The Kia Seltos, the second-smallest SUV made by the firm, is a four-door subcompact crossover entering its third year on the American market. It’s still relevant, just as in 2021 when it debuted in North America. The Seltos, which is based on Kia’s wildly popular premium Telluride SUV, offers mature style, exciting driving dynamics, short power (when fitted with the turbo powertrain), tons of luxury equipment, plenty of storage space, and comfort in a masterfully constructed package. It is a fantastic option for younger purchasers because of its reasonable asking prices.
Except for some minor pricing changes and the inclusion of improved blind-spot and rear-cross-traffic accident avoidance technology for all variants of the S model, the Seltos range will not alter in 2023. As a result, the 2023 model year will continue to include the 2.0-liter four-cylinder base engine and the more potent 1.6-liter turbo four-cylinder powertrain choices for the LX, S, Nightfall Edition, EX, and SX Turbo trims.
The Hyundai Kona and Venue, Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, Buick Encore, Subaru Crosstrek, Chevrolet Trailblazer, Jeep Renegade, and even the Kia Soul from its own family compete in a highly crowded and competitive sector, yet the Seltos still holds its own. As we previously said, the industry is filled with players. A brand-new 2024 Chevrolet Trax is on the horizon, which may have made decisions trickier.
Although it couldn’t be called quick, the Seltos will function well for most drivers and has some limited genuine capabilities. At least optional, all-wheel drive (AWD) has 7.3 inches of ground clearance. That’s small, but several rivals, like the Nissan Kicks, don’t pretend to be robust, and many don’t have all-wheel drive. The Seltos remains a standout value-packed offering because of its reasonable pricing, attractive appearance, and excellent driving manners. Of course, having the finest new-car warranty in the business behind you doesn’t hurt either.
Starting the selection is the all-wheel-drive LX with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder for $24,135, including a $1295 destination charge. It has increased by $250 since last year, and comparable price increases have occurred. The front-wheel-drive S, which costs $24,185, is the next tier, followed by the EX, which costs $27,435, and the Nightfall Edition, which costs $28,335. The top-tier SX Turbo is then available for $29,635. All-wheel drive is given for the LX, EX, Nightfall Edition, and SX Turbo.
Lower trims in this market sector are known for having fewer features. Although the Seltos base model is somewhat simple, it at least has the essentials like intermittent wipers, electrically adjustable side mirrors, a tilt and telescoping steering wheel, and keyless entry as standard. All Seltos models also get a hefty serving of active safety features, such as automatic high beams, driver attention alert, front collision warning with pedestrian recognition, and lane departure warning with lane keeping assist. Higher grades, like the SX, come with unique options in this market class, such as wireless phone charging, GPS, and leather-wrapped steering wheels.
The boxy Soul and the fashionable Sportage are already available to the company’s customers. The Seltos, a subcompact crossover SUV with a bigger footprint, is known to individuals seeking a vehicle to fill the gap between these two competent vehicles. In a segment where SUVs like the Nissan Kicks and Hyundai Venue compete, Kia’s spray-and-pray method provides the Seltos an edge regarding interior room, luggage capacity, and power. The Seltos is a desirable option in this fiercely competitive sector thanks to its variety of AWD grades and optional snappy 175-horsepower 1.6-liter turbo engine. This evaluation demonstrates if the Seltos’ size and power advantage are sufficient to propel it to the top.
What’s New?
- For 2023, minor price modifications
- A cabin with improved sound deadening will be quieter.
- All S models now have upgraded blind spot and rear-cross-traffic accident avoidance technology.
- All brand-new Seltos SUVs from 2023 and 2024 come with a six-month premium membership to the hiking app AllTrails+ (promotion is valid until December 31, 2023)
Cons & Pros
Pros
- It strikes all the right notes with a spirited motor, excellent handling on the road, plenty of room, and advanced technology.
- An affordable price tag means it packs as much value as a coupon book
- Improvements to sound deadening are noticeable
Cons
- A dual-clutch automatic gearbox can feel clunky and awkward at low speeds
- The available color selections are dull or tasteless, with no middle ground.
