Choosing the right SUV in India today is not easy. Buyers want strong looks, modern features, good mileage, and long-term reliability — all within a sensible budget. That’s exactly where the Tata Harrier Hyperion 1.5L, Kia Seltos, and Hyundai Creta come into the picture.

These three SUVs dominate conversations in the mid-size segment, but each one targets a slightly different buyer. Harrier focuses on road presence and build strength, Seltos attracts feature lovers, while Creta balances comfort, reliability, and resale value.

In this detailed comparison, we’ll break down price, engine, mileage, features, safety, driving experience, and ownership cost to help you decide which SUV suits your needs best.

 

Overview of the Three SUVs

Tata Harrier Hyperion 1.5L

The Harrier Hyperion stands out with its bold design, solid body structure, and premium cabin feel. It is aimed at buyers who want a strong SUV with a commanding road presence and advanced safety.

Kia Seltos

Kia Seltos is known for its sharp styling, feature-loaded cabin, and multiple engine choices. It appeals strongly to younger buyers and tech-focused users.

Hyundai Creta

Hyundai Creta remains one of India’s most trusted SUVs. It offers a smooth driving experience, comfortable interiors, and low maintenancesupported by the easy availability of Hyundai Creta spare parts, which makes ownership simple and reliable for families.

Price Comparison (Ex-Showroom)

  1. Tata Harrier Hyperion 1.5L: ₹15 lakh – ₹25 lakh
  2. Kia Seltos: ₹11 lakh – ₹20 lakh
  3. Hyundai Creta: ₹11 lakh – ₹20 lakh

Value Insight:

 Seltos and Creta are more affordable at entry level, while Harrier justifies its price with size, safety, and road presence.

Engine & Performance Comparison

Tata Harrier Hyperion 1.5L

  1. Engine: 1.5L Turbo Petrol
  2. Power: Approx. 168 bhp, 280 Nm of torque
  3. Gearbox: Manual & Automatic

Kia Seltos

  1. Engine options: Petrol & Diesel
  2. Power range: Up to 160 bhp, 253 Nm Torque
  3. Gearbox: Manual, iMT, Automatic, DCT

Hyundai Creta

  1. Engine options: Petrol & Diesel
  2. Power range: Up to 157 bhp ,250 Nm Torque
  3. Gearbox: Manual & Automatic

Performance Verdict: Harrier feels more planted on highways, while Seltos and Creta offer smoother city driving.

Mileage & Fuel Efficiency

Tata Harrier Hyperion: ~15 km/l (Petrol)

Kia Seltos:

  1. Petrol: ~16–17 km/l
  2. Diesel: ~20 km/l

Hyundai Creta:

  1. Petrol: ~16 km/l
  2. Diesel: ~19 km/l

Mileage Winner: Kia Seltos Diesel

Dimensions & Space

  1. Harrier: Biggest and widest cabin, excellent rear legroom
  2. Seltos: Compact but smartly designed interior
  3. Creta: Comfortable seating with good boot space

Space Winner: Tata Harrier

Interior & Comfort Features

Harrier Hyperion

  1. Large touchscreen
  2. Premium dashboard finish
  3. Panoramic sunroof
  4. Ventilated seats

Kia Seltos

  1. Dual digital displays
  2. Ambient lighting
  3. Ventilated seats
  4. Bose sound system

Hyundai Creta

  1. Clean interior layout
  2. Panoramic sunroof
  3. Smooth infotainment system
  4. Excellent seat comfort

Feature-Rich SUV: Kia Seltos

Safety Features Comparison

Tata Harrier

  1. 6 airbags
  2. Strong body structure
  3. Advanced driver assistance features

Kia Seltos

  1. 6 airbags
  2. ADAS (select variants)

