Hyundai Creta VS Kia Seltos
We compare the two diesel SUVs to find out the better one
July 2015 was when Hyundai introduced the Creta to Indian buyers and it proceeded to shoot straight to the top of C-segment SUV sales charts. Despite the arrival of new entrants over the years, the Creta firmly held on to its bestseller position for years, but that was until the Kia Seltos arrived in August 2019. Since then, Kia has moved 76,588 units of the Seltos while Hyundai could manage sales of just 40,908 units. Of course, the age gap between the two played a big role, but dethroning a car that had been the segment favourite for over four years is no mean feat. And for good reason as the road test featured in our October 2019 issue revealed wherein the Kia Seltos beat not just the Creta, but other Csegment SUVs including the Tata Harrier and
MG Hector to emerge with the highest points. Now, though, with the all-new Hyundai Creta on sale, that could very well change so we wasted no time to bring the two very closely related SUVs (same underpinnings, same powertrain, nearly identical features) together to find out if Hyundai
can one-up sister company Kia.
EXTERIOR
Since the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos, as mentioned in the preceding paragraph, are nearly identical mechanically, design is likely to play a
AS THE POINTS SUGGEST, THE HYUNDAI CRETA HAS A SLIGHT EDGE OVER THE KIA SELTOS WHEN IT COMES TO SPACE IN THE FRONT
bigger role in steering one’s buying decision. The Creta’s exterior has been a big talking point and it’s not hard to see why. While the earlier model had a ‘please all’ design, the new one is the exact opposite with controversial styling. Dominating the nose section is Hyundai’s signature Cascading grille finished in a combination of chrome and dark chrome flanked by a three-piece headlamp setup with C-shape LED DRLs and full-LED lighting. Surprisingly, Hyundai has stuck to conventional bulbs for the fog lamp and turn indicator. Strange, considering the nearly 18 lakh rupee asking price. The side profile reveals a set of 17-inch diamond cut alloy wheels, strong character lines complementing the wheel arches and thick silver finish arch around the DLO that actually looks quite nice in combination with the Galaxy Blue exterior shade pictured here. Akin to the headlamps, the tail lamps too get a three piece setup with a similar LED signature with the upper horizontal element unified with a black strip running across the width of the heavily contoured tail gate housing the secondary stop lamp. Both bumpers get silver finish faux scuff plates and there is black protective cladding around the wheel arches, all essential to the SUV design.
The Seltos is 15mm longer, 10mm wider and 10mm taller than the Creta but both have the same 2,610mm wheelbase.In terms of appearance, it is all about straight lines with sharper edges and a more conventional design compared to the new Creta. We think Kia has done a great job in the design department. The flat bonnet and upright nose coupled with the wide headlamps and grille impart an imposing look, something that should bode well with SUV buyers. Certain elements look much more upmarket than the Creta like the intricately detailed all-LED front turn indicators, as well as the ice-cube LED fog lamps. Do note, that the Seltos pictured here is the GTX+ trim, but specifications and features wise we are comparing the
Diesel 1.5 manual that is available only in HTX+ trim. Hence, visually, it won’t get the red bumper highlights and the two-tone 17inch alloy wheels. We’ve always maintained that looks are purely a subjective matter, but we’ve come across greater number of people who have reacted positively to the Seltos’ design while the Creta’s looks have undoubtedly divided opinion.
INTERIOR & FEATURES
Unlike the exterior, the interior of the Creta is a bit run of the mill. There are a few standout elements, though. For instance, the new look steering wheel, the predominantly digital instrument cluster and of course the 10.25-inch touchscreen. The latter is the same size as the Seltos’ and the interface is similar as well. The Seltos’ dashboard looks just a tad more special with its free standing touchscreen. Even the display/controls for the auto aircon in the Seltos look more up market than that of the Creta’s. Quality
wise, both cars feel quite similar, although certain bits lower down in the Creta’s cabin feel a bit cheap. As the points suggest, the Creta has a slight edge over the Seltos when it comes to space in the front. However, both get the same score for rear seat space and have an identical 433 litres of cargo capacity.
Like we mentioned earlier, the variant we have used for photography is the GTX+ so features like contrast red stitching and HUD that you see here will not be available in the HTX+ 1.5 diesel manual. A side-by-side comparison of the features on offer reveals the Seltos HTX+ lags behind the Creta SX(O) especially in terms of safety as it gets only two airbags versus the Creta’s six, and the Seltos misses out on Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Vehicle Stability Management (VSM), both of which are part of the Creta SX(O) package. Creta also comes with an electronic parking brake while the Seltos makes do with a mechanical one. Both cars get a powered driver’s seat, a host of connectivity features, auto headlamps, integrated air purifier, a Bose sound system, rear sunshades, two-step rear seat recline, ventilated front seats and more. Seltos falls behind in the sunroof department as the Creta is being offered with a massive panoramic sunroof. However, the
Seltos does come with certain features that are missing from the Creta – front parking sensors, LED fog lamps, ambient lighting package and telescopic steering. The story would have been quite different if we were comparing the petrol 1.4 AT or diesel AT variants since in that case, the Seltos would have been able to boast a stronger list of features that come with the GTX+ grade.
UNDER THE SKIN
Creta and Seltos are mechanically nearly identical. Both sit on the same platform and both SUVs are powered by the same 1.5-litre diesel engine paired with either a 6-speed manual
gearbox or a 6-speed automatic (torque convertor). For this road test, we’re comparing the diesel manual variants only. Power and torque figures, 155bhp and 250Nm respectively, are identical as well. The combination makes for an effortless drive in the city and doesn’t warrant frequent gear changes. The Seltos, however, posts slightly quicker 0-100kmph acceleration times and even ingear acceleration is better than the Creta resulting in a higher driveability score. On the other hand, the Creta has better fuel efficiency overall, but again, by a small margin. The differences between the two, in terms of refinement and NVH, are practically nonexistent, which makes choosing between the two all the more difficult. Both the Creta and Seltos are also available with a 1.5-litre 115bhp naturally aspirated petrol engine and a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol motor. The
THE SELTOS AND CRETA ARE BASED ON THE SAME PLATFORM. HOWEVER, THE KIA IS 15MM LONGER, 10MM WIDER AND 10MM
TALLER THAN THE HYUNDAI BUT BOTH HAVE THE SAME 2,610MM WHEELBASE
1.5-litre petrol is offered with either a 6-speed manual or a CVT in both cases. While the Creta 1.4 is offered with only a 7-speed DCT, the Seltos with the same engine can be had with either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DCT.
RIDE & HANDLING
There are minor differences between the Creta and Seltos when it comes to ride and handling. Relative to the Seltos, the Creta’s ride has a more comfort oriented feel, especially a