- When specific wheels and tires are used, the ride might be rough.
Performance:Kia Seltos
Both the standard turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder with 175 hp and 195 lb-ft mated with a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox and the 2.0-liter normally aspirated four-cylinder with 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque remain unaltered.
Since the turbocharged version offers more horsepower and a quicker transmission than the original model’s just-adequate setup, we remain enamored with it. The latter sometimes seems clumsy at slow speeds, but gear changes become more rapid as the pace picks up. Although neither would likely place first in a drag competition, the turbocharged model offers strong passing and acceleration capabilities for a smoother driving experience.
The Seltos’ outstanding road manners never cease to wow, striking the perfect balance between a smooth, compliant ride, precise steering, and quick handling. Even with the wider wheels on the highest trims, the Seltos rapidly absorb defects while driving about town, particularly on uneven streets.
The Seltos may also elicit a few smirks on the open and twisty road portions; however, with surprisingly excellent mid-corner stability and well-controlled body movements, those looking for a more exciting driving experience will like its well-tuned suspension. However, owing to its comfortable, grounded, tight, in-control feeling when driving, drivers searching for something secure and frictionless won’t feel left out.
Fuel efficiency: Kia Seltos
The all-wheel-drive Volkswagen Taos has superior fuel efficiency than the Seltos, which can get up to 31 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. However, it still produces quite good numbers, particularly compared to the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, the new Mazda CX-30, and the Chevrolet Trailblazer.
According to EPA estimations, with a 2.0-liter engine and front-wheel drive, the Seltos achieves 31 combined, 29 cities, and 35 highway mpg. However, the all-wheel-drive version’s fuel economy is slightly reduced to 29 mpg combined in 27 cities and 31 highways, owing to the greater weight and drag of the extra driveline components.
The Nightfall and SX grades, which come standard with all-wheel drive and a turbocharged engine, provide the worst results, with an EPA-estimated 27 mpg combined, 25 mpg in cities, and 30 mpg on the interstate. But that’s the trade-off one anticipates with more power. The Seltos is certified to utilize standard unleaded fuel, keeping expenses low.
Safety and driver support technology:
The Seltos maintains its Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) for 2023, and the NHTSA (National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration) has given it a four-star overall rating. Additionally, Kia improved and standardized its rear-cross-traffic accident prevention technology for use in all Seltos S models. Prior, one had to get at least as far as Nightfall and beyond.
The Seltos’ essential safety equipment includes high-beam assist, lane-keep assist, driver attention warning, lane-follow assist, front collision avoidance with pedestrian recognition, and automated braking.
Only the radar-guided adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go assistance, highway driving aid, and safe-exit assistance are reserved for the SX Turbo. When opening the doors on a street with parallel parking, the latter system uses the car’s blind-spot detecting proximity sensors to alert the passengers of approaching vehicles or pedestrians.
Comfort and Space
Kia and its parent company, Hyundai, have perfected creating captivating interiors at whatever price range. The Seltos is a shining example, offering some of the highest quality, fit, and finish on the market. In addition, it is ergonomically sound and pleasant in all trim levels. Budget-friendly materials are available, but they are wisely hidden from view in public locations.
The front and rear portions provide capacious spaces, supportively comfy chairs, and versatile storage choices. The Seltos features 38.4 inches of headroom and 38 inches of legroom, making it suitable for most people, kids, and child seats as long as the front passengers aren’t over six feet. Legroom measurements for the Subaru Crosstrek are 36.5 inches, the Hyundai Venue 34.3 inches, the Volkswagen Taos 37.9 inches, and the Chevy Trailblazer 39.4 inches.
In particular, when dealing with youngsters, parents will discover that the big rear door apertures and riding height provide simple access and egress. However, if the front seat passengers need to push the chairs back for legroom, rear-facing car seats, and even full-size front-facing seats may struggle for the room.
