2021 - 2024 Kia Seltos

The Kia Seltos is a compact SUV that was first introduced by the South Korean automaker Kia in 2019. It sits between the smaller Kia Soul and larger Kia Sportage in Kia’s SUV lineup.

The exterior design of the Seltos is characterized by its bold and rugged styling. It features a prominent grille with integrated LED headlights, muscular body lines, and a raised ride height that gives it a more commanding presence on the road. The Seltos also comes with a variety of available exterior options, such as contrasting roof colors and stylish alloy wheels.

Inside, the Seltos offers a spacious and comfortable cabin with seating for up to five passengers. The interior design is modern and well-appointed, with high-quality materials and a user-friendly layout. The Seltos also boasts a generous amount of cargo space, with up to 62.8 cubic feet available when the rear seats are folded down.

In terms of technology and features, the Seltos comes well-equipped. It offers a standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as available features such as a premium sound system, wireless charging, and a head-up display. The Seltos also offers a host of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring.

Under the hood, the Seltos offers a choice of two engines. The base engine is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that produces 146 horsepower, while a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder is available on higher trim levels, producing 175 horsepower. Both engines come mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Overall, the Kia Seltos is a stylish and versatile compact SUV that offers a comfortable ride, plenty of features, and a choice of engines to suit various preferences. Its combination of practicality, reliability, and affordability make it a strong contender in the compact SUV segment.

• First Generation (2019-2022): This is the initial generation of the Kia Seltos, which was first introduced in 2019. It features a bold and modern design, with a distinctive front grille and stylish LED headlights. The interior is spacious and well-appointed, with a user-friendly infotainment system and comfortable seating for up to five passengers.

• Refreshed First Generation (2023-2025): The refreshed version of the first-generation Kia Seltos features minor updates to the exterior and interior design. It may include revised front and rear bumpers, updated LED lighting elements, and new color options. The interior might also get slight tweaks, such as updated materials or technology features.

• Second Generation (2026-2030): The second-generation Kia Seltos is expected to feature a more evolutionary design, building upon the success of the first generation. It could incorporate sharper lines and a more aggressive stance, reflecting Kia's current design language. The interior might see significant upgrades, including the latest infotainment system, enhanced driver-assist technologies, and improved materials and finishes.

• Redesign/Next Generation: While details about the next-generation Kia Seltos are purely speculative at this point, it could see significant updates in terms of design, technology, and powertrain options. It could adopt Kia's new design philosophy, "Opposites United," which aims to blend bold design cues with sophisticated elements. It might feature more advanced driver-assist systems, electrification options, and smart connectivity features. The interior could be more upscale, offering premium materials, advanced seating configurations, and cutting-edge technology.

The Kia Seltos comes with two engine options: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. The 2.0-liter engine produces 146 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, while the turbocharged 1.6-liter engine produces 175 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and offer all-wheel drive as an option.

In terms of performance, the Kia Seltos offers a smooth and comfortable ride. The 2.0-liter engine provides adequate power for daily driving, but the turbocharged engine offers better acceleration and a more engaging driving experience. The CVT transmission is responsive and helps to maximize fuel efficiency.

The Seltos also offers a range of drive modes, including Normal, Eco, and Sport. These drive modes adjust the throttle response and transmission shift points to suit different driving conditions and preferences.

In terms of fuel efficiency, the Kia Seltos with the 2.0-liter engine and front-wheel drive achieves an EPA-estimated 29 mpg in combined city/highway driving. The turbocharged engine and all-wheel drive configuration achieves an EPA-estimated 27 mpg in combined city/highway driving.

Overall, the Kia Seltos offers a good balance of power, fuel efficiency, and performance for its class. Whether you're looking for a daily driver or a more spirited driving experience, the Seltos has options to suit your needs.

The fuel economy of the Kia Seltos varies depending on the engine and transmission options. The estimated MPG for the popular 2.0L four-cylinder engine with the Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) is approximately 29 city/34 highway/31 combined. Additionally, the turbocharged 1.6L four-cylinder engine with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) offers an estimated MPG of approximately 27 city/31 highway/29 combined.

Interior:

1. The interior of the Kia Seltos is well-designed and offers a comfortable and spacious cabin.
2. The seats are comfortable and supportive, making long drives enjoyable.
3. The materials used inside the cabin feel premium, with soft-touch surfaces and well-finished trims.
4. The dashboard layout is user-friendly, with important controls and buttons within easy reach of the driver.
5. The cabin is well-insulated from outside noise, offering a quiet and peaceful driving experience.
6. The Seltos also offers ample headroom and legroom for both front and rear passengers, accommodating tall occupants comfortably.

