Kia has finally launched the facelift of Seltos in India on July 4th and has introduced features that some it’s rivals doesn’t get. However, Honda also exactly a month ago premiered the reveal of the Elevate SUV that will launch during festival season. Therefore, it only makes sense to compare the two against each other to find out which SUV is better!
Kia Seltos Facelift vs Honda Elevate – Design
Kia has updated the Seltos with a bigger grille with extended LED DRLs on it, cuts and creases on the bonnet for a sporty and aggressive look, four LED cubes positioned vertically acting as Fog lamps, the bumpers are of faux silver skid plate, and just above the bumpers it has rectangle panel for ADAS. Moving to the side, the body has few cuts which looks the same as pre-facelift Seltos, thin wheel cladding for the 18-inch alloy wheels, roof rails on the top, chrome line on the bottom of the window lamp that extends till the D-pillar. At the rear, it has L-shaped Caren inspired LED taillamps connected by LED light bar with KIA logo at the center and small spoiler on the roof.
From the outside, the Elevate has a front grille with small rectangular blocks pattern on it with Honda logo at the center, LED headlamps and two round fog lamps underneath, a large chrome element that connects with the headlamps, and a flat bonnet with few cuts and creases. The bumpers are finished in faux silver skid plate. The Elevate share’s the design cues with the HR-V SUV that is sold overseas. Moving to the side, it has slightly flared wheel arches for a chunky SUV, chrome door handles, non-functional roof rails, and rides on 16-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels. At the rear, it has a L-shaped LED taillamps with dual lines inside them, roof spoiler on top with shark fin antenna, and an indentation around the number plate housing.
From the inside, the Seltos Facelift has one big display unit with two 10.25-inch displays – one for digital instrument cluster, and for infotainment system, and has new layout for the automatic climate control. It has a three-spoke multi-function steering wheel, the pedals is finished in black, and now it has panoramic sunroof. Around the gear lever, it has buttons for ventilated seats, wireless charging pad, rotary dial for driving modes, two USB Charging ports at front and rear, electric parking brake with auto hold function, and sun-blinds for all the windows. Moving to the rear, the seats are split in 60:40 ratio that can be reclined as well, ambient lighting and it has 8-speaker Bose Premium sound system.
From the inside, it has a 10.25-inch free-standing infotainment system with rectangular AC vents below and at the sides, and below the automatic climate control is the wireless charging pad and two USB charging ports next to it on the right, and below that is two cupholders. The Elevate uses soft touch leather materials on the dashboard, leather for the seats, and on the doors. The Elevate has a three-spoke multi-function steering wheel with 7-inch instrument cluster as well. The push start/stop button is placed on the left next to the infotainment system behind the steering wheel. Moving to the rear, the seats are split in 60:40 ratio and has 8-speaker surround sound system.
So, from the outside, the Kia Seltos facelift looks way more spacious, and kind of futuristic than the Elevate that looks muscly. From the inside, both the SUVs look good and spacious, but I’ll give this to Seltos Facelift as it’s looks a bit techy, and premium while Elevate looks kinda basic.
Kia Seltos Facelift vs Honda Elevate – Dimensions
| Kia Seltos Facelift | Honda Elevate | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4315mm | 4312mm |
| Width | 1800mm | 1790mm |
| Height | 1645mm | 1650mm |
| Wheelbase | 2630mm | 2650mm |
| Ground Clearance | 190mm | 220mm |
| Boot Space | 433 litres | 458 litres |
When it comes to dimensions, the Seltos facelift measures 4315mm in length, 1800mm in width, and 1645mm in height. The Elevate has a length of 4312mm which is 3mm shorter, width of 1790mm that is 10mm less wide, and height of 1650mm which is 5mm taller. The Seltos Facelift has a wheelbase of 2630mm, ground clearance of 190mm, and boot space of 433 litres where as the Elevate has a wheelbase of 2650mm which is 20mm, ground clearance of 220mm that is higher by 30mm, and boot space of 458 litres which is bigger by 25 litres.
Kia Seltos Facelift vs Honda Elevate – Powertrains
| Kia Seltos Facelift | Honda Elevate | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1.5-litre NA petrol | 1.5 litre petrol |
| Displacement | 1497cc | 1498cc |
| Power | 113.43 bhp | 119.34 bhp |
| Torque | 144 Nm | 145 Nm |
| Transmission Options | 6-speed MT, IVT | 6-speed MT, CVT |
In Engine Options, both the Seltos Facelift and the Elevate gets a normal petrol engine. The Seltos Facelift is powered by the 1.5-litre petrol engine produces 113 bhp and 144 Nm of torque paired to 6-speed Manual Gearbox and IVT Gearbox (or CVT) with fuel efficiency of 16.8 kmpl. The Elevate on the other hand is powered by the 1.5-litre petrol engine that pumps out 119.34 bhp and 145 Nm of torque paired to 6-speed Manual Gearbox and an Advanced CVT Gearbox.
