VS
At a Glance
Power
85 kW
88 kW
Torque
250 Nm
170 Nm
Fuel
5.2 l/100km
5.7 l/100km
Towing
900 Kg
—
0-100 km/h
12.0 s
—
Engine
1493 cc
1199 cc
Choosing between the Kia Seltos and the Tata Curvv is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The Kia Seltos delivers 85 kW while the Tata Curvv produces 88 kW. On fuel, the Seltos returns 5.2 l/100km while the Curvv uses 5.7 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R599 995 for the Seltos and R349 900 for the Curvv. 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
88 kW
Torque
250 Nm
170 Nm
0-100 kph
12.0 s
—
Top Speed
175 Km/h
160 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
1493 cc
1199 cc
Engine Layout
inline
inline
Cylinders
4
3
Fuel Type
diesel
petrol
Forced Induction Device
turbocharger
turbocharger
Transmission
automatic
manual
Number of Gears
6
6
Drive Wheels
front
front
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
5.2 l/100km
5.7 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
50 l
44 l
CO2 Emissions
145 g/km
136 g/km
Dimensions
Length
4365 mm
4308 mm
Width
1800 mm
1810 mm
Height
1620 mm
1635 mm
Wheelbase
2610 mm
2560 mm
Ground Clearance
190 mm
208 mm
Kerb Weight
1382 Kg
1312 Kg
Doors
5
5
Seats
5
5
Load Volume
433 l
500 l
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
900 Kg
—
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
—
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
—
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
—
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
5
5
Warranty Distance
unlimited Km
125000 Km
Service Plan
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Service Plan Years
4
3
Service Plan Distance
60000
45000
Service Intervals
15000
15000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Tie
2 / 4 categories
Performance
Curvv
Fuel Economy
Seltos
Value
Curvv
Practicality
Seltos
Pros & Cons
Kia Seltos
Better fuel economy (5.2 l/100km)
Less power than rival (85 kW vs 88 kW)
Higher starting price
Tata Curvv
More powerful engine (88 kW)
Lower starting price (R349 900)
Higher fuel consumption (5.7 l/100km)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Seltos or Curvv?
The Seltos uses 5.2 l/100km and the Curvv uses 5.7 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 Seltos or Curvv?
The Seltos produces 85 kW and 250 Nm of torque while the Curvv delivers 88 kW and 170 Nm of torque. The Curvv is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the Seltos and Curvv?
The Seltos starts from R599 995 and the Curvv from R349 900. The Curvv is cheaper by R250 095 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the Seltos or Curvv?
The Seltos has a braked towing capacity of 900 Kg and the Curvv can tow not specified. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the Seltos or the Curvv?
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.