New-gen Kia Seltos ARAI mileage revealed — Diesel tops at 19.4 kmpl and turbo DCT beats iMT
- 12026 Kia Seltos carries over the same engine options as its predecessor
- 2Seltos diesel at 19.4 kmpl is among the most fuel-efficient C-segment SUVs in India
- 32026 Kia Seltos prices start at Rs 10.99 lakh and go up to Rs 19.99 lakh
The official ARAI-certified Kia Seltos mileage figures for the 2026 model have been revealed by Vahan Warta. Launched in January 2026, the SUV comes with a refreshed design, larger size, and more features, but Seltos ARAI mileage remains one of the key factors for buyers.
The new-gen Seltos is offered with three engine options: a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol, a 1.5-litre turbo petrol, and a 1.5-litre diesel. These come with multiple gearbox choices, resulting in five powertrain combinations. The diesel manual remains the most efficient. The turbo petrol DCT performs better than the iMT in terms of efficiency.
New-gen Kia Seltos ARAI mileage breakdown for 1.5L petrol trims
The 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine is where the bulk of Kia Seltos buyers sit. It is the most accessible engine option in the range and it is available with either a 6-speed manual or an iVT which is Kia's continuously variable transmission. Both gearboxes deliver the exact same ARAI-certified mileage figure.
| Engine | Gearbox | ARAI mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5L NA Petrol (Smartstream G1.5) | 6-speed MT | 16.5 kmpl |
| 1.5L NA Petrol (Smartstream G1.5) | iVT (CVT) | 16.5 kmpl |
The Kia Seltos 1.5-litre petrol engine produces 115PS and 144Nm of torque. It is a smooth and easy-going engine rather than a quick or sporty one. It feels more at home in daily city driving, where comfort and steady fuel use matter more than performance.
What is interesting is that both the manual and iVT automatic give the same claimed Seltos mileage of 16.5 kmpl. So you are not really losing efficiency if you choose the automatic. The iVT just keeps the engine working in a more balanced way, which helps it match the manual.
Next-gen Kia Seltos 1.5-litre turbo petrol mileage — DCT is more efficient than iMT
| Engine | Gearbox | ARAI mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5L Turbo Petrol (Smartstream G1.5 T-GDi) | 6-speed iMT | 15.6 kmpl |
| 1.5L Turbo Petrol (Smartstream G1.5 T-GDi) | 7-speed DCT | 17.5 kmpl |
The 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine in the Seltos produces 160 PS and 253 Nm of torque. It feels stronger than the naturally aspirated petrol because torque is available early and stays through the rev range. It does not need hard revving for performance.
The mileage difference between iMT and DCT is due to how they work. The iMT is a manual without a clutch pedal where the driver shifts gears. The DCT is an automatic that pre-selects gears for faster and more efficient shifts. This gives the DCT 17.5 kmpl compared to 15.6 kmpl for the iMT.
In normal driving, a careful iMT driver may get closer to DCT efficiency, but not fully match it. The DCT is also smoother and easier to use. The turbo petrol DCT’s 17.5 kmpl is a strong figure for this segment, especially for a turbo automatic.
2026 Kia Seltos 1.5-litre diesel mileage — 19.4 kmpl makes it the most efficient Seltos
The diesel engine in the new Kia Seltos continues to be the headline act when it comes to fuel efficiency. It is available in two gearbox configurations: a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed torque converter automatic. The MT version delivers the highest mileage in the entire Seltos lineup.
| Engine | Gearbox | ARAI mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5L CRDi VGT Diesel | 6-speed MT | 19.4 kmpl |
| 1.5L CRDi VGT Diesel | 6-speed AT | 17.8 kmpl |
The 1.5-litre diesel engine produces 116 PS and 250 Nm. The Variable Geometry Turbocharger improves low-end power for easy city and highway driving. The Seltos diesel manual delivers 19.4 kmpl, keeping it among the most efficient C-segment SUVs despite added weight.
The diesel automatic returns 17.8 kmpl. The difference from the manual is small. The diesel Seltos remains one of the few diesel SUVs in this segment, suited for high-mileage users.
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