Hyundai Creta

  1. 6 airbags
  2. ESC, hill assist

Safety Focused Choice: Tata Harrier

Driving Experience

  1. City Driving: Creta & Seltos feel lighter and easier
  2. Highway Driving: Harrier feels more stable and confident
  3. Comfort: Creta delivers the smoothest ride

Maintenance & Ownership Cost

  1. Tata Harrier: Slightly higher service cost but improving network
  2. Kia Seltos: Moderate maintenance, good service quality
  3. Hyundai Creta: Lowest ownership cost, wide service network

Ownership Winner: Hyundai Creta

Pros and Cons

Tata Harrier Hyperion 1.5L

Pros

  1. Strong build quality
  2. Big size and road presence
  3. High safety focus

Cons

  1. Higher price
  2. Petrol mileage could be better

Kia Seltos

Pros

  1. Best features in segment
  2. Multiple engine choices
  3. Good mileage

Cons

  1. Rear seat comfort could be better
  2. Safety perception varies by variant

Hyundai Creta

Pros

  1. Comfortable ride
  2. Low maintenance
  3. High resale value

Cons

  1. Design feels common
  2. Not the most exciting drive

Which SUV Should You Buy?

  1. Choose Tata Harrier Hyperion if you want strength, space, and safety
  2. Choose Kia Seltos if you love features and mileage options
  3. Choose Hyundai Creta if you want peace of mind and comfort

Comparision Table

Category Tata Harrier Hyperion 1.5L Kia Seltos Hyundai Creta
Segment Mid-size SUV Mid-size SUV Mid-size SUV
Buyer Focus Strength, road presence, safety Features, tech, mileage Comfort, reliability, resale
Design & Styling Bold, muscular, commanding Sharp, sporty Clean, familiar
Ex-Showroom Price ₹15 – ₹25 lakh ₹11 – ₹20 lakh ₹11 – ₹20 lakh
Entry-Level Affordability Higher More affordable More affordable
Engine Options 1.5L Turbo Petrol Petrol & Diesel Petrol & Diesel
Maximum Power ~168 bhp ~160 bhp ~157 bhp
Transmission Options Manual, Automatic Manual, iMT, Automatic, DCT Manual, Automatic
Petrol Mileage ~15 km/l ~16–17 km/l ~16 km/l
Diesel Mileage — ~20 km/l ~19 km/l
Cabin Space Biggest and widest cabin Compact but smart layout Comfortable and practical
Rear Seat Comfort Excellent Average Good
Boot Space Large Adequate Good
Infotainment & Displays Large touchscreen Dual digital displays Smooth infotainment system
Sunroof Panoramic Panoramic (select variants) Panoramic
Ventilated Seats Yes Yes Limited
Premium Audio Good quality system Bose sound system Good quality system
Airbags 6 airbags 6 airbags 6 airbags
Safety Features Strong body structure, ADAS ADAS (select variants) ESC, Hill Assist
City Driving Heavy but stable Light and easy Light and comfortable
Highway Driving Very stable and confident Stable Stable
Ride Comfort Good Good Best
Maintenance Cost Slightly higher Moderate Low
Service Network Improving Strong Very wide
Pros Strong build, big size, safety Best features, good mileage Comfort, resale value, low upkeep
Cons Higher price, average petrol mileage Rear seat comfort, variant-wise safety Common design, less engaging drive
Best For Safety-focused highway users Feature lovers and mileage seekers Families and long-term ownership

Conclusion

The Tata Harrier Hyperion, Kia Seltos, and Hyundai Creta are all strong SUVs, but they serve different needs. Harrier is for buyers who want power and safety, Seltos suits those who want modern features, while Creta remains the safest long-term choice for families.

Before buying, always test drive, compare variants, and choose what fits your daily usage best.

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FAQs

Which SUV is best for family use?

Hyundai Creta is best for families due to comfort and low maintenance.

Tata Harrier has the strongest road presence.

Kia Seltos Diesel gives the best fuel efficiency.

Tata Harrier scores higher on safety focus.