Kia has been very broad-minded with the variants on offer for the Seltos. Let's take this step by step and so at the root level, Seltos comes in 8 main variants. Then it gets 3 engine and 4 transmission options which stir things up a bit. The 1.5L naturally aspirated petrol and 1.5L turbo-diesel power most of the variants in this spectrum. On the next tier, we have the GT Line variants which are powered by the more energetic 1.4L GDI Turbo petrol engine along with a sole variant with the 1.5L turbo diesel engine, because diesel means mileage!
But Kia has not taken the generic route with its feature listing for these variants as even the base HTE variant gets an impressive list of features that uplifts its value for money proposition. The distribution of features in all of these variants is linear and you won’t feel any variant superior or inferior to its counterparts because of its impressive pricing. We have differentiated the variants based on the powertrains on offer to simplify things.
These engines are the base ingredients for the Seltos as it is the choice of powertrain for the founding variants of the Seltos. Both these engines are high on power and have a balanced and efficient character. A 6-Speed Manual, 6-Speed automatic and an IVT are the choice of transmission for these variants and provide for a crisp driving experience.
HTE is the base variant of the long list of “HT” prefixed Tech Line variants. It is offered in both diesel and petrol engine options with a 6-speed manual transmission. It is the cheapest of the lot at Rs. 9.89 lakh and as we go up the table the feature listing keeps on getting larger and more interesting. The top variant of Tech Line is the HTX+ variant which is equipped with the 1.5L turbo-diesel engine and comes in either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission. The 6-speed AT is priced at the top end at Rs. 16.34 lakh.
Variant | HTE | HTK | HTK+ | HTX | HTX+ | GTX+ |
Pricing(Petrol) | Rs. 9,89,000 | Rs.10,29,000 | Rs. 11,49,000 | Rs. 13,09,000/ Rs.14,09,000(IVT) | N/A | N/A |
Transmission(Petrol) | 6-Speed Manual | 6-Speed Manual | 6-Speed Manual | 6-Speed Manual/ IVT | N/A | N/A |
Pricing(Diesel) | Rs.10,34,000 | Rs.11,54,000 | Rs.12,54,000/ Rs.13,554,000(AT) | Rs.14,14,000 | Rs.15,34,000/ Rs.16,34,000(AT) | Rs.17,34,000 |
Transmission(Diesel) | 6-Speed Manual | 6-Speed Manual | 6-Speed Manual/ 6-Speed Automatic | 6-Speed Manual | 6-Speed Manual/ 6-Speed Automatic | 6-Speed Manual |
As diesel powertrains are the norm of the day, Kia has crept in a GT Line variant to be powered by the humble 1.5L turbo diesel unit. It's very contradicting but that's what people want. So, can’t complain about that initiative! It gets all of the go-fast “GT Line” bits on the looks front, but the sober engine under the hood.
The differences on the outside are very prominent on these variants and do speak for each one’s superiority. The most prominent changes can be seen in the darkness. That's because the changes are in the lighting department as the transition takes place from halogen projectors to full LED lighting.
Other changes include coloured or chrome-laden bits that pump up the premium appeal of this sporty crossover. The GTX+ variant in this lot gets subtle but noteworthy features that include “GT Line” branding at the front and rear and red accents to mimic its sportiness.
