When it comes to choosing a compact or mid-size SUV in India, two names often top the list: the Kia Seltos and the Tata Harrier. Both SUVs have distinct characteristics, strong brand backing, and a growing fan base. With their modern styling, solid road presence, and tech-rich features, these vehicles cater to urban families and young professionals alike. But despite occupying a similar space in the SUV market, Kia Seltos and Tata Harrier differ in various aspects such as design philosophy, performance, pricing, features, and safety. A deeper comparison of these two popular models will help potential buyers make a well-informed decision based on their priorities.
Design and Styling
Exterior Appeal
The Kia Seltos boasts a modern, sleek design with sharp lines and premium finishes. Its aggressive front grille, LED headlamps, and signature DRLs give it a sporty look that appeals to younger buyers. The compact proportions are well-balanced with bold alloy wheels and chrome accents.
On the other hand, the Tata Harrier carries a more muscular and rugged design language. Inspired by Tata’s Impact 2.0 design philosophy, it features a commanding road presence with its high bonnet, split headlamp setup, and wide stance. The Harrier looks more SUV-like in the traditional sense and appeals to those who favor a bold and robust exterior.
Interior Comfort
Inside the Kia Seltos, the layout is modern and refined, with a large infotainment screen, digital driver display, and leatherette upholstery. The cabin is neatly organized with premium soft-touch materials in the higher variants, and it offers features such as ambient lighting and ventilated seats.
The Tata Harrier, while larger in size, also brings a luxurious interior with a panoramic sunroof, leather seats, and a floating touchscreen system. Its dashboard design feels more substantial, and the extra width provides better shoulder room for rear passengers. The Harrier emphasizes space and comfort over a tech-heavy appearance.
Engine and Performance
Powertrain Options
The Kia Seltos offers multiple engine choices, including:
- 1.5L petrol (manual and CVT)
- 1.5L diesel (manual and automatic)
- 1.5L turbo petrol (with DCT)
This variety allows buyers to select a powertrain that fits their driving preferences, whether it’s daily city commutes or highway cruising. The turbo petrol variant offers a particularly punchy and responsive drive, while the diesel variant is known for its fuel efficiency and torque delivery.
The Tata Harrier, in contrast, is available with a single 2.0L Kryotec diesel engine sourced from Fiat. It delivers higher power output compared to the Seltos diesel, and is mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission. The Harrier is more powerful, especially suited for long-distance touring and rougher terrains.
Ride and Handling
The Kia Seltos offers a more car-like driving experience with responsive steering and a balanced suspension setup. It performs well on urban roads and offers agility in tight city traffic. However, on uneven roads or potholes, the ride may feel slightly firm.
The Tata Harrier, with its Land Rover-derived Omega Arc platform, delivers excellent ride quality over bad roads. It feels planted and confident, especially at high speeds. While the steering is heavier, it gives better feedback, making it suitable for highway travel and rough patches.
Features and Technology
Infotainment and Connectivity
Kia Seltos is known for its class-leading features. It includes a 10.25-inch touchscreen system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, connected car technology (UVO), a Bose sound system, wireless charging, and an air purifier. It’s designed to cater to tech-savvy buyers.
The Tata Harrier also offers premium features such as an 8.8-inch touchscreen, JBL sound system, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a panoramic sunroof. However, it lacks the level of connected features that Kia offers in the Seltos. The Harrier’s focus is more on comfort and practicality than flashy tech.
Safety Features
Both vehicles take safety seriously. The Tata Harrier comes with six airbags, ESP, traction control, hill hold assist, and ISOFIX child seat mounts as standard in most variants. It also has a strong build quality and has earned praise for its crash protection.
The Kia Seltos offers six airbags, ABS with EBD, ESP, hill assist, and advanced driver assistance features in newer variants. However, its earlier safety ratings came under scrutiny due to lower crash test results for base variants in some markets. Still, Kia has improved safety offerings over time.
Space and Practicality
Boot Space and Seating
The Kia Seltos provides a boot capacity of around 433 liters, which is quite practical for weekend trips or daily use. It offers good legroom and headroom for passengers in both front and rear seats, although tall rear passengers might find it slightly cramped during long journeys.
The Tata Harrier, being the larger SUV, offers more interior room and a bigger boot capacity at around 425 liters. Its wider body translates into more shoulder room, making it more comfortable for three adults at the back. The Harrier also feels more premium due to its broader seat cushioning and rear seat recline option.
Fuel Efficiency
Fuel efficiency is a key concern for Indian buyers. The Kia Seltos diesel variant delivers a mileage of approximately 20-21 km/l under ideal driving conditions. The petrol variants are slightly less efficient, offering around 16-17 km/l.
The Tata Harrier, being a larger and heavier SUV, offers a mileage of around 16-17 km/l for the manual and 14-15 km/l for the automatic variant. While not as efficient as the Seltos, it compensates with better performance and torque.
Pricing and Value
Cost of Ownership
The Kia Seltos is priced competitively in the compact SUV segment. It offers a wide variant range, allowing buyers to choose according to their budget. Its lower maintenance costs and widespread service network give it an edge in urban centers.
The Tata Harrier, being positioned as a premium mid-size SUV, is more expensive than the Seltos. However, it justifies the price with better size, road presence, and engine performance. Tata’s improving after-sales service and warranty packages also make ownership more attractive than before.
Choosing between the Kia Seltos and Tata Harrier ultimately depends on what you value more in an SUV. If you prefer a compact, tech-loaded, fuel-efficient car with a stylish design, the Kia Seltos is an excellent choice. Its multiple engine options and urban-friendly driving dynamics make it ideal for city dwellers.
However, if your priorities include strong performance, solid build quality, more interior space, and a commanding presence on the road, the Tata Harrier emerges as the better contender. Its robust diesel engine, premium feel, and long-distance comfort are hard to beat.
Both the Kia Seltos and Tata Harrier have carved out strong identities in their respective segments. By understanding your personal needs, usage patterns, and preferences, you can make an informed decision between these two capable SUVs.