On September 1, Tata Motors unveiled the Nexon Facelift, showcasing significant changes to the SUV that now positions it as a strong contender against 4+ meter SUVs like the Kia Seltos. Let’s compare the Nexon Facelift to the Kia Seltos to see how Tata has advanced the Nexon!
The facelifted Nexon features a closed grille with a black element at the center to separate the two DRLs. The design is clearly Curvv-inspired. The facelift Nexon gets sleeker and thinner L-shaped LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs). These lights might be reshaped to have a slimmer and more refined appearance. Below the DRLs, there are vertically positioned split LED headlamps. These headlamp units are positioned vertically, and the bumpers have been redesigned, with small rectangular elements that make the Nexon resemble the Curvv SUV.
The side profile remains largely unchanged, except for sleeker ORVMs (Outside Rear-View Mirrors) inspired by the Harrier and Safari. The wheels have also been slightly redesigned, featuring 16-inch alloy wheels. The rear of the Nexon Facelift features X-factor LED taillamps that are connected by a LED light bar for a distinctive design. It gets sequential indicators, C-shaped protrusions, and the reflectors have been positioned towards the edges for a wider SUV appearance.
Kia 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 faux silver skid plate, and just above the bumpers it has rectangle panel for ADAS. Moving to the side, the body has few cuts, 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, and chrome door handles. At the rear, it has L-shaped Caren inspired LED taillamps connected by LED light bar with KIA logo at the center, small spoiler on the roof with shark fin antenna on top, and dual exhaust for turbo variants.
The Nexon Facelift features a 10.25-inch infotainment system over the thinner and sharper AC vents, and the dashboard comes with dual-tone theme option. The Facelift features a new two-spoke steering wheel with new digital instrument cluster which is the same as the one in current Harrier and Safari, and a single-pane sunroof on top. The two-spoke steering wheel has a rectangular display which illuminates the Tata logo, which is the same as the Curvv SUV. Below the AC vents, there are no physical buttons to control the HVAC, but rather a new touch-sensitive control system for a clean design. There is a huge center console with steptronic gear lever, wireless charging pad behind the rotary dial drive modes, cup holders, and armrest. Moving to the rear, the seats are split in 60:40 ratio, and this SUV comes equipped with 9-speaker JBL Premium Sound System.
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, multiple colors for ambient lighting and it has 8-speaker Bose Premium sound system.
So, from the outside, both the SUVs look tremendously premium and spacious, but from the inside, the Nexon in my opinion looks slightly more premium and better looking than the Seltos.
| Tata Nexon Facelift | Kia Seltos | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 3995 MM | 4365 MM |
| Width | 1804 MM | 1800 MM |
| Height | 1620 MM | 1645 MM |
| Wheelbase | 2498 MM | 2610 MM |
| Ground Clearance | 208 MM | 190 MM |
| Boot Space | 382 L | 433 L |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 44 L | 50 L |
In terms of Dimensions, the Nexon Facelift measures 3995 MM in length, 1804 MM in width, and 1620 MM in height. On the other hand, the Kia Seltos measures 4365 MM in length which is 370 MM longer, width of 1800 MM that is 4 MM narrower, and height of 1645 MM which is 25 MM taller. The Nexon Facelift features a wheelbase of 2498 MM, and ground clearance of 208 MM, while the Kia Seltos has a 2610 MM wheelbase which is 112 MM longer, and ground clearance of 190 MM which is 18 MM lower. The Nexon Facelift has a boot space of 382 L and 44 L fuel tank where as the Seltos got a bigger boot space of 433 L, and big fuel tank of 50 L.
| Tata Nexon Facelift | Kia Seltos | |
|---|---|---|
| Engines | 1.2 L 3-Cylinder Turbo Petrol | 1.5 L 4-Cylinder Turbo Petrol |
| Displacement | 1199cc | 1497cc |
| Power | 118.35 BHP | 157.81 BHP |
| Torque | 170 NM | 253 NM |
| Transmission Type | 5-speed MT, 6-speed MT/AMT, 7-speed DCT | 6-speed iMT, 7-speed DCT |
When it comes to Powertrains, the Nexon Facelift and the Seltos are offered with the turbo petrol engine. The Nexon Facelift comes with a 1.2 L 3-Cylinder Turbo Petrol engine produces 118.35 BHP and 170 NM of torque paired to 5-speed Manual, 6-speed Manual and Automatic, and 7-speed DCT (or as Tata refers to it as ‘DCA’) Gearbox. On the other hand, the Seltos is powered by the 1.5 L 4-Cylinder Turbo Petrol Engine producing 157.81 BHP and 253 NM of torque paired to 6-speed iMT and 7-speed DCT Gearbox.
| Tata Nexon Facelift | Kia Seltos | |
|---|---|---|
| Engines | – | 1.5 L 4-Cylinder Petrol |
| Displacement | – | 1497cc |
| Power | – | 113.43 BHP |
| Torque | – | 144 NM |
| Transmission Type | – | 6-speed MT, IVT |
Next Powertrain is the normal Petrol engine offered with the Kia Seltos but is missing in the Nexon Facelift. The 1.5 L 4-Cylinder Petrol engine produces 113.43 BHP and 144 NM of torque paired to 6-speed Manual and IVT Gearbox.
