2021 Kia Seltos Petrol Variants Explained - Which One to Buy?

What Are The Prices of 2021 Kia Seltos Petrol?

The 2021 Seltos 1.5 petrol version’s starting price remains unchanged at Rs 9.89 lakh for the base variant. However, above the base variant, all the other variants’ prices have increased by around Rs 10,000-11,000. 

You can now check the prices of all the manual and automatic variants of the 2021 Seltos 1.5 petrol version and their price difference with the 2020 model in the table below: 

The Kia Seltos turbo manual prices have also increased in 2021, but the top GTX+ automatic variant’s price has remained unchanged at Rs 17.29 lakh. 

You can see the prices of the 2021 Kia Seltos 1.4 turbo petrol’s manual and automatic transmission variants and their price difference with the 2020 model: 

What Are the Petrol Engine Specifications of Kia Seltos? 

The Seltos and Creta share the same 1.5-litre normal petrol engine.  

The engine can generate 115PS of maximum power and 144Nm of peak torque. In both the Seltos and the Creta, this engine gets paired with a 6-speed manual and a CVT-type automatic transmission options. In comparison, the Kicks and Duster, which also come powered with a 1.5-litre normal petrol engine offer slightly less power and torque output. The S-Cross comes with a 1.5-litre mild-hybrid petrol engine and also offers lesser power and torque output than Seltos or Creta. However, as the S-Cross’ is a hybrid engine, it delivers the best fuel efficiency in this segment. Among all the cars in this segment, only the Seltos and the Creta get a 6-speed manual transmission, while the rest get a 5-speed unit.

You can check the specification details of the 2021 Kia Seltos 1.5-litre normal petrol engine and its comparison with rivals in the following table:

The Seltos’ 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine produces 25PS more power and almost 100Nm more torque output than the 1.5-litre normal petrol engine. This turbocharged engine gets equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission and a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission option. Moreover, despite being more powerful than the 1.5-litre normal petrol engine, this turbocharged engine is just as fuel efficient as the former.

Also read - 2021 Hyundai Creta Variants Explained - Which One To Buy?

All the specification details of the 2021 Kia Seltos 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine and its comparison with the normal petrol engine are mentioned in table below:

This same 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine is also available in the Creta in the same state of tune. However, in the Creta, this engine is paired only with automatic transmission. Apart from these two cars, the Kicks and Duster also come with a 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine option that can generate 156PS of maximum power, which is 16PS more than the Seltos. This engine also offers 12Nm more torque output, and is available paired with 6-speed manual transmission and CVT type automatic transmission options. All these cars offer comparable claimed fuel efficiency with not much difference.

You can check all the specification details of the 2021 Kia Seltos 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine and its comparison with the rivals in the following table:

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What Are The Dimensions of Kia Seltos?

The Seltos is a C-segment SUV, and hence its length is significantly more than the 4m mark. It is wider and taller than its cousin Creta. Its wheelbase length is the same as that of the Creta’s, and both the cars also have identical ground clearance and boot space. However, the Seltos is smaller than Kicks and Duster. Except the Duster and S-Cross, all the other cars in this segment offer 16- and 17-inch wheels option.

You can find the dimension details of the Kia Seltos and its comparison with rivals in the following table:

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Kia Seltos Vriant-wise Features

What Are The Features of Kia Seltos HTE Petrol Variant? 

The Seltos base HTE variant’s price remains Rs 9.89 lakh. Apart from the basic safety features, this variant comes with projector headlamps and day/night IRVM. 

The base HTE variant also offers a basic audio system along with bluetooth connectivity and steering mounted audio controls.

Some of its important functional features include - tilt steering, height adjustable driver seat, all power windows, remote key, rear AC vents and front armrest. 

The Seltos HTE variant comes with body-coloured bumpers, door handles and ORVMs as well along with full wheel covers and shark fin antenna.

The following table offers you a look at the features details of the 2021 Kia Seltos HTE base variant:

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The HTE variant covers many basic features, but still lacks some which includes - electrically adjustable ORVMs, adjustable rear headrests and rear wiper and defogger. If you are looking to buy only an entry-level variant of the Seltos then should you settle for the base HTE variant or opt for the HTK variant, this we will discuss after looking into next variant’s details.

What Are The Features of Kia Seltos HTK Petrol Variant? 

