KIA Seltos vs Toyota Yaris

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance, fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.

Includes a historical vehicle

Current, upcoming and historical vehicles can be compared side by side. Historical records keep their verified specifications, while price labels show last-listed context rather than current new-car availability.

Toyota Yaris Discontinued model
KIA Seltos in South Africa

KIA Seltos

1.5D EX+ Auto Diesel 7-Speed DCT Current
ZAR 599,995 ex-showroom
⚡ 85 kW 🔧 260 Nm ⛽ 19.2 km/l
VS
Toyota Yaris in South Africa

Toyota Yaris

1.5 XR CVT Petrol CVT Discontinued model
ZAR 359,900 last listed
Discontinued model Verified historical specifications remain visible for owner and used-car comparisons.
⚡ 88 kW 🔧 145 Nm ⛽ 15.1 km/l
+ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

KIA Seltos vs Toyota Yaris: the short answer

Seltos has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Yaris remains close.

Recorded price context Seltos: current from ZAR 389,995 · Yaris: last listed from ZAR 289,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification Seltos Yaris
Maximum Power Seltos85 kW @ 4000 rpm Yaris88 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque Seltos260 Nm @ 1500 rpm Yaris145 Nm @ 4800 rpm
Engine Size Seltos1493 cc Yaris1496 cc
Combined Fuel Economy Seltos19.2 km/l Yaris15.1 km/l
Ground Clearance Seltos190 mm Yaris160 mm

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

Independent editorial assessment

Hagalu editorial ratings

When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.

KIA Seltos

1.5D EX+ Auto

Hagalu editorial rating Not yet rated

No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.

How Hagalu rates cars

Toyota Yaris

1.5 XR CVT

Hagalu editorial rating Not yet rated

No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.

How Hagalu rates cars

Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Specification evidence leader

Seltos

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger published practicality figures
  • Stronger published ownership cover
Weak Spots
  • Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Efficiency Published Practicality

Yaris

Strengths
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Lower published practicality figures
  • Lower published ownership cover
Best suited to: General Use

Which One's Right for You?

Seltos

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published warranty or service cover

Yaris

  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment

Full Specs, Side by Side

Archived cars use verified historical spec records. Rows remain comparable; unavailable historical values are shown plainly rather than estimated.

