July 2023 - Kia Seltos Facelift Petrol Variants Explained - Which One To Buy?

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What Are The Pros And Cons Of 2023 Kia Seltos Facelift Petrol?

The pros or advantages of Kia Seltos 2023 petrol are:

• Loaded higher variants with features like dual-zone auto AC, ADAS with adaptive cruise control, 10.25-inch full-colour LCD instrument cluster, power driver seat, Bose sound system with subwoofer, front parking sensors, 360-degree camera and panoramic sunroof
• Segment-best length, width, wheel size, power and torque figures
• With the addition of ADAS features, the GTX Plus offers significantly better value for money than all other variants and powertrain combinations
• Class-leading power and torque figures with the turbo petrol engine along with respectable mileage figures

The Kia Seltos 2023 petrol has the following shortcomings or problems:

• Wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay not available with large touchscreen
• Front and rear armrests are reserved for fairly high-end HTX variant
• Base variant doesn’t feel as complete as that of the Hyryder or Grand Vitara; the base models of the Hyryder and Vitara get telescopic steering, LED DRLs, adjustable rear headrests, front and rear armrests, split rear seat backs, steering-mounted controls, auto AC, power mirrors and keyless entry, which aren’t available in Seltos HTE
• Lower-mid variants also feel incomplete with several essential features missing

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What Is The Price Of Kia Seltos 2023 Petrol Variants?

The petrol variants of the 2023 Kia Seltos facelift are available with 4 powertrain options:

• 1.5L normal petrol-manual
• 1.5L normal petrol-automatic (CVT)
• 1.5L turbo petrol-ACMT (auto-clutch manual)
• 1.5L turbo petrol-automatic (CVT)

The 1.5L normal petrol engine is available in 4 variants with prices starting from Rs. 10.89 lakh and going up to Rs. 15.19 lakh. With this engine, only the most expensive HTX variant is available with a manual as well as automatic transmission. The HTX variant with the 1.5L normal petrol engine and a CVT-type automatic transmission costs Rs. 16.59 lakh (ex-showroom). This price is Rs. 1.40 lakh more than the HTX petrol-manual.

The turbo petrol engine with the auto-clutch manual transmission (ACMT) is available in 2 variants — HTK Plus and HTX Plus. These cost Rs. 14.99 lakh and Rs. 18.29 lakh (ex-showroom). Compared to the HTK Plus normal petrol-manual, the turbo petrol engine costs Rs. 1.50 lakh more. Besides better power and torque output, it also adds the convenience of auto-clutch manual transmission, which makes driving a manual transmission in stop-and-go traffic extremely convenient.

Meanwhile, the turbo petrol engine with a dual-clutch automatic transmission is available in 3 variants with ex-showroom prices in the range of Rs. 19.19 lakh and Rs. 19.99 lakh. The DCT automatic costs Rs. 90,000 more than the comparable variant with the turbo petrol engine and ACMT.

Kia Seltos Petrol HTE - Base Model Standard Features

The base model of the Seltos facelift costs Rs. 10.89 lakh and it’s only available with a 1.5L normal petrol-manual powertrain. It gets the following features as standard:

• 6 airbags
• All disc brakes
• ESC
• HSA
• 5x 3-point seatbelts
• Height-adjustable driver seat
• Remote central locking*
• TPMS
• Sunglass holder
• Tilt steering
• All power windows
• Fabric upholstery
• Body-coloured bumpers, door handles and outside mirrors
• MID
• Follow-me headlamps
• Rear AC vents
• Rear window curtains
• 16-inch steel wheels with covers

In this variant, you may miss the following features:

• Front and rear armrests
• Adjustable rear headrests
• Auto AC
• Power mirrors
• Touchscreen music system with speakers
• Steering-mounted controls
• Rear parcel tray
• Rear camera

A few essential features are missing in the HTE variant. More importantly, these are also not easy to install from the aftermarket with good finish. Still, the next HTK variant is not a good value upgrade. So, if you're on a budget, then you should buy the base model of the Seltos facelift and add aftermarket or dealer-level accessories instead of spending on a higher variant.

Kia Seltos Petrol HTE vs HTK Variant - Price, Feature Comparison

The HTK variant also gets the same 1.5L normal petrol-manual powertrain option and costs Rs. 12.09 lakh. This price is Rs. 1.20 lakh more than the base model of the Seltos facelift.

