VS
At a Glance
Power
130 kW
85 kW
Torque
270 Nm
250 Nm
Fuel
6.4 l/100km
5.2 l/100km
Towing
—
900 Kg
0-100 km/h
—
12.0 s
Engine
1497 cc
1493 cc
Choosing between the GAC Emkoo and the Kia Seltos is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The GAC Emkoo delivers 130 kW while the Kia Seltos produces 85 kW. On fuel, the Emkoo returns 6.4 l/100km while the Seltos uses 5.2 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R519 900 for the Emkoo and R521 995 for the Seltos. Both vehicles have their merits. The right choice depends on your priorities: fuel economy, performance, towing ability, safety features or total cost of ownership. This comparison covers every specification available so you can make an informed decision.
Performance
Power Output
130 kW
85 kW
Torque
270 Nm
250 Nm
0-100 kph
—
12.0 s
Top Speed
190 Km/h
175 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
1497 cc
1493 cc
Engine Layout
inline
inline
Cylinders
4
4
Fuel Type
petrol
diesel
Forced Induction Device
turbocharger
turbocharger
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
7
6
Drive Wheels
front
front
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
6.4 l/100km
5.2 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
55 l
50 l
CO2 Emissions
147 g/km
145 g/km
Dimensions
Length
4680 mm
4365 mm
Width
1901 mm
1800 mm
Height
1670 mm
1620 mm
Wheelbase
2750 mm
2610 mm
Ground Clearance
160 mm
190 mm
Kerb Weight
1540 Kg
1382 Kg
Doors
5
5
Seats
5
5
Load Volume
420 l
433 l
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
—
900 Kg
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
—
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✓ Standard
—
Airbag Count
6
6
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✓ Standard
—
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
✓ Standard
—
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Sunroof
✓ Standard
—
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
—
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
5 vehicle / lifetime engine for 1st owne
5
Warranty Distance
150000 vehicle / lifetime engine for 1st
unlimited Km
Service Plan
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Service Plan Years
5
4
Service Plan Distance
100000
60000
Service Intervals
15000
15000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Tie
2 / 4 categories
Performance
Emkoo
Fuel Economy
Seltos
Value
Emkoo
Practicality
Seltos
Pros & Cons
GAC Emkoo
More powerful engine (130 kW)
Lower starting price (R519 900)
Higher fuel consumption (6.4 l/100km)
Kia Seltos
Better fuel economy (5.2 l/100km)
Less power than rival (85 kW vs 130 kW)
Higher starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Emkoo or Seltos?
The Emkoo uses 6.4 l/100km and the Seltos uses 5.2 l/100km on the combined cycle. The Seltos is the more fuel-efficient choice. In South African conditions with a mix of highway and urban driving, real-world figures will be slightly higher.
Which has more power, the Emkoo or Seltos?
The Emkoo produces 130 kW and 270 Nm of torque while the Seltos delivers 85 kW and 250 Nm of torque. The Emkoo is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the Emkoo and Seltos?
The Emkoo starts from R519 900 and the Seltos from R521 995. The Emkoo is cheaper by R2 095 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the Emkoo or Seltos?
The Emkoo has a braked towing capacity of not specified and the Seltos can tow 900 Kg. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the Emkoo or the Seltos?
It depends on your priorities. If fuel economy matters most, check the L/100km figures above. If you need towing capacity, compare the towing ratings. For day-to-day South African driving - load shedding runs, potholed roads, school runs and highway commutes - consider ground clearance, service network coverage, and total cost of ownership including insurance and maintenance. Use the spec tables above to compare every detail before making your decision.