Kia might have left the 2023 Kia Seltos kind of because it was for 2024 and had a wonderful car on its arms. However the firm, as an alternative, has up to date its award-winning smallest SUV inside and outside.
The Seltos has been round since 2021 and has gained our Finest Purchase Award within the subcompact SUV class yearly of its existence. When our editors pull all of the contenders collectively for testing, the Seltos persistently stands out for its lengthy checklist of kit, affordable worth, and spectacular room for its small measurement.
For the brand new mannequin 12 months, Kia has up to date the physique and the cabin, added new normal applied sciences, and given an influence enhance to its optionally available turbocharged engine.
Kia gives the Seltos with both a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine good for 146 horsepower or a 1.6-liter turbocharged 4 making 195 horses. Entrance-wheel drive is normal, with all-wheel drive obtainable in case you reside the place snow impacts visitors.
Let’s have a look contained in the restyled Seltos.
Passenger Room and Consolation
The Seltos is shorter than a 2023 Honda HR-V or Toyota Corolla Cross. But it surely gives comparable leg and shoulder room and extra headroom within the entrance seats.
At most trims, the driving force will get a 6-way manually-adjustable seat. The extra upscale EX and SX trims include a 10-way power-adjustable entrance seat with 2-way energy lumbar help. Entrance seats are heated within the X-Line, EX, and SX fashions, and cooling seat air flow is an choice on the high of the lineup.
Passenger area is somewhat tighter within the rear, as must be anticipated on this class. However rear passengers get their very own air con vents — one thing we are able to’t say about each rival. Each rows additionally get their very own USB charging ports.
Options and Tech
For those who haven’t been automotive purchasing in just a few years, you is likely to be shocked to study concerning the superior applied sciences obtainable in even cheap automobiles.
Each Seltos comes with a display as an alternative of the standard driver’s instrument cluster. It’s simply 4.2 inches within the base LX trim however a beneficiant 10.25 inches at each different trim degree.
LX fashions additionally get a smaller central touchscreen — 8 inches. Different trim ranges get a ten.25-inch mannequin.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are normal tools. These programs primarily flip the automotive’s touchscreen right into a mirror of your telephone’s display, so you may get to commonly-used apps safely with out selecting up your telephone.
Local weather management features, although, run by means of conventional buttons. So, no extra futzing with menus whereas driving simply to activate the warmth.
Most trim ranges get a 6-speaker sound system, however SX fashions get a premium 8-speaker setup from Bose with temper lamps that reply to the music.
Supplies and Design
We’re used to subcompact interiors wanting like rushed tasks made with components left within the bin from designing dearer automobiles. That’s not the case with the Seltos.
The motive force’s instrument display and central touchscreen are mounted collectively in a single housing. It makes them seem like one vast, curved display — an impact extra frequent to luxurious automobiles. However Kia’s designers have been doing wonderful work recently. The crisp traces of the Seltos cabin belie its low worth. There are some exhausting plastics, however that’s to be anticipated in an inexpensive subcompact automotive. They assist hold the value affordable.
The bottom LX will get only one colour alternative: black fabric with heathered seat inserts. With different trims, you may get inventive.
Kia’s SynTex artificial leather-based is fairly convincing. On the Seltos S, you may get it in blue with black fabric inserts. Prime-of-the-line EX and SX fashions get a alternative of black, sage inexperienced, or camel brown that appears upscale at this worth.
Cargo Room and Flexibility
With the rear seats in use, the Seltos has 26.6 cubic ft of area — greater than an HR-V or Corolla Cross.
Fold them down; you’ll get 62.8 — virtually eight cubic ft greater than in a comparable HR-V.
Construct and worth your personal model of the 2024 Kia Seltos to see this week’s Kelly Blue Guide Honest Buy Worth, 5-Yr Price to Personal, and extra, or try Kia Seltos fashions on the market close to you.
