So in order to explain why these SUVs are so desirable, we have arranged the newest plus we think the current 'best' of the 5-seater SUV crop. All the three here offer you automatic plus manual options. We have the Seltos and the Creta as arch-rivals while the new Harrier is an interesting twist to the tale. Read on.
Looks
You would want your SUV to look good in your driveway plus make your neighbours green with envy, right? Well all these three manage exactly that. The Harrier wins if you love 'big' SUVs and want that look plus feel. It looks stunning and in this red colour gets your attention plus the sheer size is there of course. For under 20 lakh, this is probably the maximum real estate you can get for your money in terms of a car. It is also one of the best looking ones no doubt.
The Creta and Seltos are different, being smaller than the Harrier but packing a similar punch no less. The Seltos has been around for some-time plus its success has made its shape familiar to our eyes now yet it is still one of the most handsome SUVs around. It is edgy and there are lots of cuts/slashes but to great effect. The front is easily the best bit and a major reason for its success has been its design. The Creta is the newest and boy is it shock and awe here. It is nothing like the previous Creta and takes a bolder path. It is very futuristic and I like the new look which gets a lot of attention. It gets people talking unlike the earlier Creta. You get a massive grille while the unique three part headlamp looks unlike anything else. It is also curvier than the Seltos.
Interiors and space
It is tough to please everyone but that is what all three here have tried. Buyers want space, features and a dash of luxury plus along with practicality too. All three deliver. However there are some things that we noted. The Seltos has the slightly better cabin in terms of quality plus feel-good factor but its cabin design is a bit fussy. The Harrier is the best in terms of sheer space along with a swoopy dash design. The Creta has no match for its features list and has the best design here (including its cool digital dials).
The Harrier has been massively updated here and part reason why it is included in this company. There is a shift up in quality and ambiance which we like but we also wished the touch-screen would be more slick. The Creta and Seltos get massive 10 inch plus touch-screens which sit flush but the quality/usability/menus is all fantastic. Space is something if you want, then the Harrier gives you the most of it. The rear seats are massive plus superb in comfort with a lot of space. Between the Kia and Hyundai, the Creta offers a bit more comfort with its reclinable rear seats and a bit more comfort.
Features
The new Harrier gets a much needed panoramic sunroof while it also gets a powered drivers seat, an amazing JBL audio plus more. That is a big improvement. The Kia and Hyundai however takes things to an altogether new level. In-fact both of them have more equipment on-board than any of the luxury cars costing north of Rs 50 lakh. We are talking about cooled and ventilated seats, wireless phone charging, sunroof, drive modes, air purifier, connected car technology. ambient lighting, tyre pressure monitoring system, 6 airbags and more! Look closer at the equipment list and there are some differences between the two.
The Kia gets a heads-up display, front parking sensors, 360 degree camera plus telescopic steering adjust. Things not there on the Creta but having a bigger panoramic sunroof, electronic parking brake, rear seat recline along with a fancier instrument cluster tilts things in favour of the Hyundai.
Driving
I will start with the Harrier and you only get it in diesel but diesel still makes sense for a big SUV and the Harrier proves that. The new updated 2020 version gets more power at 170 bhp and that makes a crucial difference. It is no longer noisy and no longer you have to work hard for the performance. Plus crucially the torque converter 6-speed automatic just takes the Harrier to a new level. It is smooth despite being a touch slow at the start, the auto just makes your driving easier. The Harrier auto now cruises better, is more refined and works far better in the highway or city. What stays is the superb suspension and the way it rides. Nothing matches it here as the Harrier is the best SUV to tackle bad roads.
The Seltos and Creta are more nimble plus compact while not having the off-road ability of the Harrier or the tough suspension. What they do offer is being fun to drive plus added performance. Both Creta and Seltos along with a 1.5l diesel also give you a 1.5l petrol and a fun-to-drive 1.4 turbo. The new Creta is vastly more fun and a better drive than the previous version. There is more polish and the refinement of the diesel is simply superb. Amongst the diesel cars here the Creta is the most efficient with 25 kmpl plus in the highway (yes true!). It is also more agile yet comfortable. The Seltos is the sportiest here with a tilt towards handling rather than outright comfort. The steering is slightly more weighty and the throttle response is more edgy. It is firmer in the ride department over the Creta but has slightly less roll.
Verdict
All three SUVs are winners frankly as this is why we have arranged them here in the first place. All three are the best 5-seater SUVs in the Rs 10-20 lakh space. The Harrier is actually an all new SUV now as the extra power plus automatic along with the features have transformed the car. It is the best option if you want space, a 'big' SUV look and a more rugged feel. Rs 20 lakh for the top-end one seen here seems value for us.
That brings us to the Seltos and the Creta. Much has been written about these two and how they compare. Having driven nearly all of the variants and having driven both back to back, we are in a position to take a call. No doubt that both have perfected the SUV recipe which shows in the sales figures. The Seltos came in last year and changed the game. It took the formula of the original Creta but added in a lot more to achieve greater heights of success. Now however Hyundai has done the same thing and updated the Creta for today's SUV buyers. While both may be similar there are clear differences which we can point out.
The Seltos is the one to buy if you love driving, no doubts there as it is the more aggressive and driver focused plus it is also the shift in brand image (more sporty) that Kia wants to go in for. So if you love the looks and like driving then the more aggressive Seltos is the one plus the newer updated version packs in even more features now!! Where does that leave the Creta? The Creta appeals to a broader audience and while it is not as handsome, aggressive or as fun to drive, the smoother driving quality, slightly better ride along with a better rear seat comfort and yes, some crucial extra features gives the Creta a slighter bigger bandwidth. It ticks the right boxes and that clinches it. However honestly as you can see, you cannot go wrong with either of the three SUVs. They are that good!
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