Kia Seltos vs Mahindra XUV 7XO vs Nissan Tekton (2026)
The classic midsize suv shortlist, settled with numbers (August 2026):
- Pick the Kia Seltos if you want the best claimed efficiency (up to 2026 kmpl).
- Pick the Mahindra XUV 7XO if you want the most power (197 bhp), the most seats (7).
- Pick the Nissan Tekton if you want the lowest starting price (₹10.49 Lakh), the biggest boot (518 L).
Three-Way Specification Comparison
| Spec | Kia Seltos | Mahindra XUV 7XO | Nissan Tekton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ex-showroom price | ₹11.00 Lakh – ₹21.82 Lakh | ₹13.99 Lakh – ₹25.94 Lakh | ₹10.49 Lakh – ₹18.59 Lakh |
| Engine / Motor | 1.5L NA petrol / 1.5L turbo-petrol / 1.5L diesel | 2.0L mStallion turbo-petrol / 2.2L mHawk diesel | 1.0L turbo-petrol (T160) / 1.3L turbo-petrol (T280) |
| Max power | 158 bhp | 197 bhp | 160 bhp |
| Fuel options | Petrol, Diesel | Petrol, Diesel | Petrol |
| Transmissions | Manual, iMT, CVT, DCT, Torque Converter AT | Manual, Torque Converter AT | Manual, DCT |
| Mileage (claimed) | ARAI figures for the 2026 gen not announced yet (engines carried over) | 13-16 kmpl (real world, engine dependent) | 17.8-19.4 kmpl (ARAI, powertrain dependent) |
| Seating | 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Safety rating | 5 stars | 5 stars | 5 stars |
| Airbags (max) | 6 | 7 | 6 |
| Boot space | 447 L | — | 518 L |
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 XUV 7XO in short
The XUV 7XO is Mahindra's flagship monocoque SUV, pairing near-two-hundred-horsepower engines with twin 10.25-inch screens, Level 2 ADAS and 5-star Global NCAP safety at prices that undercut rivals. It redefined value in the three-row midsize segment at launch and continues to command strong demand. It squares up against the Tata Safari, Hyundai Alcazar and MG Hector Plus.
Full XUV 7XO 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 XUV 7XO vs Tekton — which should I buy?
Pick the Kia Seltos if you want the best claimed efficiency (up to 2026 kmpl). Pick the Mahindra XUV 7XO if you want the most power (197 bhp), the most seats (7). Pick the Nissan Tekton if you want the lowest starting price (₹10.49 Lakh), 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, XUV 7XO, Tekton?
The Nissan Tekton starts lowest at ₹10.49 Lakh, against ₹11.00 Lakh for the Seltos and ₹13.99 Lakh for the XUV 7XO (ex-showroom, August 2026).
Which is the safest of the three?
Kia Seltos: 5 stars; Mahindra XUV 7XO: 5 stars; Nissan Tekton: 5 stars.