At a Glance
Power
106kW@6000
84 kW
Torque
189Nm@4250
144 Nm
Fuel
—
6.7 l/100km
Towing
1500
1100 Kg
0-100 km/h
—
12.3 s
Engine
1998
1497 cc
Choosing between the KIA CARENS and the Kia Seltos is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The KIA CARENS delivers 106kW@6000 while the Kia Seltos produces 84 kW. On fuel, the CARENS returns 0 while the Seltos uses 6.7 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R243 995 for the CARENS and R467 995 for the Seltos. Both vehicles have their merits. The right choice depends on your priorities: fuel economy, performance, towing ability, safety features or total cost of ownership. This comparison covers every specification available so you can make an informed decision.
Performance
Power Output
106kW@6000
84 kW
Torque
189Nm@4250
144 Nm
0-100 kph
—
12.3 s
Top Speed
—
170 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
1998
1497 cc
Engine Layout
TRANSVERSE INLINE 4
inline
Cylinders
4
4
Fuel Type
UNLEADED
petrol
Transmission
MANUAL
manual
Number of Gears
5
6
Drive Wheels
FRONT
front
Full Time 4x4
✗
—
Low Range
✗
—
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
—
6.7 l/100km
Fuel Consumption Urban
—
—
Fuel Consumption Highway
—
—
Fuel Tank Capacity
55
50 l
CO2 Emissions
—
149 g/km
Dimensions
Length
4545
4365 mm
Width
1800
1800 mm
Height
1650
1620 mm
Wheelbase
2560
2610 mm
Ground Clearance
156
190 mm
Kerb Weight
1480
1282 Kg
Doors
5
5
Seats
7
5
Load Volume
—
433 l
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
1500
1100 Kg
Load Capacity
2106
—
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
—
✓ Standard
Stability Control
ESP
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✓ Standard
—
Airbag Count
6
6
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✓ Standard
—
Cruise Control
✗
✓ Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
—
—
Bluetooth
✗
✓ Standard
Satellite Navigation
✗
—
Reversing Camera
—
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
✗
—
Sunroof
✗
—
Heated Seats
✗
—
Electric Seat Adjustment
✓ Standard
—
Keyless Entry
✗
—
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
120
5
Warranty Distance
150000
unlimited Km
Service Plan
M
✓ Standard
Service Plan Years
—
4
Service Plan Distance
—
60000
Service Intervals
30000
15000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
KIA CARENS
2 / 4 categories
Performance
Seltos
Fuel Economy
Tied
Value
CARENS
Practicality
CARENS
Pros & Cons
KIA CARENS
Lower starting price (R243 995)
Higher towing capacity (1500)
No factory service plan
Kia Seltos
Factory service plan included
Higher fuel consumption (6.7 l/100km)
Higher starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the CARENS or Seltos?
The CARENS uses 0 and the Seltos uses 6.7 l/100km on the combined cycle. In South African conditions with a mix of highway and urban driving, real-world figures will be slightly higher.
Which has more power, the CARENS or Seltos?
The CARENS produces 106kW@6000 and 189Nm@4250 of torque while the Seltos delivers 84 kW and 144 Nm of torque. They produce similar power outputs.
What is the price difference between the CARENS and Seltos?
The CARENS starts from R243 995 and the Seltos from R467 995. The CARENS is cheaper by R224 000 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the CARENS or Seltos?
The CARENS has a braked towing capacity of 1500 and the Seltos can tow 1100 Kg. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the CARENS or the Seltos?
It depends on your priorities. If fuel economy matters most, check the L/100km figures above. If you need towing capacity, compare the towing ratings. For day-to-day South African driving - load shedding runs, potholed roads, school runs and highway commutes - consider ground clearance, service network coverage, and total cost of ownership including insurance and maintenance. Use the spec tables above to compare every detail before making your decision.