The Seltos HTK variant is now Rs 70,000 costlier than the HTE variant. Moreover, as the HTK variant’s price is more than the Rs 10 lakh slab, it will attract higher tax in many states. Hence, the actual on-road price difference between the HTK and the HTE variants will be more than Rs 1 lakh 

The HTK variant comes with some added useful features such as - electrically adjustable ORVMs, 8 inch Touchscreen Infotainment System w/ Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, rear parking camera & rear view monitor, projector fog lamps aur roof rails. 

You can find all the additional features details of the 2021 Kia Seltos HTK variant over the HTE base variant, in the following table:

For the above mentioned additional features of the HTK variant, the extra premium of Rs 1 lakh can’t be justified. Thus, if you choose to buy this variant, then you will be compromising on value. However, we think that if you are ready to spend around Rs 11 - 12 lakh to buy the Seltos, then it’s okay to compromise a little on the value part rather than compromising on must-have features like touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, rear parking camera and electrically adjustable ORVMs. We would have liked the HTK variant better, if it also came with features such as adjustable rear headrests, rear defogger and rear wiper.

What Are The Features of Kia Seltos HTK+ Petrol Variant? 

The Seltos HTK+ variant is Rs 1.10 lakh more expensive than the HTK variant. 

For this additional premium, the HTK+ variant adds in a handful of more safety as well as feel-good features, which include rear wiper & defogger, smart key w/ push-button start/stop, cruise control, electrically foldable ORVMs w/ auto fold, auto headlamps and rear window curtains. 

In terms of added styling features, this variant adds LED DRLs, 16-inch alloy wheels, dual exhaust tip design and LED sound mood lights for a more premium and sporty appeal. 

The following table lists all the additional features of the 2021 Kia Seltos HTK+ variant over the HTK variant:

According to our internal data, the HTK+ variant is not a sensible upgrade over the HTE in terms of value. Although given the additional features you may consider HTK+ variant, we won’t recommend this variant, as it mostly offers added good-to-have features that are not too appealing, except the features like rear wiper, defogger and electrically foldable ORVMs. 

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If you do wish to spend extra money to get a host of good-to-have features, then we would recommend choosing a higher variant instead. 

What Are The Features of Kia Seltos HTX Petrol Variant? 

The Seltos 1.5 petrol HTX variant has an incremental cost of Rs 1.76 lakh over the ke HTK+ variant. 

This variant offers an array of added features, which include safety features such as LED headlamps, LED fog lamps, auto-dimming IRVM and tyre pressure monitoring system.

The Seltos HTX offers some added functional features such as a bigger 10.25 inch touchscreen infotainment system, telescopic steering, auto AC and air purifier. There are also 4 important rear seat focused features in this variant, namely -- three adjustable headrests, rear armrest and 60:40 split folding rear seat with recline feature. 

Apart from these features, there are also style related features in the HTX variant onwards, which include - sunroof, 17-inch alloy wheels, black-beige leatherette seat upholstery and leather-wrapped steering wheel. 

You can check all the additional features of the 2021 Kia Seltos HTX variant over the HTK+ variant in the table below:

As per our internal data, the incremental cost of Rs 1.75 lakh for the mentioned added features is completely justified. Thus, if you do want to go for the Seltos 1.5 petrol version and are seeking upmarket features in it, then choosing the HTX variant will be a sensible decision. This is because, this variant will offer you a number of premium features without having to overspend for them.

The Seltos 1.5 HTX is also available with the CVT type automatic transmission option, for which you will need to spend an additional premium of Rs 1 lakh. To choose a CVT type transmission over a manual transmission, spending Rs 1 lakh extra is quite appropriate. 

What Are The Features of Kia Seltos Anniversary Edition? 

The Seltos Anniversary Edition is a cosmetic update that is based on the HTX variant, and costs Rs 41,000 more than the HTX variant.   

The Seltos Anniversary edition offers added style features like black and orange treatment on the front and rear bumpers and side sills, black alloy wheels and black interior. 

Apart from these, you will get the remote key engine start option even with the manual transmission. 

All the added features of the 2021 Kia Setlos Anniversary Edition are listed in the following table:

For these features, the additional premium of Rs 41,000 is a bit on the higher side. However for the sake of exclusivity or black interior, you may choose to buy this variant.

