new Creta’s design, interior or feature set. But that is an unknown at this stage, and there is no guarantee it will be meaningfully better than the Seltos. In fact, the Seltos is already one of the most complete cars in the segment, and the IVT gearbox is smooth and well-suited to city driving.Given you are planning to keep the car for 8-10 years, it makes more sense to buy a proven product now rather than wait for an unknown. The Seltos will serve you well over the long term, and you are unlikely to regret the decision.

Kia Seltos

Hyundai Creta

•3d

I currently own a 2022 Kia Seltos that has covered 35,000 km. My wife and I are the primary occupants, and we usually take one or two road trips every six months, covering up to 300 km in a day on highways. We are both 66 years old. I plan to continue driving myself for the next five years, after which I expect to hire a chauffeur. I have been considering replacing the Seltos with the MG Hector Savvy CVT 6-seater. Given my usage and future plans, would it be better to make the change now or wait?

•1d

Based on your usage and priorities, there is no compelling reason to change your Kia Seltos right now. Your 2022 Seltos with 35,000 km is still relatively new and well within its prime ownership period. Since you and your wife are usually the only occupants, and your travel is limited to one or two highway trips every six months with a maximum of 300 km a day, moving to a larger 6-seater like the MG Hector Savvy CVT does not offer any meaningful advantage. While the Hector is a comfortable SUV, its larger dimensions and third row are unlikely to be fully utilised based on your current needs. The Seltos is already a comfortable and capable highway car, and it will continue to serve you well for the next five years until you transition to a chauffeur-driven setup. At that point, you can reassess your requirements and choose a more comfort-focused upgrade if needed. For now, keeping the Seltos is the more practical and sensible decision.

Kia Seltos

MG Hector

•3d

Hi, I currently drive a 2014 Maruti Suzuki Dzire Petrol and am planning to upgrade to a new SUV. My shortlisted options are the Kia Seltos HTX(A) DCT and the Mahindra XUV 7XO Petrol Automatic. My biggest concern with the XUV 7XO is its low fuel efficiency. My monthly running is less than 1,000 km, as I work from home, with a 60:40 city-to-highway split in the NCR. I also plan to use the new car for trips to the mountains, so it should offer strong performance, sufficient torque, and confident handling. I also test-drove the new Renault Duster and loved the driving experience, but I wasn't impressed by Renault's showroom and after-sales experience. Which of these would you recommend for my requirements?

•2d

Given your usage of less than 1,000km a month with a 60:40 city-highway mix in NCR, the Kia Seltos HTX(A) DCT is the better fit. The Seltos turbo petrol DCT is a strong performer with good mid-range torque, making it well-suited for mountain drives and highway overtakes. It also offers a more polished ownership experience with Kia’s wider service network and better dealership consistency, which is important for long-term peace of mind.The Mahindra XUV 7XO petrol automatic is a more powerful and larger SUV, but it is also heavier and less efficient, which is a concern given your low running. The Seltos strikes a better balance between performance, efficiency and ease of ownership. The new Duster is a genuinely enjoyable driver’s car, but as a package does not score well against the Seltos in terms of equipment and space.The Seltos HTX(A) DCT is the most sensible choice here.

Kia Seltos

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Renault Duster

•4d

Hi, I am a 27-year-old first-time car buyer from Delhi NCR. My daily commute is around 25 km, including a mix of expressway and city traffic. My monthly running will be around 600 km, with an expected annual running of 7,000-8,000 km. I have access to EV charging at my apartment (Rs. 10/kWh) and at my workplace through a Statiq charger (Rs. 22/kWh). I was considering the Mahindra BE 6 Pack Two 59 kWh, as the car will mostly be used by my wife and me. I may send it to my parents in my hometown after 4-5 years, but not before that. My budget is around Rs. 21-22 lakh. The BE 6 is currently available with a Rs. 1.5 lakh discount, and a new version is expected to be announced soon. Would you recommend buying the BE 6 now, waiting for the updated version in the hope of better discounts, or opting for a Kia Seltos Diesel (Rs. 17-19 lakh) and upgrading to an EV after 4-5 years? I am not considering petrol cars because of concerns regarding E20 and future E25 fuel compatibility.

•4d

Go for the Mahindra BE 6 Pack 2 59kWh. Your usage pattern is ideal for an EV, with a mix of expressway and city traffic, and you already have affordable home charging. At Rs 10/kWh, your running costs will be significantly lower than a diesel, and the BE 6’s 59kWh battery is more than adequate for your daily needs and occasional longer trips. The current discount makes it a strong value proposition, and waiting for the next version is unlikely to yield dramatically better deals given how quickly EV technology and pricing are evolving.The Seltos is a good car, but at 7,000-8,000 km a year, buying a diesel car is harder to justify because of the higher upfront premium. You would also be looking at a replacement in 4-5 years. The BE 6, on the other hand, can be handed over to your parents after that period, making it a more sensible long-term purchase. As for E20/E25 concerns, modern petrol engines are engineered for these blends, and there is no official roadmap beyond E20, so it should not be a reason to avoid petrol cars altogether.Overall, the BE 6 fits your usage, budget and long-term plans best.

Mahindra BE 6

Kia Seltos