New Kia Seltos vs Tata Sierra: Clash of 2026’s Most Anticipated SUVs

Just days after the launch of the much-anticipated Tata Sierra, Kia India has just revealed the next-generation Kia Seltos. Built on the brand’s new K3 platform, the revamped Seltos debuts a completely redesigned exterior, a refreshed cabin layout and a host of modern, tech-rich features. The new Seltos continues to compete with the Hyundai Creta, Maruti Victoris, Grand Vitara, Toyota Hyryder, Volkswagen  Taigun, Skoda Kushaq and also newly launched Tata Sierra.

Interested customers of Tata Sierra can book the SUV online or by visiting their nearest Tata dealership from December 16, 2025, and deliveries will begin from January 15, 2026. The bookings for the new Seltos are already underway, booking amount is set at Rs 25,000. Price announcement will happen on January 2, 2026, with deliveries expected to begin from mid-January. In this article, let’s compare the new-gen Seltos with the Tata Sierra in terms of features, dimensions, specs, powertrain options and more.

The new Sierra is offered in seven variants, namely – Smart Plus, Pure, Pure Plus, Adventure, Adventure Plus, Accomplished and Accomplished Plus. The company has announced prices for all the variants except the top spec Accomplished and Accomplished Plus trims. Prices for the new Sierra range from Rs 11.49 lakh to Rs 18.49 lakh for the Adventure Plus trim (both prices ex-showroom).

The prices for the new Kia Seltos have not been announced yet, but it’s offered with Tech Line, GT Line and X-Line trims. The Tech Line forms the core of the lineup with variants such as HTE, HTE (O), HTK, HTK (O), HTX and HTX (A). Sitting above them, the GT Line is offered in GTX and GTX (A) versions and adds a richer equipment list along with sportier styling cues. The X-Line package, characterised by its darker, more aggressive aesthetic remains exclusive to the GT Line trims.

Comparing dimensions next, the Sierra measures 4340 mm in length, 1841 mm in width, 1715 mm in height and a wheelbase of 2730 mm. It has ground clearance of 205 mm, boot space of 622 litres and wheel size ranges from 17 to 19 inches. The Kia Seltos measures 4460 mm in length, 1830 mm in width, 1635 mm in height and a wheelbase of 2690 mm. It has a boot space of 447 litres and wheel size ranges from 16 to 18 inches.

The new Sierra is offered with three engine options – a 1.5-litre Kryotec turbo diesel with 118 hp of power and 280 nm torque. Another two engines are the newly developed 1.5-litre NA petrol with 106 hp power and 145 nm torque and a 1.5-litre Hyperion turbo petrol engine with 160 hp power and 260 nm torque. Tata Motors also confirmed that the company will soon launch the AWD model.

The new Seltos too is offered with three engine options – a 1.5-litre NA petrol with 115hp/144Nm that’s offered with either a 6-speed MT or a CVT gearbox and a 1.5-litre turbo petrol with 160hp/253 nm that’s offered with an IMT or a 7-speed DCT. Another engine is a 1.5-litre turbo diesel with 116 hp/250 nm that gets a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic.

In terms of features, the Sierra comes packed with four-spoke steering wheel with an illuminated logo and touch-based controls, iRA connected car technology with snapdragon chip and 5G connectivity, OTA updates, 12.3-inch passenger and centre screen display, 10.5-inch digital instrument cluster, 12 speaker JBL sound system with a sound bar and Dolby Atmos, 18 JBL sound modes, Arcade appstore, HypAR HUD display, dual zone automatic climate control, panoramic sunroof, mood lighting, a wireless charging pad, rear window sunshades, a 360-degree camera.

It also gets Level 2 ADAS, front parking sensors, six airbags, LED connected taillamps with headlamps with turbo boost function for high beam, an electronic parking brake with auto hold, connected car tech, ventilated and powered driver front seats with memory function, powered tailgate with gesture function, adjustable thigh support, boss mode, rear sunshade, two step reclining rear seats, EPB with auto hold, rear AC vents with Type-C chargers, cooled glove box and more.

Moving inside the new Kia Seltos, the cabin undergoes a major transformation while still echoing some familiar Kia design cues. The centrepiece is a panoramic digital layout made up of a 12.3-inch touchscreen, a matching 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and a dedicated 5.0-inch climate-control display. The centre console retains a practical spread of physical buttons and rotary controls, but the steering wheel is all-new, sporting a three-spoke design with integrated drive and traction mode buttons.

Feature-wise, it gets ventilated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, wireless charging, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a powered driver’s seat with memory, rear sunshades, dual-tone leatherette upholstery, a 360-degree camera, 64-colour ambient lighting, an eight-speaker Bose audio system, OTA updates, connected-car functions and Level 2 ADAS. Safety kit features include six airbags, ESC, all-wheel disc brakes, hill-start assist, ISOFIX mounts, tyre-pressure monitoring and a standard rear-view camera forming part of the equipment roster.