Honda Elevate vs Kia Seltos vs MG Hector (2026)
The classic midsize suv shortlist, settled with numbers (August 2026):
- Pick the Honda Elevate as the balanced middle path — it wins no single spec outright but concedes little anywhere.
- 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).
- Pick the MG Hector if you want the most power (168 bhp), the biggest boot (587 L).
Three-Way Specification Comparison
| Spec | Honda Elevate | Kia Seltos | MG Hector |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ex-showroom price | ₹11.99 Lakh – ₹16.86 Lakh | ₹11.00 Lakh – ₹21.82 Lakh | ₹14.00 Lakh – ₹23.00 Lakh |
| Engine / Motor | 1.5L i-VTEC petrol | 1.5L NA petrol / 1.5L turbo-petrol / 1.5L diesel | 1.5L turbo-petrol / 2.0L diesel |
| Max power | 119 bhp | 158 bhp | 168 bhp |
| Fuel options | Petrol | Petrol, Diesel | Petrol, Diesel |
| Transmissions | Manual, CVT | Manual, iMT, CVT, DCT, Torque Converter AT | Manual, CVT |
| Mileage (claimed) | 15–17 kmpl | ARAI figures for the 2026 gen not announced yet (engines carried over) | 13.9 kmpl (petrol CVT) / 17.4 kmpl (diesel), ARAI |
| Seating | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Safety rating | Not tested | 5 stars | Not tested |
| Airbags (max) | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Boot space | 458 L | 447 L | 587 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 →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 →MG Hector in short
The MG Hector, the car that launched MG in India, received a major facelift in 2023 with a chrome-heavy grille and a huge 14-inch portrait touchscreen. It offers limousine-grade space at prices that undercut the Tata Harrier, Mahindra XUV700 and Jeep Compass. Comfort, not corner-carving, remains its calling card.
Full Hector prices & variants →Head-to-head pairs
Frequently Asked Questions
Elevate vs Seltos vs Hector — which should I buy?
Pick the Honda Elevate as the balanced middle path — it wins no single spec outright but concedes little anywhere. 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). Pick the MG Hector if you want the most power (168 bhp), the biggest boot (587 L). Test-drive at least two before deciding — ride and dealer experience differ by city.
Which is the cheapest among Elevate, Seltos, Hector?
The Kia Seltos starts lowest at ₹11.00 Lakh, against ₹11.99 Lakh for the Elevate and ₹14.00 Lakh for the Hector (ex-showroom, August 2026).
Which is the safest of the three?
Honda Elevate: not yet NCAP-tested; Kia Seltos: 5 stars; MG Hector: not yet NCAP-tested.