Mahindra Thar Roxx vs Kia Seltos Comparison Review - Which is the better city car? #Overdrive

Summary

In this comparison of the Mahindra Thar Rocks and Kia Seltos, we explore their performance, design, comfort, and overall value. While the Thar excels in off-road capabilities with its rugged body-on-frame construction and powerful diesel engine, the Seltos stands out for its compact size, urban agility, and premium interior features. The Thar is ideal for those seeking a tough, adventurous SUV, while the Seltos offers a refined, efficient, and well-equipped option for city driving. Both vehicles deliver strong value but cater to different needs in the SUV market.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Mahindra Thar Rox and Kia Seltos are two very different SUVs, with the Thar offering a traditional, rugged off-road experience and the Seltos excelling in urban environments.
• 🚗 The Thar Rox features a 2.2L turbo diesel engine with 152 PS and 330 Nm, making it more powerful in terms of torque, ideal for off-road and tough terrain driving.
• 🔧 The Kia Seltos has a 1.5L turbo petrol engine with 160 PS and 253 Nm, making it a more efficient and responsive choice for city driving, with a smoother drivetrain.
• 🚦 Both SUVs are close in terms of acceleration, with the Seltos clocking 0-100 km/h in 9.6 seconds and the Thar in 10.9 seconds, though the Thar is heavier and more off-road focused.
• 🏙️ The Seltos is more compact and easier to handle in city traffic, whereas the Thar, despite its size, is manageable thanks to good visibility and a higher driving position.
• ⚙️ The Kia Seltos is more efficient with a combined fuel economy of 13.1 km/l, compared to the Thar's 11.7 km/l, thanks to its lighter monocoque construction.
• 🚙 The Thar provides a more rugged, indestructible driving experience with better torque delivery, ideal for off-road and tougher terrains.
• 🛣️ On highways and twisty roads, the Seltos is more composed and stable, with better handling, while the Thar leans more towards being a cruiser with substantial torque and stability.
• 🎮 The Seltos features advanced drive modes and terrain modes, which improve its handling and responsiveness, making it more adaptable in different conditions.
• 🛋️ Both vehicles offer good comfort, but the Seltos has a more premium interior with better materials, a more modern infotainment system, and greater cabin quality.
• 🔒 The Thar leads in safety with a tougher build, 6 airbags, and a 360-degree camera system, while the Seltos features a more advanced ADAS system and superior camera clarity for better safety management.

Q & A

What are the key differences in the drivetrain of the Mahindra Thar Rox and Kia Seltos?

The Mahindra Thar Rox features a larger 2.2L turbo diesel engine producing 152 PS and 330 Nm of torque, paired with a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission. The Kia Seltos, on the other hand, has a 1.5L turbo petrol engine making 160 PS and 253 Nm of torque, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT).

How does the Mahindra Thar Rox perform in urban traffic compared to the Kia Seltos?

Despite being a larger vehicle, the Mahindra Thar Rox is surprisingly easy to drive in traffic due to its excellent visibility and higher seating position. The Kia Seltos, being more compact, is also easy to maneuver in urban environments, with good visibility and a car-like driving feel.

What are the 0-100 km/h acceleration times for the Thar Rox and Seltos?

The Kia Seltos performs the 0-100 km/h sprint in 9.6 seconds, while the Mahindra Thar Rox is slightly slower, completing the same run in 10.9 seconds.

Which vehicle is more fuel-efficient in everyday driving?

The Kia Seltos is more fuel-efficient, with a combined mileage of 13.11 km/l, compared to the Mahindra Thar Rox's 11.7 km/l. The Seltos' lighter construction and turbo petrol engine contribute to this advantage.

What is the driving experience like in terms of handling and comfort?

The Mahindra Thar Rox provides a more rugged, solid driving experience, with noticeable body movements typical of ladder-frame SUVs. The Kia Seltos, being a monocoque, handles more like a car, offering a smoother, more composed ride with less body roll and better comfort over small bumps.

How do the ride qualities of the Thar Rox and Seltos differ at higher speeds?

At higher speeds, the Kia Seltos feels more stable and planted, offering a more composed ride. The Mahindra Thar Rox, while still stable, exhibits more body movements typical of body-on-frame SUVs but remains quite manageable compared to older models.

Which SUV offers better interior quality and materials?

Both SUVs offer premium interiors, but the Kia Seltos edges out with higher-quality materials, more precise stitching on the dashboard, and a more luxurious feel overall. The Mahindra Thar Rox has a more utilitarian interior with some noticeable rough edges in comparison.

What are the key features of the infotainment systems in both SUVs?

Both the Mahindra Thar Rox and Kia Seltos come with 10.25-inch touchscreens. The Mahindra offers wireless phone pairing and a useful widget-based home screen, while the Kia's system is more responsive and offers better touch sensitivity, with more detailed graphics and easier navigation.

How do the storage capacities compare between the Thar Rox and the Seltos?

The Kia Seltos offers a 433-liter boot with a relatively low lip for easy loading, while the Mahindra Thar Rox has a larger 644-liter boot, but the sideways-opening door can be inconvenient in tight spaces. The Thar's boot requires some vertical stacking to maximize space.

Which vehicle has better safety features?

Both vehicles come with a similar level of safety equipment, including six airbags, 360-degree cameras, and tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS). However, the Mahindra Thar Rox has a higher safety rating from NCAP, which gives it an edge in terms of overall safety.