The Kia Seltos has been one of the most popular compact SUVs in India, praised for its style, comfort, and practical features. With the launch of the new-generation Seltos, Kia Seltos Petrol Automatic Fuel Economy. Kia has upgraded the SUV in size, design, and overall driving experience while continuing to offer the familiar engine lineup that has made the vehicle a favorite among urban and semi-urban buyers.
Among the engine options, the 1.5-litre petrol with the Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT)—Kia’s version of a continuously variable transmission (CVT)—stands out as the most well-rounded choice. Kia Seltos Petrol Automatic Fuel Economy. It combines smooth driving, refinement, and acceptable fuel efficiency, making it a practical pick for daily city use and highway trips. In this article, we delve into the real-world fuel economy figures, driving characteristics, and specifications of the Kia Seltos 1.5 petrol-IVT, based on thorough testing in typical Indian driving conditions.
Kia Seltos Engine Options and Transmission Choices
The new Kia Seltos continues with the engine options that were available in the previous generation, providing buyers with choices depending on their performance expectations and driving requirements.
Petrol Engines
- 1.5-litre Petrol Naturally Aspirated (115hp / 144Nm) – Available with manual and IVT automatic transmission.
- 1.5-litre Turbo Petrol (160hp / 253Nm) – Available with DCT automatic or manual transmission.
Diesel Engine
- 1.5-litre Diesel (116hp / 250Nm) – Available with manual and automatic gearbox options.
While all engines have their merits, the 1.5-litre petrol-IVT is a particularly balanced option, offering a comfortable driving experience with smooth gear transitions, adequate power for city driving, and reasonable fuel efficiency.
Why the 1.5-Litre Petrol-IVT Stands Out
The Seltos petrol-IVT impresses with its refinement and driveability. Unlike conventional automatic gearboxes that shift in fixed steps, the IVT uses a continuously variable transmission, Kia Seltos Petrol Automatic Fuel Economy. providing seamless acceleration without noticeable gear changes. This makes city driving smoother, especially in stop-and-go traffic.
Additionally, the vehicle offers three drive modes:
- Eco Mode – Optimized for fuel efficiency.
- Normal Mode – Balanced performance for everyday driving.
- Sport Mode – Offers sharper acceleration and throttle response.
The SUV also features traction modes, allowing the driver to adapt the vehicle to various road conditions. However, the automatic engine stop-start feature is missing, which could have further improved urban fuel efficiency.
Specifications of Kia Seltos Petrol-IVT
Here’s a detailed look at the specifications of the 1.5-litre petrol-IVT variant:
- Engine Type: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
- Power: 115hp
- Torque: 144Nm
- Transmission: IVT (Continuously Variable Transmission)
- Drive Modes: Eco, Normal, Sport
- Brakes: Front – Disc, Rear – Disc
- Boot Capacity: 447 litres
- Features: 2-zone automatic climate control, ambient lighting, multiple safety and convenience features
- Variants Available: GTX Petrol CVT, GTX Turbo Petrol DCT, GTX Diesel AT, and more
The Seltos offers a comprehensive mix of performance, comfort, and convenience features, making it one of the most appealing SUVs in its segment.
Real-World Fuel Economy Testing
While manufacturer-claimed mileage figures are often cited in sales brochures, real-world fuel efficiency tends to vary based on driving style, road conditions, and load. To provide accurate insights, our team conducted systematic fuel economy tests for the 1.5-litre petrol-IVT variant.
Test Setup
- Vehicle Preparation: Fuel tanks were filled to the brim, and tire pressures were adjusted to manufacturer-recommended levels.
- Test Routes: Fixed city and highway loops in and around Navi Mumbai were used to simulate realistic driving conditions.
- Driving Conditions: The air-conditioning was kept at 22°C in full-auto mode, and other electricals such as lights, wipers, and the audio system were used as required.
- Driver Variation: Multiple drivers rotated during the tests to neutralize the effects of individual driving patterns.
- Measurement: After completing city and highway loops, the tank was refilled to calculate precise fuel efficiency figures.
This method ensures that the results closely mirror what an average driver can expect in real-world scenarios, rather than idealized test conditions.
Fuel Economy Results
The Kia Seltos 1.5 petrol-IVT demonstrated the following real-world fuel efficiency figures:
- City Driving: 10.31 km/l
- Highway Driving: 14.22 km/l
These numbers are quite reasonable for a compact SUV of this size and engine capacity. Interestingly, these figures are very similar to the Hyundai Creta 1.5 petrol-IVT, which shares the same powertrain and mechanical setup.
While not class-leading, the fuel economy is acceptable for buyers seeking comfort and smooth driving, especially considering the SUV’s weight and dimensions have grown in the new generation.
Driving Experience and Performance
Beyond fuel economy, the driving experience of the Seltos petrol-IVT is a strong selling point.
Smoothness and Refinement
The IVT transmission ensures seamless acceleration, especially in city traffic where frequent gear shifts can often feel jarring. The engine produces sufficient torque for daily commuting, and the drive modes allow flexibility depending on driving conditions.
Drive Modes
- Eco Mode: Prioritizes fuel efficiency, slightly softens throttle response, and is ideal for stop-and-go traffic.
- Normal Mode: Balances performance and efficiency, suitable for most driving scenarios.
- Sport Mode: Sharpens throttle response and delivers a more dynamic feel, especially useful on highways or during overtaking.
Comfort and Practicality
The Seltos offers a spacious cabin and thoughtful features such as ambient lighting and 2-zone automatic climate control. The boot capacity of 447 litres ensures ample storage for family trips or weekend getaways.
Safety and Handling
With disc brakes on both axles, electronic stability control, and multiple airbags, the Seltos petrol-IVT is safe and stable even at higher speeds. Its suspension setup balances comfort with handling, absorbing bumps in city traffic while maintaining composure on highways.
Comparison with Segment Rivals
In its segment, the Seltos competes with SUVs such as:
- Hyundai Creta 1.5 petrol-IVT
- MG Astor 1.5 petrol automatic
- Tata Harrier / Safari petrol automatic variants
While rivals may offer slightly better fuel efficiency in some cases, the overall refinement, feature list, and driving comfort of the Kia Seltos often tip the scales in its favor. For buyers who prioritize a smooth CVT experience over marginally better mileage, the Seltos petrol-IVT is an excellent choice.
Practical Tips for Improving Fuel Economy
Owners of the Kia Seltos petrol-IVT can enhance fuel efficiency in daily use by considering these tips:
- Use Eco Mode in Traffic: Helps reduce unnecessary fuel consumption in stop-and-go traffic.
- Maintain Tire Pressure: Correct tire pressures ensure better fuel efficiency and stability.
- Limit AC Usage: While climate control is convenient, moderate use can slightly improve mileage.
- Avoid Aggressive Driving: Smooth acceleration and braking conserve fuel.
- Regular Maintenance: Timely oil changes, air filter cleaning, and spark plug checks can prevent efficiency loss.
Even small changes in driving habits can have a noticeable impact on fuel economy over time.
Price and Variants
The Kia Seltos petrol-IVT is priced between ₹12.79 lakh and ₹23.64 lakh (on-road), depending on the variant and feature set. Popular trims include:
- GTX Petrol CVT
- GTX Turbo Petrol DCT
- GTX Diesel AT
Each variant offers a slightly different combination of features, allowing buyers to choose according to their preferences and budget.
For more details https://www.kia.com/in/seltos/
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