Kia Seltos vs Honda City: A Comparison of Their Variants Under Rs 14 Lakh for Family-focused Car Buyers

Written By: Kshitij Bisen
Published: September 30, 2023 at 09:42 AMUpdated: Updated: September 30, 2023 at 09:42 AM
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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 Kia Seltos and the Honda City, 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
  • Kia Seltos vs Honda City – a detailed analysis of their features, space, and safety
  • How to pick the right car for you

Also read: 10 DC Design cars & how they look in the REAL world: Maruti Swift to Mahindra XUV500

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-focused car buyer seeks a blend of safety, space, comfort, and utility. Top on the list are safety features such as ABS, airbags, and ESC, ensuring a safe cocoon for the family. Next is ample space, be it legroom, headroom or boot capacity, making the journeys comfortable.

Modern conveniences like power windows, rear AC vents, and an intuitive infotainment system contribute to an enjoyable driving experience in top family cars. Lastly, easy handling and good ride quality ensure that long drives are a breeze. Affordability and fuel efficiency are the cherries on top in the quest for a perfect family car.

Why Kia Seltos and Honda City are Popular

Kia Seltos and Honda City have carved a niche in the family car segment, courtesy of their excellent safety ratings, spacious interiors, and modern amenities. The cars’ substantial legroom, headroom, and a generous boot capacity, vital for family outings or grocery hauls are often highlighted.

Both models boast of robust safety measures including multiple airbags, ABS, and ESC, instilling confidence in buyers. The presence of contemporary features like touchscreen infotainment systems with smartphone connectivity, rear AC vents, and rear parking sensors enrich the driving and riding experience.

Their stable handling and satisfactory ride quality further add to the allure, making them appealing choices for family-focused car buyers. Additionally, the range of variants offered caters to various budget constraints, enhancing their popularity among family-centric buyers.

Lastly, the brands’ reputation for reliability and good after-sales service underscores the trust and value proposition they bring to the family car market, making Kia Seltos and Honda City trustworthy companions on the road.

Kia Seltos and Honda City variants shortlist in Rs 13-14 lakh range

For Honda City, we have:

VariantPrice (INR) as on 27 September 2023
XV₹1,349,000
V CVT₹1,362,000

For Kia Seltos, we have:

VariantPrice (INR) as on 27 September 2023
HTK Plus₹1,350,000
HTK Diesel iMT₹1,360,000

Honda City XV

At ₹1,349,000, this variant is a well-rounded choice offering six airbags, minimal body roll, and a spacious boot. The superior GNCAP rating of 4 and the addition of ESC ensure safety, making it an apt choice for family buyers. If you enjoy long-distance road trips, you can read our comparison of the City with Hyundai Creta.

Honda City V CVT

Priced slightly higher at ₹1,362,000, this variant reduces the airbag count to four but maintains most other family-centric attributes of the XV variant, including the spacious boot and safety features. If you’re a tech-savvy gadget lover, you can read our comparison of the City with Hyundai Verna.

Kia Seltos HTK Plus

At a comparable price of ₹1,350,000, this variant offers six airbags, a moderate boot capacity, and moderate ride quality. The ground clearance of 190mm is a bonus, ensuring a smooth ride on bumpy roads. If you’re a performance enthusiast, you can read our comparison of the Seltos with Hyundai Verna.

Kia Seltos HTK Diesel iMT

This variant, priced at ₹1,360,000, mirrors the HTK Plus but with a diesel engine. The same safety features and interior space make it a good contender, with the diesel engine offering better fuel efficiency.

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

The Honda City XV stands out as the best variant for a family-focused car buyer among the listed options. This variant strikes a good balance between safety, space, and convenience, making it an ideal choice for families.

Its six airbags, ESC, and a high GNCAP rating of 4 reflect a strong safety profile. The spacious boot capacity of 506 liters is well-suited for family outings and shopping sprees.

The ergonomically well-designed interior with a seamless blend of utility and modern features like a well-integrated 8-inch touchscreen, rear AC vents, and rear parking sensors add to the comfort and convenience, making the drive enjoyable.

Despite being priced competitively, it does not compromise on essential family-centric features, making it an outstanding choice. In all, this is the right car on this list for a family man.

The Top 3 choices

  1. Honda City XV
  2. Kia Seltos HTK Plus
  3. Honda City V CVT
AttributesHonda City XVKia Seltos HTK PlusHonda City V CVT
ABSYesYesYes
Airbags (number)664
Body RollMinimalModerateMinimal
Boot capacity (liters)506433506
ESCYesYesYes
GNCAP Rating434
Ground clearance (mm)165190165
Legroom (mm)650650650
Power Windows – BackYesYesYes
Power Windows – FrontYesYesYes
Rear AC ventsYesYesYes
Rear Parking SensorsYesYesYes

How to Pick the Right Car for You

  • The Honda City XV leads with the highest safety rating and airbag count.
  • Kia Seltos HTK Plus offers better ground clearance suited for uneven terrains.
  • Honda City V CVT, although with fewer airbags, retains other critical features at a slightly higher price point.

These three variants strike a balance between safety, space, and modern conveniences. Each variant caters to the family-focused car buyer’s needs ensuring a blend of safety, comfort, and utility, making every journey a pleasurable experience for the entire family.

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

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