Variant | HTE | HTK | HTK+ | HTX | HTX+ | GTX+ |
Exterior Features | 16-inch steel wheels | All features in HTE added/replaced and: | All features in HTK added/replaced and: | All features in HTK+ added/replaced and: | All features in HTX added/replaced and: | All features in HTX+ added/replaced and: |
Kia signature tiger-nose grille | ORVM LED turn signals | 16-inch alloy wheels | 17-inch alloy wheels | Rear spoiler | 17-inch crystal cut alloys | |
Metal painted diamond knurling pattern | Bridge type roof rails | Heartbeat LED DRLs | Silver centre wheel caps | Electric sunroof | Red centre wheel caps | |
Front and rear skid plates | Front and rear mudguards | Glossy black Kia signature nose grille | Kia Signature tiger-nose grille- Black high glossy with GT line logo | |||
Black door garnish | Chrome diamond knurling pattern | Front bumper with red accents | ||||
Body-coloured outside door handles | Chrome outside door handles | Rear bumper with dual muffler design and red accents | ||||
Halogen taillamps | Body-coloured door garnish with silver accent | Black and body-coloured door garnish with red accent | ||||
Projector headlamps | Dual muffler cut-out for the rear bumper | |||||
Shark fin antenna | Crown jewel LED headlamps | |||||
Sweeping LED light bar | ||||||
Heartbeat LED taillamps |
HTX+ variant adds comfort features with added sunroof and adds 10 more hp with its top lip spoiler. (Just kidding, it's only there for the looks!) There is a very fine line between common ground and differentiation and Kia has got it just right to provide value for all of its variants and at the same time common grounds to judge all of them on.
The same format of differentiation is carried forward to the inside as well and there are prominent changes to tell these variants apart on the inside.
Technology has been given weightage here and most of the changing factors across the variants are on the instrument cluster and infotainment setup.
Variant | HTE | HTK | HTK+ | HTX | HTX+ | GTX+ |
Interior Features | Premium headlining | All features in HTE added/replaced and: | All features in HTK added/replaced and: | All features in HTK+ added/replaced and: | All the features in HTX added/replaced and: | All the features in HTX+ added/replaced and: |
Black premium fabric seats | Driver one-touch auto down window function | LED sound mood lights | Leather-wrapped D-cut steering wheelSoft touch dashboard with stitching pattern | UV cut front windshield and windows | Black and beige leatherette seats with red stitching | |
Fixed armrest with storage box | Luggage lamp | Rear defogger with wiper and washer | Leather-wrapped gear knob | LED room and console lamps | Rain sensing wipers | |
Bench seat setback folding | Front USB charging port | Rear sun-shade curtain | Ambient mood lights | 8-way driver power seat | 360 view camera | |
Keyless entry | Electrically adjustable ORVM | Front seat belt adjuster | Beige and Black leatherette seats with honeycomb pattern | BOSE 8-Speaker audio system | Blind View monitor | |
Day and night rearview mirror | 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system | Smart key with push-button start | Telescopic steering | Central speaker and subwoofer | Traction and multi-drive modes | |
Manual air-conditioner | Android Auto and Apple CarPlay | 60:40 folding rear seats | 7-inch colour MID instrument cluster | |||
4 speakers | 4 speakers+2 tweeters | Panic button on smart key | Ventilated front seats | |||
3.8-inch infotainment system | Voice recognition | Auto anti-glare rearview mirror with UVO controls | Wireless smartphone charger | |||
3.5-inch mono-colour instrument cluster | Rearview camera with guidelines | Fully automatic Air-con system | ||||
10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment unit | ||||||
Smart Pure air purifier | ||||||
UVO Connected Car |
There are differences even in the cargo area as you get the option of having either halogen or LED room light depending on the variants. As you go up the table, you can have an airier and light heated experience with the sunroof and dual-tone siege interior upholstery.
This is the performance-oriented line-up for Kia Seltos. “GT Line” variants are powered by a 1.4L turbo petrol engine which is coupled to a slick-shifting 7-Speed DCT which makes up for a thrilling driving experience.
But then again, there is also an out of the box, diesel offering which has been listed in the above table due to its all show and no go nature!
Variant | GTK | GTX | GTX+ |
Pricing | Rs. 13,79,000 | Rs.15,29,000/ Rs.16,29,000(DCT) | Rs.16,29,000/ Rs.17,29,000(DCT) |
Transmission | 6-Speed Manual | 6-Speed Manual/ 7-Speed DCT | 6-Speed Manual/ 7-Speed DCT |
The exterior differences are prominent for the “GT Line” variants when compared with the “Tech Line” variants and the changes are rather subtle. A red theme dominates all of the vehicles with red accents on both the bumpers, to unique 17-inch alloy wheels.
