What’s good about it
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Strong value proposition
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The HTK(O) variant is priced from around ₹12.99 lakh (ex-showroom, petrol 1.5L manual) in India. India Today+2India Today+2
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You get some premium-looking features for that price: 16-inch alloy wheels, panoramic sunroof, roof rails, rear wiper + washer + defogger, cruise control, smart key with motion sensor. www.ndtv.com+1
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So for a mid-size SUV it offers strong equipment for the money.
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Good space & comfort for everyday use
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Reviews suggest that the cabin is comfortable, especially seats for front and rear are decent for city and highway use. Republic World+1
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Ride quality: The Seltos handles potholes and rough roads reasonably well (important in Indian conditions). licencetodrive.in
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Practical features: Roof rails give the SUV look + added utility; the sunroof adds premium feel.
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Variety of powertrain options
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While HTK(O) commonly comes with the 1.5 L naturally aspirated petrol engine + 6-speed manual (for many buyers) it is part of the broader 2025 Seltos lineup which offers petrol, diesel, manual/automatic. Udaipur Kiran+1
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So you have flexibility, though the HTK(O) may be limited in transmission/engine combos depending on region.
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Styling & brand appeal
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The Seltos has good road presence, modern styling and is well accepted in the Indian mid-SUV segment.
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For many buyers, the “SUV feel” + feature count + Kia’s dealer network are plus points.
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⚠️ What are the compromises / things to watch
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Performance is just average in this variant
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With the 1.5 L naturally aspirated petrol (in HTK(O)), performance is smooth but not sporty. Reviews say overtaking or high-speed drive require down-shifts. Republic World+1
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On highways, stability and ride comfort begin to show limitations beyond 90 km/h: body roll becomes more noticeable, steering feedback is light. licencetodrive.in
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If you do a lot of high-speed highway driving or require stronger performance, you may feel the pinch.
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Feature list has some gaps compared to rivals / higher trims
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Despite the sunroof and other good features, the HTK(O) misses out on certain enhancements: for example, automatic climate control (in some cases), powered driver seat in this variant, better headlamps (still halogen projector in this trim) are pointed out by reviews. Republic World+1
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So if your expectations are “top trim” level, you might feel you need to spend more.
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Fuel efficiency perhaps not best-in-class
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Real-world efficiency for this variant is reported around ~15-16 km/l on highway, ~10-12 km/l in city driving. licencetodrive.in
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Given the petrol manual, and Indian driving/traffic conditions, you should be aware of running costs.
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Upcoming new generation & resale considerations
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There’s mention that a next-generation version of the Seltos is in testing/coming soon. Navbharat Times+1
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That means if you buy now, in a few years you may face stronger depreciation or fewer “new-car” feel compared to waiting for the new model.
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🎯 My Verdict: Should you buy it in 2025?
If I summarise: Yes, the Seltos HTK(O) is a good buy for many buyers, provided your priorities align with what it offers, and you accept its compromises.
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If your usage is mostly city + occasional highway, and you want a comfortable, feature-rich SUV under ~₹15-16 lakh (on-road), this is a strong contender.
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If you priorit strong engine performance, top-spec features, automatic transmission, or frequent long highway trips — then you might either consider upgrading to a higher trim (HTK+(O) or HTX etc) or considering other rivals.
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Also factor in total cost: insurance, maintenance, fuel cost; check what the on-road price in your city/state (Jaipur / Rajasthan) will be — and check dealer offers, availability.
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If you are comfortable buying now rather than waiting for the next-gen, then go ahead. If you have the luxury of time and budget, waiting might get you better features or new model.
