Exploring the Kia Seltos - A value-packed SUV

15 March, 2024

In the bustling world of compact SUVs, where every automaker seems to be elbowing their way to grab a slice of the pie, Kia's Seltos doesn't just join the race; It confidently arrives with a bold attitude.

In this insightful review by automotive expert Michele Lupini theauto.page takes us on a journey through the Seltos, revealing its remarkable features and unmatched value proposition. Read all about it below.

A commanding driving position

Scratch a little and its soon clear that it is indeed among the larger and more practical compact SUVs out there. A vast
standard specification includes multifunction steering wheel controlled 8-inch colour CarPlay and Auto touchscreen infotainment with six speaker RDS radio,
Bluetooth, and front and rear USB connectivity.

Add cruise control, manual air-conditioning, auto headlights with ‘escort’ and ‘welcome home’, power windows and folding
wing mirrors with indicator repeaters and smart leather trim, a centre console armrest. Our automatic EX+ rode on 16-inch alloys with 205/65R16 rubber and a
full-sized spare wheel.

This Seltos 1.5CRDi EX+ auto came with Kia’s contemporary 86 kW 250 Nm 1.5-litre CRDI Common Rail Diesel turning the front wheels through an impressive little 6-speed automatic transmission. Packing McPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension, Seltos has a stiff and safe Advanced High-Strength Steel chassis.

Seltos is well-specced and comfortable

Safety is complemented by six driver, front passenger, front side, and full length side curtain airbags, ISOFIX child seat anchors, and ABS Electronic Brake Force Distribution braking. Add park distance control and a reversing camera, an immobiliser, central locking, and Electronic Stability with Hill-start Assist.

Seltos’ looks and feels good. The cabin is well-specced and comfortable. The ribbed EX+ leather chairs are inviting I
easily found a comfy solution for my bulk behind the wheel. We were intrigued and buoyed by its simple, easy to use, yet most effective infotainment
interface. It looks good and works quite intuitively. We were also impressed by the quality, which is on the top side at this price point. It feels good in
there.

On the road, the Kia Seltos has a really good ride. It’s quiet and pliable, while the slightly rowdier turbodiesel pulls
along well enough. First of all, it should not be affected much by Jozi’s 1500m altitude sickness. It’s torquey and responsive for what it is though, and
proved a pleasure to drive. Its attitude and aptitude even impressed Franschhoek Pass.

It makes few promises. but seltos delivers

We have been disillusioned by one or two pretenders to this baby SUV or whatever you call it, but this Kia escapes many of those quality, performance, and pricing issues that bother us so much about those rivals. The Seltos is a great package; it’s reasonably well priced even at this upper level, to bother some rivals that have earned our respect in this neck of the woods.

The Kia Seltos certainly is worth the look if you are among the growing number of family guys or dolls looking closer at this
ever more compelling niche. It makes few promises. But it certainly delivers… — Michele Lupini

ROAD TESTED: Kia Seltos 1.5CRDi EX+ auto

86 kW 250 Nm 1.5-litre turbodiesel

6-speed automatic FWD

TESTED:

0-60 km/h: 5.03 sec

0-100 km/h: 11.02 sec

0-120 km/h: 15.68 sec

0-160 km/h: 33.06 sec

400m: 17.8 sec @128 km/h

80-120 km/h: 8.05 sec

120-160 km/h: 17.38 sec

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