Kia Seltos vs Hyundai Creta: Which Compact SUV Should You Choose in 2025?
In India’s rapidly growing compact SUV segment, the Kia Seltos and Hyundai Creta are two of the most popular choices. Both offer a combination of modern features, solid performance, and stylish designs, making them strong contenders for anyone looking for an SUV. But when it comes to choosing the right one for you in 2025, which of these two should you go for? Here’s a breakdown of the key differences and similarities between the Kia Seltos and Hyundai Creta to help you make an informed decision.
Design and Exterior Appeal
Kia Seltos:
The Kia Seltos has a bold and aggressive design, setting it apart in the crowded compact SUV segment. The front features Kia’s signature tiger-nose grille flanked by sharp LED headlights and striking LED DRLs. The sculpted sides and dual-tone color options add to its sporty vibe, and the rear is defined by sleek tail lamps that are connected by a thin LED strip. The Seltos has a youthful, modern appeal, making it perfect for those looking for a more dynamic SUV.
Hyundai Creta:
The Hyundai Creta, on the other hand, boasts a more refined and sophisticated design. It has a bold front grille paired with sharp LED headlights and angular DRLs, but the overall design feels more elegant and balanced. The flowing lines on the sides give it a more understated and premium look. The rear end features vertically oriented tail lamps that further enhance its clean, polished appearance. The Creta is for those who prefer a mature, classy design.
Winner: Kia Seltos
If you’re after a sporty and modern look, the Kia Seltos is the better choice, while the Hyundai Creta offers a more timeless, elegant design.
Interior and Features
Kia Seltos:
Inside, the Kia Seltos impresses with a sleek, premium cabin. The 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system is the centerpiece of the dashboard and comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Seltos offers a digital instrument cluster, ambient lighting, and a panoramic sunroof in higher trims, giving it an upscale feel. The cabin is spacious, with good legroom and comfortable seats, making it suitable for long drives and daily commuting.
Hyundai Creta:
The Hyundai Creta’s interior is just as appealing, with high-quality materials and a well-organized layout. It also features a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but it offers a slightly smaller 7-inch digital instrument cluster in comparison to the Seltos. The Creta’s cabin feels spacious and airy, thanks to its large panoramic sunroof. Overall, it offers a comfortable and refined environment for both the driver and passengers.
Winner: Tie
Both the Kia Seltos and Hyundai Creta offer top-notch features and interiors, with large touchscreens, premium materials, and sunroofs. The choice between them depends on your preference for either a more tech-focused or a more refined design.
Performance and Driving Experience
Kia Seltos:
The Kia Seltos offers a range of engine options, including a 1.5-liter petrol engine, a 1.5-liter diesel engine, and a 1.4-liter turbocharged petrol engine. The petrol engines produce around 115 PS, while the turbo petrol engine churns out 140 PS, offering a livelier driving experience. The Seltos also comes with both manual and automatic transmission options. The driving experience is refined, with minimal body roll, making it a great option for both city driving and highway cruising.
Hyundai Creta:
The Hyundai Creta offers similar engine choices: a 1.5-liter petrol engine, a 1.5-liter diesel engine, and a 1.4-liter turbo petrol engine. The petrol and diesel engines produce 115 PS, while the turbo petrol engine offers 140 PS. Like the Seltos, the Creta comes with both manual and automatic transmissions. The ride quality in the Creta is excellent, offering a comfortable and smooth drive. The suspension is tuned for comfort, making it ideal for city roads and long-distance travel.
Winner: Hyundai Creta
Although both vehicles offer similar engine options, the Hyundai Creta edges ahead with its superior ride comfort and refined performance, particularly for daily commuting and long drives.
Safety Features
Kia Seltos:
The Kia Seltos comes equipped with a comprehensive range of safety features, including six airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control (ESC), hill-start assist, and rear parking sensors. Higher trims offer a 360-degree camera, blind-spot monitoring, and front parking sensors. The Seltos has earned a 5-star safety rating in Global NCAP crash tests, making it one of the safest options in its class.
Hyundai Creta:
The Hyundai Creta also comes with six airbags, ABS with EBD, ESC, hill-start assist, and rear parking sensors. In addition, it offers a 360-degree camera and traction control in the higher trims. The Creta’s build quality and safety features have earned it high ratings in crash tests, making it equally safe for passengers.
Winner: Tie
Both the Kia Seltos and Hyundai Creta come with an extensive list of safety features, making them equally reliable when it comes to protecting you and your passengers.
Pricing and Value for Money
Kia Seltos:
The Kia Seltos is priced competitively, starting at around ₹10 lakh (ex-showroom) for the base petrol variant and going up to ₹18 lakh for the top-end diesel variant. It offers excellent features for the price, especially in the higher trims, making it a great value proposition for those looking for a feature-packed SUV without a hefty price tag.
Hyundai Creta:
The Hyundai Creta starts at ₹10.5 lakh (ex-showroom) for the base petrol variant and can go up to ₹18 lakh for the fully-loaded diesel variant. The Creta is slightly more expensive than the Seltos, but it justifies the price with its superior comfort, build quality, and performance.
Winner: Kia Seltos
While both SUVs offer great value, the Kia Seltos is the more affordable option, especially when considering the price-to-features ratio.
Conclusion: Kia Seltos vs Hyundai Creta
Choosing between the Kia Seltos and Hyundai Creta ultimately depends on your preferences. If you’re after a bolder design, slightly lower price, and more sporty appeal, the Kia Seltos is a fantastic option. On the other hand, if you prioritize comfort, ride quality, and a more refined driving experience, the Hyundai Creta might be the better choice for you.
Both cars offer a solid blend of style, performance, and features, making them strong competitors in the compact SUV market. Ultimately, whether you go for the Seltos or the Creta, both will deliver a great driving experience, ensuring you’ll be happy with your choice for years to come.