The Maruti Grand Vitara, a compact SUV, was introduced to the Indian market in 2022. It is currently being offered in its first generation. The mid-size crossover SUV Kia Seltos made its debut in 2019 but has had a recent launch for its second generation. Both these SUVs are available in different powertrains and showcase competent mileage. The Grand Vitara has an average mileage of 24.5 Km/l for its strong hybrid variant. The best mileage of the Kia Seltos is by its diesel variant, with an average of 17 km/l.
The Maruti Grand Vitara is available in mild-hybrid, strong hybrid, and petrol+CNG variants. Its transmissions vary from manual, automatic, to e-CVT. The Kia Seltos is available in naturally aspirated petrol, turbo petrol, and diesel variants. It offers a wider range of transmissions including manual, automatic, IVT and DCT. In this article, you will see the comparison of the Maruti Grand Vitara and Kia Seltos in terms of their specifications, ARAI mileage, real-world mileage, fuel cost, etc.
Table of Contents
Maruti Grand Vitara vs Kia Seltos Specs
The comparison of the various important specifications of Maruti Grand Vitara and Kia Seltos is given in the table below.
| Specification | Maruti Grand Vitara | Kia Seltos |
| Engine | 1.5L Mild-Hybrid Petrol1.5L Intelligent Electric (Strong Hybrid)1.5L CNG | 1.5-litre NA Petrol1.5-litre Diesel 1.5-litre Turbo Petrol |
| Displacement | Petrol: 1462 cc Strong Hybrid: 1490 cc CNG: 1462 cc | Petrol (NA): 1497 cc Turbo Petrol: 1482 ccDiesel: 1493 cc |
| Power | Petrol: 103.06 hps Strong Hybrid: 92.45 hpsCNG: 87.85 hps | Petrol: 113-158 bhp Diesel: 114 PS |
| Torque | Petrol: 139 Nm Strong Hybrid: 122 Nm CNG: 121.5 Nm | Petrol: 144-253 NmDiesel: 250 Nm |
| Transmission | 5-speed MT6-Speed ATe-CVT | 6-speed MT6-Speed AT6-Speed IVT7-Speed DCT |
| Drive layout | 2-Wheel drive4-Wheel drive | 2- Wheel Drive |
| Kerb weight | Petrol: 1140-1285 Kg Strong hybrid: 1270-1285 Kg | Petrol: 1222 kgDiesel: 1467 kg |
| Fuel tank capacity | Petrol: 45 litres CNG: 55 litres | Petrol: 47 litres Turbo petrol: 50 litresDiesel: 47 litres |
Maruti Grand Vitara and Kia Seltos have the same 2-wheel drive, but the Vitara has an additional 4-wheel drive option for the higher variants. The Kia Seltos has more kerb weight, better power and torque, more transmission options, higher fuel tank capacity and a diesel engine. The Vitara offers a CNG option and has a strong hybrid instead.
Maruti Grand Vitara vs Kia Seltos: ARAI Mileage Figures
The Automotive Research Association of India conducts drive tests under controlled environments to assess and determine the maximum mileage of cars. These ARAI mileage figures will give a rough idea about what could be the best possible efficiency of the cars. The ARAI mileage figures of the Maruti Grand Vitara and Kia Seltos are provided in the table below.
| Engine & Transmission | Fuel Type | Maruti Grand Vitara – ARAI Mileage (km/l) | Kia Seltos- ARAI Mileage (km/l) |
| 1.5L Smart Hybrid- MT | Petrol | 21.11 km/l | NA |
| 1.5L – AT | Petrol | 19.20 to 20.58 km/l | NA |
| 1.5L – e-CVT | Strong Hybrid | 27.97 km/l | NA |
| 1.5L Mild-hybrid MT | Petrol+CNG | 26.6 Km/Kg | NA |
| Smartstream G1.5L MT/IVT | Petrol | NA | 16.5 Km/l |
| Smartstream G1.5L Turbo iMT | Petrol | NA | 15.6 Km/l |
| Smartstream G1.5L Turbo DCT | Petrol | NA | 15.6 Km/l |
| 1.5L CRDi VGT MT | Diesel | NA | 19.4 Km/l |
| 1.5L CRDi VGT AT | Diesel | NA | 17.8 Km/l |
The Maruti Grand Vitara strong hybrid variant has the best mileage of 27.97 Km/l. Its CNG variant is the next best at 26.6 Km/Kg followed by the mild-hybrid manual and the automatic. The best mileage by the Kia Seltos is delivered by the diesel manual variant at 19.4 Km/l followed by the diesel automatic at 17.8 Km/l. The NA manual is still better, and its turbo engine delivered the least mileage of 15.6 Km/l. In the real-world, these mileage figures may not be returned and are often lower than what the tests claim.
Also Read: Kia Seltos: Price, Specifications, Images
Maruti Grand Vitara vs Kia Seltos: Real World Fuel-Efficiency
The real-world mileage is what matters more than the ARAI figures. You can see the city and highway mileage of different powertrains of Maruti Grand Vitara and Kia Seltos in the table below.
