VS
At a Glance
Power
85 kW
149 kW
Torque
250 Nm
380 Nm
Fuel
5.2 l/100km
—
Towing
900 Kg
1500 Kg
0-100 km/h
12.0 s
—
Engine
1493 cc
1997 cc
Choosing between the Kia Seltos and the Mahindra XUV700 is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The Kia Seltos delivers 85 kW while the Mahindra XUV700 produces 149 kW. Pricing starts at R561 995 for the Seltos and R495 199 for the XUV700. 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
85 kW
149 kW
Torque
250 Nm
380 Nm
0-100 kph
12.0 s
—
Top Speed
175 Km/h
—
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
1493 cc
1997 cc
Engine Layout
inline
inline
Cylinders
4
4
Fuel Type
diesel
petrol
Forced Induction Device
turbocharger
turbocharger
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
6
6
Drive Wheels
front
front
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
5.2 l/100km
—
Fuel Tank Capacity
50 l
60 l
CO2 Emissions
145 g/km
198 g/km
Dimensions
Length
4365 mm
4695 mm
Width
1800 mm
1890 mm
Height
1620 mm
1755 mm
Wheelbase
2610 mm
2750 mm
Ground Clearance
190 mm
—
Kerb Weight
1382 Kg
1691 Kg
Doors
5
5
Seats
5
5
Load Volume
433 l
—
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
900 Kg
1500 Kg
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
—
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Airbag Count
6
4
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
—
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✓ Standard
—
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
—
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
—
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
—
Park Distance Front
✓ Standard
—
Sunroof
—
✓ Standard
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
5
5
Warranty Distance
unlimited Km
150000 Km
Service Plan
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Service Plan Years
4
5
Service Plan Distance
60000
100000
Service Intervals
15000
20000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Mahindra XUV700
3 / 4 categories
Performance
XUV700
Fuel Economy
Tied
Value
XUV700
Practicality
XUV700
Pros & Cons
Kia Seltos
Well-rounded specification
Less power than rival (85 kW vs 149 kW)
Higher starting price
Mahindra XUV700
More powerful engine (149 kW)
Lower starting price (R495 199)
Higher towing capacity (1500 Kg)
Few notable weaknesses
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has more power, the Seltos or XUV700?
The Seltos produces 85 kW and 250 Nm of torque while the XUV700 delivers 149 kW and 380 Nm of torque. The XUV700 is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the Seltos and XUV700?
The Seltos starts from R561 995 and the XUV700 from R495 199. The XUV700 is cheaper by R66 796 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the Seltos or XUV700?
The Seltos has a braked towing capacity of 900 Kg and the XUV700 can tow 1500 Kg. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the Seltos or the XUV700?
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.