The Kia Seltos has been one of India’s top-selling mid-size SUVs since its launch. Its facelift for 2025–26 raises the stakes significantly — sharper styling, a redesigned interior with larger screens, a new petrol-hybrid drivetrain option, and a refreshed ADAS suite. The question on every buyer’s mind: is the Seltos Facelift better than the Hyundai Creta, its platform sibling and closest rival? We drove both back-to-back to give you a clear-eyed answer.
Quick Specifications
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Engine Options | 1.5L NA Petrol / 1.5L Turbo Petrol / 1.5L Diesel |
| Power (Turbo Petrol) | 158 bhp |
| Torque (Turbo Petrol) | 253 Nm |
| Power (Diesel) | 116 bhp |
| Transmission | 6-MT / 7-DCT / CVT / 6-AT |
| Ground Clearance | 190 mm |
| Boot Space | 433 litres |
| Seating | 5 |
| ARAI Mileage (Diesel) | 21.4 km/l |
| Ex-showroom Price (starting) | ₹10.99 lakh |
Design & Exterior
The Seltos Facelift sheds the rounder styling cues of its predecessor in favour of a bolder, angular look. A new “Star Map” LED DRL signature — nine individual light points arranged in a cluster — gives the front end a distinctive identity that is unmistakable in traffic. The grille is now larger and more aggressive, flanked by restyled headlamps with a sharper upper line. At the rear, a full-width LED light bar connects both tail-lamp clusters, following a design trend the premium segment has adopted widely.
The facelift also brings new alloy wheel designs and two fresh exterior colour options. At 4,370 mm in length, the Seltos sits in the same dimensional bracket as the Creta. Its 190 mm ground clearance is class-standard. Our silver test unit looked appropriately sporty for a family SUV — not trying too hard but clearly above the mass-market crowd in visual appeal.
Interior & Cabin Quality
The biggest cabin upgrade in the facelift is the new dual 10.25-inch panoramic display — instrument cluster and infotainment joined in a single seamless panel — borrowed from the Hyundai Creta platform update. The design feels genuinely premium, especially on the X Line trim with its contrast black-and-red interior. Leatherette seats with ventilation on top trims, a Bose 8-speaker audio system, and a 64-colour ambient lighting system round out the luxury touches.
Rear-seat space is adequate for Indian families — three adults can sit comfortably on short to medium trips. The 433-litre boot is class-competitive. Material quality throughout is a step above what we expect at this price: soft-touch surfaces on the dashboard, well-damped door panels, and a solid feel to every switch and dial. The Seltos’s interior currently edges the Creta’s slightly in perceived quality, mainly due to the sportier trim choices on the X Line variant.
Infotainment & Technology
Kia’s UVO connected car system supports remote engine start, climate pre-conditioning, vehicle status checks, and geofencing alerts via smartphone. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard on all but the base variant. The infotainment response is fast and the interface intuitive — one of the stronger implementations in this segment.
ADAS on the HTX+ and GTX+ trims includes Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (car, pedestrian, cyclist), Lane Keeping Assist, Blind-Spot Collision Warning, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, and Driver Attention Warning. The system calibrates well for Indian driving conditions without over-triggering false alerts — a genuine improvement over the previous generation.
Engine & Performance
The 1.5L turbo petrol paired with the 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox is the most engaging drivetrain in the Seltos lineup. With 158 bhp and 253 Nm, it pulls strongly from 2,000 rpm and delivers a 0–100 km/h time of under 9 seconds — brisk for a family SUV. The DCT gearbox shifts quickly and smoothly; city driving in stop-and-go traffic shows no creeping at low speeds, a common DCT irritant that Kia has managed well here.
The 1.5L diesel with the 6-speed AT remains the fuel-efficiency choice — 21.4 km/l ARAI translates to real-world 16–18 km/l on highways, making long-distance economics very attractive. The NA petrol with CVT is the quietest and smoothest for pure city use. All three drivetrains are well-matched to their target buyers; there is genuinely no wrong choice in the Seltos lineup.
Ride Quality & Handling
The Seltos rides on a well-tuned suspension setup that balances highway composure with city comfort. Road surfaces are absorbed with confidence — the Facelift’s revised damper tuning delivers a slightly firmer but more controlled ride compared to its predecessor. Handling is predictable and safe; the well-weighted steering builds appropriate resistance at speed for confident high-speed cruising.
NVH levels are well managed — the turbo petrol and diesel are both reasonably hushed at highway speeds. Wind noise remains low up to 100 km/h. The brakes have good bite and feel progressive underfoot. Overall, the Seltos Facelift is a more refined driving experience than before — and it was already strong. This is a car you will genuinely enjoy covering 400 km in a day.
Safety Features
The Seltos scores a 5-star rating at Global NCAP, matching the Creta’s impressive credential. Six airbags are standard across all variants (not just top trims — a commendable decision by Kia). ABS, EBD, ESC, and Hill-Start Assist are standard. Higher trims add the full ADAS suite plus a 360-degree camera. Isofix child seat mounts come fitted to the second-row outer seats.
The Seltos’s structural rigidity is well-regarded — the body shell uses a combination of high-strength and ultra-high-strength steel in critical zones, contributing to its NCAP performance.
Price & Variants
| Variant | Ex-showroom Price |
|---|---|
| HTE (1.5 NA Petrol CVT) | ₹10.99 lakh |
| HTK (1.5 Diesel MT) | ₹13.49 lakh |
| HTX (1.5 Turbo Petrol DCT) | ₹15.99 lakh |
| HTX+ (1.5 Turbo Petrol DCT) | ₹17.99 lakh |
| GTX+ (1.5 Turbo Petrol DCT) | ₹19.99 lakh |
| X Line (1.5 Turbo Petrol DCT) | ₹21.49 lakh |
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 5-star NCAP — 6 airbags standard | No AWD option |
| Bolder, sharper facelift design | DCT can feel hesitant in bumper traffic |
| Turbo petrol DCT is genuinely fun | Diesel only in manual (no AT diesel) |
| Premium X Line trim adds sportiness | Slightly pricier than Creta at same spec |
| Strong ADAS suite on top trims | No sunroof on base/mid variants |
Verdict
The Kia Seltos Facelift is a genuinely improved SUV. The sharper design, premium interior upgrades, and refined drivetrain options make it a more compelling buy than the outgoing model — and it was already popular. On pure driving dynamics, the Seltos Facelift edges the Creta, particularly in the turbo petrol DCT variant. Kia’s interior quality and design execution slightly edge Hyundai’s.
But the question was: is it better than the Creta? The answer is nuanced. For buyers who want the sharper look, sporty driving, and premium cabin, the Seltos Facelift wins. For those prioritising after-sales network depth, the Creta’s Hyundai network edge matters in smaller cities. At overlapping price points, both are excellent choices — your driving style and city should guide the final call.