The red theme is also carried forward to the inside with red stitching and black upholstery to uplift the contrasting nature.
Variant | GTK | GTX | GTX+ |
Exterior Features | 17-inch crystal cut alloy wheels | All the features in GTK added/replaced and: | All the features in GTX+ added/replaced and: |
Red centre wheel caps | Front Red brake calipers(that's the only different feature!) | Electric sunroof(that's it, again!) | |
Kia Signature tiger-nose grille- Black high glossy with GT line logo | |||
Chrome diamond knurling pattern | |||
Front bumper with red accents | |||
Rear bumper with dual muffler design and red accents | |||
Crown jewel LED headlamps | |||
Sweeping LED light bar | |||
Heartbeat LED taillamps | |||
Rear spoiler | |||
Bridge type roof rails |
But among the three GT Line variants, differences are minuscule and you need a trained eye or a higher point of view! Yes, that because the differences are red brake calipers up front and a sunroof.
On the inside, the contrasting red stitching continues to give it a sporty yet elegant look. The GT Line series also gets additional gizmos like the terrain and multi-drive modes which is available only with the 6-Speed Automatic or 7-Speed DCT equipped variants and so varies the driving experience with the change in modes.
The change in mode is depicted on the 7-inch instrument cluster to completely indulge you in the experience. The GT Line also gets a few additional creature comfort features like wireless smartphone charger and an inbuilt air purifier with perfume dispenser.
Variant | GTK | GTX | GTX+ |
Interior Features | Leather-wrapped steering wheel with GT Line logo | All the features in GTK added/replaced and: | All the features in GTX+ added/replaced and: |
Metal scuff plates with Seltos logo | Soft-touch dashboard with stitching pattern | Black and beige seats with red stitching | |
Sporty alloy pedals | Ambient mood lighting | LED room and console lamps | |
Black leatherette sports seats with red stitching | UV cut front windshield and windows | 8-way power driver seat | |
Sliding front armrest with storage | Fixed armrest with storage box | BOSE 8-speaker audio system | |
Day and night rearview mirror | Panic button on smart key | Central speaker and subwoofer | |
8-inch touchscreen infotainment unit | Auto anti-glare rearview mirror with UCO controls | 360 view camera with guidelines | |
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay | Rain sensing wipers | Blind view monitor | |
4 speakers +2 tweeters | 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment unit | Ventilated front seats | |
3.5-inch mono colour instrument cluster | UVO Connected Car | ||
Rearview camera with guidelines | Smart Pure air purifier | ||
Wireless smartphone charger | |||
7-inch MID instrument cluster | |||
8-inch Head-Up display | |||
Traction and muti drive modes |
UVO Connected is another interesting feature which uses voice assistant and smartphone application to give you remote authority of various features in the car. It also has a smartwatch app which makes proceedings even more remote!
There is no “best of the lot” variant as Kia has emphasised and put the various variants on the table for people with varying needs. There is a variant for every type of person. If you are the sporty type, who cares little of both the initial and after-sales expenses and just want to enjoy it to the fullest, then the GTX+ variant makes the best case. That 1.4L turbo engine will never cease to surprise you.
If you are the conservative type, then nothing better than the 1.5L turbo-diesel equipped line-up of which HTX makes the most value for money proposition. If you want to look at the sporty bit, Kia has got that covered as well, as the GTX+ variant is also available in the diesel power plant.
And for the neutral type, you just want a youthful and badass looking car minus the extra maintenance expenses, then the 1.5L naturally aspirated petrol engine will not disappoint you in any way. Kia has done its homework well and its impressive success rate in just one year speaks for it.