The midsize SUV segment is where India's family car money goes, and for years it has been a two-horse race between the Hyundai Creta and the Kia Seltos. That changed on 9 July 2026, when Nissan launched the Tekton, its version of the new Renault Duster, at an introductory ₹10.49 lakh. Three months on, buyers keep asking us the same question: is the newcomer good enough to beat the two established names? We've put the official numbers side by side to find out.
Price Comparison: Nissan Tekton vs Hyundai Creta vs Kia Seltos
All three start at around ₹11 lakh, but the Tekton undercuts both rivals at the entry point and also tops out lower. Note that Nissan's prices are still labelled "introductory", so they could rise.
| Model | Ex-showroom price range | Variants / trims |
|---|---|---|
| Nissan Tekton | ₹10.49 lakh – ₹18.59 lakh (introductory) | Visia, Visia+, Acenta, N-Connecta, Tekna, Tekna+ |
| Hyundai Creta | ₹10.91 lakh – ₹20.11 lakh | E, EX, EX(O), S(O), SX, SX Premium, King plus special editions |
| Kia Seltos | ₹10.99 lakh – ₹21.57 lakh | HTE to GTX/X-Line, with GTX(O) and X-Line(O) at the top |
Prices are ex-showroom from the manufacturers and Autocar India. The new-generation Seltos launched at ₹10.99–19.99 lakh, and Kia added the GTX(O) and X-Line(O) at ₹21.57 lakh on 1 July 2026. Dealer price lists change often, so check the exact variant price before you book.
Engines and Performance
This is where the three take different paths. Hyundai and Kia share the same trio of 1.5-litre engines, including the only diesel here. Nissan offers turbo-petrol engines only, and its 1.3-litre turbo has the most torque in the comparison.
| Engine | Power / Torque | Gearboxes | Claimed mileage (ARAI) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tekton 1.0 turbo-petrol (T160) | 100PS / 166Nm | 6MT | 19.4kpl |
| Tekton 1.3 turbo-petrol (T280) | 163PS / 280Nm | 6MT, 6DCT | 17.8kpl (MT), 18.5kpl (DCT) |
| Creta 1.5 petrol | 115hp / 144Nm | 6MT, CVT | 17.4kpl (MT), 17.7kpl (CVT) |
| Creta 1.5 turbo-petrol | 160hp / 253Nm | 7DCT | Not confirmed by us |
| Creta 1.5 diesel | 116hp / 250Nm | 6MT, 6AT | 21.8kpl (MT), 19.1kpl (AT) |
| Seltos 1.5 petrol | 115hp / 144Nm | 6MT, IVT | 16.5kpl |
| Seltos 1.5 turbo-petrol | 160hp / 253Nm | 6iMT, 7DCT | 15.6kpl (iMT), 17.5kpl (DCT) |
| Seltos 1.5 diesel | 116hp / 250Nm | 6MT, 6AT | 19.4kpl (MT), 17.8kpl (AT) |
On paper, the Tekton's 1.3 turbo is the one for keen drivers. Nissan claims 0-100kph in 9.51 seconds for the manual and 9.89 seconds for the DCT. Its 1.0 turbo is the most frugal petrol engine here at 19.4kpl, but with 100PS it will feel stretched with a full load. If you drive a lot on the highway, the Creta diesel manual's 21.8kpl is still the best figure in the segment, and neither Nissan nor the newer petrol engines come close.
Dimensions and Practicality
| Dimension | Nissan Tekton | Hyundai Creta | Kia Seltos |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,349mm | 4,330mm | 4,460mm |
| Width | 1,815mm | 1,790mm | 1,830mm |
| Height | 1,659mm | 1,635mm | 1,635mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,657mm | 2,610mm | 2,690mm |
| Boot space | 518 litres (to parcel shelf) | 433 litres | 447 litres (VDA) |
| Ground clearance | 212mm (unladen) | 190mm | 190mm |
The new Seltos is the biggest car here, with the longest body and wheelbase, which shows in rear-seat space. The Tekton has the most practical boot and the highest ground clearance by a clear margin. Nissan's headline "700 litres" figure is measured up to the roof, so compare the 518-litre parcel-shelf number instead. The Creta is now the smallest of the three, though its cabin is still well packaged.
Features and Safety
None of the three is short on equipment. The Tekton's top trims get a panoramic sunroof, ventilated six-way adjustable front seats, a powered tailgate, wireless charging, Google built-in connectivity, a 360-degree camera with blind-spot view and Level 2 ADAS. Even the base Visia gets a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a reversing camera and a full-size spare.
The Creta has two 10.25-inch screens, a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, dual-zone climate control and a 360-degree camera. Its higher variants add ADAS with adaptive cruise, lane-keep assist and automatic emergency braking. The Seltos goes a step further with dual 12.3-inch displays, Bose audio, a Level 2 ADAS suite with 21 functions, and an enhanced Level 2+ suite plus a built-in dashcam on the new GTX(O) and X-Line(O).
Safety is the clearest difference between them:
- Kia Seltos: 5-star Bharat NCAP (March 2026), with 31.70/32 for adult and 45.00/49 for child occupant protection. Kia says that's the highest score yet for a petrol or diesel car. Six airbags, ESC and all-wheel disc brakes are standard.
- Nissan Tekton: 5-star Bharat NCAP, based on the tests of its Renault Duster sibling. It has six airbags as standard and more than 40 standard safety features.
- Hyundai Creta: the current model hasn't been crash-tested by Bharat NCAP yet. The only official result is a 3-star Global NCAP rating from 2022 for the older model. Six airbags and ESC are standard.
Warranty: Nissan offers 3 years/1,00,000km, extendable up to 10 years/2,00,000km. Hyundai and Kia both offer 3 years with unlimited kilometres, and Kia offers extended cover up to 7 years/1,60,000km.
Which One Should You Buy?
- Buy the Nissan Tekton if you want the most car for the money. It starts lowest, has a verified 5-star rating, the biggest boot, the highest ground clearance and the strongest turbo-petrol engine. It suits buyers who drive on bad roads and enthusiasts on a budget. The trade-offs are no diesel, no CVT or torque-converter automatic, and a young Nissan dealer network that you should check in your city.
- Buy the Hyundai Creta if you drive long distances and want a diesel automatic, a widely available service network and strong resale value. Just know that it is the only one here without a current crash-test rating.
- Buy the Kia Seltos if you want the roomiest, most premium and best-tested SUV here and don't mind paying a little more. Its 5-star Bharat NCAP score is the best in the class, and it offers every engine and gearbox type.
Expert Verdict
The Tekton is a serious contender, not a token entry. It costs less than both rivals and beats them on boot space, ground clearance and turbo torque. For anyone who wants a petrol SUV under ₹15 lakh, it deserves a test drive. Overall, though, the new Kia Seltos is the best all-rounder here. It is the biggest, has the most features and the best Bharat NCAP score, and still offers a diesel. The Creta remains a safe bet for diesel buyers who value Hyundai's service network and resale, but until Bharat NCAP tests it, it is hard to recommend over its two 5-star rivals. Our pick: the Seltos if your budget allows, and the Tekton if you want the best value.
Prices are ex-showroom and correct as of 10 October 2026. Mileage figures are ARAI-claimed. Check with your dealer for the latest prices and offers.