Spec Seltos Yaris
Intercooler Yes Not confirmed
Rev Matching No Not confirmed
Performance Data Logger No Not confirmed
Fuel Consumption Combined 5.2 Not confirmed
Engine Start Stop Yes Standard
Engine Start Stop Button Yes Standard
Engine Start Button Illumination Yes Not confirmed
Engine Check Warning Yes Not confirmed
Drag Coefficient 0.34 Not confirmed
Roof Load 50 kg Not confirmed
Boot Space Seats Folded 1385 l Not confirmed
Stabilizer Bar Yes Not confirmed
Steering Response Normal Not confirmed
Skid Plates No Not confirmed
Side Steps No Not confirmed
Spare Wheel Temporary Spare Full Size Steel
Tyre Repair Kit No Not confirmed
Seatbelt Pre Tensioner Yes Not confirmed
Hill Start Assist Yes Not confirmed
Speed Limiter Yes Not confirmed
Speed Alert System Yes Not confirmed
Impact Sensing Door Unlock Yes Not confirmed
Surround View Monitor Yes Not Available
Adaptive Dampers No Not confirmed
Wireless Charging Yes Optional
Voice Command Yes Not confirmed
Voice Command Support Yes Not confirmed
Digital Speedometer Yes Not confirmed
Driver Display Digital Cluster Not confirmed
Heads Up Display Yes Not confirmed
Tachometer Yes Not confirmed
Trip Computer Yes Not confirmed
Multi Function Steering Yes Not confirmed
Steering Mounted Controls Yes Not confirmed
Air Conditioning Yes Automatic AC
AC Type Yes Automatic AC
Climate Control Yes Automatic AC
Climate Zones 2 Not confirmed
Rear Air Conditioning No Not confirmed
Glovebox Cooling No Not confirmed
Seat Type Leather Seats Not confirmed
Driver Seat Height Adjustment Yes Not confirmed
Rear Seat Split Yes Not confirmed
Headrest Adjustable Yes Not confirmed
Front Armrest Yes Not confirmed
Vanity Mirror Yes Not confirmed
12V Accessory Socket Yes Not confirmed
Front Power Outlet Yes Not confirmed
Rear Reading Lamps Yes Not confirmed
Keyless Entry Yes Standard
Push Button Start Yes Standard
Push Button Start Yes Standard
Remote Engine Start No Not confirmed
Remote Start No Not confirmed
Remote Central Locking Yes Not confirmed
Door Ajar Warning Yes Not confirmed
Fuel Lid Opener Remote Not confirmed
Boot Opener Remote Not confirmed
Power Windows Yes All Doors
Power Mirrors Yes Not confirmed
Heated Mirrors Yes Not confirmed
Electric Folding Mirrors Yes Not confirmed
Electric Mirror Folding Yes Not confirmed
Remote Side Mirror Yes Not confirmed
Auto Dimming Irvm No Not confirmed
Auto Dimming Mirror No Standard
Rain Sensing Wipers Yes Standard
Rear Window Defroster Yes Not confirmed
Rear Defogger Yes Not confirmed
Follow Me Home Headlamps Yes Not confirmed
Tail Lamps Yes Not confirmed
Automatic Headlamps Yes Standard
Headlamp Height Adjust Yes Not confirmed
Headlamp Washer No Not confirmed
Sunroof Yes Not Available
Panoramic Roof Yes Not Available
Roof Antenna Yes Not confirmed
Rear Wing Yes Not confirmed
Aero Kit No Not confirmed
Chrome Grille Yes Not confirmed
Chrome Exterior Highlights No Not confirmed
Ride Mode Selection Yes Not confirmed
Electric Tailgate No Not Available
Powered Tailgate No Not confirmed
Engine Warranty 7 Years / 150,000 km Not confirmed
Service Reminder Yes Not confirmed
Trim Level flagship Not confirmed
Variant Role Flagship / premium derivative Not confirmed
Accelerator 0 100 10.5 sec Not confirmed
Common Rail Injection Common Rail Direct Injection Not confirmed
Diff Lock No Not confirmed
Difflock No Not confirmed
Vdc Yes Not confirmed
TPMS Yes Standard
Sonar Yes Not confirmed
Automatic High Beam Yes Not confirmed
Steering Column Adjustment Tilt and Telescopic Not confirmed
Tilt Steering Tilt and Telescopic Not confirmed
Telescopic Steering Tilt and Telescopic Not confirmed
Bottle Holders 4 Not confirmed
Glove Box Yes Not confirmed
Manual Aircon Yes Not confirmed
Intelligent Keyless Entry Yes Not confirmed
Passive Entry Start Yes Not confirmed
Wireless Charger Yes Optional
Lift Gate No Not confirmed
Electric Fold Indicator Mirrors Yes Not confirmed
Power Socket 12v Yes Not confirmed
Sound System 8 6
Roof Rack Compatibility Yes Not confirmed
Mirror Electric Not confirmed
Rim Size 235/50 R18 15-inch Alloy Wheels
Stabilizer Bar Front Yes Not confirmed
Stabilizer Bar Rear Yes Not confirmed
Sub Frame Unibody Not confirmed
Vehicle To Grid Not Available Not confirmed
Vehicle To Load Not Available Not confirmed
One Pedal Driving Not Available Not confirmed
Regenerative Braking Levels Not Available Not confirmed
Rear Electric Motor Not Available Not confirmed
Battery Preconditioning Not Available Not confirmed
Load Bed Cover Not Available Not confirmed
Tailgate Lock Not Available Not confirmed
Sports Bar Not Available Not confirmed
Canopy Fitment Not Available Not confirmed
Bed Extender Not Available Not confirmed
Source Model Column seltos Not confirmed
Intelligent Battery System Not Available Not confirmed
Front Diff Lock Not Available Not confirmed
Rear Diff Lock Not Available Not confirmed
Loadbox Depth Mm Not Available Not confirmed
Load Bed Light Not Available Not confirmed
Load Bed Steps Not Available Not confirmed
Loadbox Rope Hooks Not Available Not confirmed
Loadbox Tiedown Brackets Not Available Not confirmed
Tailgate Damper Not Available Not confirmed
Tow Bar Type Not Available Not confirmed
Sport Plus Mode Not Available Not confirmed
Unlocking Yes Standard
Walk Away Lock Yes Not confirmed
Walk Away Auto Door Lock Yes Not confirmed
Rear LED Combination Taillights Yes Not confirmed
Front Wiper Yes Not confirmed
Front Wipers Type Yes Not confirmed
Rearview Mirror Inside No Not confirmed
Vanity Mirror Illuminated Yes Not confirmed
Reading Lights Rear Yes Not confirmed
Centre Console Centre Armrest Not confirmed
Side Impact Bars Yes Not confirmed
Boot Space Seats Folded 1385 l Not confirmed
Load Bed Length Not Applicable Not confirmed
Load Bed Width Not Applicable Not confirmed
Loadbox Length Mm Not Applicable Not confirmed
Loadbox Width Mm Not Applicable Not confirmed
Spec Seltos Yaris
Fuel Octane Requirement B7 Diesel Not confirmed
Variable Valve Timing No Not confirmed
Particulate Filter DPF Not confirmed
Fuel Evaporation Control No Not confirmed
Idle CO2 Output 143 Not confirmed
CO2 Emissions 136 g/km 116 g/km
Green NCAP Rating 4 Not confirmed
Start Stop System Yes Not Available
Euro Emission Standard Euro 6 Not confirmed
Noise Level 67 dB 68 dB
CO2 Emissions G Km 136 Not confirmed
Hybrid System Type Not Available Not Applicable

In depth: how these cars differ

This Seltos and Yaris comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.

Performance index: Seltos 45 vs Yaris 37.

Efficiency index: Seltos 73 vs Yaris 61.

Safety-equipment index: Seltos 93 vs Yaris 98.

Practicality index: Seltos 60 vs Yaris 53.

Ownership-cover index: Seltos 71 vs Yaris 43.

These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.

Specification Evidence Index

A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.

Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout

Seltos leads by 9 points

Seltos has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Yaris remains close.

Evidence leader 68 /100
Lead 9 points
Data 99% source coverage
68
#1 Evidence leader

Seltos

99% source coverage 3 strong categories
Best at Safety 93 Check Performance 45
Performance 45
Efficiency 73
Safety 93
Practicality 60
Ownership 71
Leads by 9 points
59
#2

Yaris

90% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 98 Check Performance 37
Performance 37
Efficiency 61
Safety 98
Practicality 53
Ownership 43
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Seltos +8 Efficiency Seltos +12 Safety Yaris +5 Practicality Seltos +7 Ownership Seltos +28

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

Seltos

Performance 45/100
Efficiency 73/100
Safety 93/100
Practicality 60/100
Ownership 71/100

Yaris

Performance 37/100
Efficiency 61/100
Safety 98/100
Practicality 53/100
Ownership 43/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index KIA Seltos leads the specification evidence index with 68 pts vs 59 pts for Yaris

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Seltos leads. However, Yaris may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Seltos vs Yaris questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.

Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.

Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.

A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.

Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.

Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.