VS
At a Glance
Power
115 kW
85 kW
Torque
192 Nm
250 Nm
Fuel
8.9 l/100km
5.2 l/100km
Towing
1610 Kg
900 Kg
0-100 km/h
11.4 s
12.0 s
Engine
1999 cc
1493 cc
Choosing between the Hyundai Tucson and the Kia Seltos is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The Hyundai Tucson delivers 115 kW while the Kia Seltos produces 85 kW. On fuel, the Tucson returns 8.9 l/100km while the Seltos uses 5.2 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R559 900 for the Tucson and R599 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
115 kW
85 kW
Torque
192 Nm
250 Nm
0-100 kph
11.4 s
12.0 s
Top Speed
181 Km/h
175 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
1999 cc
1493 cc
Engine Layout
inline
inline
Cylinders
4
4
Fuel Type
petrol
diesel
Forced Induction Device
—
turbocharger
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
6
6
Drive Wheels
front
front
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
8.9 l/100km
5.2 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
54 l
50 l
CO2 Emissions
193 g/km
145 g/km
Dimensions
Length
4640 mm
4365 mm
Width
1865 mm
1800 mm
Height
1665 mm
1620 mm
Wheelbase
2755 mm
2610 mm
Ground Clearance
181 mm
190 mm
Kerb Weight
1490 Kg
1382 Kg
Doors
5
5
Seats
5
5
Load Volume
539-1860 l
433 l
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
1610 Kg
900 Kg
Load Capacity
615 l
—
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
—
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ 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
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Keyless Entry
—
✓ Standard
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
5 vehicle / 7 drivetrain
5
Warranty Distance
150000 vehicle / 200000 drivetrain Km
unlimited Km
Service Plan
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Service Plan Years
5
4
Service Plan Distance
75000
60000
Service Intervals
15000
15000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Hyundai Tucson
3 / 4 categories
Performance
Tucson
Fuel Economy
Seltos
Value
Tucson
Practicality
Tucson
Pros & Cons
Hyundai Tucson
More powerful engine (115 kW)
Lower starting price (R559 900)
Higher towing capacity (1610 Kg)
Quicker 0-100 km/h (11.4 ss)
Higher fuel consumption (8.9 l/100km)
Kia Seltos
Better fuel economy (5.2 l/100km)
Less power than rival (85 kW vs 115 kW)
Higher starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Tucson or Seltos?
The Tucson uses 8.9 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 Tucson or Seltos?
The Tucson produces 115 kW and 192 Nm of torque while the Seltos delivers 85 kW and 250 Nm of torque. The Tucson is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the Tucson and Seltos?
The Tucson starts from R559 900 and the Seltos from R599 995. The Tucson is cheaper by R40 095 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the Tucson or Seltos?
The Tucson has a braked towing capacity of 1610 Kg and the Seltos can tow 900 Kg. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the Tucson 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.