Hyundai Creta 2024 vs Kia Seltos 2023 vs Kia Carens for Performance Enthusiasts: Comparing Their Variants Priced Rs 13-15 Lakh
What are some of the best performance cars, or top sports cars in India? What makes them high-performance car models? Today, we are looking at the Hyundai Creta 2024, Kia Seltos 2023 and Kia Carens. Let’s see how their variants compare with each other in terms of performance.
In this article, we will share
- What a performance enthusiast should look for in a car
- Hyundai Creta 2024 vs Kia Seltos 2023 vs Kia Carens – a comprehensive analysis of their variants, performance and features
- How to pick the right car for you
What a Performance Enthusiast Looks for in a Car
Here’s what to look for in a car as a performance enthusiast:
- Acceleration and Speed – How quickly a car accelerates, what is its top speed
- Power – How it pulls weight, how is its high speed stability, does it feel strained while going up the hills, or with AC on
- Agility – How it behaves while turning at speeds
- Driving Experience/Handling – Is the gearbox smooth and responsive, how is its steering/braking performance
Performance enthusiasts prioritize driving dynamics, engine performance, and handling when selecting a car. They seek vehicles with responsive engines, minimal turbo lag, and linear power delivery for an engaging driving experience. Agile handling, minimal body roll, and precise steering are crucial for tackling twisty roads with confidence.
Well-tuned suspensions strike a balance between sportiness and comfort. Additionally, performance enthusiasts appreciate features like advanced transmissions, sport modes, and driver-centric cockpits that enhance the overall driving experience.
Why Hyundai Creta 2024, Kia Seltos 2023 and Kia Carens are Popular
The Hyundai Creta 2024, Kia Seltos 2023, and Kia Carens have gained popularity among performance enthusiasts for their distinct characteristics.
The Hyundai Creta offers a balanced driving experience with its refined engines and stable handling. Its suspension setup strikes a balance between comfort and sportiness, making it suitable for enthusiasts who seek a practical daily driver.
The Kia Seltos appeals to enthusiasts with its sporty design, feature-rich interior, and the availability of a powerful turbocharged engine option. Its agile handling and responsive transmission options further enhance its appeal.
The Kia Carens, with its striking design and advanced features, offers a unique blend of performance and practicality. Its turbocharged engine option and advanced automatic transmission cater to the preferences of enthusiasts who seek a dynamic driving experience in a family-friendly package.
Hyundai Creta 2024, Kia Seltos 2023 and Kia Carens Variants Shortlist in Rs 13-15 Lakh Range
For Hyundai Creta 2024, we have:
| Variant | Price (INR) as on 2 April 2024 |
|---|---|
| S | ₹1,339,000 |
| S (O) | ₹1,432,000 |
For Kia Carens, we have:
| Variant | Price (INR) as on 2 April 2024 |
|---|---|
| Prestige iMT | ₹1,335,000 |
| Prestige Plus iMT | ₹1,485,000 |
For Kia Seltos 2023, we have:
| Variant | Price (INR) as on 2 April 2024 |
|---|---|
| HTK Plus | ₹1,350,000 |
| HTK Plus iMT | ₹1,500,000 |
Hyundai Creta S
- Pros: Stable handling, minimal body roll, linear power delivery, cruise control, lane keeping assist
- Cons: Steel wheels, lack of wireless charging
If you’re looking for a family car, you can read our guide to the best Creta 2024 variants for you.
Hyundai Creta S (O)
- Pros: Stable handling, minimal body roll, linear power delivery, cruise control, lane keeping assist
- Cons: Steel wheels, lack of wireless charging
Kia Carens Prestige iMT
- Pros: Stable handling, linear power delivery, quick engine responsiveness, turbocharger, fast advanced automatic transmission
- Cons: Moderate body roll, steel wheels, lack of cruise control and wireless charging
If you’re budget conscious, you can read our comparison of the Carens with Toyota Rumion.
Kia Carens Prestige Plus iMT
- Pros: Stable handling, linear power delivery, quick engine responsiveness, turbocharger, fast advanced automatic transmission, cruise control
- Cons: Moderate body roll, halogen headlights, lack of wireless charging
Kia Seltos HTK Plus
- Pros: Stable handling, linear power delivery, cruise control, internet connectivity
- Cons: Moderate agility and body roll, halogen headlights, lack of wireless charging
If you’re a tech-savvy gadget lover, you can check out our comparison of the Seltos 2023 with Skoda Slavia.
Kia Seltos HTK Plus iMT
- Pros: Stable handling, linear power delivery, turbocharger, cruise control, internet connectivity
- Cons: Moderate agility and body roll, halogen headlights, lack of wireless charging
Our Pick for the Best Variant among Hyundai Creta 2024, Kia Seltos 2023 and Kia Carens for Performance Enthusiasts
After careful consideration, we recommend the Kia Seltos HTK Plus iMT as the best variant for performance enthusiasts. The Kia Seltos HTK Plus iMT offers an excellent combination of performance, handling, and features that cater to the preferences of driving enthusiasts. Its 1.4-liter turbocharged petrol engine delivers linear power delivery and moderate responsiveness, providing an engaging driving experience. The iMT (Intelligent Manual Transmission) offers the convenience of an automatic transmission while still allowing the driver to have control over gear shifts, enhancing the overall driving pleasure.
The Kia Seltos HTK Plus iMT excels in terms of driving dynamics, with its stable handling and moderate agility. While it may not be as razor-sharp as some of its competitors, it strikes a good balance between sportiness and comfort, making it suitable for daily driving as well as occasional spirited driving. The suspension setup effectively minimizes body roll, providing a confident and composed ride.
In terms of features, the Kia Seltos HTK Plus iMT comes equipped with essential amenities that performance enthusiasts appreciate. It offers cruise control, which enables relaxed highway driving, and internet connectivity, keeping the driver connected on the go. The glossy alloy wheels add to the car’s sporty appeal, while the automatic climate control ensures a comfortable cabin environment.
While the Kia Seltos HTK Plus iMT misses out on a few features like wireless charging and LED headlights, its overall package makes it an attractive choice for performance enthusiasts. Its powerful turbocharged engine, intelligent manual transmission, and well-rounded features set it apart from the competition, offering an exciting and practical option for enthusiasts.
The Top 3 Choices
- Kia Seltos HTK Plus iMT
- Kia Carens Prestige Plus iMT
- Hyundai Creta S (O)
| Attribute | Kia Seltos HTK Plus iMT | Kia Carens Prestige Plus iMT | Hyundai Creta S (O) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agility | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
| Body Roll | Moderate | Moderate | Minimal |
| Power Delivery | Linear | Linear | Linear |
| Engine Responsiveness | Moderate | Quick | Moderate |
| Traction Control | No | No | Yes |
| ESC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cruise Control | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Internet Connectivity | Yes | No | No |
| Turbocharging | Yes | Yes | No |
| Lane Keeping Assist | Yes | No | Yes |
How to Pick the Right Car for You
- The Kia Seltos HTK Plus iMT stands out with its powerful turbocharged engine, intelligent manual transmission, and essential features like cruise control and internet connectivity.
- The Kia Carens Prestige Plus iMT impresses with its quick engine responsiveness, fast advanced automatic transmission, and premium features.
- The Hyundai Creta S (O) offers stable handling, minimal body roll, and essential safety features like traction control and lane keeping assist.
Ultimately, the choice depends on the individual’s priorities and driving style, but these three variants provide exciting options for performance enthusiasts in the compact SUV segment.
If you’re interested in reading more such face-to-face comparisons of popular car variants, head over to ourBuying Advice section.