New Kia Seltos 2026 vs 2025 Tata Sierra: Battle Of The 2 NEWEST AND HOTTEST Compact SUVs!

Both the new Seltos and the Sierra are modern and boxy, but which one turns out to be better on paper?

The second-generation Kia Seltos, now unveiled, is set to be the latest entrant in the compact SUV space, challenging the buzz created by the new 2025 Tata Sierra.

Both the carmakers seem to have gone all out in making their two SUVs look extremely appealing, as well as feature loaded. Now that the rivalry is spiced up, let's check on paper which of these two SUVs has to offer more:

Price

	Kia Seltos 2026	Tata Sierra
Price (ex-showroom)	Starting from Rs 11.20 lakh (expected)	Rs 11.49 lakh to Rs 21.29 lakh

The Kia Seltos prices are to be announced on January 02, 2026, while its bookings are underway for a token price of Rs 25,000. For more details, check here.
Tata has announced the full prices of Sierra, which you can check out here.

Dimensions

Parameters	Kia Seltos 2026	Tata Sierra	Difference
Length	4460 mm	4340 mm	+120 mm
Width	1830 mm	1841 mm	(-11 mm)
Height	1635 mm	1715 mm	(-80 mm)
Wheelbase	2690 mm	2730 mm	(-40 mm)
Boot space	447 litres	622 litres	(-175 litres)

In aspect of size, the new Seltos now stands to be significantly longer, infact the longest compared to all of its competitors.

However, the Sierra is the one which in true sense will give you the feel of a bigger car, thanks to its extra width, height, and wheelbase.
Notably, the Seltos' bootspace happens to be shallow despite the extra length, while the Sierra has a significantly larger boot that improves its practicality.

Powertrain

Models	Kia Seltos 2026	Tata Sierra
Engine	1.5-litre NA Petrol	1.5-litre Turbo-Petrol	1.5-litre Diesel	1.5-litre NA Petrol	1.5-litre Turbo-Petrol	1.5-litre Diesel
Transmission*	6-speed MT/ CVT	6-speed iMT/ 7-speed DCT	6-speed MT/ 6-speed AT	6-speed MT/ 7-speed DCT	6-speed AT	6-speed MT/ 6-speed AT
Power	115 PS	160 PS	116 PS	106 PS	160 PS	118 PS
Torque	144 Nm	253 Nm	250 Nm	145 Nm	255 Nm	Up to 280 Nm

CVT - Continuously variable transmission, DCT - dual-clutch automatic transmission, AT - torque converter automatic transmission

The Seltos and Sierra has a pretty similar powertrain setup. Both SUVs feature a naturally aspirated petrol, turbo-petrol and a diesel option with front-wheel drivetrain.
The Seltos' NA petrol engine returns 7PS more power than that of the Sierra while maintaining almost similar torque output.
The Sierra, on the other hand, generates more power and torque with its diesel engine.
Unlike the Seltos' turbo-petrol engine with which you get an iMT gearbox, the Sierra's one can be had with an automatic only.

Interesting facts:

The Tata Sierra will also have an all-wheel drive version coming up, while the brand stated that an EV and hybrid would also be up on the cards for later.
Tata's TGDi turbo petrol engine debuted in the Sierra, with which it recorded a top speed of 222 kmph when tested in NATRAX. Customer vehicles will have their capped at 190 kmph for safety purposes.

