The Kia Seltos is a versatile and stylish compact crossover that offers practicality, comfort, and technology in a small package. It is designed to appeal to young students and small families.
Exterior design is always a matter of personal taste, but the Kia Seltos manages to be subtly eye-catching without venturing into flashy territory. Inside, the cabin offers a surprising amount of space, advanced safety features, and commendable performance capabilities.
Coupled with its appealing design and budget-friendly pricing, the Seltos has rapidly gained popularity in the fiercely competitive compact SUV market.
The Kia Seltos is available in 5 different trim levels, each offering its own unique set of features and options, from the base LX trim to the range-topping SX Turbo.
In this Kia Seltos SX turbo review we are going to examine whether this car a good choice for you or not.
Key Takeaways
- The Kia Seltos is a compact SUV that offers a blend of style, technology, and practicality.
- The exterior design is modern and sleek, with features like LED headlights and a bold front grille.
- Inside, the Seltos offers a comfortable and tech-savvy interior with generous list of standard features.
- The Seltos delivers a smooth and responsive driving experience, with available all-wheel drive for added capability.
- Safety features include forward collision avoidance and lane keeping assist.
Exterior Design and Features
The Kia Seltos boasts a modern and stylish exterior design that sets it apart from other vehicles in its class. Its bold and aggressive grille make it stand out from the crowd. It also features striking LED headlights and taillights that look modern and distinguishable from other Kia models.
Other exterior options include a 17-inch or 18-inch alloy, roof rails, LED fog lights and a rear spoiler.
Interior Comfort and Technology
Inside the Kia Seltos has a spacious and comfortable interior that offers ample headroom and legroom for 4 occupants, surpassing the Hyundai Kona in this aspect.
The updated infotainment system offers an optional seamless panel that also serves as a digital gauge display and touch screen. All models come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while SiriusXM satellite radio and onboard Wi-Fi are available as additional features. The EX trim offers exceptional value, with premium features like faux-leather upholstery that elevates the overall feel of the Seltos’ interior.
Other features of the EX trim include a power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, a wireless smartphone charging pad, and a newly introduced dual-screen infotainment system with navigation.
Performance and Handling
Kia presents two engine options for the Seltos, a 2.0-liter engine with 146 horsepower and a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with 195 horsepower. While the base engine is paired with a CVT, the turbocharged engine now comes with an eight-speed automatic instead of seven speed. However, all-wheel drive is standard on all trims except for the S and EX.
According to EPA estimates, the turbo charged all wheel drive Seltos achieves 26 miles per gallon in the City, 27 in the highway and 26 miles per gallon combined, while the 2 liter front wheel drive model achieves 28 miles per gallon in the City, 34 in the highway and 31 miles per gallon combined
And for those who prefer a rugged appearance, Kia offers the X-Line model, featuring distinctive exterior styling.
In terms of handling, the Kia Seltos offers responsive steering and surprisingly precise handling, however, the suspension is a bit on the firm side.
Safety and Driver Assistance Features
The Kia Seltos boasts a comprehensive range of driver-assistance technology. The standard package includes automated emergency braking, capable of detecting pedestrians and cyclists, as well as lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assistance. Although as per the IIHS 2019 crash test, Kia’s pedestrian detection technology didn’t perform well receiving no credit at all.
Not only that, but, even in terms of crash test ratings, the Seltos performed much less than some of its main competitors.
Cargo Space and Practicality
Despite its compact size, the Kia Seltos offers practicality cargo space for everyday use. With its 60/40 split-folding rear seats, the Seltos provides ample flexibility for carrying larger items or accommodating additional passengers.
The rear cargo area offers generous space for groceries, luggage, sports equipment, or any other items you need to transport. Additionally, the Seltos features under-floor storage compartments that provide convenient space for stowing smaller items out of sight.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the Kia Seltos offers a winning combination of style, comfort, technology, performance, safety, and practicality. Its modern design, standard features and spacious interior makes it an excellent allrounder.
Furthermore, the Kia Seltos scored good in all major safety tests.
Its cargo space is versatile for everyday use, whether you’re running errands around town or embarking on an outdoor adventure. Overall, the Kia Seltos stands out as a top contender in the compact SUV segment, offering a blend of style, comfort, technology, performance, safety, and practicality that make it an appealing choice for drivers of all lifestyles.
Looking for more insights on car reliability and performance? Check out our related article on the debate between German and Japanese cars in terms of reliability and specs comparison. Also, be sure to bookmark our homepage to stay updated with the latest reviews, buying guides, and industry insights.