VS
At a Glance
Power
85 kW
165 kW
Torque
250 Nm
295 Nm
Fuel
5.2 l/100km
4.9 l/100km
Towing
900 Kg
—
0-100 km/h
12.0 s
7.9 s
Engine
1493 cc
1499 cc
Choosing between the Kia Seltos and the Omoda C5 is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The Kia Seltos delivers 85 kW while the Omoda C5 produces 165 kW. On fuel, the Seltos returns 5.2 l/100km while the C5 uses 4.9 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R561 995 for the Seltos and R469 900 for the C5. 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
165 kW
Torque
250 Nm
295 Nm
0-100 kph
12.0 s
7.9 s
Top Speed
175 Km/h
175 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
1493 cc
1499 cc
Engine Layout
inline
inline
Cylinders
4
4
Fuel Type
diesel
petrol-electric hybrid
Forced Induction Device
turbocharger
turbocharger
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
6
—
Drive Wheels
front
front
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
5.2 l/100km
4.9 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
50 l
51 litre + 1.8 kWh l
CO2 Emissions
145 g/km
111 g/km
Dimensions
Length
4365 mm
4447 mm
Width
1800 mm
1824 mm
Height
1620 mm
1588 mm
Wheelbase
2610 mm
2610 mm
Ground Clearance
190 mm
145 mm
Kerb Weight
1382 Kg
1546 Kg
Doors
5
5
Seats
5
5
Load Volume
433 l
372 / 1079 l
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
900 Kg
—
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
—
✓ Standard
Airbag Count
6
7
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
✓ Standard
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Sunroof
—
✓ Standard
Heated Seats
—
✓ Standard
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
5
5 vehicle / 10 engine for 1st owner / 10
Warranty Distance
unlimited Km
150000 vehicle / 1000000 engine for 1st
Service Plan
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Service Plan Years
4
5
Service Plan Distance
60000
75000
Service Intervals
15000
15000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Omoda C5
3 / 4 categories
Performance
C5
Fuel Economy
C5
Value
C5
Practicality
Seltos
Pros & Cons
Kia Seltos
Well-rounded specification
Higher fuel consumption (5.2 l/100km)
Less power than rival (85 kW vs 165 kW)
Higher starting price
Omoda C5
More powerful engine (165 kW)
Better fuel economy (4.9 l/100km)
Lower starting price (R469 900)
Quicker 0-100 km/h (7.9 ss)
Few notable weaknesses
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Seltos or C5?
The Seltos uses 5.2 l/100km and the C5 uses 4.9 l/100km on the combined cycle. The C5 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 Seltos or C5?
The Seltos produces 85 kW and 250 Nm of torque while the C5 delivers 165 kW and 295 Nm of torque. The C5 is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the Seltos and C5?
The Seltos starts from R561 995 and the C5 from R469 900. The C5 is cheaper by R92 095 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the Seltos or C5?
The Seltos has a braked towing capacity of 900 Kg and the C5 can tow not specified. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the Seltos or the C5?
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.