The Kia Seltos has been one of the most influential midsize

The Kia Seltos has been one of the most influential midsize SUVs in India since its debut, combining style, practicality, performance, and features. In 2026, Kia has launched the all‑new second‑generation Seltos with a fresh design, updated platform, enhanced tech features, and a competitive ‘size + engine’ package aimed at taking on rivals such as the Hyundai Creta, Maruti Victoris, Maruti Grand Vitara, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, and the Tata Sierra.

In this article, we explore how the latest Seltos stacks up against these rivals in terms of dimensions, powertrain options, performance, practicality, features, and overall value proposition — factors that matter most to buyers in the midsize SUV space.

1. Kia Seltos: What’s New in the Second Generation

The 2026 Kia Seltos has entered production in India at Kia’s facility in Andhra Pradesh, based on the updated K3 platform, which brings structural rigidity, lightweight design, and better handling dynamics.

Key Highlights of the 2026 Seltos

Modern exterior design: With a refreshed front fascia, LED lighting, and sharper proportions.
Tech upgrades: Large infotainment screens, panoramic panoramic display options, and advanced driver assistance features.
Multiple powertrain choices: Petrol (naturally aspirated and turbo) and diesel options.
Balanced dimensions that aim to maximize interior space while retaining compact SUV agility.

Let’s see how its size and engines compare with its core rivals.

2. Dimension Comparison: Space & Practicality

One of the first considerations for SUV buyers after aesthetics and engine is size and practicality — including wheelbase, boot space, overall footprint, and interior room.

Here’s how the 2026 Seltos compares with rivals:

2.1 Overall Dimensions

Model	Length (mm)	Width (mm)	Height (mm)	Wheelbase (mm)	Boot (litres)
Kia Seltos	~4365	1830	1645	2690	447
Hyundai Creta	4330	1790	1635	2610	433
Maruti Victoris	4360	1795	1655	2600	439
Maruti Grand Vitara	4345	1795	1645	2600	373
Toyota Hyryder	4365	1795	1645	2600	373
Tata Sierra	4340	1841	1715	2730	622
Data derived from industry comparisons and measurement summaries.

2.2 What This Means

Length & Width: The new Seltos measures around 4365 mm and 1830 mm wide, making it one of the widest in this group — wider than Creta, Victoris, Grand Vitara, and Hyryder — which translates into good shoulder room and cabin comfort.
Wheelbase: Its 2690 mm wheelbase is class‑leading barring Sierra, which improves interior space and legroom compared to most rivals.
Boot Space: With 447 litres, Seltos offers *more luggage room than Creta, Victoris, Grand Vitara, and Hyryder, giving it an edge in practicality for family use. Only the Tata Sierra’s massive 622 litres boot overshadows it.
Height: The Seltos’s 1645 mm height is competitive, balancing headroom with aerodynamic stability.

In summary, the Seltos’s dimensions place it towards the top tier of size and practicality within the midsize SUV class.

3. Engine & Powertrain Comparison

Now let’s look at what engines these SUVs bring to the table — a crucial consideration for performance, efficiency, and driving experience.

3.1 Kia Seltos Powertrains

The 2026 Seltos carries forward proven engines from the previous generation:

1.5‑litre MPI Petrol: ~115 PS and ~144 Nm — paired with 6MT or IVT.
1.5‑litre Turbo Petrol: ~160 PS and ~253 Nm — paired with 6iMT or 7‑speed DCT.
1.5‑litre Diesel: ~116 PS and ~250 Nm — paired with 6MT or 6AT.

These options give buyers a choice between efficient urban petrol, peppy turbo petrol, and torquey diesel depending on their driving needs.

3.2 Rivals Powertrain Overview

According to comparison data, here’s how rival SUVs stack up:

SUV	Petrol	Turbo Petrol	Diesel	Hybrid*
Kia Seltos	1.5 NA	1.5 Turbo	1.5 Diesel	❌
Hyundai Creta	1.5 NA	1.5 Turbo	1.5 Diesel	❌
Maruti Victoris	1.5 NA	❌	❌	Mild & Strong Hybrid
Maruti Grand Vitara	1.5 NA	❌	❌	Mild & Strong Hybrid
Toyota Hyryder	1.5 NA	❌	❌	Strong Hybrid
Tata Sierra	1.5 Turbo	❌	1.5 Diesel	❌
Hybrid data refers to hybrid petrol systems in Grand Vitara, Victoris, and Hyryder.

