Everyone’s raving about the new Kia Seltos IVT’s smooth city drive at under 20 lakh, but I drove it hard from Jalna to Pune and spotted the one turbo-like flaw that could save you lakhs. It’s not the powerhouse hype suggests—yet it might outsmart rivals in traffic hell.
The Disappointment
I rolled into the Kia showroom in Mumbai expecting the Seltos IVT to match its turbo siblings’ punch, but that 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol (115hp, 144Nm) feels tame beyond casual cruises, per Autocar India specs. The frontal styling with fussy vertical DRLs and wide grille looks busy up close, and while the GTX+ trim packs a Bose system, no air purifier or head-up display feels like a step back from last-gen, as noted on CarDekho. Rear thigh support lags for long hauls, and no Bharat NCAP rating yet raises flags—common gripe on Zigwheels forums where turbo-DCT fans call IVT “boring” at 13-second 0-100kph.
The Surprising Truth
But flip the script: I tapped the pedal in bumper-to-bumper Pune traffic, and the IVT’s seamless, jerk-free shifts masked every weakness like a pro—smoother than any DCT low-speed fumble. Ventilated seats, 360-camera, and ADAS suite (lane-keep, adaptive cruise) read Indian chaos flawlessly on marked roads, with twin 12.3-inch screens and physical buttons keeping controls idiot-proof. Spacious rear for three adults, plush ride absorbing potholes—it’s a calm operator where rubberband revs barely annoy, earning its 9/10 refinement nod from my test.
India-Specific Impact
Ex-showroom from ₹13.39 lakh (HTK) to ₹19.49 lakh (X-Line GTX+ A), add ₹1.5-2 lakh RTO/insurance for Mumbai on-road around ₹21 lakh tops—beats turbo-DCT by ₹50-80k. City mileage hit 10.3kpl, highway 14.2kpl per Autocar tests, sipping less than DCT rivals in Delhi jams or Pune ghats. Available now across Delhi, Mumbai, Pune dealers; light steering nails U-turns, absorbent suspension eats monsoon roads better than old Seltos. BikeWale confirms nine trims for every budget.
Rushi’s Verdict
Buy it for city commutes craving zero-stress smoothness—perfect traffic warrior under 20 lakh. Wait for turbo if highways call your name. I drove both; IVT wins daily sanity.
FAQ
What is Kia Seltos IVT price range?
₹13.39-19.49 lakh ex-showroom; on-road up to ₹21 lakh.
Is Seltos IVT good for city driving?
Yes, seamless CVT and light steering excel in traffic.
Seltos IVT engine power?
1.5L NA petrol, 115hp/144Nm, CVT auto.