Exterior:

1. The Kia Seltos has a bold and stylish exterior design, with elements such as a prominent front grille, sleek LED headlights, and a sculpted body giving it a modern and distinctive look.
2. The compact SUV's stance is muscular and rugged, giving it an adventurous and sporty appeal.
3. The Seltos comes with features like LED Daytime Running Lights, LED tail lights, and stylish alloy wheels, enhancing its overall visual appeal.
4. The high ground clearance of the Seltos makes it suitable for tackling rough terrain and provides a commanding view of the road ahead.
5. The exterior build quality of the Seltos feels solid and durable, reflecting Kia's attention to detail and craftsmanship.

Comfort:

1. The Kia Seltos offers a comfortable and smooth ride, with well-tuned suspension that absorbs road imperfections effectively.
2. The cabin of the Seltos is well-insulated, minimizing outside noise and vibrations and creating a serene environment for the occupants.
3. The seats are comfortable and supportive, with sufficient cushioning to ensure fatigue-free journeys.
4. The Seltos also comes with features like automatic climate control, allowing occupants to set their preferred temperature for a pleasant driving experience.
5. The vehicle also offers a range of convenience features such as keyless entry, power-adjustable driver's seat, and a multifunction steering wheel, adding to the overall comfort and convenience of the Seltos.

The Kia Seltos offers a wide range of infotainment and connectivity features that enhance the driving experience and provide convenience for the driver and passengers.

The Seltos comes equipped with an 8-inch or 10.25-inch touchscreen display, depending on the trim level. This display serves as the central hub for accessing various infotainment functions such as audio control, navigation, and smartphone integration. The touchscreen is easy to use and responsive, making it convenient to adjust settings while on the go.

For smartphone integration, the Seltos supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This allows drivers to seamlessly connect their smartphones to the car's infotainment system and access their favorite apps, make phone calls, send messages, and listen to music. The Seltos also offers wireless charging, so drivers can easily charge their smartphones without the need for cables.

In terms of audio, the Seltos features a premium sound system from Bose. This sound system provides clear and immersive audio quality, enhancing the overall driving experience.

For connectivity, the Seltos offers Bluetooth hands-free calling and audio streaming, so drivers can easily make and receive phone calls while keeping their hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road. The Seltos also offers USB ports and auxiliary inputs for connecting other devices such as MP3 players or external hard drives.

In addition to infotainment and connectivity, the Seltos offers a range of smart features that provide convenience for the driver. This includes features such as voice recognition, which allows drivers to control various functions of the car using simple voice commands.

Overall, the Kia Seltos offers a comprehensive infotainment and connectivity package that allows drivers to stay connected, entertained, and in control while on the road.

The Kia Seltos is a compact SUV that comes with a range of safety and driver-assistance features designed to enhance the overall driving experience and keep occupants safe. Here are some of the key safety features available in the Kia Seltos:

1. Forward Collision Avoidance Assist (FCA): This system uses radar and camera sensors to detect potential collisions with vehicles or pedestrians in front of the vehicle. It warns the driver and can automatically apply the brakes to avoid or mitigate a collision if necessary.

2. Blind Spot Collision Warning (BCW): This system uses radar sensors to detect vehicles in the driver's blind spot. It provides audible and visual alerts if the driver attempts to change lanes when a vehicle is detected in the blind spot.

3. Lane Keeping Assist (LKA): This feature uses a camera sensor to monitor the vehicle's position within the lane. If the system detects that the vehicle is drifting out of the lane, it provides steering assistance to keep the vehicle centered.

4. Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist (RCCA): This system uses radar sensors to detect vehicles approaching from the side when reversing out of a parking space. It provides audible and visual alerts if a vehicle is detected, and can apply the brakes if necessary to avoid or mitigate a collision.

5. Driver Attention Warning (DAW): This feature monitors driver behavior and provides alerts if signs of drowsiness or inattention are detected. It suggests the driver take a break and rest if necessary.

6. Smart Cruise Control (SCC): This adaptive cruise control system uses radar sensors to maintain a set distance from the vehicle ahead. It can automatically adjust vehicle speed to maintain a safe following distance.

7. High Beam Assist (HBA): This feature automatically adjusts the vehicle's headlights between high and low beams based on the presence of other vehicles. It provides improved visibility without blinding other drivers.

8. Parking Distance Warning (PDW): This system uses sensors to detect obstacles around the vehicle when parking and provides audible and visual alerts to help the driver avoid collisions.

In addition to these features, the Kia Seltos also comes with standard safety features like multiple airbags, anti-lock brakes, traction control, and stability control. These features work together to provide a safe and secure driving experience.