Kia Seltos vs Mahindra Scorpio Classic vs Nissan Tekton (2026)
The classic midsize suv shortlist, settled with numbers (October 2026):
- Pick the Kia Seltos if you want the best claimed efficiency (up to 2026 kmpl), the best crash-test score (5 stars).
- Pick the Mahindra Scorpio Classic if you want the most seats (7).
- Pick the Nissan Tekton if you want the lowest starting price (₹10.49 Lakh), the most power (160 bhp), the biggest boot (518 L).
Three-Way Specification Comparison
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 →Mahindra Scorpio Classic in short
The Scorpio Classic keeps the original Scorpio's muscular ladder-frame formula alive alongside the newer Scorpio-N, with a lighter 2.2 mHawk diesel and mild styling updates. It remains a favourite in semi-urban India for its commanding stance, seven seats and proven toughness. It effectively rivals the Bolero Neo above and entry variants of the Scorpio-N itself.
Full Scorpio Classic prices & variants →Nissan Tekton in short
Launched on 9 July 2026 at introductory ex-showroom prices, the Tekton is Nissan India's long-awaited return to the midsize SUV segment, sharing its platform and turbo-petrol engines with the Renault Duster while squaring up to the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos and Tata Curvv. It leads the class on outright practicality with a segment-best 518-litre boot and arrives with a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating, six standard airbags and Level 2 ADAS on higher trims. The Patrol-inspired styling and a 12-variant lineup spanning Rs 10.49 lakh to Rs 18.59 lakh give it unusually broad coverage of the segment.
Full Tekton prices & variants →Head-to-head pairs
Frequently Asked Questions
Seltos vs Scorpio Classic vs Tekton — which should I buy?
Pick the Kia Seltos if you want the best claimed efficiency (up to 2026 kmpl), the best crash-test score (5 stars). Pick the Mahindra Scorpio Classic if you want the most seats (7). Pick the Nissan Tekton if you want the lowest starting price (₹10.49 Lakh), the most power (160 bhp), the biggest boot (518 L). Test-drive at least two before deciding — ride and dealer experience differ by city.
Which is the cheapest among Seltos, Scorpio Classic, Tekton?
The Nissan Tekton starts lowest at ₹10.49 Lakh, against ₹11.00 Lakh for the Seltos and ₹13.37 Lakh for the Scorpio Classic (ex-showroom, October 2026).
Which is the safest of the three?
Kia Seltos: 5 stars; Mahindra Scorpio Classic: not yet NCAP-tested; Nissan Tekton: 5 stars.