VS
At a Glance
Power
85 kW
129 kW
Torque
250 Nm
400 Nm
Fuel
5.2 l/100km
—
Towing
900 Kg
2500 Kg
0-100 km/h
12.0 s
—
Engine
1493 cc
2179 cc
Choosing between the Kia Seltos and the Mahindra Scorpio-N is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The Kia Seltos delivers 85 kW while the Mahindra Scorpio-N produces 129 kW. Pricing starts at R561 995 for the Seltos and R489 999 for the Scorpio-N. 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
85 kW
129 kW
Torque
250 Nm
400 Nm
0-100 kph
12.0 s
—
Top Speed
175 Km/h
—
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
1493 cc
2179 cc
Engine Layout
inline
inline
Cylinders
4
4
Fuel Type
diesel
diesel
Forced Induction Device
turbocharger
turbocharger
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
6
6
Drive Wheels
front
rear
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
5.2 l/100km
—
Fuel Tank Capacity
50 l
57 l
CO2 Emissions
145 g/km
174 g/km
Dimensions
Length
4365 mm
4662 mm
Width
1800 mm
1918 mm
Height
1620 mm
1899 mm
Wheelbase
2610 mm
2750 mm
Ground Clearance
190 mm
—
Kerb Weight
1382 Kg
2110 Kg
Doors
5
5
Seats
5
7
Load Volume
433 l
—
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
900 Kg
2500 Kg
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
—
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
—
✓ Standard
Airbag Count
6
2
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
—
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
—
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✓ Standard
—
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
—
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
✓ Standard
—
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
—
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
—
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
5
5
Warranty Distance
unlimited Km
150000 Km
Service Plan
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Service Plan Years
4
5
Service Plan Distance
60000
110000
Service Intervals
15000
15000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Mahindra Scorpio-N
3 / 4 categories
Performance
Scorpio-N
Fuel Economy
Tied
Value
Scorpio-N
Practicality
Scorpio-N
Pros & Cons
Kia Seltos
Well-rounded specification
Less power than rival (85 kW vs 129 kW)
Higher starting price
Mahindra Scorpio-N
More powerful engine (129 kW)
Lower starting price (R489 999)
Higher towing capacity (2500 Kg)
Few notable weaknesses
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has more power, the Seltos or Scorpio-N?
The Seltos produces 85 kW and 250 Nm of torque while the Scorpio-N delivers 129 kW and 400 Nm of torque. The Scorpio-N is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the Seltos and Scorpio-N?
The Seltos starts from R561 995 and the Scorpio-N from R489 999. The Scorpio-N is cheaper by R71 996 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the Seltos or Scorpio-N?
The Seltos has a braked towing capacity of 900 Kg and the Scorpio-N can tow 2500 Kg. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the Seltos or the Scorpio-N?
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.