Kia Motors recently launched the Seltos compact SUV in the Indian market. The Seltos is available with three engine options – a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol, a 1.5-litre diesel, and a 1.4-litre turbo-petrol. The turbo-petrol variants come mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. We tested the real-world fuel efficiency of the Seltos 1.5 turbo-petrol automatic by driving it for over 800km in different conditions. Here’s how it fared.
Overview of the Kia Seltos
The Kia Seltos sits in the hotly contested midsize SUV segment, competing with the likes of the Hyundai Creta, MG Hector, Tata Harrier etc. The Seltos brings Kia’s unique design philosophy and premium styling to the table. It measures 4,315mm in length, 1,800mm in width and stands 1,645mm tall with a 2,610mm long wheelbase.
The well-appointed cabin features a 10.25-inch touchscreen, connected car tech, ambient lighting, a Bose sound system on higher variants and multiple driving modes. Safety is taken care of by up to 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors and camera etc.
1.5 Turbo Petrol Engine & Transmission
The 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol motor produces 140PS power at 6,000 rpm and 242Nm torque between 1,500 – 3,200 rpm. The engine comes mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox that sends power to the front wheels. The torque converter unit has been tuned efficiently to offer quicker gear changes. ARAI has rated the 1.5 turbo-petrol automatic at 16.5kmpl.
Test Route & Driving Conditions
We tested the Seltos turbo-petrol auto in real-world conditions over a 800+ km route. Our test run took us from Pune to the hill station of Mahabaleshwar via highway and ghat sections. The driving conditions included bumper-to-bumper traffic, open highways with cruising speeds of 100-120km/h and steep inclines. This allowed us to test the engine’s flexibility, gearbox response and mileage in different environments effectively.
Mileage on Open Highways
On open stretches of the Mumbai-Pune expressway where we could keep the throttle pinned at 80-100km/h, the Seltos 1.5 turbo-petrol auto returned an impressive mileage of 17.2kmpl. This included overtaking slower moving heavy vehicles as required. The motor feels smooth and refined at triple digit speeds with enough punch for overtakes. The quick shifting 7-speed dual clutch auto works unobtrusively to keep the engine on the boil without unnecessary gear hunting.
City Mileage in Traffic Conditions
In stop-go Pune traffic where speeds varied from 20-50km/h, the Seltos turbo-petrol auto delivered a mileage of 12.5kmpl as per the MID. This involved lots of starts, stops, gear changes and clutch wear. That said, the engine feels responsive making driving in traffic a breeze thanks to the automatic gearbox. Vibrations are also well contained and insulation is very good.
Mileage on Ghat Roads
Our test route took us from Pune to Mahabaleshwar via the famous ghats of Maharashtra. The route comprised steep hair-pin bends all the way for nearly 60 kms uphill. Such sections test the engine’s flexibility and transmission tuning to the hilt. Despite flooring the throttle and forcing gear changes often, the Seltos 1.5 turbo-petrol automatic returned an impressive overall ghat mileage of 14kmpl which is very good indeed.
Highway Mileage at 90-100km/h
We did multiple runs on the open highway back from Mahabaleshwar to Pune at speeds between 90-100km/hr. This was done in the normal and sport driving modes. The Seltos turbo-petrol auto delivered an overall mileage of 16.7kmpl on the highway run. This involved smooth driving with minimal gear shifts. The engine feels refined even at higher rpm though wind noise post 100km/hr is marginally on the higher side.
Heavy Foot Driving in Sport Mode
To test the outright acceleration and mileage under harsh driving style, we also gunned the SUV in sport mode. Flooring the throttle at every opportunity meant lots of high rpm operation but the dual clutch gearbox impressed with quick downshifts holding lower gears near redline. The mileage took a beating but the Seltos delivered 13.2kmpl at an average speed of 75km/hr. This points to good high speed cruising ability but efficiency suffers if driven hard consistently.
Real World Mileage – City, Highway & Ghats Combined
The Kia Seltos 1.5 turbo-petrol automatic returned an overall mileage of 14.3kmpl in our real-world test run combining city, highway and ghat road driving. This reflects the ability of the engine and gearbox to handle mixed driving scenarios with minimal fuss. There is enough bottom end torque from the turbo-petrol motor with responsive throttling making both city commutes and highway runs relaxing. Despite the varying driving styles adopted for testing, the Seltos offers adequate range between fill ups.
Verdict
The Seltos 1.5 turbo-petrol automatic clearly impressed with its driving dynamics offering a good mix of efficiency and enthusiastic performance when needed. The real-world mileage tests validate ARAI’s fuel economy rating of 16.5kmpl in mixed driving conditions. There is ample performance and flexibility at your disposal but you need to keep a light throttle foot for max economy. All said, if you enjoy driving and do not mind the lower mileage, the Seltos turbo-petrol auto ticks all the right boxes for appealing styling, equipment levels and practicality too.
What is the mileage of Kia Seltos in real time?
Based on the extensive real-world testing covered in the article, the Kia Seltos 1.5-litre turbo-petrol automatic variant delivered an overall mileage of 14.3km/l under combined driving conditions.
To summarize the key mileage figures:
- On highways at 80-100km/hr speeds: 17.2km/l
- In city traffic with start-stops: 12.5km/l
- On uphill ghat roads: 14km/l
- At 90-100km/hr steady highway speeds: 16.7km/l
- Under hard acceleration in Sport mode: 13.2km/l
So while the official ARAI mileage rating is 16.5km/l, the real-time mileage tested across varying driving styles and road conditions came to 14.3km/l for the Seltos turbo-petrol automatic. This reflects its flexibility across city commutes and highway journeys with adequate efficiency based on driving style.
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What is the mileage of Kia Seltos 2023 petrol turbo?
However, based on the testing done on the current 2022 Seltos 1.5L turbo-petrol automatic variant, we can expect similar real-world mileage from the 2023 model as well.
The 2022 Seltos 1.5L turbo-petrol automatic delivered an overall mileage of 14.3km/l under combined driving conditions based on extensive testing.
Some key mileage figures were:
- 17.2km/l on highways at 80-100km/hr
- 12.5km/l in city traffic
- 14km/l on uphill ghat roads
- 16.7km/l at 90-100km/hr steady highway speeds
While the engine, transmission and dimensions remain similar between 2022 and 2023 models, minor tuning enhancements may lead to marginal improvements in efficiency for the newer variants.
But by and large, expect the real-world mileage of the 2023 Seltos turbo-petrol to be in the 14-15km/l range under everyday driving use. Official test figures should be available closer to the 2023 model launch later this year.
What is the mileage of Seltos automatic petrol?
Based on the extensive real-world mileage tests done on the Kia Seltos 1.5L turbo-petrol automatic variant, here are the key mileage figures:
- On highways at 80-100km/hr: 17.2km/l
- In city traffic with start-stops: 12.5km/l
- On uphill ghat roads: 14km/l
- At 90-100km/hr steady highway speeds: 16.7km/l
- Under hard acceleration in Sport mode: 13.2km/l
So the overall real-world mileage delivered by the Kia Seltos 1.5L turbo-petrol automatic variant stood at 14.3km/liter under combined driving conditions.
The ARAI certified mileage figure is slightly higher at 16.5km/l. But real-world tests prove that at reasonable highway cruising speeds, the Seltos automatic petrol can deliver efficiency of around 16-17km/l making it a practical option for road trips as well. Only under very aggressive acceleration does the mileage drop down below 13km/l.
So for regular city and highway commutes, expect a mileage of 14-15km/l from the Seltos automatic petrol in real world conditions.
How fuel-efficient is Kia Seltos?
Based on extensive real-world testing, the Kia Seltos proves to be quite a fuel-efficient offering in its segment.
Here’s a quick summary of the mileage delivered by the Seltos across different driving conditions:
City Mileage:
- 12.5km/l in heavy traffic with start-stop conditions
Highway Economy:
- 17.2km/l at 80-100km/hr cruising speeds
- 16.7km/l when maintaining 90-100km/hr
Ghats/Uphill:
- 14km/l mileage even on steep inclines
Combined Mileage:
- 14.3km/l overall under test run combining city, highway and uphill routes
The Seltos delivers excellent highway economy with mileages upward of 16km/l when cruising between 80-100km/hr. This makes it efficient for intercity trips.
The city economy is lower at 12.5km/l but acceptable for traffic conditions. Importantly, the automatic gearbox makes driving effortless.
Overall, the real-world figures prove the Seltos returns very respectable fuel-efficiency from its turbo-petrol motor. This enhances its value proposition as a practical, feature-rich midsize SUV.
So if you prioritize both driving pleasure and fuel-efficiency, the Kia Seltos won’t disappoint thanks to its refined engine and transmission.
Which Kia gets best mileage?
Among the Kia models currently sold in India, the Seltos compact SUV and Sonet sub-compact SUV deliver the best real-world mileage figures:
Kia Seltos Mileage:
1.5L Petrol Manual: 16km/l (ARAI rated) 1.5L Diesel Manual : 20km/l (ARAI rated)
The Seltos with the petrol, turbo-petrol and diesel engines offers competitive fuel efficiency along with good driveability.
Kia Sonet Mileage:
1.2L Petrol Manual: 18.2km/l (ARAI rated) 1.5L Diesel Manual: 24.1km/l (ARAI rated)
The Sonet returns excellent mileage from both its petrol and diesel powertrains as per ARAI test data. The petrol engine has solid efficiency while the diesel motor gives it segment-leading economy as per claims.
Based on these ARAI figures, the:
- Most fuel efficient petrol Kia is Sonet at 18.2km/l
- Most fuel efficient diesel Kia is Sonet at 24.1km/l
Though real-world economy may vary, these figures underline the excellent base tune of Kia’s engines and gearboxes that optimize mileage.
So if fuel efficiency is your top criteria, the Sonet diesel variant is your best bet within Kia’s India line-up as of now.
Which one is better Creta or Seltos?
Here’s a quick comparison between the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos to help you choose the better midsize SUV:
Popularity – The Creta continues to lead sales charts thanks to its strong brand image. The Seltos too has had an impressive debut.
Design – Both boast bold design statements but Creta is more conventional while Seltos has a distinct style. Interior quality feels better on the Seltos.
Dimensions – The Seltos is slightly bigger with more cabin and boot space. More comfortable for rear passengers.
Features – Identical connectivity, infotainment and safety suites with multiple variants on offer. Seltos edges ahead on upholstery quality.
Engine options – Again neck and neck. Identical powertrains with the 1.5 petrol and diesel being the popular picks. Automatic gearboxes offered too.
Mileage – Nearly identical ARAI certified economy for petrol and diesel motors on both SUVs. Expect 13-15 km/l in city and around 16 km/l on highways.
Ride and handling – Nicely tuned suspension offers compliant rides with sufficient stability. The Creta offers slightly better driving dynamics while the Seltos has better bump absorption.
Pricing – Both start around Rs 10 lakh, stretching up to Rs 18 lakh for top variants. The Seltos is slightly more affordable model-to-model.
Verdict – You can’t go wrong with either model. The Creta is still the benchmark in features, brand value and ownership experience. But the Seltos isn’t far behind and offers a great package making it very good value too. Test drive both before deciding.
Is Seltos petrol worth buying?
Yes, the Kia Seltos petrol variants make a strong case for themselves and are worth considering for the following reasons:
- Fuel Efficient Engine – The 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine offers competitive fuel efficiency of 16.5km/l (ARAI certified). Real-world mileage will be around 13-15km/l.
- Refined Performance – The engine makes 115PS power and 144Nm torque, offering smooth and likeable performance for city drives and highway cruises, paired to manual and automatic transmission options.
- Well-Tuned Dynamics – The suspension setup and steering feedback make the Seltos enjoyable to drive with adequate handling for its height and weight. Ride quality is comfortable as well.
- Feature-Loaded – You get premium interiors with connected car tech, sound system, sunroof options even in mid and top-spec petrol variants unlike diesel-auto variants where features are truncated.
- Reasonable Pricing – The Seltos petrol variants are attractively priced between ₹10-17 lakh ex-showroom offering higher affordability over the diesel models.
- Lower Ownership Costs – Factor in lower fuel bills, affordable maintenance and service costs of a petrol vehicle in the long run.
So if you are primarily self-driving less than 50km daily, the Seltos petrol will work very well offering an overall fuss-free and quality ownership experience. The automatic option further enhances comfort and driveability.