Kia Seltos vs Renault Duster: The Compact SUV War!
- Jun 27, 2026
- Views : 1467

The Kia Seltos has always been appreciated by customers for its wide variant range, which helps it to cater to multiple buyers, making the Seltos available for everyone. The HTK variant of the Seltos is just two variants above the base HTE, and it provides a good number of features, and even on the outside, it is value-engineered to attract with its sense of sportiness. This variant will appeal to buyers who wish to enjoy the Seltos experience without having to extend their budget.
Let’s find out what exactly the HTK variant on the Seltos offers to justify its worth:
The HTK variant of the new Kia Seltos can be had across three powertrain options. These include a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine, and a 1.5-litre diesel engine. Options of manual, clutch-less manual, and automatic transmissions are available. However, the turbo petrol engine does not have an option for an automatic.
Here are the detailed specifications:
|
Engine Options |
1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol |
1.5-litre turbo-petrol |
1.5-litre diesel |
|
Power (PS) |
115 PS |
160 PS |
116 PS |
|
Torque (Nm) |
144 Nm |
253 Nm |
250 Nm |
|
Transmission |
6-speed manual/iVT |
6-speed iMT |
6-speed manual/6-speed AT |

Key Highlights
ICE Cube LED headlights and LED DRLs
LED connected taillights
Front and rear skid plates with a silver finish
Gloss black roof rails
Shark fin antenna
Flush door handles
17-inch alloy wheels
16-inch style wheels (only for 1.5 NA MT)
Integrated rear spoiler
Hidden rear wiper
Keyless entry request sensor
On the outside, the silhouette of the HTK variant of the Seltos resembles that of its higher models. The design follows a boxy, upright, and dominating stance. But the use of chrome and glossy elements is kept to a minimum. This variant misses out on front fog lights and gets silver finishing for the skid plates attached to the front and rear bumper.

Key Highlights
Dual-tone Smoky Black and Grey colour theme
Matte Blue accents
Semi-leatherette seats
Centre console with armrest and cup holders.
Tilt and telescopic adjustment for the steering wheel
Steering wheel with audio controls
Height-adjustable driver seat
Adjustable headrests (front and rear)
Manual AC
Rear AC vents
Rear door sunshade curtains
Seatback pockets
Rear seat with centre armrest and cup holder
Rear parcel shelf
Metallic inside door handles
On the inside, the overall dashboard layout of the HTK variant remains similar to what is seen on the higher trims. And as can be seen, it starts to get premium touches from this variant. The Seltos has grown in size, which implies more space on the inside. The rear seats offer good knee room, ample headroom, and enough space to seat three.

Key Highlights
10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment screen
4.2-inch colour TFT MID for the driver
6-speakers
Cruise control
Push-button start and motion sensor
Rear defogger
Electrically adjustable ORVMs with auto fold
All-4 power windows
Driver window one-touch auto up/down
Type-C USB charging ports
Wireless phone connectivity with the infotainment system.
Electronic parking brake (automatic only)
Drive and Traction modes (automatic only)
Paddle shifters (automatic only)
Kia has respectably loaded the HTK variant of the Seltos with a lot of useful tech, making it a good overall package. The HTK variant of the Seltos has always been a top choice for customers with a tight budget, and even with the new model, it does not disappoint.

In terms of safety, the HTK variant of the Seltos is offered with 6 airbags, a rear camera with guidelines and rear sensors, all-wheel disc brakes, ABS with EBD, brake assist, electronic stability control, hill-hold assist, downhill brake control, tyre pressure monitoring system, speed sensing auto door locks, and impact sensing auto door unlock.

Kia has loaded the HTK variant with a good amount of features, multiple powertrain options, and all of this with a touch of premiumness. Considering the fact that the HTK variant is just 2 trims above the base HTE variant, the pricing is expected to be on the lower side, and it will also cut through its rivals, as none of them offer this level of equipment in a lower variant.
With the hype already building around the new Seltos, all eyes are now turned towards the launch and price reveal of the car, which will ultimately decide its fate in the Indian market.

Do you like the HTK variant of the new Kia Seltos? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Note: Images of GTX variant used for representation
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