Key takeaways:

Peppiest Engines: Seltos, Creta and Sierra’s turbo petrol offers ~160 PS — considerably more power than the naturally aspirated or hybrid engines in rivals.
Diesel Choice: Seltos and Creta remain among the few in this segment to offer diesel options — still popular among high‑mileage buyers.
Hybrid Efficiency: Maruti Victoris, Grand Vitara, and Toyota Hyryder champion hybrid powertrains that focus on fuel economy and low emissions — appealing to fuel‑conscious buyers.
Transmission Variety: Wide gearbox choice in Seltos (MT, IVT, iMT, DCT, AT) offers flexibility for different driver preferences.

4. Performance and Driving Experience

4.1 Kia Seltos Driving Dynamics

The 2026 Seltos’s combination of engine options caters to a variety of driving conditions:

Turbo petrol with DCT delivers strong acceleration and highway cruising confidence.
Diesel provides high torque for long drives and heavy loads.
Naturally aspirated petrol is smooth and efficient for city running.

Though official 0–100 km/h and other dynamic figures for the new version are awaited, the 160 PS turbo petrol is broadly competitive with its rivals’ top units.

4.2 Rival Dynamics

Hyundai Creta: Shares many mechanicals with Seltos, typically resulting in similar performance and refinement.
Toyota Hyryder (Hybrid): Focuses on fuel efficiency and smoothness, though peak power is lower.
Maruti Victoris & Grand Vitara (Hybrid/Mild Hybrid): Prioritize fuel economy with adequate urban performance.
Tata Sierra: Offers robust torque and commanding road presence, especially appealing to buyers wanting a larger, truck‑like feel.

Thus, the Seltos and Creta continue to excel for buyers wanting balanced performance without compromising drivability, while hybrids serve those valuing efficiency. Sierra stands out for size and torque.

5. Features & Practical Utility

While size and engine matter, many buyers choose midsize SUVs based on features and usability:

Kia Seltos Features (2026)

According to recent media reports, the new Seltos offers:

Advanced infotainment and connectivity
Large panoramic displays
Modern safety features
Multiple driving modes
Advanced driver assistance technology (varies by trim)

Competing Features in Rivals

Hyundai Creta: Similar tech suite, often closely matched with Seltos.
Toyota Hyryder & Maruti SUVs: Hybrid tech, excellent fuel economy, and practical safety features.
Tata Sierra: High ground clearance and excellent boot space benefit adventure‑oriented buyers.

Each SUV has its feature strengths — Seltos tends to lead in infotainment and customization options, while hybrids impress with efficiency tech.

6. Pricing Context

While exact prices for the 2026 Seltos were not fully confirmed at the time of writing, the previous generation Seltos range in India typically varied from around ₹11.18 lakh to ₹20.55 lakh (ex‑showroom) — competitive with the Creta, Grand Vitara, Hyryder, and Victoris.

Here’s a rough comparison of price brackets:

Model	Approx. Price Range (₹ ex‑showroom)
Kia Seltos	~11.18L – 20.55L
Hyundai Creta	~11.10L – 20.92L
Maruti Victoris	~10.49L – 19.98L
Grand Vitara	~11.42L – 20.68L
Toyota Hyryder	~11.34L – 20.19L

This shows that Seltos slots right in the competitive core of the midsize SUV pricing spectrum, balancing size, power, and features against similarly priced rivals.

7. Who Should Buy Which SUV? — A Buyer’s Guide

With all this information, here’s a quick guide to help different types of buyers choose:

Best for Balanced Performance & Everyday Use

Kia Seltos / Hyundai Creta: Strong all‑rounders combining performance, technology, space, and features.

Best for Fuel Efficiency

Toyota Hyryder / Maruti Victoris / Grand Vitara (Hybrid): Excellent for city commuters and fuel‑conscious buyers due to hybrid tech.

Best for Maximum Space & Torque

Tata Sierra: Offers biggest boot space and torque‑rich engines, ideal for long trips and rugged use.

Conclusion: How the New Kia Seltos Stacks Up

The new 2026 Kia Seltos continues to impress by offering:

Generous dimensions that compete strongly with mainstream rivals.
Versatile engine lineup that caters to both performance seekers and practical users.
Good boot space and wheelbase advantage, enhancing comfort for families.
A feature‑rich package that matches or exceeds segment benchmarks.

Against rivals like Creta, Victoris, Grand Vitara, Hyryder, and Sierra, Seltos remains a strong contender due to its balanced offering, while competitors each bring differentiating strengths like hybrid efficiency or supreme space.

For anyone considering a midsize SUV in India — whether for city use, highway trips, or family commutes — understanding this competitive landscape helps make an informed choice tailored to needs, budget, and priorities.

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