WHAT IS IT?
They call it a compact SUV, but the Seltos is actually a spacious family vehicle that slots into the Kia range just under the Sportage and a little further above the Sonet. It has been facelifted for 2024.
WHY THIS?
The handsome Seltos has always sold well in South Africa since it was launched here five years ago, and this iteration has been improved in many ways. Ipso facto – it should do even better.
OUTSIDE
What’s changed? Well, this is a facelift and not an entirely new vehicle, so the exterior changes are more aesthetic than anything else. That said, the changes that have been made make a big impact. The front bumper and grille have been redesigned, while new headlights and taillights add some glamour. The rear treatment in particular works well, with an LED lightbar the length of the boot connecting the taillights.
With exterior dimensions of 4 365mm long, 1 800mm wide and 1 620mm tall, the Seltos is one of the bigger compact SUVs around and in terms of space rivals vehicles such as the Toyota Corolla Cross and Haval Jolion.
INSIDE
This is where Kia has really upped the ante. A wide panel in the dash looks at first glance to be one wide screen but is in fact made up of a large touchscreen and a smaller instrument cluster screen. The effect is clean but techy, and really makes an impact.
This is a family car, so safety is paramount – all models get six airbags as standard, including two side curtain airbags that stretch the length of the cabin. Also standard are Isofix child seat anchors, ABS brakes with electronic brake force distribution (EBD), electronic stability control (ESC), central locking, and an immobiliser.
The range is made up of an entry-level LX model, then EX, EX Plus and the GT line, but even the LX offers high spec levels for the price. The pick of the bunch is the EX diesel, which is well balanced in terms of features and price tag.
THE DRIVE
There are three engine options for the new Seltos, all of which feature four cylinders and a capacity of 1.5 litres. The first is a naturally aspirated petrol unit that produces 84kW/144Nm and is available with a six-speed manual gearbox or a CVT. The second is a turbocharged petrol engine good for 118kW/253Nm, with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. The third is a turbocharged diesel engine (85kW/250Nm) with a six-speed auto, and this is the one I would pick any day of the week. In our week with the vehicle its fuel consumption averaged just 5.2l/100km, and it was still a total hoot to drive.
Except for the EX, the range comes with drive mode select, which allows the driver to select from comfort, eco, sport or smart sub-settings.
FINAL WORD
In a crowded compact SUV segment, it’s hard to stand out. The trick is to get potential drivers behind the steering wheel to see what a car is all about, and when Kia manages this with the Seltos it’s got a very good chance of closing the deal. That said, the top models are simply too expensive.
GO GET IT
The Kia Seltos may start at R467 995, but the range tops out at R626 995. That’s a lot of cash, and very close to the price of a Kia Sportage. A five-year/unlimited-km warranty and a five-year/90 000 km service plan are included. Visit www.kia.co.za for more.
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