Features

	Kia Seltos 2026	Tata Sierra
Exterior	LED projector headlights Connected LED taillights LED DRLs LED front fog lamps 18-inch dual-tone alloy wheels Front & rear skid plates Black roof rails Flush-type door handles Shark-fin antenna Rear spoiler Neon brake callipers (GTX variant)	LED projector headlights Full-width LED taillights Full-width LED DRLs LED sequential indicators LED front and rear fog lamps 19-inch dual-tone alloy wheels Front & rear skid plates Black roof rails Flush-type door handles Shark-fin antenna Rear spoiler Body-coloured B-pillar Faux Alpine Window styling
Interior	Dual tone cabin themes in multiple options Leatherette upholstery 64-colour ambient lighting Adjustable headrests for all seats Front centre armrest with storage Front seat back pocket Rear centre armrest with cupholders	Black / Beige dual-tone cabin theme Leatherette upholstery Leatherette-wrapped steering wheel Multi-colour ambient lighting Driver & Passenger vanity mirror with extendable sunshade Adjustable headrests for all seats Front centre armrest with storage Front seat back pocket Rear centre armrest with cupholders
Comfort & Convenience	12.3-inch digital driver's display Dual-zone auto AC with rear vents Ventilated front seats 10-way Power-adjustable driver seat with memory function Manual adjustment for co-driver seat Rear window sunshades Panoramic sunroof Wireless smartphone charger Electrically foldable ORVMs Multi-drive modes 60:40 split-folding rear seats Type-C USB port (front & rear) Keyless entry with push-button start/stop Tilt & telescopic steering wheel	10.25-inch digital driver's display Dual-zone auto AC with rear vents Ventilated front seats Power-adjustable driver seat Manual adjustment for co-driver seat Manual Boss Mode Rear window sunshades Front seats with extendable underthigh support Panoramic sunroof Wireless smartphone charger Head-up display (select variants) Puddle lamps Auto-dimming IRVM Boot lamp Electrically foldable ORVMs Multi-drive modes Terrain modes 60:40 split-folding rear seats Type-C USB port (front & rear) Keyless entry with push-button start/stop Powered tailgate
Infotainment	12.3-inch touchscreen 8-speaker Bose sound system Connected car tech Steering-mounted audio and calling controls Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto	12.3-inch touchscreen 12.3-inch co-passenger entertainment screen 12-speaker JBL sound system with a sound bar Connected car tech Steering-mounted audio and calling controls Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Safety	Six airbags Level-2 advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) Electronic stability programme (ESP) Traction control system Hill-start assist All-wheel discbrakes Front, side & rear parking sensors 3-point seatbelts for all seats with reminders 360-degree camera Rear wiper and washer Rear defogger Electronic parking brake with auto-hold Tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) ISOFIX child seat anchorages	Six airbags Level-2 advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) Electronic stability programme (ESP) Traction control system Hill-hold assist Hill-descent control 3-point seatbelts for all seats with reminders 360-degree camera Front & rear parking sensors Rear wiper and washer Rear defogger Electronic parking brake with auto-hold Tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) Rear disc brakes ISOFIX child seat anchorages

In the features department, it is the Sierra that stands out to be a little more feature loaded than the new Seltos. Design-wise it gets a few extra quirks, and bigger alloy wheels.

Equipment wise, it features a triple screen display with an extra co-passenger screen, extendable thigh support in front seats, a powered tailgate, and more speakers. Surely, not the deal breaker especially considering the Seltos too is quite well equipped. In fact, it packs some extras over the Sierra like a 10-way power adjustable seat and more interior cabin themes. If you liked the features of the Seltos, then here's a quick look at how they are distributed among the different variants.

Note: The Kia Seltos now come with welcome and goodbye animation in its lighting, something which the Tata SUVs have usually been known for.

CarDekho Says…

While the Seltos has long been the forerunner in sales for Kia, the Sierra brings back a legacy to remember. Both in their own ways are iconic SUVs to set tyremarks on the Indian roads. If you're a Tata fanboy or relate to the fact that hypes the Sierra, there's no debate for what to pick. If you're a normie and are considering both with an equal view point, we'd recommend you wait for us to drive and review the new Seltos once it gets launched. Either way, on paper, both cars has a great spec sheet and you wouldn't go wrong with both of them.

Meanwhile, don't forget to check out our impressions of the Sierra when driven. If you're someone who is more into a plus and futuristic looking SUV with a lot of tech packed in it, the Seltos is no rookie in this game you remember.

Also stay tuned to CarDekho, to check out comparisons of the Seltos against the Hyundai Creta or Maruti Victoris, as we take a deeper dig into these rivalries.