Similar to the HTX variant, the Anniversary Edition also comes with an automatic transmission option. For the automatic transmission you’ll need to shell out an additional amount of Rs 1 lakh, and it’s an appropriate amount for an automatic transmission. 

What Are The Features of Kia Seltos 1.4 GTX Petrol Variant?

The Seltos turbo-petrol GTX manual version is Rs 2.2 lakh more expensive than the 1.5 HTX manual variant.

Apart from the more powerful engine, the GTX turbo manual variant comes with a handful of other safety and functional features such as - rear disc brakes, side & curtain airbags, electronic stability control, hill start assist, rain sensing wipers, head-up display and wireless charger. 

Moreover, there are some cosmetic upgrades as well, which include -- red brake calipers, rear spoiler, red inserts at the front and on the alloys and black leather seat upholstery. 

In the following table, you can see all the additional features of the 2021 Kia Seltos GTX variant over the HTX variant:

According to our internal data, the Seltos GTX variant’s added features over the HTX are worth the price increment of Rs 1.2 lakh. This means that if you wish to spend an additional amount of around Rs 1 lakh to get better performance, which is acceptable, then you can consider the GTX variant. 

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If you wish to settle for the Seltos turbo, then should you choose the GTX variant or the GTX+, this we will discuss after looking into the details of the latter. 

What Are The Features of Kia Seltos 1.4 GTX+ Petrol?

The top Seltos GTX+ variant is Rs 84,000 costlier than the GTX variant. 

This variant offers 3 added safety features, namely -- 360-degree parking camera, blind spot monitoring and front parking sensors. It also comes with a premium Bose audio system with 8 speakers, ventilated front seats and powered driver seat.

You can check all the additional features of the 2021 Kia Seltos GTX+ variant over the GTX variant in the table below:

For all these additional features of the Seltos GTX+ variant, spending an additional cost of Rs 84,000 is quite worth. Hence, if you are considering the Seltos with its turbo-petrol engine option, then we would recommend that you buy its top variant GTX+ to enjoy everything that Kia is offering in this car. 

Moreover, with the turbo engine the dual-clutch automatic transmission option is available only in the top GTX+ variant. The dual-clutch automatic transmission version is tagged at Rs 17.29 lakh. So, for the dual-clutch automatic transmission, Kia is charging only Rs 80,000, while it also offers 3 more features over the manual transmission counterpart. These features are - traction control, remote engine start and multi drive modes. 

According to our internal data, for the DCT type transmission and the extra features, the GTX+ automatic variant is an exceptionally value-for-money proposition. 

Kia Seltos Petrol Variants - Which Variant to Buy

Among the Kia Seltos 1.5 petrol variants, the HTX is our top recommended variant. This variant offers the best combination of value, must-have and goo-to-have features. This variant also comes with an automatic transmission option -- and this is also a sensible buying option that’s reasonably priced. If you wish to add an exclusive touch to the HTX variant, then you can opt for the Anniversary Edition that’s based on this variant.

If you do not wish to stretch your budget till the Seltos HTX variant and want to stick to a basic variant only, then we would recommend at least the HTK variant. While it’s not a more value-for-money package over the HTE variant, but in its price point it offers a whole lot of basic features that are expected in a c-segment SUV. 

When it comes to the HTK+ variant, we think it is better to go for the HTX variant instead.

If you are seeking added performance in the Seltos and hence considering the turbo-petrol engine option, then we recommend the top variant GTX+ -- both in case of the manual and automatic transmission options.

Here’s a brief look at our variant recommendations on the 2021 Kia Seltos:

Kia Seltos Exterior Colour Options

The Kia Seltos is available in 8 monotone colour options, namely -- Red, Black, Pearl White, Orange, Blue, Grey, Silver and Clear White. The base HTE variant is available in only White and Silver colour options. The HTK variant is not available in Black and Pearl White colours. In fact, the Black exterior colour option is available only the HTX variant onwards.

The Seltos also comes in 5 dual tone colour schemes: Red with Black roof, White with Black roof, Silver with Orange roof, White with Orange roof and Orange with White roof. The Seltos Anniversary Edition is offered in all Black, Silver with Black roof, Pearl White with Black roof and Grey with Black roof colour options. 

The Anniversary Edition in all Black colour is our best pick for the Seltos. Which one is your favourite exterior colour in the Kia Seltos Range₹Do let us know in the comment section.