Honda Elevate facelift vs Kia Seltos: price, features and engine compared

Looks alone are not enough when buying a midsize SUV. Price, engine power, ride comfort and new features all matter. Choosing between the 2026 Honda Elevate facelift and the Kia Seltos is not easy for many buyers. The Seltos draws attention with premium features, a bigger screen and several engine options, while the Elevate stresses comfort, reliability and everyday usability.

Budget is the biggest issue. The ex-showroom price of the Seltos ranges from Rs 10.99 lakh to Rs 21.82 lakh, while the Elevate facelift is available from Rs 11.60 lakh to Rs 18.40 lakh. In the entry-level variants, the Seltos is about Rs 60,000 cheaper. At the top end, however, buyers may have to pay about Rs 3.42 lakh more for the Seltos. The difference stems from the Seltos's turbo-petrol and diesel engine options, more advanced technology and premium features. Buyers wanting an SUV on a tight budget should look at the base variants of both, while those wanting more features in the top end will have to be ready to stretch the budget.

On size, the Seltos has grown larger after the facelift. It is 4,460 mm long, while the Elevate is 4,312 mm, which is 148 mm shorter. In width, the Elevate is 1,790 mm and the Seltos 1,830 mm, a difference of 40 mm. The Seltos also has the longer wheelbase, at 2,690 mm against the Elevate's 2,650 mm. The Elevate is ahead in height: it is 1,650 mm tall against the Seltos's 1,635 mm, 15 mm more.

The Elevate has the edge in luggage space. It has a boot space of 458 litres, against 447 litres in the Seltos. The difference is only 11 litres, but because of the shape of the boot, some buyers may find the Elevate more convenient for carrying large suitcases. An SUV that looks bigger and one that is more useful for luggage are not always the same.

On colours, the Elevate comes in seven: Nordic Forest Pearl, Radiant Red Metallic, Obsidian Blue Pearl, Platinum White Pearl, Crystal Black Pearl, Lunar Silver Metallic and Meteoroid Grey Metallic. Some of these also have dual-tone options with a black roof. The Seltos comes in ten: Morning Haze, Magma Red, Frost Blue, Ivory Silver Gloss, Pewter Olive, Imperial Blue, Gravity Grey, Aurora Black Pearl, Glacier White Pearl and Exclusive Matte Graphite. The Seltos leads in the variety of colours, but the Elevate may be the more attractive choice in dual-tone. The Elevate also has a Black Edition with an all-black look and alloy wheels, while the Seltos X-Line variant gets a sporty matte finish and green highlights.

On features, the Seltos feels more premium. It gets 18-inch alloy wheels, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, a 12.3-inch full digital instrument cluster, an 8-speaker Bose system, a panoramic sunroof, a rear sunshade and three drive modes. The Elevate has 17-inch alloy wheels, a 10.25-inch touchscreen, an analogue cluster with a 7-inch MID, 8 speakers and a single-pane sunroof, and it lacks a rear sunshade and drive modes. Both have LED headlamps and DRLs, ventilated front seats, 6 airbags, a 360-degree camera and Level 2 ADAS. The difference is that the Elevate's ADAS is camera-based, while the Seltos's works on both camera and radar.

The Elevate's standout feature is ventilated rear seats, which the Seltos does not have. This can be quite useful for families travelling in the back seat in summer.

The engine is where the biggest difference shows. The Elevate has only one engine, a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol that produces 121 PS of power and 145 Nm of torque. This facelift does not offer a hybrid powertrain. The Seltos's 1.5-litre petrol engine produces 115 PS and 144 Nm, so the Elevate is slightly ahead in power and torque. Both come with manual and CVT gearboxes. For stronger performance, the Seltos has a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol that produces 160 PS and 253 Nm, with a 6-speed iMT and a 7-speed DCT. The diesel engine produces 116 PS and 250 Nm, and comes with both manual and automatic options. The turbo-petrol is the better choice for highway overtaking and quick response. Real-world mileage depends on driving style, traffic and road conditions.

So which one to pick? Those who want a big touchscreen, a full digital display, a panoramic sunroof, a premium sound system and the latest technology, or a choice of engines, turbo-petrol power or diesel, will find the Seltos suitable. If most journeys are with the family and a comfortable, easy and practical SUV is wanted, the Elevate can be considered. Its 458-litre boot, ventilated rear seats and petrol engine performance are its key points. Before making a final decision, it is advisable to take a test drive and check the features of the variant.