Execs: A great deal of house; nice know-how; exuberant acceleration with turbo engine; intelligent design all through; sturdy security scores
Cons: Turbo engine’s subpar gasoline economic system; weak base engine; saying you personal one thing referred to as ‘Kia Seltos’
“Actually, they referred to as a automobile that?” Sure, they actually did, and it’s a disgrace as a result of the car connected to the moniker 2025 Kia Seltos deserves loads higher than to be confused with a prescription drug marketed throughout “Jeopardy!” Certainly, it’s certainly one of our top-recommended subcompact SUVs due to its ample passenger and cargo house, distinctive tech, sharp type in and out, and a uncommon engine improve possibility for the category. Higher nonetheless, not like that prescription drug, there actually aren’t any scary-sounding unwanted side effects.
After getting a number of substantive upgrades final 12 months, together with tweaked appears to be like and upgraded infotainment, the 2025 Seltos simply sees some function content material additions. Oh, and it’s value inched up a bit, which might usually be par for the course, however it does deserve a point out right here because the Seltos isn’t the worth chief you would possibly assume given the Kia model. That’s as a result of the Chevrolet Trax and Buick Envista has largely eaten its lunch in that regard, and though not out there with all-wheel-drive, they ship a lot bang for the buck they’ll’t be ignored within the phase. Kia’s personal Niro hybrid can also be in the identical value and measurement ballpark because the Seltos, however once more, is just not out there with all-wheel drive. If that’s vital to you, we’d advocate looking on the mechanically associated Hyundai Kona or the spacious, family-friendly Volkswagen Taos. If type and efficiency are extra vital to you than house, the Mazda CX-30 is price a glance, too. All informed, the Seltos might be thought of a competitor and good different to all of them. We simply wouldn’t blame you for calling it your Kia Whatchamacallit.
Inside & Expertise | Passenger & Cargo Area | Efficiency & Gasoline Financial system
What it is wish to drive | Pricing & Trim Ranges | Crash Rankings & Security Options
What’s new for 2025?
After extra substantial updates final 12 months, each Seltos trim degree will get further tools for 2025. The bottom S will get a brand new instrument panel show, auto up/down energy driver window and new two-tone alloy wheels. The EX and SX will get rear parking sensors, whereas the EX AWD and SX acquire an influence liftgate. Lastly, the EX is now out there with a sunroof.
Seltos SX inside with “Brown” coloration alternative; Seltos S blue seat possibility; base Seltos LX with smaller display combo
What are the Seltos inside and in-car know-how like?
If there’s one space the place the Seltos betrays its comparatively low value, it is the standard of its inside supplies. The door sills, sprint tops, heart console and cargo space are all laborious plastic – there’s much more all through than you may discover in Kia’s Sportage and even Niro. To be truthful, this isn’t uncommon for the phase and there’s truly higher-quality supplies current than the broadly 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 components. 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 optionally available upgrades that embody distinctive seat colours and, on higher trim ranges, matching simulated leather-based sprint trim. It undoubtedly appears to be like dearer than it’s.
Additionally serving to the inside’s visible enchantment is the 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-inch screens for each the devices (full with 4 design selections) and infotainment system. The latter’s bodily menu controls and knobs are beneath the local weather controls, which sounds bizarre, however places them shortly at hand. Though the bottom system is actually straightforward sufficient to make use of, the improve is without doubt one of the higher, most feature-packed and easiest-to-use infotainment programs 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 customary.
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 gives loads of inside house. Certainly, it is one of many few selections within the phase that will be well-suited for small households. There’s enough room for an enormous little one seat, and the squared roofline and rear doorways make loading and unloading that little one simpler than in a number of opponents. For these sans children, the again seat gives ample consolation and house 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 gives an abundance of adjustability and house.
Cargo house can also be superb for the phase. There is a beneficiant 26.6 cubic ft again there, which allowed us to safe 5 suitcases with room to spare. Whereas not greatest 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 ft is beneficiant as nicely and speaks to its boxier dimensions that ought to make hauling bulkier gadgets simpler.
