Kia Seltos Variants Explained: Which One To Pick?

Available in two broad trim lines, let’s find out the best engine, transmission and variant combination for you

• HT-Line/ Tech-Line is available in five variants: HTE, HTK, HTK+, HTX and HTX+.

• Seltos GT-Line is available in two variants: GTX and GTX+.

• The GT-Line is available with a 1.4-litre turbo-petrol as well as a diesel-automatic.

• The Tech-Line can be had with a set of 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines.

• Prices range from 9.89 lakh to Rs 17.34 lakh (ex-showroom India).

Kia launched the Seltos in 2019 and it now retails from Rs 9.89 lakh to Rs 17.34 lakh (ex-showroom India). It is available in two trim lines - Tech-Line and GT-Line - which are offered in five and two sub-variants, respectively. Here’s a quick look at what the compact SUV has to offer and the one that should fit your budget and needs the best. Given the array of options to pick from, it might be difficult to recommend a single value-for-money variant of the Seltos.

Engines

Colour Options

Eight monotone colours on offer include:

• Intense Red

• Aurora Black

• Glacier White

• Punchy Orange

• Intelligency Blue

• Gravity Grey

• Steel Silver

• Clear White

Five dual tone shades which are available only in HTX, GTK and GTX include: 

• Intense Red with Black Roof

• Glacier White with Black Roof

• Steel Silver with Black Roof

• Steel Silver with Orange Roof

• Punchy Orange with Glacier White Roof (HTX+ and GTX+)

Now let’s look at the full price list of the Seltos (ex-showroom India): Tech-Line

GT-Line  

Now, let’s take a look at the variant-wise feature list: 

HT-Line 

HTE (base variant): Recommended for those looking for a diesel SUV on a tight budget

Features

Safety: Dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, central locking, emergency stop signal, rear disc brakes (only with diesel) and rear parking sensors. 

Exterior: Projector headlamps, shark-fin antenna and 16-inch steel wheels

Interior: All-black interiors with fabric seats  

Comfort and convenience: Power windows, height-adjustable driver seat (manual), front centre armrest with storage, tilt-adjustable steering with audio controls, keyless entry, sunglass holder, front and rear USB charger, and manual AC with rear vents. Audio: 2-DIN audio system with Bluetooth and four speakers

Verdict

The Kia Seltos’ base variant is equipped with all the necessities. It doesn’t feel lacking in any department and the fact that it undercuts the Creta petrol and is closely priced to the Nissan Kicks makes it a sensible option. If it’s a petrol SUV you’re after, we would suggest you stretch your budget a bit. But for diesel buyers on a tight budget, the HTE variant makes a lot of sense. That said, Kia has pegged it as a premium, modern-day SUV and to capture its true essence, we would suggest that you read on for our pick.

HTK (mid-variant): Brilliant option for petrol buyers

Features (over HTE)  

Safety: Rear view camera with guidance, driving rear view monitor and projector front fog lamps  

Exterior: Roof-rails, electrically-adjustable ORVMs with LED turn signals, front and rear mud guard 

Comfort and convenience: Front USB charger, luggage light, one-touch auto-down power window for the driver

Infotainment: 8-inch infotainment system with Arkamys-tuned six-speaker system, Android Auto and Apple Carplay.

Verdict

This mid-variant of the Seltos Tech-Line is a brilliant value offering for petrol buyers. It gets a host of additional equipment at just a fraction of the premium that diesel buyers will have to pay. For the diesel variant, the premium might sound a bit steep, but it will help improve your ownership experience in the long run. Thus, for the sake of modernity without loosening your purse strings by much, you can get the Seltos HTK. But for a loaded Seltos that delivers value as well, you’d need to stretch a bit more.

HTK+: Makes sense for diesel buyers

Features (over HTK)

Safety: Rear wiper and washer, rear defogger, auto headlamps, smart key remote engine start (for all automatic variants) 

Exterior: LED DRLs, 16-inch metallic alloy wheels  

Interior: Leatherette gear knob, rear parcel tray, rear windshield curtain, LED Sound Mood lighting 

Comfort and convenience: Smart key with push-button start, cruise control, auto-folding ORVMs, one touch auto up and down power window for the driver. 

Verdict

The add-ons that one gets on the HTK+ don’t justify the premium over the HTK variant. Most of these features are either cosmetic or feel-good in nature. And most of these features don’t hold much relevance in day-to-day usage either. However, the HTK+ is the most affordable variant with a diesel-auto powertrain option.

HTX: Expensive but worth it

Features (over HTK+)

Safety: Tyre pressure monitor and anti-glare IRVM. 

