VW Taigun vs 2023 Kia Seltos – Which Variant Offers Best Performance

VW Taigun and Kia Seltos are two prominent vehicles in the mid-size SUV segment of our market. The Seltos recently received a thorough update to woo new customers and set new benchmarks in this category. There are the latest tech, convenience and comfort features along with the introduction of new powertrains to meet all kinds of needs of the customers. On the other hand, VW Taigun has been the product which has ensured that the German carmaker stays relevant on sales charts in India. Let us compare the two in their most aggressive variants. These are the Kia Seltos X-Line DCT and VW Taigun GT DSG.

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VW Taigun vs 2023 Kia Seltos – Specs Comparison

Since we are only considering the performance variants of the two, we shall take a look at the top trims. In the most aggressive settings, the Seltos comes with the new 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine. It generates a class-leading 160 PS and 253 Nm of peak power and torque. One could get it with either a manual or an automatic transmission. Similarly, the Taigun has a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine which develops a decent 150 PS and 250 Nm of peak power and torque. It also comes with the option of choosing between a manual or automatic gearbox. Hence, the Seltos has a slight edge over the Taigun in this regard.

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VW Taigun vs New Kia Seltos – Mileage Comparison

Another key aspect while comparing to vehicles, particularly in India, is the mileage. In this regard, the Seltos in turbo petrol trim offers a decent mileage of 17.7 km/l in manual and 17.9 km/l in the automatic guise. On the other hand, the Taigun GT 1.5 offers an impressive 18.47 km/l with the manual and 17.88 km/l in the automatic. Interestingly, the manual version of the Taigun is more fuel efficient while the automatic unit of the Seltos has a slight edge.

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Price Comparison

The top trim of the new Kia Seltos is the X-Line Turbo DCT which comes at an ex-showroom price of Rs 20 lakh. The range starts at an attractive Rs 10.90 lakh, ex-showroom. On the other hand, the top variant of the VW Taigun is the 1.5 GT Plus Edge Matte DSG. It has a price tag of Rs 19.46 lakh, ex-showroom. The starting price of the SUV is Rs 11.62 lakh, ex-showroom. Therefore, the Taigun has a slight advantage here.

All prices ex-showroom

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Features Comparison

Kia Seltos

Both these SUVs have the latest features for the utmost comfort of the passengers. Kia Seltos comes with an array of impressive features. It includes a voice-controlled Dual-Pane Panoramic Sunroof, ADAS 2.0 with 17 advanced safety features, Dual-Zone Climate Control, and two 10.25-inch Panoramic Dual Displays for Infotainment and Driver’s Instrument Cluster. The SUV also offers Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for seamless connectivity. Safety is a top priority, with 15 Standard Safety Features and a remarkable total of 32 Safety features.

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To enhance the driving experience, the Seltos is equipped with the new-age Kia Connect system, allowing Alexa Home-to-Car Connectivity, ensuring seamless integration between home and vehicle. Other notable features include Connected LED Taillamps, Ventilated Front Seats with 8-way Powered Adjustment, and a Smart Purifier. For an unparalleled audio experience, the SUV boasts an 8-Speaker Premium Bose Sound System.

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VW Taigun

On the other hand, VW Taigun also boasts a number of new-age amenities. These include a cutting-edge 10-inch Digital Infotainment System with support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Digital Virtual Cockpit Style Instrument Cluster with customizable displays, Automatic Climate Control, luxurious Leather Upholstery, Ventilated Front Seats, a convenient Type-C USB charging port, and the My Volkswagen Connect Connected Tech.

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For added comfort and style, the Taigun also boasts Ventilated Leather Front Seats, ambient lighting, and a Flat-bottom Steering Wheel with Audio Controls and Voice Recognition. Additionally, an Electric Sunroof adds to the sense of openness and space. The rear cabin space is generously spacious, thanks to the large wheelbase, ensuring ample room for passengers in the back.

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What We Think

It is quite challenging to choose one out of these two brilliantly capable mid-size SUVs. On one hand, the German carmaker is known for making driving enthusiast cars. Its massively popular 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine has set a benchmark in the category for years. In fact, even its smaller 1.0-litre turbo petrol TSI engine has received tons of awards from prestigious organisations. On the other hand, Hyundai has been working its magic to bring a comparable powertrains to the mix. Hence, the 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine. Remember, Hyundai supplies the powertrains to Kia. We recently tested the Seltos and were mighty impressed by this engine. Therefore, we can assure you that you can’t really go wrong with either of these. You must go to the dealership to test drive these models yourself.