Both the Tata Sierra and the all-new Kia Seltos 2026 will compete in the compact SUV segment.
Table of Contents
2026 Kia Seltos Vs Tata Sierra: Dimensions
Both SUVs offer well-proportioned dimensions that give them a strong road presence and comfortable seating for five passengers. The Tata Sierra features a taller body that provides a higher seating position and a commanding view of the road. In contrast, the Kia Seltos sits lower and highlights a sporty stance with a more dynamic look. This difference in design makes each SUV appeal to different driving preferences.
| Dimensions | 2026 Kia Seltos | Tata Sierra |
| Height | 1635 mm | 1715 mm |
| Length | 4460 mm | 4340 mm |
| Width | 1830 mm | 1841 mm |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 2690 mm | 2730 mm |
| No. of Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Ground Clearance | 205 Litres | 205 mm |
| Boot Space | 477 Litres | 622 Litres |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 50 Litres | 50 Litres |
Features
Kia Seltos and Tata Sierra share many modern features, making both strong options in their segment. Both models offer a panoramic sunroof, Level 2 ADAS for added safety, a large touchscreen infotainment system, and a fully digital instrument cluster. Comfort is enhanced with automatic climate control, wireless phone charging, an engine start/stop button, and a cooled glovebox.
With these premium features, both SUVs deliver a well-balanced mix of technology, comfort, and convenience, making them equally appealing choices.
| Features Name | 2026 Kia Seltos | Tata Sierra |
| Power Steering | Yes | Yes |
| Power Windows | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Instrument Cluster | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Infotainment Sytem | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Connectivity | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic Climate Control | Yes | Yes |
| USB Ports | Yes | Yes |
| Radio | Yes | Yes |
| Speakers | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless Phone Charging | Yes | Yes |
| Android Auto | Yes | Yes |
| Apple CarPlay | Yes | Yes |
| Level 2 ADAS | Yes | Yes |
| Tachometer | Yes | Yes |
| Glove Box | Yes | Yes |
| Ambient Lighting | Yes | Yes |
| Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel | Yes | Yes |
| Cup Holders | Yes | Yes |
| Follow Me Home Headlamps | Yes | Yes |
| Drive Modes | Yes | Yes |
| Voice Assisted Sunroof | Yes | Yes |
| Air Conditioner | Yes | Yes |
| Heater | Yes | Yes |
| Adjustable Steering | Yes | Yes |
| Ventilated Seats | Yes | Yes |
| Air Quality Control | Yes | Yes |
| Trunk Light | Yes | Yes |
| Vanity Mirror | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Reading Lamp | Yes | Yes |
| Height Adjustable Driver Seat | Yes | Yes |
| Electronic Adjustable Front Seat | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Seat Centre Arm Rest | Yes | Yes |
| Adjustable Headrest | Yes | Yes |
| Accessory Power Outlet | Yes | Yes |
| Cruise Control | Yes | Yes |
| Rear AC Vents | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Seat Centre Arm Rest | Yes | Yes |
| KeyLess Entry | Yes | Yes |
| Engine Start/Stop Button | Yes | Yes |
| Cooled Glovebox | Yes | Yes |
| Voice Commands | Yes | Yes |
| Paddle Shifters | Yes | No |
| Tailgate Ajar Warning | Yes | Yes |
| Hands-Free Tailgate | Yes | Yes |
| Idle Start-Stop System | Yes | No |
| Automatic Headlamps | Yes | Yes |
| Alloy Wheels | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Spoiler | Yes | Yes |
| Cornering Foglamps | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Sensing Wiper | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Window Defogger | Yes | Yes |
| Outside Rear View Mirror Turn Indicators | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Window Wiper | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Window Washer | Yes | Yes |
| Projector Headlamps | Yes | Yes |
| Roof Rails | Yes | Yes |
| Shark Fin Antenna | Yes | Yes |
| Puddle Lamps | Yes | Yes |
| LED Headlamps | Yes | Yes |
| LED Taillights | Yes | Yes |
| LED Fog Lamps | Yes | Yes |
| LED DRLs | Yes | Yes |
| Outside Rear View Mirror | Yes | Yes |
| Front Disc Brake | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Disc Brake | Yes | Yes |
Which Is Better
Tata Sierra is ahead in terms of dimensions but is ahead of Kia Seltos only in the length segment. Both these compact SUVs have two types of petrol engine options and one diesel engine option. Talking about the price, Tata Sierra is slightly less priced than 2026 Kia Seltos. Overall Tata Sierra is better than Kia Seltos 2026 and a perfect compact SUV.
Price
The new Kia Seltos and Tata Sierra are competitive SUVs in India, each offering a slightly different positioning and value for buyers.
The estimated ex-showroom price of the Seltos starts at around ₹11.20 lakh and goes up to ₹22 lakh, depending on the variant and features offered.
The Sierra’s ex-showroom price is expected to start at around ₹11.49 lakh and go up to ₹21.29 lakh.
| Model | Ex-Showroom Price |
| Kia Seltos | ₹11.20 – ₹22 Lakh |
| Tata Sierra | ₹11.49 – ₹21.29 Lakh |
Engine
Both SUVs offer powerful and refined engine options that deliver confident performance. They come with different power and torque outputs, paired with multiple gearbox choices. This makes both models well-suited for Indian road conditions, each offering strong performance in its own way.
