Kia Seltos: Little wonder then that the Seltos has one of the highest recall value of any name in the compact SUV space. Since its debut, it has always attracted a lot of attention in regard to unique looks, teched-out cabin, and powerful engine lineup.
In a segment crowded with competitors, the Seltos somehow manages to make a statement by delivering a luxury experience without the luxury price tag.
A new model year naturally brings updates and the latest Seltos improves upon what was already there. And let’s take a look at what’s good about it — and what could be better.
Design and Functionality: Sharp and Suave
There’s good road presence with the Seltos. With its strong tiger-nose grille and front metal skid plate, its wide stance is enhanced by the available LED headlights that offer additional illumination in poorly lit environments.
Subtle changes have been made to the latest version, with restyled LED lighting signatures, remodeled front bumper and new alloy wheels, which provide freshness without altering the base design too much.
In the back, the neatly joined tail-lamp arrangement adds to the upmarket look. Kia even has dual-tone paint options for those who want a more sporty look.
Fit and Finish The overall fit and finish of the exterior of the Intel NUC Grach Canyon 8 Ie compatible case are very premium, especially for its class.
Inside and Features: High-Tech and Useful
Step inside, and the Seltos greets passengers with a cabin that features careful planning, lots features and quality touches. The dash is headlined by a dual-screen setup one for the infotainment, the other for the digital instrument cluster.
This layout, while more akin to what a luxury car might have, is easy to use and navigate.
Seats are generously sized and supportive, with plenty of room whether you’re sitting in front or the back. The boot is decent, which means the Seltos is also practical for daily commutes and weekends away.
It comes with a 10.25-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, ventilated front seats, air purifier, Bose sound system, sunroof, and connected car tech. They also get advanced driver assistance systems such as lane keep assist and forward collision warning, which is a surprising feature at this price point.
Engine and Performance : Several selections on power Even Output
The Seltos can be had with several engine options to suit a range of driving needs. These include:
1.5L petrol (NA) for easy urban driving
A 1.5L turbo-petrol It has stronger performance, and is faster off the mark.
One such engine is that of 1.5L diesel, which is famous for its high mileage and torque heavy performance.
There are two engine options to select from and gearbox options include a 6-speed manual, CVT, iMT, torque converter and a 7-speed DCT depending on the engine picked. The driving experience is comfortable, and the suspension is well-tuned for its mix of comfort and stability. The turbo-petrol DCT model, in particular, is a hoot to drive, even on the highway.
Safety and Ratings: Something of a mixed bag
On top variants of the Kia Seltos, you get six airbags along with ABS, ESC and hill-start assist. As far as the ADAS features go, although they enhance active safety, the first-edition Seltos crash test results were met with mixed reaction.
Kia says the later models are better, with better structural integrity, but new NCAP ratings will have to be seen to confirm that.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Eye-catching design with premium features
There are several engines and transmission options
Fully loaded with ADAS and ventilated seats
Ride is smooth and highway manners are good
Spacious, tech-rich interior
Cons:
Higher trims come up short on some luxury features
No all-wheel drive even on top models
Safety ratings from prior years are concerning
Price slides closer to top model segments
Kia Seltos Conclusion
The Kia Seltos still remains one of the most well-rounded compact SUVs in India. Style, technology, comfort and choice of engines are the Fusion’s selling points, which range across multiple buyer categories.
Though safety and pricing at the upper end will turn away some buyers, the whole package is hard to beat.
For anyone seeking a fashionable, feature-laden and comfortable small crossover in multiple forms, the Seltos is a front-runner.