Honda City vs Kia Seltos: Comparing Their Variants Priced Rs 13-15 Lakh for Family-focused Car Buyers

Written By: Kshitij Bisen
Published: October 22, 2023 at 10:54 AMUpdated: October 22, 2023 at 10:54 AM
Kia Seltos vs Honda City

As a family man, you consider only the best, or top family cars in India when deciding on which one to buy. Today, let’s look at the Honda City and Kia Seltos, and find out what makes them family-friendly car models in India.

In this article, we will share

  • What family-focused buyers look for in a car
  • Honda City vs Kia Seltos – a detailed analysis of their features, space, and safety
  • How to pick the right car for you

So, are these perfect cars for a small family, or can they accommodate large families, too? And which of these is the right car for a family man? Read on.

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What a Family-focused car buyer looks for in a car

Here’s what a family-focused buyer should look for in car:

  • Safety – A car must have essential safety features, and a good safety rating
  • Space and comfort – The car must have ample space to accommodate all family members, and must include convenience features like rear AC vents
  • Ride and handling – The car’s ride and handling need to be good

A family car buyer looks for generous space and seating flexibility. Adequate legroom, headroom and shoulder room allow comfortable fit for adults and kids. Safety is paramount – airbags, ABS, ISOFIX mounts are must-haves. Ride quality should be compliant for all passengers.

Efficient engines, low running costs matter. Feature comforts like rear AC vents, charging ports enhance experience. Affordable pricing and low maintenance costs are desired.

Why Honda City and Kia Seltos are popular

The Honda City and Kia Seltos score high on family-friendly practicality. The City offers ample room for 4 adults with generous shoulder room of 1310mm. Mileage from the petrol engines is up to 18.4 kmpl ensuring low running costs. Safety kit covers 6 airbags, vehicle stability assist, ISOFIX mounts.

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The Seltos has adequate space for 5 occupants. The 2610mm wheelbase provides good cabin room. Safety features include 6 airbags, ESC, VSM. Both cars deliver compliant ride quality for rear seat comfort. Competitive pricing, widespread service network make them affordable over the long run.

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Overall, the City and Seltos tick the right boxes for space, safety, mileage, comfort and affordability that Indian families need.

Honda City and Kia Seltos variants shortlist in Rs 13-15 Lakh Range

For Honda City, we have:

VariantPrice (INR) as on 19 October 2023
ZX CVT₹15.55 lakhs
V CVT₹13.62 lakhs

For Kia Seltos, we have:

VariantPrice (INR) as on 19 October 2023
HTX iMT₹14.65 lakhs

Honda City ZX CVT

The City ZX CVT offers ample room, ISOFIX mounts, 6 airbags. The 1.5L engine gives 18.4 kmpl mileage. Priced at ₹15.55 lakhs, it provides premium comforts families desire. If you’re a performance enthusiast, you can read our comparison of the City with Skoda Slavia and Hyundai Verna.

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Honda City V CVT

The City V CVT provides adequate cabin space, ISOFIX anchors, 4 airbags. Mileage is 18.4 kmpl. Priced lower at ₹13.62 lakhs, it focuses on value. If you’re a tech-savvy gadget lover, you can read our comparison of the City with Volkswagen Virtus.

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Kia Seltos HTX iMT

The Seltos HTX iMT gets 6 airbags, ABS, disc brakes all around. 1.5L petrol engine gives 16.5 kmpl efficiency. Priced attractively at ₹14.65 lakhs, it combines safety with mileage. If you’re a style-conscious buyer, you can read our comparison of the Seltos with Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder.

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Our Pick for the Best variant among Honda City and Kia Seltos for Family-focused car buyers

For a family focused buyer, the Kia Seltos HTX iMT offers the optimal blend of practicality and value. Though the Honda City matches the Seltos on space, safety and comforts, the Seltos edges ahead on pricing and cost of ownership.

The Seltos has adequate shoulder room of 1360mm for rear passengers. Legroom of 685mm allows fitting 3 adults at the back comfortably. The 60:40 split folding rear seats allow carrying extra luggage when needed. Safety kit includes 6 airbags, ESC, HAC which provide peace of mind.

The 1.5L petrol gives 16.5 kmpl mileage for affordable running costs. At just ₹14.65 lakhs on-road, the Seltos HTX iMT is significantly cheaper than comparable City variants. Low cost of maintenance further sweetens the deal.

Overall, for a family on a budget, the Seltos HTX iMT offers the ideal mix of space, safety, features, mileage and affordability.

The 3 Variants Ranked in Order of Preference

  1. Kia Seltos HTX iMT
  2. Honda City ZX CVT
  3. Honda City V CVT
VariantsMileage (kmpl)Safety RatingRear Legroom (mm)Price
Kia Seltos HTX iMT16.53 stars685₹14.65 lakhs
Honda City ZX CVT18.44 stars650₹15.55 lakhs
Honda City V CVT18.44 stars650₹13.62 lakhs

How to Pick the Right Car for You

  • The Seltos HTX iMT tops our list with its 16.5 kmpl mileage, 3 star safety rating and generous 685mm rear legroom – all at an attractive ₹14.65 lakhs price point.
  • The City ZX CVT takes second place with its 4 star rating, 18.4 kmpl efficiency and premium comforts for rear seat occupants. However, it commands a significant ₹15.55 lakhs price premium over the Seltos.
  • The City V CVT makes it for its 4 star rating, 18.4 kmpl mileage and adequate 650mm legroom at a competitive ₹13.62 lakhs price point. But the lack of premium features limits its appeal.

In summary, the Seltos HTX iMT strikes the optimum balance between space, safety, features, mileage and affordability that families desire. For budget-conscious family buyers, it emerges as a practical choice.

If you’re interested in reading more such face-to-face comparisons of popular car variants, head over to our Buying Advice section.

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