VS
At a Glance
Power
118 kW
115 kW
Torque
253 Nm
230 Nm
Fuel
6.2 l/100km
6.9 l/100km
Towing
1100 Kg
—
0-100 km/h
8.9 s
9.0 s
Engine
1482 cc
1498 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 118 kW while the Omoda C5 produces 115 kW. On fuel, the Seltos returns 6.2 l/100km while the C5 uses 6.9 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R626 995 for the Seltos and R465 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
118 kW
115 kW
Torque
253 Nm
230 Nm
0-100 kph
8.9 s
9.0 s
Top Speed
195 Km/h
—
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
1482 cc
1498 cc
Engine Layout
inline
inline
Cylinders
4
4
Fuel Type
petrol
petrol
Forced Induction Device
turbocharger
turbocharger
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
7
6
Drive Wheels
front
front
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
6.2 l/100km
6.9 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
50 l
51 l
CO2 Emissions
141 g/km
166 g/km
Dimensions
Length
4365 mm
4400 mm
Width
1800 mm
1830 mm
Height
1620 mm
1590 mm
Wheelbase
2610 mm
2630 mm
Ground Clearance
190 mm
145 mm
Kerb Weight
1364 Kg
1434 Kg
Doors
5
5
Seats
5
5
Load Volume
433 l
442-1149 l
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
1100 Kg
—
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ 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
✓ Standard
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Sunroof
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Heated Seats
—
✓ Standard
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
5
5 vehicle / 10 engine for 1st owner
Warranty Distance
unlimited Km
150000 vehicle / 1000000 engine for 1st
Service Plan
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Service Plan Years
4
5
Service Plan Distance
60000
70000
Service Intervals
15000
15000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Kia Seltos
3 / 4 categories
Performance
Seltos
Fuel Economy
Seltos
Value
C5
Practicality
Seltos
Pros & Cons
Kia Seltos
More powerful engine (118 kW)
Better fuel economy (6.2 l/100km)
Quicker 0-100 km/h (8.9 ss)
Higher starting price
Omoda C5
Lower starting price (R465 900)
Higher fuel consumption (6.9 l/100km)
Less power than rival (115 kW vs 118 kW)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Seltos or C5?
The Seltos uses 6.2 l/100km and the C5 uses 6.9 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 C5?
The Seltos produces 118 kW and 253 Nm of torque while the C5 delivers 115 kW and 230 Nm of torque. The Seltos is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the Seltos and C5?
The Seltos starts from R626 995 and the C5 from R465 900. The C5 is cheaper by R161 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 1100 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.