Kia Seltos, Tata Sierra or Hyundai Creta: how the three SUVs compare on price, features and engines

Buyers planning to bring home a new SUV this Diwali are finding the Kia Seltos, Tata Sierra and Hyundai Creta all appealing. There are key differences between them in size, technology, safety and engine options. Knowing which one suits your needs makes the decision easier.

Start with price. All three SUVs are in the same segment, so the gap is not large. The ex-showroom price of the Kia Seltos runs from Rs 11.25 lakh to Rs 21.82 lakh. The Tata Sierra is available from Rs 11.49 lakh to Rs 21.59 lakh, while the Hyundai Creta ranges from Rs 10.91 lakh to Rs 20.46 lakh.

The Creta has the lowest starting price, followed by the Seltos and then the Sierra. After the recent arrival of new variants, the Seltos has become the costliest of the three. The Sierra is about Rs 30,000 cheaper, and the top Creta variant costs more than Rs 1 lakh less than the Seltos.

Now size and boot space. The new-generation Kia Seltos has grown and is the longest of the three, at 4,460 mm against 4,340 mm for the Sierra and 4,330 mm for the Creta. Length aside, the Sierra's width (1,841 mm), height (1,715 mm) and wheelbase (2,730 mm) are greater than those of both the Seltos and the Creta. The Seltos is 1,830 mm wide, 1,635 mm tall and has a 2,690 mm wheelbase. The Creta is 1,790 mm wide, 1,635 mm tall and has a 2,610 mm wheelbase. The Creta and Seltos are equal in height, but the Creta trails in length, width, wheelbase and boot space.

The Sierra leads on luggage space. Its boot is 622 litres, against 447 litres for the Seltos and 433 litres for the Creta. The Sierra's figure is measured up to the roof, but in real use its deep, wide boot takes more luggage. For Diwali shopping, family trips or travelling with a lot of baggage, the Sierra may prove more convenient.

On features and safety, the three compete closely, though some differences show. The Kia Seltos and Tata Sierra have a 12.3-inch touchscreen, a head-up display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and multi-colour ambient lighting. The Hyundai Creta has a 10.25-inch touchscreen and needs an adapter to run wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. All three have a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, a wireless phone charger, an air purifier, dual-zone climate control and adaptive cruise control.

In entertainment, the Tata Sierra stands out, with a 12-speaker JBL sound system and a separate entertainment screen for the front passenger. The Kia Seltos has an 8-speaker BOSE sound system and the Hyundai Creta a 7-speaker BOSE audio setup. The Sierra has 19-inch alloy wheels, while the Seltos and Creta have 18-inch ones.

A boss mode, which lets a rear-seat passenger move the front passenger seat forward, is available in the Sierra and Creta but not the Seltos. A dashcam is offered in the Seltos and Creta but not the Sierra. So the Sierra suits those who want bigger screens, advanced entertainment and some special features, while the choice between the Seltos and Creta can be made on the other features needed.

Many major safety features are common to all three. Six airbags, front and rear parking sensors, a 360-degree camera, electronic stability control (ESC), an electronic parking brake with auto hold and hill hold assist are provided in all of them. Tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), rain-sensing wipers, disc brakes on all four wheels, and a rear wiper, washer and defogger are also standard on all three. These can help while parking, on gradients and when driving in rain.

All three SUVs also have an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) that works with cameras and radar. It can help the driver recognise possible hazards and, in some situations, respond correctly. But which ADAS functions are available depends on the variant chosen, so check before buying. When making the final decision, do not just count features; look at the safety equipment of that variant, how it works and the experience of a real test drive.

Now engines and gearboxes. For city shopping, visits to relatives and daily commuting, the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine in all three will serve well. Their performance is nearly equal. The Kia Seltos and Hyundai Creta produce 115 PS, while the Tata Sierra produces 106 PS. The Sierra's 145 Nm of torque is slightly more than the 144 Nm of the other two.

For fast, spirited driving, the 160 PS turbo-petrol engines of all three can be considered. The Kia Seltos offers both a 6-speed iMT and a 7-speed DCT. The iMT is a manual that allows gear changes without pressing the clutch pedal, and may appeal to those who want more control over the gears. Among automatic gearboxes, the DCT in the Seltos and Creta is described as quicker and more agile than the Sierra's torque converter automatic.

There is no big gap among the three in diesel engines either. The Tata Sierra's diesel produces 118 PS, against 116 PS for the Seltos and Creta. The Sierra leads in torque, with 260 Nm in the manual and 280 Nm in the automatic, while the Kia Seltos and Hyundai Creta produce 250 Nm. When choosing a diesel, buyers should therefore consider not just power and torque but also the gearbox, how the vehicle will be used and the driving experience.

In sum, the Kia Seltos can be considered by those who want greater length, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, ambient lighting, a head-up display and wireless phone connectivity. The Tata Sierra is a good option for those who want a big boot, a wide and tall build, 19-inch alloy wheels, a separate screen for the co-passenger and a 12-speaker JBL system. Those who want a lower starting price, the essential modern features, ADAS, a panoramic sunroof and a balance of petrol and diesel engines can look at the Hyundai Creta, though its touchscreen is smaller and it needs an adapter for wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.