The HTK variant adds the following features over the base model’s standard features

• Power mirrors
• 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay
• 4x speakers and 2x tweeters
• Steering-mounted controls
• Rear camera
• Front parking sensors
• Auto headlamps
• Projector fog lamps
• All mud flaps

In the HTK variant, you may miss features like:

• Rear washer wiper
• Rear defogger
• Auto AC
• LED DRLs
• Front and rear armrests
• Keyless entry with push-button start/stop
• Split-folding rear seat backs
• Adjustable rear headrests

The HTK variant is also missing a few features, which are difficult to install from the aftermarket. Moreover, considering the poor value for money score of this trim, we’ll suggest you skip upgrading to this variant if you’re interested in a somewhat feature-loaded variant.

Kia Seltos Petrol HTK vs HTK Plus Variant - Price, Feature Comparison

Besides the 1.5L normal petrol-manual, the HTK Plus variant also adds the 1.5L turbo petrol-ACMT powertrain option. This variant costs Rs. 13.49 lakh with the normal petrol-manual and Rs. 14.99 lakh with the turbo petrol-auto-clutch. The HTK Plus variant costs Rs. 1.40 lakh more than the lower HTK variant. Meanwhile, the HTK Plus turbo costs another Rs. 1.50 more than the HTK Plus non-turbo.

The HTK Plus variant gets the following additional features:

• LED DRLs
• Auto AC
• Keyless entry with push-button start/stop
• Ambient lighting
• Rear parcel tray
• Rear defogger
• Rear washer wiper
• Power folding mirrors with auto fold
• Cruise control
• 16-inch alloy wheels
• Panoramic sunroof (turbo only)

In the HTK Plus variant, you may miss features like:

• Front and rear armrests
• Split-folding rear seat backs
• LED headlamps
• Telescopic steering
• Adjustable rear headrests

Since the HTK Plus variant also doesn't get a few critical features, we expect from a car at this price point, we’ll suggest skipping this variant too. It also doesn’t offer a good value for money.

However, if you’re interested in an affordable turbo petrol variant, then the HTK Plus with the auto-clutch manual transmission is a good option.

Kia Seltos Petrol HTK Plus vs HTX Variant - Price, Feature Comparison

The HTX variant of the Seltos only gets a normal petrol engine with manual and CVT-type automatic transmission options. It costs Rs. 1.70 lakh more than the lower HTK Plus variant and carries an ex-showroom price of Rs. 15.19 lakh. With the automatic it costs Rs. 16.59 lakh, which is Rs. 1.40 lakh more than the manual.

The HTX variant adds the following features to the list:

• Front and rear armrests
• Larger touchscreen with wired connectivity
• Telematics
• Traction control with modes (auto only)
• Panoramic sunroof
• Auto-dimming inside mirror
• Air purifier
• Dual-zone auto AC
• LED headlamps
• Drive modes (auto only)
• Leather upholstery
• Telescopic steering
• Adjustable rear headrests
• Split-folding rear seatbacks with 2-step recline
• Soft-touch dashboard
• Larger 17-inch alloy wheels

In this variant, you may miss features like:

• Wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay
• Wireless phone charger
• Ventilated front seats (because of leather upholstery)
• Colour LCD instrument cluster
• 360-degree camera

The HTX variant seems to get a good number of features to offer a balanced ownership experience. In this variant, the Seltos also gets an automatic transmission with the 1.5L normal petrol engine. If you want a feature-packed variant with the 1.5L normal petrol engine, then the HTX is a good option for manual as well as automatic buyers. The HTX is also the most value for money variant with the normal petrol engine.

Kia Seltos Petrol HTX vs HTX Plus Variant - Price, Feature Comparison

HTX Plus variant onwards, the Seltos 2023 is only available with the turbo petrol engine. In the HTX Plus variant, the Seltos costs Rs. 18.29 lakh with the turbo petrol-ACMT and Rs. 19.19 lakh with turbo petrol-automatic powertrain option. Compared to the HTK Plus turbo, the HTX Plus variant is Rs. 3.30 lakh more expensive. The automatic transmission costs another Rs. 90,000 for the convenience of not having to change the gears manual.

The HTX Plus variant adds the following features over and above what the HTX gets:

• Heat-insulated windshield and side windows
• 8-way power driver seat
• Ventilated front seats
• Wireless phone charger
• 1 extra speaker and subwoofer with Bose audio system
• Brown leather upholstery
• 10-25-inch full-colour LCD instrument cluster

In this variant, you may mainly miss ADAS-related features, which is exclusively available with the turbo petrol-automatic powertrain in the GTX Plus and X-Line variants.

The upgrade cost to the HTX Plus turbo petrol is too high for the additional performance and features. It’s not worth buying the HTX Plus variant as it’s not a good value upgrade.

Kia Seltos Petrol HTX Plus vs GTX Plus Variant - Price, Feature Comparison

The GTX Plus variant of the Seltos 2023 is only available with the turbo petrol engine and automatic transmission. It costs RS. 19.79 lakh and is Rs. 60,000 pricier than the lower HTX Plus trim.

