Kia Seltos vs Toyota Corolla Cross vs Hyundai Creta: Which one has the lowest running costs?
An updated version of Kia's popular Seltos has arrived in South Africa with an enhanced interior, revised styling and new engines! How do this model's running costs compare with those of two rivals?
The mid-size crossover segment is among the most competitive automotive segments in the market, and the Kia Seltos, particularly the heavily revised version that was launched recently, is one of the best! Are you looking to buy one of these new Kia crossovers but must sell your current vehicle first? AutoTrader can get you an Instant Offer!
There are eight models in the Seltos line-up, and we have chosen the flagship LX-spec diesel derivative for our comparison today. How do this model's running costs compare with two key rivals, the Toyota Corolla Cross and Hyundai Creta? These models are all very similar from a pricing perspective and have been chosen as they compete within the same market space.
Related: Kia Seltos (2024) First Drive Review
The figures
Kia Seltos 1.5 CRDi LX | Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 Hybrid XR | Hyundai Creta 1.5 Executive | |
Engine size | 4-cyl, 1.5-litre turbodiesel | 4-cyl, 1.8-litre petrol-electric hybrid | 4-cyl, 1.5-litre petrol |
Power/Torque | 85 kW/250 Nm | 90 kW/163 Nm | 84 kW/144 Nm |
Gearbox | 6-speed automatic | CVT | CVT |
Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Airbags | 6 | 7 | 6 |
Driven wheels | Front | Front | Front |
Load Capacity | 433-litres | 440-litres | 416-litres |
Fuel capacity | 50-litres | 36-litres | 50-litres |
Claimed consumption | 5.5 L/100 km | 4.3 L/100 km | 6.3 L/100 km |
CO2 emissions | 145 g/km | 98 g/km | 143 g/km |
Service plan | 5-year/90 000km | 6-service/90 000km | 4-year/90 000km |
Price | R521 995 | R527 200 | R522 500 |
Related: Can you fit 3 car seats in the back of a 2024 Kia Seltos?
Comparing the trio
Purchase price
The models we have chosen for this comparison are competitors from a pricing and body-style perspective. Monthly instalments are calculated throughout 72 months with a 10% deposit and no balloon or residual. The interest rate is set at 12%.
Kia Seltos 1.5CRDi LX
With the instalment parameters, the Seltos will work out at R9 185 monthly over 72 months.
Toyota Corolla Cross XR Hybrid
The Corolla Cross will work out at R9 276 monthly with the instalment parameters over 72 months.
Hyundai Creta 1.5 Executive
The Creta will work out at R9 193 monthly with the instalment parameters over 72 months.
Fuel consumption
On paper, the Corolla Cross has the lowest fuel consumption. From our experience, the Toyota is considerably lighter on fuel than the Hyundai; however, the Kia's small diesel motor makes it exceptionally frugal too!
Service plans
All three contenders come with service plans of similar distance and duration.
Verdict
Looking at the data, we would be confident that the Toyota Corolla Cross would be the cheapest product to run in the first five years of ownership, however, the Kia is incredibly close, and has the more enjoyable drivetrain across a variety of driving scenarios.