| Kia Seltos Facelift | Honda Elevate | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1.5-litre diesel | – |
| Displacement | 1493cc | – |
| Power | 113.48 bhp | – |
| Torque | 250 Nm | – |
| Transmission Type | 6-speed iMT & AT | – |
| Fuel Efficiency | 21 kmpl – iMT 18 kmpl – AT | – |
Other than the normal petrol engine, the Seltos Facelift also get’s a normal diesel powertrain which the Elevate won’t get. The Seltos facelift has the 1.5-litre diesel engine that produces 113.48 bhp and 250 Nm of torque paired to a 6-speed iMT Gearbox with 21 kmpl fuel efficiency and 6-speed Automatic Gearbox with fuel efficiency of 18 kmpl.
| Kia Seltos Facelift | Honda Elevate | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1.5-litre turbo petrol | – |
| Displacement | 1497cc | – |
| Power | 157 bhp | – |
| Torque | 253 Nm | – |
| Transmission Type | 6-speed iMT, 7-speed DCT | – |
Kia on Seltos Facelift launch also revealed that the SUV will be getting a new 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine producing 157 bhp and 253 Nm of torque mated to 6-speed iMT and 7-speed DCT Gearbox. Kia launching this engine in order to comply with the RDE and E20 norms. This is another powertrain which the Honda Elevate won’t get.
Kia Seltos Facelift vs Honda Elevate – Features
| Features | Kia Seltos Facelift | Honda Elevate |
|---|---|---|
| Headlamps | LED | LED |
| Taillamps | LED | LED |
| Wheel Size & Type | 18-inch alloy wheels | 18-inch alloy wheels |
| Sunroof | Panoramic | Single-Pane |
| Auto Power Window | Yes | Yes |
| Seat upholstery | Leather | Yes |
| Leather-wrapped steering wheel | Yes | Yes |
| Ambient Light | Yes | – |
| AC | 2-zone | Auto |
| Rear AC vents | Yes | Yes |
| Ventilated Seats | Driver and Front Passenger | – |
| Instrument Cluster | 10.25-inch | 7-inch |
| Infotainment System | 10.25-inch | 10.25-inch |
| Android Auto, Apple CarPlay | Wireless | Wireless |
| Voice Control | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless Charging Pad | Yes | Yes |
| Sound System | 8-speaker Bose Premium sound system | 8-speaker surround sound system |
| Cooled Glovebox | Yes | – |
| Auto-dimming IRVM | Yes | – |
| Height Adjustable Driver Seat | Yes | Yes |
| Powered Seats | 8-way powered adjustable driver seat | – |
When it comes to features, the Elevate SUV misses out on powered seats, auto-dimming IRVM, cooled glovebox, ventilated seats, ambient lightings, panoramic sunroof, and 2-zone climate control. This just makes the Seltos facelift way better than the Elevate which is just an Honda City in SUV form.
| afety Features | Kia Seltos Facelift | Honda Elevate |
|---|---|---|
| Airbags | Six airbags | Six Airbags |
| ABS with EBD | Yes | Yes |
| Camera | 360-degree camera | Reverse-parking camera |
| Parking Sensors | Front and Rear | Rear |
| Rain-Sensing Wipers | Yes | – |
| ADAS | Level 2 | Level 2 |
| TPMS | Yes | – |
| Auto Headlamps | Yes | Yes |
| ESC | Yes | Yes |
| Cruise Control | Yes | Yes |
| Traction Control | Yes | Yes |
| Hill Assist | Yes | Yes |
| All 4 Disc Brakes | Yes | Yes |
| ISOFIX anchorages | Yes | Yes |
In Safety, the Elevate misses out on Tyre-Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), 360-degree camera, front parking sensors, and rain-sensing wipers, and few ADAS features like the Blind Spot Collision System, Safe Exit Warning, and Driver Attention Warning.
Kia Seltos Facelift vs Honda Elevate – Price and Warranty
| Model | Price (ex-showroom) |
|---|---|
| Kia Seltos Facelift | Expected Rs. 11 lakh |
| Honda Elevate | Expected Rs. 12 lakh |
While the pricing of both the SUVs are yet to be announced, the Seltos facelift is expected to start from Rs. 11 lakh and the Elevate SUV is expected to begin at Rs. 12 lakhs.
As for the warranty, Kia is offering 3 years/1,00,000 km warranty period for the Seltos facelift and can be extended up to 5 years/1,00,000 km and the City has a warranty period of 3 years/1,00,000 km that can be extended up to 5 years/unlimited km.
Kia Seltos Facelift vs Honda Elevate – Verdict
In the end, the decision to buy which SUV depends totally on you, however it is recommend to buy the Kia Seltos Facelift as it’s got way more features than the Elevate, the engine is more powerful than the Elevate, the performance is going to be great, and looks very premium. The Elevate on the other hand looks spacious from outside and inside, and it’s got good amount of features, and it’s performance is similar to it’s own sedan, Honda City. So, if you’re looking to book the Kia Seltos Facelift, then you should go ahead and do that, or you can ahead and book the Honda Elevate. So, which one would you choose?