| Maruti Grand Vitara (Petrol) | Kia Seltos (Petrol) | Maruti Grand Vitara (CNG) | Kia Seltos (Diesel) | |
| City | Petrol: 12-14 Km/lStrong Hybrid: 22-24 Km/l | Petrol: 9-13 Km/lTurbo: 8-11 km/l | 18 Km/Kg | Manual: 15-17 Km/lAutomatic: 14-16 Km/l |
| Highway | Petrol: 16-19 Km/lStrong Hybrid: 23-26 Km/l | Petrol: 15-16 Km/lTurbo: 13-15 Km/l | 22-24 Km/Kg | Manual: 19-21 Km/lAutomatic: 17-19 Km/l |
| Average | Petrol: 14-16 Km/lStrong Hybrid: 24.5 Km/l | Petrol: 11 Km/lTurbo: 14.5 Km/l | 21 Km/Kg | 17 Km/l |
| Tank range | Petrol: 540-720 Km Strong Hybrid: 950-1000 Km | Petrol: 700-750 Km Turbo: 600-700 Km | 850-950 Km | 750-800 Km |
For city drives, the Grand Vitara strong hybrid returns the best mileage, followed by its CNG option and Seltos diesel. On highways, the Vitara strong hybrid and CNG are almost the same, but the hybrid shows slightly better mileage. The Seltos diesel also showcases a competent 17-19 Km/l on highways, which is as close as the ARAI claims. While the Kia Seltos petrol variants show a much lower mileage, the Vitara mild hybrid has a high combined average.
Also Read: Ultimate Guide to Selling Your Kia Seltos
Maruti Grand Vitara vs Kia Seltos: Fuel Cost Comparison
The monthly or yearly fuel cost is a huge factor when choosing an SUV. The fuel cost comparison between the Maruti Grand Vitara and Kia Seltos is given below. For an easier calculation, the monthly driving distance is set at 1500 Km, and the average prices of diesel, petrol, and CNG are taken, which are Rs. 98, Rs.111, and Rs.85, respectively.
| Maruti Grand Vitara Petrol | Kia Seltos Petrol | Kia Seltos Diesel | Maruti Grand Vitara (CNG) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Running | 1500 km | 1500 km | 1500 km | 1500 Km |
| Monthly Fuel Use | 61L to 74L | 115L | 90L | 70 Kg |
| Average Monthly Fuel Cost | ₹ 6771 to ₹8214 | ₹ 12,765 | ₹ 8820 | ₹5950 |
| Average Yearly Fuel Cost | ₹81,252 to ₹98,568 | ₹1.53 lakhs | ₹1.05 lakhs | ₹71,400 |
| 5-Year Fuel Cost | ₹4.06 lakhs to ₹4.92 lakhs | ₹ 7.65 lakhs | ₹ 5.29 lakhs | ₹3.57 lakhs |
The Maruti Grand Vitara turns out to be the winner from these calculations. It costs just under Rs.6K in a month and can save up to Rs.1.5 lakhs over 5 years compared to the Kia Seltos diesel variant. If you choose the Grand Vitara or its CNG option, the yearly fuel cost can be restricted under Rs.1 lakh. But it may change depending on the driving style and whether you are driving in the city of highways.
Maruti Grand Vitara vs Kia Seltos Price
Here is a glance at the price range of Maruti Grand Vitara and Kia Seltos variants across powertrains.
| Model | Variant (Base to Top) | Price (Ex-Showroom) |
| Maruti Grand Vitara | Sigma to Alpha+(O) | ₹ 10.77 lakhs to ₹ 19.99 lakhs |
| Maruti Grand Vitara | S-CNG | ₹ 12.99 lakhs to 14.75 lakhs |
| Kia Seltos | ₹ 10.99 lakhs to 19.99 lakhs |
The Grand Vitara and Kia Seltos have a similar price range. However, the Vitara CNG is available at a lower price and can save more on fuel cost as well.
Summary
When you focus on mileage and fuel costs, the Maruti Grand Vitara is the best option that can deliver higher mileage of up to 26 Km/l and has a higher range with its strong hybrid engine. The Kia Seltos also has good fuel efficiency, but it falls short when compared to the Vitara. Kia Seltos is the best option if you are looking for a more powerful engine and are likely to drive mostly on highways and less on city roads.
Also Read: Complete Guide to Maruti Grand Vitara Variants: Which One Should You Buy?
FAQs
Q. Which car is the best budget-friendly option for highway driving, the Maruti Grand Vitara or the Kia Seltos?
The Maruti Grand Vitara is the better budget-friendly option for highway driving. The strong hybrid shows its best mileage on the highways and will also help reduce the monthly fuel cost. In the long run, it can save much more on fuel cost than other variants, or the Seltos. The CNG will be another good option for budget-buyers. This is also suitable for highway driving and offers near-high mileage as the strong hybrid.
Q. How good is the Kia Seltos DCT when compared to the Grand Vitara’s e-CVT on urban roads?
The Grand Vitara e-CVT offers smooth transitions for effortless driving. This will reflect better fuel efficiency and cost less in terms of fuel expenses. Seltos DCT variant may often have jerky gear shifts, and it is not as smooth as the Vitara e-CVT. Moreover, it can heat up, especially in the crawling city traffic.
Q. Is the Kia Seltos diesel better than the Maruti Grand Vitara strong hybrid?
If you want a thrilling highway driving experience, the Seltos is your go-to car. It is easier to drive with this powerful engine. The low-end torque is another advantage for city driving. The Vitara has smooth driving, good acceleration and more fuel savings, but its engine is less powerful than the Seltos.
Q. Which SUV is better for long-distance trips, the Kia Seltos or the Maruti Grand Vitara?
For longer trips, the Maruti Grand Vitara strong hybrid is the best option. It has a higher fuel range than the Seltos. It will save on fuel charges, which is essential on longer trips. Moreover, its hybrid is far better than standard petrol or diesel variants.
Q. Does the higher kerb weight of the Maruti Grand Vitara strong hybrid affect its mileage?
Yes, the heavier kerb weight has an impact on the Maruti Grand Vitara strong hybrid. However, it mainly depends on where it is being driven. The effects are more visible while driving in hilly areas or on slopes. While driving on highways at a steady speed, this weight does not affect it as much. In the bumper-to-bumper traffic of the city, the mileage will be significantly affected by the weight.
