Honda Elevate vs Hyundai Alcazar vs Kia Seltos (2026)
The classic midsize suv shortlist, settled with numbers (August 2026):
- Pick the Honda Elevate if you want the biggest boot (458 L).
- Pick the Hyundai Alcazar if you want the most power (158 bhp), the most seats (7).
- Pick the Kia Seltos if you want the lowest starting price (₹11.00 Lakh), the best claimed efficiency (up to 2026 kmpl), the best crash-test score (5 stars).
Three-Way Specification Comparison
| Spec | Honda Elevate | Hyundai Alcazar | Kia Seltos |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ex-showroom price | ₹11.99 Lakh – ₹16.86 Lakh | ₹14.99 Lakh – ₹21.55 Lakh | ₹11.00 Lakh – ₹21.82 Lakh |
| Engine / Motor | 1.5L i-VTEC petrol | 1.5L turbo-petrol / 1.5L diesel | 1.5L NA petrol / 1.5L turbo-petrol / 1.5L diesel |
| Max power | 119 bhp | 158 bhp | 158 bhp |
| Fuel options | Petrol | Petrol, Diesel | Petrol, Diesel |
| Transmissions | Manual, CVT | Manual, DCT, Torque Converter AT | Manual, iMT, CVT, DCT, Torque Converter AT |
| Mileage (claimed) | 15–17 kmpl | 15–20 kmpl | ARAI figures for the 2026 gen not announced yet (engines carried over) |
| Seating | 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Safety rating | Not tested | Not tested | 5 stars |
| Airbags (max) | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Boot space | 458 L | 180 L | 447 L |
Honda Elevate in short
The Elevate is Honda's midsize SUV built on the City's platform, squaring up to the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos and Maruti Grand Vitara. It counters their variant blitz with a simple honest formula: the proven 1.5 i-VTEC, a smooth CVT, 220 mm ground clearance and Honda Sensing ADAS. It trades flash for driving polish and long-term dependability.
Full Elevate prices & variants →Hyundai Alcazar in short
The Alcazar is the three-row sibling of the Creta, refreshed comprehensively in 2024 with new styling and a plusher cabin. It targets the Tata Safari, MG Hector Plus and Kia Carens combination of space and premium feel, in 6- and 7-seat layouts. Captain chairs with a centre console on the 6-seater give it a genuine chauffeur-friendly second row.
Full Alcazar prices & variants →Kia Seltos in short
The second-generation Seltos arrived in July 2026 as Kia India's most consequential launch of the year: bolder styling, dual 12.3-inch displays, up to Level 2+ ADAS with a built-in dashcam on the new GTX(O)/X-Line(O) trims, and a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating whose 31.70/32 adult score is the highest yet for an ICE car. The three familiar engines carry over — 115bhp petrol, 158bhp turbo-petrol, 116bhp diesel — across a restructured 12-trim walk. It renews its rivalry with the Hyundai Creta, and now also the Renault Duster and Nissan Tekton.
Full Seltos prices & variants →Head-to-head pairs
Frequently Asked Questions
Elevate vs Alcazar vs Seltos — which should I buy?
Pick the Honda Elevate if you want the biggest boot (458 L). Pick the Hyundai Alcazar if you want the most power (158 bhp), the most seats (7). Pick the Kia Seltos if you want the lowest starting price (₹11.00 Lakh), the best claimed efficiency (up to 2026 kmpl), the best crash-test score (5 stars). Test-drive at least two before deciding — ride and dealer experience differ by city.
Which is the cheapest among Elevate, Alcazar, Seltos?
The Kia Seltos starts lowest at ₹11.00 Lakh, against ₹11.99 Lakh for the Elevate and ₹14.99 Lakh for the Alcazar (ex-showroom, August 2026).
Which is the safest of the three?
Honda Elevate: not yet NCAP-tested; Hyundai Alcazar: not yet NCAP-tested; Kia Seltos: 5 stars.