Infotainment: Kia Seltos
The 8.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the higher trims outperforms the 8.3-inch one in the basic LX trim. Both use Kia’s amazingly straightforward user interfaces, including clear and readable menus, text, graphics, rapid touch response, and loading times. Voice recognition, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay are all standard capabilities, but the more comprehensive and advanced system’s wealth of functions stands out. It is permissible to have a six-speaker audio system. However, the SX comes with a Bose premium system with a subwoofer.
Drivers may use extensive telematics and wireless connections to check on their car’s health, including the fuel level, mileage, anti-theft features, and even service and maintenance concerns, when equipped with a smartphone and the Kia UVO app. Additionally, one may remote start the car, operate the door locks and HVAC system, connect to Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa, and get real-time navigation with traffic and weather warnings and over-the-air updates. The first year’s use of Kia’s UVO features is free; however, a membership is required afterward.
Storage & Cargo Space:
Contrary to its subcompact designation and appearance, the Seltos’ interior is surprisingly spacious and well-organized, with lots of storage space. The passenger cell is another example of how engineers didn’t squander any room. The upshot is that the back cargo space offers an outstanding 26.6 cubic feet capacity, plenty for a family of four’s weekly food supply and Target shopping.
The amount of room increases to 62.8 cubic feet when the second row is lowered since it folds flat and level with the trunk floor. The Volkswagen Taos, which provides a maximum of 27.9 cubes behind the second row and 65.9 cubes when folded flat, has its class’s most significant storage capacity. The Seltos, however, make up for the modest space shortage behind the Taos with various adjustable and concealed compartments.
Design: Kia Seltos
The Seltos attempts to preserve the ruggedness one expects from an SUV-inspired crossover and emits a clean, robust, and mature attitude modeled after the flagship Telluride. The underbody trim and matte plastic wheel wells give the sense that playing a bit rough for the daring group is not too friendly.
There isn’t a middle ground between the wild, colorful colors of the Seltos and the more subdued ones, so we wish Kia would provide more color choices. However, the new Nightfall Edition’s all-black interior and exterior add a relaxed vibe. The Seltos’ cabin is contemporary, spotless, and well-designed inside, with a form-following-function approach that isn’t too drab or limited. In other words, it seems to be perfectly balanced.
The Kia Seltos 2023: Is It Worth It?
By hitting every sweet spot and then some with its many desired safety and tech features, comfort, quality, entertaining driving dynamics, and mature atmosphere, the Seltos keeps demonstrating Kia’s capacity to give substantial value.
The Celtics have positioned at the top of the category thanks to their fashionable and cost-effective combination. Kia’s sound-deadening improvements are also appreciated; they make the Seltos substantially quieter and more comfortable to drive while enhancing its upmarket appearance.
The sweet spot in the selection that we continue to suggest is the Nightfall Edition Seltos. For $28,335—including the $1,295 delivery fee—it offers the turbocharged 1.6-liter’s increased power, a well-rounded standard options package based on the EX, including a bigger 10.25 infotainment screen and enhanced style 18-inch alloys, as well as a unique grille, black roof rails, and side sills. We wouldn’t choose the EX since it has an underwhelming basic engine and CVT gearbox.
How Much Does a Kia Seltos Insurance Cost?
The Celtics don’t need a lot of insurance money. Though this aggregates all 50 states, a typical 30-year-old female driver with a clean record should anticipate an average yearly premium of $1,746 for the essential S and up to $1,850 for higher trims. In contrast, the Taos S costs $1,879, the Taos SEL costs $2,059, the Hyundai Kona SE costs $1,769, the CX-30 costs $1,795, and the Trailblazer costs 1,775 dollars.
Verdict
As the Kia Seltos enters its third year in North America, we maintain that it’s one of the best subcompact crossovers on sale today. Carrying over into 2023 unchanged, minus slight price adjustments and minor updates, the Seltos’ excellent recipe still serves up impressive interior space, engaging driving dynamics, abundant tech, and safety features all wrapped up in a smaller and more affordable package inspired by the more prominent and hugely popular Telluride. In addition, all-wheel drive is still available across the line along with the same two very competent powertrains, one of which returns outstanding fuel efficiency compared with its rivals.
