Execs: A great deal of area; nice expertise; exuberant acceleration with turbo engine; intelligent design all through; sturdy security scores
Cons: Turbo engine’s subpar gas financial system; weak base engine
Go forward and overlook the title for a second. Really, it’s most likely finest to at all times overlook concerning the title, perhaps even name it one thing totally completely different – no matter you concoct will definitely be higher than 2024 Kia Seltos. And admittedly, this little SUV deserves higher than to sound like a drug marketed throughout “Jeopardy!” with spooky unwanted side effects. It’s one among our top-recommended subcompact SUVs, a unbelievable instance of not needing to spend so much to get so much. It supplies a great deal of passenger and cargo area for the value, distinctive tech, a uncommon engine improve possibility, and enticing type, particularly inside.
The Seltos will get its first main replace for 2024, together with a refined restyle that makes each the entrance and rear rather less busy. The corner-to-corner LED taillight strip might be the obvious change. The inside will get the identical curved, twin-screen housing as different Kias, with the display measurement decided by trim degree (most get the larger combo). There’s a brand new Seltos X-Line trim degree that will get a extra rugged-looking grille and raised roof rails for simpler accent fitment. It additionally will get the identical turbo engine improve because the SX, which receives an additional 20 horsepower for 2024 together with a standard eight-speed automated instead of the previous dual-clutch automated handbook.
All informed, the Seltos is an excellent more sensible choice. The wonderful new Chevy Trax and Buick Envista have taken a severe chunk out of Kia’s worth proposition, however the Seltos nonetheless affords extra gear (together with the choice of all-wheel drive), a higher-quality cabin and an engine improve. The Seltos can be a compelling various to our different really useful selections within the subcompact SUV section, the Mazda CX-30 and Volkswagen Taos, whereas surpassing the popular-but-underwhelming Honda HR-V and Toyota Corolla Cross. Nicely, apart from that title. Ick.
Inside & Know-how | Passenger & Cargo Area | Efficiency & Gasoline Economic system
What it is wish to drive | Pricing & Trim Ranges | Crash Rankings & Security Options
What’s new for 2024?
The Seltos will get a refined, however substantive replace for 2024. You may learn concerning the highlights above or take a deeper dive in our 2024 Kia Seltos First Drive Overview.
Seltos SX inside with “Brown” shade alternative; Seltos S blue seat possibility; base Seltos LX with smaller display combo
What are the Seltos inside and in-car expertise like?
If there’s one space the place the Seltos betrays its comparatively low worth, it is the standard of its inside supplies. The door sills, sprint tops, heart console and cargo space are all arduous plastic – there’s much more all through than you will discover in Kia’s Sportage and even Niro. To be truthful, this isn’t uncommon for the section and there’s truly higher-quality supplies current than the extensively lauded Chevy Trax/Buick Envista twins. Like these, although, Kia’s designers cleverly made up for its accountants’ dictates by elevating a number of key areas with upgraded supplies and distinctive design parts. The 3D geometric sample of the speaker grilles, the metal-look passenger seize deal with, the smooth silver trim piece surrounding the air vents and starter button, and non-compulsory upgrades that embody distinctive seat colours and, on higher trim ranges, matching simulated leather-based sprint trim. It positively seems to be dearer than it’s.
Additionally serving to the inside’s visible enchantment is the new-for-2024 curved twin-screen housing that stretches throughout the sprint. The bottom LX will get a mixture of 4.2-inch instrument panel and 8-inch infotainment display with bordering bodily buttons; all different trims get 10.25-inchs screens for each the devices (full with 4 design selections) and infotainment system. The latter’s bodily menu controls and knobs migrate down beneath the local weather controls, which sounds bizarre, however places them rapidly at hand. Though the bottom system is actually straightforward sufficient to make use of, the improve is likely one of the higher, most feature-packed and easiest-to-use infotainment methods on the market. We additionally just like the two-tiered storage resolution meant for smartphones: the smaller tray above meant to grip and retailer a cellphone (it is also a wi-fi charger in higher trims) and the deeper bin beneath with two USB ports that may retailer one other cellphone or no matter you need. Sadly, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto can’t be wirelessly related, however the wired variations are normal.
How massive is the Seltos?
The Seltos could also be a subcompact SUV with considerably smaller exterior dimensions than its larger, “compact” Sportage sibling, it nonetheless affords loads of inside area. Certainly, its one of many few selections within the section that will be well-suited for small households. There’s enough space for a large youngster seat, and the squared roofline and rear doorways make loading and unloading that youngster simpler than in a number of rivals. For these sans youngsters, the again seat supplies ample consolation and area for full-size adults with out the low roof and claustrophobic view out of some rivals. The eight-way energy driver seat discovered within the EX, X-Line and SX trim ranges supplies an abundance of adjustability and area.
Cargo area can be excellent for the section. There is a beneficiant 26.6 cubic toes again there, which allowed us to safe 5 suitcases with room to spare. Whereas not finest in its subcompact class (the Ford Bronco Sport and VW Taos are larger), it’s proper up there. Its most cargo capability of 62.8 cubic toes is beneficiant as effectively and speaks to its boxier dimensions that ought to make hauling bulkier gadgets simpler.
What are the Kia Seltos gas financial system and efficiency specs?