Exterior: Auto LED headlamps with DRLs, LED fog lamps, LED tail lamps, sunroof, 17-inch metallic alloy wheels.  

Interior: Metal scuff plates, air purifier with perfume diffuser, black and beige dual-tone leatherette upholstery, Climate Control Panel with silver garnish, rear sunshade, leather wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel.

Comfort and convenience: Auto AC, telescopic steering, 60:40 split rear seat, rear USB charger with tray, two-step adjustable rear seats with center armrest and a back pocket on the passenger seat.

Technology: UVO connected car-tech with controls on IRVM and smartphone app. UVO-Voice Assist wake up command, Smartwatch connectivity, Control Air Purifier

Infotainment: 10.25-inch infotainment with navigation as well Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Verdict

This is the variant to go for for those looking to get a premium iteration of the Seltos. While this variant is the most affordable one that offers the 1.5-litre petrol with an automatic gearbox, the diesel engine is only available with a manual transmission. That aside, this variant gets most of the Seltos’ segment-first features and asks for a healthy but rather acceptable premium.

HTX+: Diesel-only top-spec Tech Line variant for those without budget constraints  

Features (over HTX)

Exteriors: Rear spoiler 

Safety: Front parking sensors, UV protected windshield and windows Interior: 7-inch full-colour multi info display (MID) 

Comfort and convenience: Ventilated front seats, 8-way electrically-adjustable driver seat and a fast wireless phone charger

Audio: Bose 8-speaker sound system

Verdict

The Kia Seltos HTX+ is a diesel-only offering and gets a whole lot of kit over the HTX variant at an acceptable premium of Rs 1.2 lakh. If you had already stretched your budget till the HTX, then consider getting this as it will not have much effect on your monthly EMIs either. 

However, all’s not rosy here as despite being a top-spec offering in the Tech-Line trim, it misses out on side and curtain airbags, which is available on the GTX+ but comes at a premium of Rs 85,000. 

GTX (entry-spec GT Line variant): Our pick  

Features (over GTK)

Safety: Six airbags, ABS with EBD, disc brakes on all wheels, rear defogger, rear parking sensors, rear camera with guidance and driving rear view monitor, tyre pressure monitor, electronic stability control (ESC), hill hold assist, vehicle stability management, brake assist, multi drive modes with multi-traction control (7DCT), anti-glare IRVM, UV protected windshield and windows, and an 8-inch head-up display.

Interior: Metal scuff plates, black leatherette interior and gear knob, air purifier with perfume, sunroof and 7-inch full-colour multi info display (MID). 

Comfort and convenience: Electrically-adjustable and retractable ORVMs with LED turn indicators, smart key with push-button start, tilt- and telescopic-adjustment for steering, cruise control, rear windshield curtain, passenger seat back pocket, front centre armrest with slider, 60:40 split rear seat, two-step adjustable rear seats, Sound Mood lighting and auto AC, fast wireless phone charger, rain-sensing wipers. Infotainment: 10.25-inch infotainment with navigation as well as Apple CarPlay and Android auto.

Technology: UVO connected car-tech with controls on IRVM. The service is free for the first three years.

Verdict

Yes, the premium is quite steep, but given the extra safety and feel-good features, the GTX is our variant of choice. Apart from a striking looking exterior it also has the safety suite of side and curtain airbags which makes it a great pick in our books.

GTX+ (top-end GT Line variant): The variant with all the bells and whistles but can be skipped unless you want a diesel GT-Line variant

Safety: Front parking sensors, 360-degree camera, blind spot monitor in MID

Exterior: Auto LED headlamps, LED DRLs and tail lamps with extended light bar up front, LED fog lamps, roof rails, rear spoiler, skid plates with red accents and 17-inch crystal-cut alloys with red calipers (front)

Interiors: Rear parcel tray, luggage light, leather wrapped flat-bottom steering with red stitching and alloy pedals

Comfort and convenience: Ventilated front seats and 8-way electric adjustable driver-seat, multi-drive modes(AT).  Audio: Bose 8-speaker system

Verdict

The top-spec Seltos GT-Line is available with a bit more premium goodies and safety features but if we were you, we’d skip this unless we were in the mood to splurge. Having said that, it offers some unique features such as a 360-degree parking camera with a blind spot monitoring system (displays feed from the ORVMs in the MID).

If you want a sporty looking diesel in the GT-Line trim, then this is the only variant to have it on offer, albeit with only an automatic transmission.

The GTX+ is the only fully-loaded diesel Seltos with a combination of six airbags, Bose speaker system, ventilated and powered front seats and the head-up display. 

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