Kia Seltos 1.5L Turbo Diesel-Automatic (6-speed TC) Mileage Test: Real City, Highway Fuel Efficiency

Testing Method & Flat Fuel Price Assumption

Before we provide the actual mileage of the Kia Seltos 1.5L turbo diesel-automatic, let's briefly explain our testing process so that you can decide if it matches your preferences, style and conditions for driving.

We use the tank-full-to-tank-full method for our real-world fuel efficiency tests. First, we fill the fuel tank to the brim, reset the trip metre, and then begin our ~100km city drive in Delhi NCR traffic. The test is conducted on the same route during weekdays to simulate realistic city driving conditions, while maintaining the same load to keep the results consistent.

For both city and highway runs, the vehicle is driven in its Normal drive mode, where available, since our goal is not to extract the highest possible fuel efficiency figures, but to evaluate how the car is likely to perform for most drivers in everyday driving situations.

Once the city run is complete, we return to the fuel station, refill the tank to the same level and note the fuel consumed to calculate the city mileage. We then reset the trip metre before starting the highway mileage test. For the highway run, we choose the stretch around Sohna along the Delhi-Mumbai expressway and we drive it for 100km at a cruising speed of around 100kmph. Then, we refill and note down the trip metre readings to calculate the highway mileage figure.

For fuel prices, we assume a flat cost of Rs. 105.00 per litre for petrol, Rs. 100.00 per litre for diesel and Rs. 95.00 for CNG. This is done to bring our calculations and cost-per-km estimations closer to a national average price of the respective fuel type. For instance, using a very low price of CNG, as applicable in Delhi, skews the final verdict in favour of CNG vehicles even though CNG is quite expensive in most states.

What Is The Actual City Mileage Of Kia Seltos 1.5L Turbo Diesel-Automatic?

After driving the Seltos in the city traffic for about 4 hrs 25 mins, we drove back to the fuel station. We covered 100.3km with an average speed of 22.71kmph. During refuelling, we were able to fill up 7.25 litres of diesel in the Seltos at a per litre diesel price of Rs. 100.00. Thus, the total bill stood at Rs. 725.00 and in our real-world city mileage test of Seltos 1.5L turbo diesel-automatic, we got a final fuel efficiency figure of 13.83kmpl.

What Is The Real Highway Mileage Of Kia Seltos 1.5L Turbo Diesel-Automatic?

With the tank filled to the brim once again, we headed out on the Delhi-Mumbai expressway to test the highway mileage of the Seltos 1.5L turbo diesel-automatic. We managed to complete our 106km drive in about 1 hrs 30 mins, meaning our average speed during the highway mileage test of the Seltos was 70.67kmph. After the drive, we filled up 6.36 litres of Diesel, incurring a bill of Rs. 636.00 if you assume a fuel price of Rs. 100.00 per litre. During our highway run of the Kia Seltos with the diesel-automatic, we achieved a highway mileage of 16.67kmpl.

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Claimed Mileage Vs Actual Highway/City Mileage Of Kia Seltos 1.5L Turbo Diesel-Automatic (6-speed TC) — What’s The Difference?

Based on our mileage test, the Seltos diesel-automatic gave us a city mileage of 13.83kmpl. On the highways, you can expect this figure to jump up by 20.54% to 16.67kmpl, as we saw in our Seltos mileage test.

Compared to the official claimed mileage figure of the Seltos diesel-automatic, our Seltos diesel-automatic city mileage turned out to be 5.27kmpl less efficient. Thus, showing a 27.59% deviation from the claimed figure. With this fuel efficiency, you can expect to incur a per kilometre fuel cost of Rs. 7.23 if you drive mostly in the city traffic with a fuel cost of Rs. 100.00.

In terms of highway mileage, we achieved a figure of 16.67kmpl with the Seltos we drove. This number of 2.43kmpl is less than the claimed mileage figure. Thus, the deviation in the highway mileage of the Seltos diesel-automatic is about 12.72% on the positive side. At this rate, you can expect to spend Rs. 6.00 per kilometre for predominantly highway driving during the ownership.

Kia Seltos 1.5L Turbo Diesel-Automatic (6-speed TC) — Actual City vs Highway Mileage, Custom Real Mileage, Fuel Cost Comparison

If your driving happens entirely on the highways or just within the city, then you know what mileage you can expect from the Kia Seltos diesel-automatic. However, for those who have a mixed usage, we have compiled combinations of effective mileage of Seltos diesel-automatic based on the variations of city-highway driving ratio.

Using this customised city-highway combinations, you can better gauge what fuel costs and realistic fuel efficiency you can expect from the Seltos with the diesel-automatic powertrain.

*City mileage: 13.83kmpl; Highway mileage: 16.67kmpl
*To accommodate varying fuel prices across the country, and to make the cost per kilometer information a bit more relevant for a larger number of potential car buyers, we are assuming a fixed fuel cost of Rs. 105.00 per litre for petrol and Rs. 100.00 per litre for diesel

Based on these combinations, for a 70% city and 30% highway usage, you can expect a real world mileage of 14.68kmpl and a per kilometre fuel cost of Rs. 6.81 from the Seltos. With a flipped combination, where you drive the Seltos 70% on the highways and 30% in the city, you can expect your real-world mileage figure to hover around 15.82kmpl with fuel costs around Rs. 6.32.

For an even split of city and highway usage, your real fuel efficiency with the Seltos 1.5L turbo diesel-automatic powertrain, your effective real mileage is likely to be closer to 15.25kmpl. Thus, your per kilometre fuel costs could be around Rs. 6.56.

Real Driving Range (Full Tank Driving) Of Kia Seltos Diesel-Automatic For Your Driving Requirements

The Kia Seltos with the 1.5L turbo diesel-automatic comes with a 50-litre fuel tank. With this capacity and our realistic mileage estimates, you can expect to get a range of 622 - 750 km depending on whether your driving is entirely within the city or on the highways.

With a 70-30 driving split in favour of city usage, you can expect a full tank range of 661km from the Seltos. However, if you flip the driving condition to 30-70 in favour of highway, then you can expect a range of 712km with a full tank of fuel. On an even split of 50% city driving and 50% highway driving, you will have to refuel about every 686km.

*Tank range estimated based on 90% fuel usage with 10% remaining in reserve

At the time of testing the Kia Seltos 1.5L turbo diesel automatic, each refuelling will cost you Rs. 4,500.00 if you fill up 90%. This is assuming the fuel cost of Rs. 100.00 per litre of diesel.

Also Read: Tata Sierra 1.5L Turbo Diesel-Automatic (6-speed TC) Mileage Test: Real City, Highway Fuel Efficiency
Maruti Suzuki Fronx 1.2L Normal Petrol-Automatic (5-speed AMT) Mileage Test: Real City, Highway Fuel Efficiency

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