| Tata Nexon Facelift | Kia Seltos | |
|---|---|---|
| Engines | – | 1.5 L 4-Cylinder Diesel |
| Displacement | – | 1493cc |
| Power | – | 113.48 BHP |
| Torque | – | 250 NM |
| Transmission Type | – | 6-speed MT/AT |
The Kia Seltos gets another powertrain and its normal diesel engine which the Nexon doesn’t get. The 1.5 L 4-Cylinder Diesel Engine produces 113.48 BHP and 250 NM of torque paired to 6-speed Manual and Automatic Gearbox.
| Tata Nexon Facelift | Kia Seltos | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1.5 L 4-Cylinder Turbo Diesel | – |
| Displacement | 1497cc | – |
| Power | 113.42 BHP | – |
| Torque | 260 NM | – |
| Transmission Type | 6-speed MT/AMT | – |
Other than the turbo petrol engine, the Nexon Facelift sports the turbo diesel powertrain. The 1.5 L 4-Cylinder Turbo Diesel engine produces 113.42 BHP and 260 NM of torque paired to a 6-speed Manual and Automatic Gearbox.
| Features | Tata Nexon Facelift | Kia Seltos |
|---|---|---|
| Headlamps | LED | LED |
| Taillamps | LED | LED |
| Wheel Size & Type | 16-inch alloy wheels | 18-inch alloy wheels |
| Sunroof | Single-Pane | Panoramic |
| Auto Power Window | Yes | Yes |
| Seat upholstery | Leather | Leather |
| Leather-wrapped steering wheel | Yes | Yes |
| Ambient Light | – | Yes (64 Colors) |
| AC | Auto | Auto |
| Rear AC vents | Yes | Yes |
| Ventilated Seats | Yes | Yes |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital | Digital |
| Infotainment System | 10.25-inch | 10.25-inch |
| Android Auto, Apple CarPlay | Wireless | Wireless |
| Voice Control | Yes | Yes |
| Air Purifier | Yes | Yes |
| Sound System | 8-speaker JBL Sound System | 8-speaker Bose Premium Sound System |
| Cooled Glovebox | Yes | – |
| Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes |
| Auto-dimming IRVM | Yes | Yes |
| Paddle Shifters | Yes | Yes |
| Drive Modes | Yes | Yes |
| Powered Seats | – | 8-way powered adjustable driver seat |
In Features, the Nexon Facelift misses out on Powered Seats, ambient lighting, and big alloy wheels while the Seltos misses out on cooled glovebox.
| Safety Features | Tata Nexon Facelift | Kia Seltos |
|---|---|---|
| Airbags | Six airbags | Six airbags |
| ABS with EBD | Yes | Yes |
| Camera | 360-Degree Camera | 360-Degree Camera |
| Parking Sensors | Front and Rear | Front and Rear |
| Rain-Sensing Wipers | Yes | Yes |
| ADAS | – | Level 2 |
| TPMS | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Headlamps | Yes | Yes |
| ESC | Yes | Yes |
| Cruise Control | Yes | Yes |
| Traction Control | Yes | Yes |
| Hill Assist | Yes | Yes |
| All 4 Disc Brakes | Front Disc | Yes |
| ISOFIX anchorages | Yes | Yes |
The Nexon Facelift misses out on All 4 Disc Brakes which means it’s only got Front Disc and no Rear Disc Brakes, and misses out on ADAS.
| Model | Price (ex-showroom) |
|---|---|
| Tata Nexon Facelift | Expected Rs. 8.20 L |
| Kia Seltos | Rs. 10.89 L – Rs. 19.99 L |
The Kia Seltos Facelift is priced at Rs. 10.89 lakh for the entry-level ‘HTE’ variant and goes up to Rs. 19.99 lakh for the top of the line variant, ‘X-Line’ where as the Nexon Facelift is expected to be priced from Rs. 8.20 Lakh, and will come with new variants name such as Smart, Smart+, Smart+ (S), Pure, Pure+, Pure+ (S), Creative, Creative+, Creative+ (S), Fearless, Fearless+, and Fearless+ (S).
As for the warranty, Tata Motors offers 3 years/1,00,000 km warranty period for Nexon Facelift and can be extended for additional 3 year/1,25,000 km and Kia offers 3 years/1,00,000 km for the Seltos and can be extended up to 5 years/1,00,000 km.
In the end, the decision to buy which SUV depends totally on you, however, if you’re looking for an SUV that is feature-loaded, good engine performance and efficiency, spacious, feels very-premium, and affordable then the Nexon Facelift would be the right choice for you, as it’s very affordable than the Seltos and comes with almost the same features as Seltos. The Seltos is a good SUV as well that comes slightly more features than the Nexon, good performance and fuel efficiency, very spacious and premium, and it has Level 2 ADAS. So, if you can afford the Kia Seltos then its great choice, otherwise the better choice would be the Nexon Facelift. So, which SUV are you going to buy?