The GTX Plus variant gets the following extra features over the HTX Plus trim:

• An exhaustive list of ADAS features including:
  • Adaptive cruise control with stop and-go
  • Forward collision warning and avoidance assist
  • Auto high beam
  • Blind spot monitoring, warning and avoidance assist
  • Rear cross traffic warning and collision avoidance
  • Safe exit warning
• Larger alloy wheels
• Black interiors, roof lining and leather upholstery
• 360-degree camera
• Electronic parking brake
• Auto wipers
• Electronic parking brake with auto hold

In this variant, you may miss the following features:

• Power tail gate
• Head-up display
• Power passenger seat
• Memory and welcome function for power driver seat

Even if you’re not interested in ADAS features, the pricing of the GTX Plus variant makes it a mandatory upgrade for all Seltos turbo petrol-automatic buyers. It’s also our top recommendation for 2023 Seltos buyers.

Kia Seltos Petrol GTX Plus vs X Line Variant - Price, Feature Comparison

X-Line is the top model of the 2023 Seltos facelift and it costs Rs. 19.99 lakh (ex-showroom). This price is Rs. 20,000 more than the GTX Plus.

The X-Line variant gets the following extra features:

• Matte grey exterior
• Different interior and upholstery
• Different exterior design elements

Just like the GTX Plus variant, you may miss the following features in the X-Line variant also:

• Power tailgate
• Power passenger seat
• Memory and welcome function for power driver seat

Considering the value the GTX Plus offers with the addition of ADAS features, even the X-Line manages to more than justify the incremental cost over the lower variants. So, from a value standpoint, it’s a good upgrade. However, this is mostly a cosmetic upgrade. So, we’ll leave it up to you to decide if you should upgrade to the X-Line variant or not.

Which Variant Of The 2023 Kia Seltos Petrol Should You Buy?

Among the 1.5L normal petrol engine options, the only 2 options we’re comfortable recommending are the base HTE and the top-spec HTX trims.

Among the turbo petrol variants as well, for buyers interested in the auto-clutch transmission, the HTK Plus is the best option. If you’re interested in getting better value or an automatic transmission, then you can buy either the GTX Plus or the X Line variant based on your design preference. Both offer phenomenal value for money and earn our top recommendation.

What Are The Engine Specifications Of The 2023 Kia Seltos Petrol?

The Kia Seltos comes with 2 petrol engine options - a 1.0L turbo petrol and a 1.5L turbo petrol. Both of these engines get a 6-speed manual transmission option. 

Among the 1.5L non-turbo petrol engines, the Elevate is the most powerful. Meanwhile, the torque output of all cars is on par. The most important thing to note here is that the Grand Vitara hybrid and Hyryder hybrid seem to have a lower torque rating and an uninspiring power output. But the torque from the electric motor is available from near idle RPMs, which makes drivability much more convenient than a normal petrol engine.

*Expected

Compared to the small turbo petrol engines, the normal petrol engine of the Seltos makes about the same power but considerably less torque. Moreover, the turbo petrol engines make their torque available at lower RPMs for a wider rev range. Thus, the turbo petrol engines offer better drivability at low RPMs even with significantly lower displacement.

NA = Not available

The 1.5L turbo petrol engine of the Seltos facelift is the most powerful in its segment. But its torque output is comparable with that of the Kushaq and Taigun. Currently, we only have the mileage figures of the Seltos turbo petrol. While they’re not class leading, the Seltos certainly has respectable ARAI test figures of 17.70kmpl with the auto-clutch manual and 17.90kmpl with the dual-clutch automatic transmission.

You can use our Fuel Cost Calculator to see how much any petrol, diesel or CNG car will cost to run based on the latest fuel price in your city.

Fuel Cost Calculator in India

What Are The Dimensions Of The 2023 Kia Seltos Facelift?

The Seltos is among the longer cars of its segment and the widest too, if only by a small margin. The Elevate, in particular, stands out with its best-in-class boot space and ground clearance. Both of these figures are noticeably better than the rest of the cars of this class. The other notable detail about the Seltos is that it’s the only car in its segment with 18-inch wheels.

*Expected

NA = Not Available

What Are The Colour Options Of The Kia Seltos 2023?

The Seltos is available in the following 11 exterior colour options:

• Blue
• Silver
• Grey
• Black
• Red
• Clear white
• Metallic white
• Green
• Matte grey (X-Line only)
• Red with black roof
• White with black roof

Note: Here is a quick look at our length-based segmentation of cars to give you an idea of how we are classifying cars based on their size.

Also Read: Car Segments Explained - With Body Styles And Examples