The Seltos LX, S and EX are powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces a modest 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. It’s paired to a repeatedly variable transmission that simulates eight gear ratios. Entrance-wheel drive is normal on the S and EX; all-wheel-drive is non-compulsory on these and curiously, normal on the bottom LX. Kia claims a zero-to-60-mph time of 8.8 seconds with normal front-wheel-drive, and 9.6 seconds with non-compulsory all-wheel drive. These could be among the many slowest figures within the section. Gasoline financial system with FWD is 28 mpg metropolis, 34 mpg freeway and 31 mpg mixed. These drop to 27/31/29 with AWD. These figures make it among the many most effective within the section, although variations are slim.
The X-Line and SX get a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder good for 195 hp and 195 lb-ft. Few selections within the section supply something near this. The 0-60 time is listed at a comparatively modest 8 seconds by Kia, however Motor Development clocked it at 7.3 seconds – a time that appears extra aligned with simply how fast the Seltos feels with it. All-wheel-drive is normal with this engine together with a conventional eight-speed automated transmission. Gasoline financial system falls to an unremarkable 25 mpg metropolis, 27 mpg freeway and 26 mpg mixed. We managed solely 23.5 mpg in simply over 100 miles of combined metropolis and freeway driving.
What is the Seltos wish to drive?
We’ve but to check the Seltos with the bottom powertrain. We discovered it to be underpowered within the lighter Kia Forte sedan – which most likely is not an excellent signal – and the “IVT” transmission to be uncommon. It simulates gear ratios throughout most driving situations, making it really feel regular sufficient (a bit just like the Turbo fashions’ dual-clutch gearbox, truly), however when accelerating arduous, it will grasp onto revs as a CVT would earlier than ultimately “upshifting” a ratio. It is bizarre, however once more, we have not examined it within the Seltos.
The Turbo fashions are a special story. It affords the form of energy that will be above-average for the section above, whereas blowing most subcompact rivals out of the water. Certain, gas financial system takes a success, however the ample low-end grunt and (comparatively) speedy acceleration ought to be a welcome trade-off for a lot of. The brand new eight-speed automated for 2024 mainly went unnoticed throughout common driving, which is usually an excellent factor, possessing not one of the uncommon behaviors of the bottom engine’s CVT or the outgoing turbo’s dual-clutch automated. When extra aggressive downshifts are wanted, although, the transmission is not as fast to reply as that previous dual-clutch. Participating Sport mode additionally does not change the automotive acceleration character as a lot because it used to, both. For many drivers, although, we predict that is in the end a internet optimistic.
The remainder of the Seltos driving expertise is typical for a Kia: succesful, composed however not particularly memorable. The journey sops up larger bumps surprisingly effectively for a cheap crossover, maybe partly attributable to 18-inch wheels being the largest measurement accessible. On the identical time, its chassis reveals poise round corners and we might pleasantly hustle it alongside a mountain street with out it feeling like a hopeless fish out of water. It by no means transcends into the sporty realm because the Mazda CX-30 does (and even the Chevy Trax), however that is extra a truth than a criticism. There’s additionally a good bit of street noise inside, one other tell-tale signal of its worth level.
What different Kia Seltos evaluations can I learn?
2024 Kia Seltos First Drive Overview
We element all of the adjustments made for 2024, together with the upgraded turbo powertrain and new X-Line trim degree.
Kia Seltos Baggage Take a look at
We learn the way a lot the Seltos’ 26.6-cubic-foot cargo capability interprets to by way of precise stuff.
Kia Seltos First Drive Overview
Our first tackle the Seltos. Though there have been adjustments since then, you may learn extra about its engineering. There’s additionally some footage of it with deer.
What’s the 2024 Seltos’ worth?
As a result of the Seltos LX comes normal with all-wheel drive, it’s solely $600 cheaper than the in any other case better-equipped Seltos S. In a manner, that offers the Seltos two entry degree selections: one which prioritizes all-weather traction and the opposite consolation/comfort options. An identical state of affairs exists with the EX and X-Line fashions: the previous has just a few extra creature comforts like an influence driver seat and a wi-fi charging pad, whereas the latter has the turbo engine and adventure-friendly roof rails. The SX, in the meantime supplies near-luxury ranges of tech and options for the value of entry-level compact fashions.
All costs beneath embody the $1,325 vacation spot cost. As all-wheel drive is tied to trim degree greater than different SUVs, we’ve indicated beneath which embody it as normal.
LX AWD: $25,785
S FWD: $26,385
S AWD: $27,885
EX FWD: $27,185
EX AWD: $29,385
X-Line AWD: $30,085
SX AWD: $31,385
What are the Seltos security scores and driver help options?
Each 2024 Seltos contains normal ahead collision warning with pedestrian detection and automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning and lane-keeping help, a driver inattention warning system and automated excessive beams. All however the LX embody blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning methods. Solely the SX provides Kia’s glorious adaptive cruise management system with steering help (“Freeway Driving Help”).
The NHTSA had not crash examined the 2024 Seltos on the time of this writing, but it surely’s unlikely the end result will probably be completely different than final 12 months’s end result: 4 out of 5 stars for general and frontal safety; 5 stars for facet safety. Equally, the Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security hasn’t examined the 2024 Seltos, however did title final 12 months’s a High Security Choose for its best-possible crash safety and prevention scores. Its normal halogen headlights netted a “Poor” score, whereas the SX’s LED improve obtained the best-possible “Good.” These headlights are the identical for 2024.
Associated video:
