Kia Seltos Vs Mahindra XUV500 Comparison - Design, Specifications And Prices

Since the Kia Seltos marks the first Kia’s footstep into the Indian auto market, the South Korean automaker has made every endeavour to make this SUV deserve all the Indian enthusiasts’ anticipation and excitement. Unveiled on June 1 ahead of its launch, the Seltos comes with a contemporary design, many segment-leading features along with multiple engine and transmission options.

Meanwhile, first launched in 2011, the Mahindra XUV500 took the whole Indian automobile community aback because of its unique design and impressive performance. As time goes by, the XUV500 has experienced many alterations, the latest one of which is launched on April 18, 2018 with several design alterations, upmarket interior and an improvement in engine performance. All of these help the XUV500 maintain its competitiveness in the fiercely competitive Indian SUV segment. Can the newcomer Kia Seltos effectively compete against the Mahindra XUV500 which has attained a certain amount of prestige for itself in the Indian auto market? This detailed Kia Seltos vs Mahindra XUV500 comparison in terms of their design, specifications and prices will provide you with the answer to the above question. 

Also read - Kia Seltos vs MG Hector: A Design Comparison

Kia Seltos Vs Mahindra XUV500 Comparison of Design

Exterior        

While the Kia Seltos comes with fresh and contemporary exterior design, the Mahindra XUV500, after receiving the facelift, does not give away in this competition with a unique appearance.

Front

In terms of the front fascia, the two SUVs do not bear much resemblance to each other. The Kia Seltos front is dominated by Kia’s typical bold Tyger Nose grille with chrome elements, which lends the SUV a premium feel. It also gets LED fog lamps, projector headlamps and Kia’s signature heartbeat-shaped DRLs.

On the other hand, the XUV500 comes with a piano-finished grille wit chrome components. The fog lights have also had the chrome inside reshaped. The headlights have maintained their basic shape as the outgoing model. The DRLs of the Mahindra XUV500 has been positioned on the top, unlike the flowing units like before.

The front fascias of the two vehicles bear almost no resemblance to each other.

Side profile

On the side profile, the Kia Seltos sports a very well-designed 17-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels. Moreover, the SUV also comes with square wheel arches and a bold shoulder line along its body. The window line stretches towards the rear, interestingly contrasting with the dropping roofline.

On the other hand, the Mahindra XUV500 features two-tone 18-inch alloy rims on the top W11 (O) trim which replace the smaller kit on the previous model. The new roof rails and the doors even get new chrome stripes but they are so subtle that only a very close look can recognize them.

While the Kia Seltos runs on 17-inch diamond-cut alloy rims, the Mahindra XUV500 gets 18-inch alloy wheels.

Rear

Some of the outstanding features in the rear of the Kia Seltos include the LED taillights connected with each other by a thick chrome bar. The bumper features dual-exhaust types and is sculpted with several lines, which contribute to the dynamic appearance of the SUV.

In the meantime, the facelifted Mahindra XUV500 gets a restyled tailgate with new and wider lights. Moreover, the redesigned tailgate, the new taillights and a new spoiler which is mounted on the roof have given the SUV a more gentle, MPV-ish appearance.

Whereas the rear of the Setlos gives it a dynamic appearance, that of the XUV500 lends it an MPV-ish design.

Since exterior design is a matter of personal preference, we would give no conclusion in this comparison. However, if we still have to choose, we would like to give the Kia Seltos a thump up for its modern and stylish design. If you prefer an SUV with a more traditional appearance which somewhat looks like an MPV, you can choose the Mahindra XUV500.

Also read - Kia Seltos Vs Hyundai Creta

Kia Seltos Vs Mahindra XUV500 Interior Comparison

Interior Features

The most unique selling point of the Kia Seltos must be its interior with a wide range of advanced feature along with cutting-edge technologies. Recently, its interior has been officially revealed. Its cabin comes with an all-black paint scheme highlighted by some chrome elements on the driving wheel, the gearstick and the AC vents.

The SUV features a flat-bottomed steering wheel, 60:40 split rear seats with adjustable central headrest. It would also be a mistake not to mention the polishing and fashionable 8.0 head-up display which enables the driver to read the information without taking the eyes off the road. The dashboard is dominated by a wide central 10.25-inch HD touchscreen infotainment system which is connected to a Bose Sound System, Android Auto and Apple Carplay. The instrument cluster comes with a 7-inch coloured digital display which will display all the necessary information about the car operation.

Moreover, the Kia Seltos is also equipped with a mood light system, which, along with the abovementioned sound system, turns the cabin to an exciting stage full of music and light. Both of the light and sound systems are segment-leading features. Another Kia Seltos’s outstanding feature is the Smart Pure Air Purifier, which allows the owner to control the airflow and beware of other air quality specifications at the same time. Noteworthily, e-SIM UVO technologies are also offered in the SUV with 37 advanced features which fall under five categories with different functions.

The Kia Seltos is equipped with a modern cabin with cutting-edge technologies.

If the Kia Seltos is well-known for its modernity with cutting-edge features, the Mahindra XUV500 is also well-equipped with high-quality features but seems to be outdone by its competitor. The W11 (O) trim comes with upmarket quilted tan-leather seat coverings. However, you can feel a little bit uncomfortable to sit on the seats because the three vertical foam strips can be felt. Plastic elements on the door sills and the dashboard look soft and nice. There are also faux-leather inserts with contrasting coloured lines on the top of the dashboard.

It is also a highly practical SUV with numerous storage spaces around the cabin. The SUV sports a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment unit which is far dwarfed by that on the Kia Seltos and also supports Android Auto, navigation and reversing camera connectivity. The vehicle also offers BlueSense application, which allows the users to sync the infotainment to an Apple or Android smartwatch thereby controlling the temperature control, audio and viewing car operation information like tyre pressure. Modern as this app may be, it is just a child’s play in comparison with the e-SIM UVO technologies that are available on the Kia Seltos.

Being a highly practical SUV, the Mahindra XUV500 is quite well-equipped.

Also read - Kia Seltos vs Tata Harrier

Safety features

In this aspect, both of the two SUVs ensure a safe journey for both the driver and the passengers with a variety of safety features. The Kia Seltos will offer 6 airbags, ABS and ESP, parking sensors in the front and rear, hill-hold control, traction control, brake assist system, traction control system, blind-spot monitor, etc. Particularly, the UV-connected connectivity technologies offered in the SUV also comes with AI-enabled voice assistance, safety warning, collision auto-notification, immobilization, stolen vehicle tracking, etc. The Mahindra XUV500 is also equipped with such safety features as an equal number of airbags (six), ABS with EBD, ESC, rollover mitigation, hill mode descent control, hill holder, etc. åAlthough the Mahindra XUV500 is quite well-equipped, in this comparison, the Kia Seltos deserves to be the winner thanks to some of its segment-leading features.  

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Kia Seltos Vs Mahindra XUV500 Specifications Comparison

Dimensions

The Kia Seltos measures less than the XUV500 in all dimensions by 190 mm, 90 mm and 145 mm in length, width and height, respcetively. The wheelbase of the XUV500 is longer than the Seltos by 64 mm. All of these figures translate into a more amber cabin in the Mahindra XUV500 than that of its rival.  Moreover, the XUV500 also comes with a higher ground clearance than that of the Seltos by 22 mm, which may offer the former better off-road capabilities than the latter, which will be confirmed once we test drive the Seltos.

Also read - Kia Seltos Specifications and Dimensions Revealed

Engines and transmissions

Both the Kia Seltos and the Mahindra XUV500 are offered with multiple engine and transmission options. In terms of diversity, the Kia Seltos is the winner. It will keep under its hood three engine options: a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder naturally aspirated and 1.4-litre 4-cyl turbo gasoline burners along with a 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbo diesel motor. The first engine can produce a maximum power of 115 HP against a peak torque of 144 Nm and is mated to a 6-speed MT or CVT unit. The second motor can generate 140 HP/242 Nm and is coupled with a 6-speed manual gearbox and a 7-speed DCT unit. Finally, the third unit can deliver a maximum power/torque output of 115 HP/250 Nm and is paired with a 6-speed manual transmission or 6-speed torque converter.

The Mahindra XUV500 is also available with both petrol and diesel motor options. The only variant which is powered by the gasoline burner is the XUV500 G AT which receives its power from a 2.2-litre mHawk petrol motor. This unit can churn out a maximum power of 142 HP, which is almost equal to that of the turbo petrol motor of the Kia Seltos while its peak torque is 330 Nm, far exceeding those of its competitor. The transmission duties on the petrol version are undertaken by only a 6-speed automatic gearbox.

Moreover, the vehicle also gets its power from a 2.2-litre oil burner which now can deliver a maximum power/torque figure of 155 HP against 360 Nm, far surpassing that of the diesel unit on the Kia Seltos. This engine is mated to either a 6-speed MT or AT unit.

When it comes to fuel mileage, the Kia Seltos far exceeds its rival for all motor options. 

 While the Kia Seltos loses in terms of the power and torque figures, the diversity of its engine and options surpasses that of its competitor. However, the decent Kia Seltos mileage gives it a clear advantage over the XUV500.

Although the Seltos deserves a thumb-up for its diversity of engine and transmission options, the XUV500 is the winner in terms of the performance.

Also read - MG Hector Vs Tata Harrier Vs Jeep Compass Vs Mahindra XUV500 - Spec Comparison

Kia Seltos Vs Mahindra XUV500 Prices

While the Kia Seltos is expected to be priced from Rs 11 lakh to Rs 17 lakh, the Mahindra XUV500’s prices range from Rs 12.31 lakh to Rs 19.74 lakh. The Kia Seltos is likely to be not only more affordable than the XUV500 but also more modern with numerous cutting-edge technologies.

Also read

Mahindra XUV500 2018 Review India

Kia Seltos - All You Need To Know

Above is a detailed Kia Seltos Vs Mahindra XUV500 comparison. Overall, if you prefer an SUV with a fresh design, a modern cabin, multiple motor options and do not mind a little less powerful diesel motor, the Kia Seltos is highly recommended. On the other hand, if you want to drive a car with a powerful diesel motor, do not mind a less modern cabin and investing a little more money, the Mahindra XUV500 is a better choice. If you are interested in more cars comparisons in India, please pay a visit to IndianAuto.