Kia India launched the new-gen Seltos in January 2026, while its Hyundai counterpart, the Creta facelift, has now been around for the past two years. These arch rivals are both available with a naturally aspirated petrol engine, and one that utilises a continuously variable transmission (CVT) as its preferred type of automatic gearbox. The convenience part aside, how do the CVT versions of the Seltos and Creta compare as far as fuel efficiency is concerned?
Kia Seltos vs Hyundai Creta petrol CVT: Specifications and price
Both midsize SUVs are powered by the same NA engine.
There are no mechanical differences between the Seltos and Creta petrol versions under the bonnet. This is because the powerplant in question is the same 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine that cranks out 115hp at 6,300rpm and 144Nm at 4,500rpm. While the engine and transmission combination remains identical, the fuel tank of the Hyundai Creta has a capacity advantage of three litres over the Kia Seltos.
The entry-level HTE (O) trim of the Seltos is Rs 55,000 cheaper than its Creta EX (O) trim equivalent. Meanwhile, at the top end, it is the Seltos GTX (A) and X Line (A) trims that command a Rs 52,000 premium over their Creta King Knight Edition and King Limited Edition equivalents.
Kia Seltos vs Hyundai Creta petrol CVT: Real-world fuel efficiency
A bigger fuel tank and lower kerb weight benefit the Creta.
The new-gen Seltos is 130mm longer than the Creta while boasting a wheelbase that stretches 80mm beyond the Hyundai’s. It is also 40mm wider and is based on Kia’s K3 platform. Neither marque has published the official weight figures of their SUVs, though. Still, the larger dimensions of the Seltos are bound to make it heavier than the Creta. Then there is the newer platform underpinning the Seltos, which is possibly engineered keeping future crash-test requirements in mind – this could add to the structural weight, depending on the overall usage of ultra-high-strength steel (UHSS) in the construction.
While the differences are only around 0.85kpl or so in favour of the Creta, those factors primarily explain the dip we see in the Kia SUV’s reduced real-world mileage figures. Furthermore, a slightly greater fuel capacity means that the Hyundai Creta should manage to cover around 655km on a full tank, giving it nearly an 80km range advantage over the Kia Seltos.
Autocar India’s fuel efficiency testing
Before our real-world fuel efficiency tests, we fill our test cars’ tanks to the brim and maintain tyre pressures based on the manufacturer’s recommendations. These cars are driven in fixed city and highway loops in and around Navi Mumbai, and we maintain certain average speeds. Throughout the tests, there is only one person in each car, operating the air conditioner and other electrical systems, such as the audio system, indicators, and wipers, when required, just like a regular user would. Periodic driver swaps further neutralise variations in driver patterns. At the end of each cycle, we calculate efficiency by filling the tanks to full again.
Prices are ex-showroom, India.
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Saumil Shah
Saptarshi Mondal
Dipan Sur
Uday Singh
