Why people prefer Creta facelift over Seltos facelift at the same price

While the 2024 Creta facelift lacks many features when compared to the 2023 Kia Seltos facelift, I think there are two factors that might be working in favour of Hyundai.

BHPian 07CR recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hyundai recently launched the Creta facelift with great pomp! I was following the launch closely, and having recently purchased (Dec 2023) a GT Line DCT Seltos, I knew the Creta facelift would be launching soon and was curious what it would offer.

For many, however, the Creta facelift somehow turned out to be a slight disappointment. Following could be the reasons why folks on TBHP were a bit disappointed:

• Too conservative/boring external design. Personally, it has grown a bit on me and now the facelift definitely looks better than pre facelift Creta, though not as gorgeous as the Seltos facelift. Even Hyryder looks better than the Creta FL to me.
• Unappealing interiors. Some found the grey interior tone a bit boring again, and a design that feels old already. Centre console with a generous application of Piano black and the AC cluster have been criticized as well.
• Many features missed as compared to facelift Seltos.

Here is the list:

Misses compared to Seltos GT Line and lower trims I have noticed till now:

• No Fog lamps
• Single reversing lamp
• No dynamic mode for the instrument cluster
• Ambient light provided only on the passenger side dashboard (Seltos gets it on the passenger dashboard and both front doors as well)
• Single Orange colored ambient light as opposed to multi color in Seltos
• Absence of rain-sensing wipers
• 17-inch alloys vs 18 in Seltos (This can be a positive point for Creta)
• No 5th passenger headrest
• HVAC system appears too basic in design

Lower trims miss out on a lot of goodies

• In SX trim (HTX+ equivalent of Seltos), Hyundai does not offer Electric seats, the Alcazar's instrument cluster (Basic Verna one is offered instead), No ventilated seats, No Bose Speakers and the likes. All of these are available on Seltos HTX+. Similar story on the S(O) variant of Creta and the HTX variant of Seltos.
• Missing one-touch up and down for all windows
• Absence of illuminated window and door lock buttons, Seltos has all of these illuminated.
• No UV-cut glasses
• Auto dimming IRVM available only on the SX(O) trim. In Seltos, this is available from HTX.
• Front Parking sensors available only on the SX(O) trim. In Seltos, this is available from HTK.

There are some nifty additions over the Seltos too:

• Puddle lamps
• Cooled Glove box

With these shortcomings, I fail to understand why one would go for a facelift Creta compared to a facelifted Seltos. In 2019, people who hated stiff suspension could reject a Seltos, since it was super stiff at that time. But come 2024, Seltos (18-inch wheeled) itself is nearly as good riding vehicle at slow speeds as Carnes (and this car is raved about for its superb ride quality). I experienced this myself, as I had walked in to purchase a Carens, but since the Seltos rode nearly as well, I purchased a Seltos GT Line DCT.

Factors which might tilt the tide in favor of Creta:

• Easy availability of Hyundai dealership. We have a good number of Kia dealerships even in tier 2 cities, but in remote regions, you may find a Hyundai, but not a Kia. Therefore service could be easier in those regions and hence one might go with Creta FL.
• Availability of CVT/NA engine in top spec variant While both Hyundai and Kia offer many trims with varied engine and gearbox operations (IVT/iMT/MT/AT/DCT in Seltos while MT/IVT/AT/DCT in Creta), Kia does not offer the NA engine/CVT gearbox in top spec trim. Thus people who don't need the added performance might settle in for Creta SX(O) IVT.

Any other reasons why you would opt for the Creta facelift over the Seltos facelift?

Here's what BHPian Eddy had to say about the matter:

Personally, I’d go for Creta due to this reason (Availability of CVT/NA engine in top spec variant) alone. And so will a lot of other like-minded conservative buyers.

Here's what BHPian vattyboy had to say about the matter:

I own both of them.

Advantages of Creta

Brand Name

Creta has become a brand in itself. It's an emotion, many people dream of buying Creta once in their life. I have experienced this, The public looks at creta with far more respect. Among relatives and neighbourhoods, Creta has become a testament that you have made it in life.

Better Resale value

Although both Creta and Seltos are coming at the same price initially, down the line after 5 years when you will be in the market to sell your car then from my experience, Creta will fetch you about 1 lakh more than Seltos.

Better Ride Quality

No denying the fact that the ride quality of Creta is far better than Bone's jarring ride of Seltos. Saying this by comparing 17-inch Creta vs 16-inch HTK+ Seltos, can't imagine how hard the ride quality is with 17 to 18-inch alloys.

Better After-Sales Service

If there is one Kia ASS in a City then there are a minimum of 2 or 3 Hyundai ASS in that city. If you don't like the work of 1 ASS then you can go to another one. Also, Hyundai's service network is more widespread than Kia's.

Better rear seat comfort

I can feel that space and comfort at the rear is better in Creta.

Roomy Interiors in the top variants

Creta feels more spacious from the inside due to the beige and grey interiors while in top variants Seltos has a black interior theme.

Here's what BHPian Bit had to say about the matter:

Good threat. I can assume the following:

Service Network: It's not about regular service, but going into outstation/remote areas where Kia might not be present if anything goes wrong with your vehicle during your dream India trip. Folk who want absolute peace of mind that their vehicle can be managed no matter what part of the country they travel to, would often prefer Hyundai to Kia.

Brand Hyundai is Stronger than Brand Kia in our country: For various reasons, people perceive Hyundai as stable, older, and here to stay whereas Kia is perceived as a new kid on the block.

Many people grew up with the dream of getting a particular car. For example, I myself grew up with "I'll get that damn sexy Honda City the day I'll be able to afford". So when these Creta dreamers got in the position to buy a car, they simply did not acknowledge any other car in the market. Kia is not that old to instill such dreams in a generation.

Here's what BHPian ABHI_1512 had to say about the matter:

There is something called 'preference' and 'choice' and I already see a lot of buyers opting for Creta and not Seltos. Despite so many variants of Seltos, the petrol manual has no top trim and the absence of a diesel manual has been corrected only recently. Creta and Seltos despite being similar are poles apart in terms of styling as well. So, yes, there are customers who would take the Creta over Seltos and vice versa which fits into their requirements.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.