Honda Elevate vs Kia Seltos (2026)
Honda Elevate (₹11.99 Lakh – ₹16.86 Lakh) and Kia Seltos (₹11.00 Lakh – ₹21.82 Lakh) go head-to-head in the midsize suv space. Here is how they compare on the numbers (August 2026).
- The Kia Seltos is more affordable — it starts ₹0.99 Lakh lower than the Honda Elevate.
- The Kia Seltos is the more powerful car, with 158 bhp against 119 bhp.
- The Kia Seltos is more efficient on paper — up to 2026 kmpl vs 17 kmpl.
- Only the Kia Seltos has a published NCAP crash-test rating (5 stars).
- The Honda Elevate has the bigger boot: 458 litres vs 447 litres.
Specification Comparison
| Spec | Honda Elevate | Kia Seltos |
|---|---|---|
| Ex-showroom price | ₹11.99 Lakh – ₹16.86 Lakh | ₹11.00 Lakh – ₹21.82 Lakh |
| Engine / Motor | 1.5L i-VTEC petrol | 1.5L NA petrol / 1.5L turbo-petrol / 1.5L diesel |
| Max power | 119 bhp | 158 bhp |
| Fuel options | Petrol | Petrol, Diesel |
| Transmissions | Manual, CVT | Manual, iMT, CVT, DCT, Torque Converter AT |
| Mileage (claimed) | 15–17 kmpl | ARAI figures for the 2026 gen not announced yet (engines carried over) |
| Seating | 5 | 5 |
| Safety rating | Not tested | 5 stars |
| Airbags (max) | 6 | 6 |
| Boot space | 458 L | 447 L |
Shortlisting a third car? See the full three-way comparison →
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 →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 →Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper: Elevate or Seltos?
The Kia Seltos is more affordable — it starts ₹0.99 Lakh lower than the Honda Elevate. (Ex-showroom prices, August 2026.)
Elevate vs Seltos — which is safer?
NCAP ratings: Honda Elevate — not yet tested; Kia Seltos — 5 stars.
Should I buy the Elevate or the Seltos?
The Kia Seltos is more affordable — it starts ₹0.99 Lakh lower than the Honda Elevate. The Kia Seltos is the more powerful car, with 158 bhp against 119 bhp. The Kia Seltos is more efficient on paper — up to 2026 kmpl vs 17 kmpl. Beyond the numbers, shortlist by test-driving both — ride quality and dealer experience differ by city.