Hyundai Bayon vs Kia Seltos vs Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara (2026)
The classic midsize suv shortlist, settled with numbers (October 2026):
- Pick the Hyundai Bayon if you want the lowest starting price (₹10.00 Lakh), the biggest boot (505 L).
- Pick the Kia Seltos if you want the most power (158 bhp), the best claimed efficiency (up to 2026 kmpl), the best crash-test score (5 stars).
- Pick the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara as the balanced middle path — it wins no single spec outright but concedes little anywhere.
Three-Way Specification Comparison
Hyundai Bayon in short
Launched on 26 October 2026, the Hyundai Bayon slots between the Venue and the Creta as a 4,245 mm SUV built on the Global K Enhanced platform. It uses only the Creta's 115 PS 1.5-litre petrol with a 6-speed manual or IVT automatic, priced Rs 10.00-18.15 lakh ex-showroom across 19 versions. Its pitch is space and kit: a 505-litre boot, 2,600 mm wheelbase, six standard airbags and Level 2 ADAS on top trims, against the Maruti Victoris, Toyota Hyryder, Skoda Kushaq and VW Taigun.
Full Bayon 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 →Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara in short
The Grand Vitara is Maruti's Nexa flagship midsize SUV, co-developed with Toyota (which sells it as the Urban Cruiser Hyryder). Its headline act is the 1.5L strong-hybrid powertrain claiming 27.97 kmpl, unique in the segment alongside its Toyota twin, and it also offers mild-hybrid petrol, CNG and an AllGrip AWD manual. It takes on the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Honda Elevate and VW Taigun.
Full Grand Vitara prices & variants →Head-to-head pairs
Frequently Asked Questions
Bayon vs Seltos vs Grand Vitara — which should I buy?
Pick the Hyundai Bayon if you want the lowest starting price (₹10.00 Lakh), the biggest boot (505 L). Pick the Kia Seltos if you want the most power (158 bhp), the best claimed efficiency (up to 2026 kmpl), the best crash-test score (5 stars). Pick the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara as the balanced middle path — it wins no single spec outright but concedes little anywhere. Test-drive at least two before deciding — ride and dealer experience differ by city.
Which is the cheapest among Bayon, Seltos, Grand Vitara?
The Hyundai Bayon starts lowest at ₹10.00 Lakh, against ₹10.77 Lakh for the Grand Vitara and ₹11.25 Lakh for the Seltos (ex-showroom, October 2026).
Which is the safest of the three?
Hyundai Bayon: not yet NCAP-tested; Kia Seltos: 5 stars; Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara: not yet NCAP-tested.