In a recent development within the Indian automotive market, the Kia Seltos, a formidable contender to Hyundai’s Creta, has undergone a noteworthy price adjustment. This adjustment comes in the wake of Kia Motors, the South Korean automotive giant, opting to reduce the prices of specific Seltos variants. The reduction is linked to the partial removal of a particular feature, marking a strategic move in response to market dynamics.
Interestingly, this price alteration transpires merely a month after Kia had increased the rates of the Seltos by as much as ₹30,000. Such rapid adjustments reflect the brand’s agility in adapting to market trends and maintaining competitiveness.
Price cut and variants
The price cut, which ranges up to ₹2000, is applicable to specific variants of the Seltos. The impacted versions include the manual and iMT iterations of the HTX and HTX Plus trims, utilizing both petrol and diesel powertrains. Additionally, the reduction extends to both the DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission) and automatic versions of the GTX trim, available with turbocharged petrol and diesel engines.
Notably, the X-Line variants remain unaffected by this pricing modification.
Revision of Prices
Post this revision, the starting price for the HTX variants now stands at ₹15.18 lakh (ex-showroom), while the GTX Plus variants have a new starting price of ₹19.38 lakh (ex-showroom). These adjustments in pricing aim to enhance the competitiveness of the Seltos in its segment, making it more appealing to potential buyers.
Removed Feature
The feature that has been partially removed from certain variants is the one-touch rolling down of windows. Previously available on all windows, this feature will now be restricted to the driver’s side window for the affected variants. However, it’s worth noting that the X-Line trim will continue to feature the one-touch functionality on all windows, maintaining a certain level of differentiation within the Seltos lineup.
Powertrain
In terms of powertrain options, the Seltos offers a diverse range. The 2023 version introduces a 1.5-litre turbo petrol unit capable of producing 158 bhp of maximum power and 253 Nm of peak torque. The other two engine options include a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol unit and a diesel unit, each generating 115 bhp of maximum power. The peak torque outputs for these engines are 44 Nm and 250 Nm, respectively.
This strategic move by Kia Motors reflects the dynamic nature of the automotive market, with manufacturers keenly adjusting their strategies to stay competitive and responsive to consumer preferences. The Seltos, with its revised pricing and feature adjustments, aims to maintain its strong position in the highly competitive SUV segment in India.
Image Source: Autocar India