What are the Seltos gasoline economic 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 constantly variable transmission that simulates eight gear ratios. Entrance-wheel drive is customary on the S and EX; all-wheel-drive is optionally available on these and curiously, customary on the bottom LX. Kia claims a zero-to-60-mph time of 8.8 seconds with customary front-wheel-drive, and 9.6 seconds with optionally available all-wheel drive. These can be among the many slowest figures within the phase. Gasoline economic 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 phase, 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 phase supply something near this. The 0-to-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 customary with this engine together with a standard eight-speed computerized transmission. Gasoline economic system falls to an unremarkable 24 mpg metropolis, 27 mpg freeway and 25 mpg mixed. We managed solely 23.5 mpg in simply over 100 miles of blended metropolis and freeway driving.
What is the Seltos wish to drive?
We’ve got 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 a superb signal – and the “IVT” transmission to be uncommon. It simulates gear ratios throughout most driving circumstances, making it really feel regular sufficient (a bit just like the Turbo fashions’ dual-clutch gearbox, truly), however when accelerating laborious, it’s going to hold onto revs as a CVT would earlier than finally “upshifting” a ratio. It is bizarre, however once more, we have not examined it within the Seltos.
The Turbo fashions are a unique story. It gives the form of energy that will be above-average for the phase above, whereas blowing most subcompact opponents out of the water. Certain, gasoline economic system takes successful, however the ample low-end grunt and (comparatively) fast acceleration needs to be a welcome trade-off for a lot of. The eight-speed computerized principally went unnoticed throughout common driving, which is usually a superb factor, possessing not one of the uncommon behaviors of the bottom engine’s CVT or the Seltos turbo’s unique dual-clutch computerized. When extra aggressive downshifts are wanted, although, the transmission is not as fast to reply as that previous dual-clutch. Participating Sport mode additionally would not change the automobile acceleration character as a lot because it used to, both. For many drivers, although, we predict that is in the end a web constructive.
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 nicely for an affordable crossover, maybe partly attributable to 18-inch wheels being the most important measurement out there. On the similar time, its chassis exhibits poise round corners and we may 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 grievance. There’s additionally a good bit of street noise inside, one other tell-tale signal of its value level.
What different Kia Seltos opinions 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 Check
We learn how a lot the Seltos’ 26.6-cubic-foot cargo capability interprets to when it comes to precise stuff.
Kia Seltos First Drive Overview
Our first tackle the Seltos. Though there have been adjustments since then, you possibly can learn extra about its engineering. There’s additionally some photos of it with deer.
What’s the 2025 Seltos value?
As a result of the Seltos LX comes customary with all-wheel drive, it’s solely $600 cheaper than the in any other case better-equipped Seltos S. In a manner, that provides the Seltos two entry degree selections: one which prioritizes all-weather traction and the opposite consolation/comfort options. The same scenario exists with the EX and X-Line fashions: the previous has a number of 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, gives near-luxury ranges of tech and options for the value of entry-level compact fashions.
All costs beneath embody the $1,375 vacation spot cost. As all-wheel drive is tied to trim degree greater than different SUVs, we’ve indicated beneath which embody it as customary.
LX AWD: $25,965
S FWD: $26,465
S AWD: $27,965
EX FWD: $27,465
EX AWD: $29,665
X-Line AWD: $30,665
SX AWD: $32,465
What are the Seltos security scores and driver help options?
Each 2025 Seltos consists of customary ahead collision warning with pedestrian detection and computerized emergency braking, lane-departure warning and lane-keeping help, a driver inattention warning system and computerized excessive beams. All however the LX embody blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning programs. Solely the SX provides Kia’s wonderful adaptive cruise management system with steering help (“Freeway Driving Help”).
The NHTSA nonetheless hasn’t gotten round to updating its score for the updated-for-’24 Seltos, however it’s uncertain the outcome will probably be totally different than the unique outcome: 4 out of 5 stars for total and frontal safety; 5 stars for facet safety. Equally, the Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security nonetheless hasn’t examined the up to date Seltos, however did identify the primary mannequin 12 months a High Security Choose for its best-possible crash safety and prevention scores.
