VS
At a Glance
Power
85 kW
85 kW
Torque
250 Nm
200 Nm
Fuel
5.2 l/100km
5.4 l/100km
Towing
900 Kg
1200 Kg
0-100 km/h
12.0 s
10.0 s
Engine
1493 cc
999 cc
Choosing between the Kia Seltos and the Volkswagen Taigo is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The Kia Seltos delivers 85 kW while the Volkswagen Taigo produces 85 kW. On fuel, the Seltos returns 5.2 l/100km while the Taigo uses 5.4 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R599 995 for the Seltos and R555 300 for the Taigo. 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
85 kW
Torque
250 Nm
200 Nm
0-100 kph
12.0 s
10.0 s
Top Speed
175 Km/h
200 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
1493 cc
999 cc
Engine Layout
inline
inline
Cylinders
4
3
Fuel Type
diesel
petrol
Forced Induction Device
turbocharger
turbocharger
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
6
7
Drive Wheels
front
front
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
5.2 l/100km
5.4 l/100km
Fuel Consumption Urban
—
6.2 l/100km
Fuel Consumption Highway
—
4.9 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
50 l
40 l
CO2 Emissions
145 g/km
123 g/km
Dimensions
Length
4365 mm
4266 mm
Width
1800 mm
1757 mm
Height
1620 mm
1515 mm
Wheelbase
2610 mm
2566 mm
Ground Clearance
190 mm
168 mm
Kerb Weight
1382 Kg
1184 Kg
Doors
5
5
Seats
5
—
Load Volume
433 l
440-1222 l
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
900 Kg
1200 Kg
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ 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
✓ Standard
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
Optional
Adaptive Cruise Control
—
Optional
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Satellite Navigation
—
Optional
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Sunroof
—
Optional
Heated Seats
—
Optional
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Tow Bar
—
Optional
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
5
3
Warranty Distance
unlimited Km
120000 Km
Service Plan
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Service Plan Years
4
3
Service Plan Distance
60000
45000
Service Intervals
15000
15000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Kia Seltos
2 / 4 categories
Performance
Tied
Fuel Economy
Seltos
Value
Taigo
Practicality
Seltos
Pros & Cons
Kia Seltos
Better fuel economy (5.2 l/100km)
Higher starting price
Volkswagen Taigo
Lower starting price (R555 300)
Higher towing capacity (1200 Kg)
Quicker 0-100 km/h (10.0 ss)
Higher fuel consumption (5.4 l/100km)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Seltos or Taigo?
The Seltos uses 5.2 l/100km and the Taigo uses 5.4 l/100km on the combined cycle. The Seltos is the more fuel-efficient choice. In South African conditions with a mix of highway and urban driving, real-world figures will be slightly higher.
Which has more power, the Seltos or Taigo?
The Seltos produces 85 kW and 250 Nm of torque while the Taigo delivers 85 kW and 200 Nm of torque. They produce similar power outputs.
What is the price difference between the Seltos and Taigo?
The Seltos starts from R599 995 and the Taigo from R555 300. The Taigo is cheaper by R44 695 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the Seltos or Taigo?
The Seltos has a braked towing capacity of 900 Kg and the Taigo can tow 1200 Kg. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the Seltos or the Taigo?
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.