Petrol Engine
The Kia Seltos offers two petrol engine options: a naturally aspirated petrol and a turbo-petrol. The 1,482 cc Smartstream 1.5 T-GDi engine produces 158 bhp and 253 Nm of torque, providing strong power for relaxed highway cruising.
The Tata Sierra also comes with naturally aspirated and turbo-petrol choices. Its 1,498 cc 1.5L TGDi Hyperion turbo-petrol engine delivers 158 bhp and 255 Nm of torque, ensuring smooth acceleration and confident performance.
| Engine Specifications | 2026 Kia Seltos NA Petrol | 2026 Kia Seltos Turbo Petrol | Tata Sierra NA Petrol | Tata Sierra Turbo Petrol |
| Engine Displacement | 1497 cc | 1482 cc | 1498 cc | 1498 cc |
| Engine Type | SmartStream G1.5 | SmartStream G1.5 T-GDi | 1.5L Revotron | 1.5L TGDi Hyperion |
| Power | 114 Bhp | 158 Bhp | 105 Bhp | 158 Bhp |
| Torque | 144 Nm | 253 Nm | 145 Nm | 255 Nm |
| No. of Cylinder | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Valves Per Cylinder | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Gear Box | 6-Speed | 7-Speed | 6-Speed | 6-Speed |
| Transmission Type | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Drive Type | 2WD | 2WD | FWD | FWD |
| Fuel Supply System | MPi | GDi | Mpi | TGDi |
| Turbo Charger | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
Diesel Engine
Diesel engines remain popular among SUV buyers for their strong torque and reliable performance. The Kia Seltos is offered with a 1.5-litre CRDi VGT diesel engine paired with a 6-speed automatic gearbox, delivering high torque and comfortable highway driving.
The Tata Sierra uses a 1.5-litre Kryojet diesel engine that produces 116 bhp and 280 Nm of torque, offering steady performance and good drivability.
| Engine Specifications | 2026 Kia Seltos | Tata Sierra |
| Engine Displacement | 1493 cc | 1497 cc |
| Engine Type | 1.5L CRDi VGT | 1.5L Kryojet Diesel |
| Power | 114 Bhp | 116 Bhp |
| Torque | 250 Nm | 280 Nm |
| No. of Cylinder | 4 | 4 |
| Valves Per Cylinder | 4 | 4 |
| Gear Box | 6-Speed | 6-Speed |
| Transmission Type | Automatic | Automatic |
| Drive Type | 2WD | FWD |
| Fuel Supply System | CRDI | CRDi |
| Turbo Charger | Yes | Yes |
Interior
The Kia Seltos features dual large screens: a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. The dual-tone cabin uses refined soft-touch materials. Climate control is managed through physical buttons and rotary controls. Other features include a panoramic sunroof and a head-up display. The cabin combines modern styling with a driver-focused layout, and the ergonomic design ensures comfort and clear visibility for the driver.
The Tata Sierra features a triple-screen setup for the driver, central infotainment, and front passenger, giving a futuristic feel. The cabin includes natural-toned surfaces, ambient lighting, and soft-touch materials. It comes with a JBL 12-speaker system with Dolby Atmos and dual-tone climate control. Overall, the interior offers a modern, high-tech, and premium experience.
On-Road Price
The expected on-road price of the 2026 Kia Seltos starts at around ₹13 lakh and goes up to ₹24.49 lakh, depending on the city and location.
The Tata Sierra’s on-road price in Delhi is expected to start at around ₹13.30 lakh and go up to ₹25.08 lakh, depending on the variant.
Safety Rating
The Kia Seltos has been crash-tested by Global NCAP in India, earning a 3-star rating for adult occupant protection and a 2-star rating for child occupant protection. The Bharat NCAP crash test for this model has not been conducted yet. The Tata Sierra does not have an official crash test rating yet from either Global NCAP or Bharat NCAP.
| Car Name | Bharat NCAP Safety Rating | Bharat NCAP Child Safety Rating |
| 2026 Kia Seltos | NA | NA |
| Tata Sierra | NA | NA |
Mileage
The expected mileage of the 2026 Kia Seltos varies by engine type. The petrol variants are likely to deliver around 16–18 kmpl, while the diesel variants may offer 20–22 kmpl. The turbo-petrol model is expected to return approximately 17 kmpl, depending on driving conditions.
The Tata Sierra has an ARAI-rated petrol mileage of 29.9 kmpl. In real-world conditions, the naturally aspirated petrol variant delivers around 13–16.5 kmpl, while the diesel variant offers approximately 14–19 kmpl. The turbo-petrol version returns an estimated 11.5–15 kmpl, depending on driving conditions.
FAQs
What is the Difference between Tata Sierra and Seltos?
| Tata Sierra | Kia Seltos |
| The Tata Sierra has a boxier, more upright SUV stance. | The Kia Seltos carries a sportier and more refined design. |
| More interior space, better legroom, and a larger boot capacity. | Seltos is longer, but it offers less passenger and boot space compared to the Sierra. |
| It delivers high torque and strong performance on highways. | Seltos feels refined, smooth, and responsive in both city and highway driving. |
| Triple-screen layout and JBL Dolby Atmos audio system. | Driver-focused technology with dual large screens and a Bose sound system. |
What is the Disadvantage of Kia Seltos?
The disadvantages of the 2026 Kia Seltos are:
- Some important features are missing.
- Diesel performance is decent, though it lacks a sporty feel.
- High price of top variants.
- Some tech conveniences are missing in the lower variants