The Tata Sierra and Kia Seltos are among the few mid-size SUVs available with a diesel engine option. We have already compared their fuel efficiency figures, but this time we are looking at how the two perform in terms of acceleration. It should be noted that the Seltos diesel AT was tested in slightly wet conditions at a temperature of 27deg C. Here is how the two SUVs compare.
Tata Sierra vs Kia Seltos diesel AT: Specifications
| SUV | Sierra | Seltos |
| Cylinder count | 4 | 4 |
| Displacement | 1497cc | 1493cc |
| Power | 118hp at 4000rpm | 116hp at 4000rpm |
| Torque | 280Nm at 1500-2750rpm | 250Nm at 1500-2750rpm |
| Automatic transmission | 6-speed torque converter | 6-speed torque converter |
| Tyre size | 19 inch | 18 inch |
The Tata Sierra and Kia Seltos use four-cylinder diesel engines with nearly the same displacement, at 1,497cc and 1,493cc, respectively. The Sierra makes 118hp, which is 2hp more than the Seltos’ 116hp. Its bigger advantage is torque, with 280Nm compared with 250Nm for the Seltos. Notably, the Sierra AT diesel makes 20Nm more torque than the manual version.
Both SUVs get a six-speed torque-converter automatic gearbox and are also equipped with a variable-geometry turbocharger, which helps improve power delivery and reduce turbo lag. In terms of wheel size, the Sierra gets 19-inch tyres, while the Seltos is equipped with 18-inch units.
Tata Sierra vs Kia Seltos diesel AT: 0-100kph sprint
| SUV | Sierra | Seltos |
| 20kph (s) | 1.44 | 1.36 |
| 40kph (s) | 3.53 | 3.11 |
| 60kph (s) | 5.93 | 5.81 |
| 80kph (s) | 9.31 | 9 |
| 100kph (s) | 13.37 | 13.17 |
In our tests, the Kia Seltos is quicker than the Tata Sierra in accelerating from a standstill to the 100kph mark. From 0-20kph, the Seltos takes 1.36 seconds, 0.08 seconds quicker than the Sierra’s 1.44 seconds figure. The gap increases to 0.42 seconds at 40kph, with the Seltos taking 3.11 seconds versus 3.53 seconds for the Sierra.
At 60kph, the Seltos takes 5.81 seconds, just 0.12 seconds quicker than the Sierra’s 5.93 seconds. The difference is even smaller at 80kph, where the Seltos takes 9 seconds compared with 9.31 seconds for the Tata SUV. At 100kph, the Kia SUV completes the run in 13.17 seconds, while the Sierra takes 13.37 seconds, making it 0.20 seconds quicker.
Tata Sierra vs Kia Seltos diesel AT: Rolling acceleration
In the 20-80kph run, with the cars in third gear and using kickdown, the Seltos is quicker than the Sierra. It takes 7.72 seconds to complete the run, compared with 7.97 seconds for the Sierra, giving it a 0.25 second advantage.
The result reverses in the 40-100kph fourth-gear kickdown test. Here, the Sierra takes 9.42 seconds, making it 0.62 seconds quicker than the Seltos, which completes the run in 10.04 seconds.
Tata Sierra vs Kia Seltos diesel AT: Prices
| SUV | Sierra | Seltos |
| Price range (Rs lakh) | 15.99-21.29 | 15.32-21.82 |
The Kia Seltos has a lower starting price at Rs 15.32 lakh, compared with Rs 15.99 lakh for the Tata Sierra, making it Rs 67,000 cheaper at the base end. However, the Sierra has a lower top-spec price of Rs 21.29 lakh, while the Seltos goes up to Rs 21.82 lakh, making the Sierra Rs 53,000 cheaper at the top end.
Autocar India’s performance testing standards
Before we conduct our performance tests, we check and maintain tyre pressures based on the manufacturer’s recommendations and ensure the car has a full tank of fuel. The car is then tested in a controlled environment with two people on board, and the data is collected via highly accurate GPS-based timing equipment.
Ex-showroom prices are as of August 11, 2026.
