Kia Seltos: the SUV the family was missing Kia

The new Kia Seltos is the second generation of a model already known in other markets, but now arrives with a configuration designed for Europe, with a more mature design, a highly technological interior and a mechanical range that will combine conventional petrol and hybridisation.

In this first contact we have tried the 1.6 T-GDI petrol version, an engine that has left us with a positive impression. It is not a sports car, nor does it aim to be, but it is lively, pleasant to drive, fast enough for normal use and, above all, very refined. The engine pulls with confidence, it is not noisy and it allows reasonable consumption if you drive smoothly.

The Kia Seltos is not a sporty SUV, but it offers a pleasant and comfortable drive from the first kilometre

It is a genuine member of the new generation of Kia. It is not an electric car, but it adopts many of the visual cues the brand is using on its EVs. The front end, the light signature, the clean surfaces and the sense of a wide, well-planted car give it a modern and sophisticated image.

It measures 4.43 metres long, 1.83 metres wide and has a wheelbase of 2.69 metres. That places it in the compact SUV territory, but with a very well-used body. The brand announces a boot capacity of 536 litres, an important figure for a car that, in many cases, will be the only vehicle in the family. The range will be offered in Spain with different trims, among them Concept, Drive, GT-Line and X-Line. The GT-Line has a more sporty approach and the X-Line a more rugged look.

Its interior recalls that of the latest Kia models, with a clean, technological and very familiar presentation

The Kia Seltos feels very familiar: the dashboard architecture clearly recalls the latest Kia launches, to the point that anyone who has driven a EV3, a EV2 or any recent model from the brand will feel at home from the very first moment. In my case, having an Kia EV3 at home, the adaptation was immediate.

The layout of the screens, the gear selector, the main controls and the operating logic are very similar. You don’t have to learn anything or search for hidden functions, although some are less accessible than would be ideal. Everything is fairly close at hand and the overall feeling is that of a modern, well-resolved and comfortable car.

The Seltos features an integrated panoramic display made up of a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 5.3-inch climate control screen and a 12.3-inch multimedia screen. Depending on the version, it may also feature 64-colour ambient lighting, a panoramic sunroof, Harman Kardon sound system, digital key, driver’s seat with relaxation function and reclining rear seats.

The Eco, Normal and Sport driving modes bring real differences in the car’s response

The version we drove has the 1.6 T-GDI petrol engine, with 180 CV and 265 Nm of torque. It is a well-known engine within the group, adapted to the Seltos, with enough strength from low revs, it responds eagerly when asked and keeps noise levels fairly contained. It is a comfortable, spacious, stable, easy-to-drive and pleasant SUV. In that sense, the European tuning is noticeable because the car grips well, inspires confidence and is not clumsy on secondary roads, which was the focus of our route.

The steering has a correct feel, it is precise, and the whole thing feels balanced. One of the aspects I liked most is the real difference between the three driving modes: Eco, Normal and Sport. In Eco, the car becomes calmer, perhaps lazier. Normal offers the most natural balance for daily use, the most logical one, and in Sport the throttle response becomes more immediate and the driving gains some intensity. It does not turn the Seltos into a sports car, but it changes its character enough to make it worthwhile to use each mode depending on the moment.

The brand speaks of a tuning specific to Europe. On the road, this translates into a pleasant car, with good insulation and a suspension that filters quite well. The noise level struck me as one of its strong points. The petrol engine is not intrusive, even when pushed a bit harder, and in normal driving it is quite well isolated. There is also a good overall sense of rigidity, without uncomfortable vibrations or noticeable rattles in this first contact. It does not surprise for sportiness, but it does for its consistency. And in a family SUV, that is more important.

The future hybrid version will incorporate e-AWD and V2L technology

The Seltos will later have a 1.6 GDI hybrid version, the front-wheel-drive one will have 154 CV, and the electronic all-wheel-drive e-AWD version will raise the power to 178 CV. This hybrid version will be especially interesting because it will debut in Kia Europe with two technologies rarely found in an SUV of this segment. On one hand, the e-AWD system, with an electric motor on the rear axle and no mechanical connection between both axles. On the other, the V2L function, which allows external devices to be powered from the car, a solution already known but which we had so far associated with electric models.

The hybrid Seltos will also incorporate intelligent regenerative braking 3.0. The technological equipment can be very complete. The Seltos may feature level 2 driver assistance systems, and even remote parking system in the hybrid version, among other things. It also includes OTA remote updates, connected services and a voice assistant with artificial intelligence.

Kia is transferring much of the technological experience of its electric models to the Seltos, but applied to an SUV with conventional engines. This may be one of its great assets because it does not force the customer to make the electric leap, yet it offers an environment very similar to that of the Kia EVs. Perhaps its greatest virtue is that it feels like a new-generation Kia from the very first minute. Not only because of its design or its screens, but because of the way everything is organised, the ease of use and that sense of a well-conceived car.

Technical data sheet

With 536 litres of boot space, the Seltos stands out as a very practical option in the compact SUV segment

The new Kia Seltos range starts in Spain at 28,030 euros with commercial campaigns applied to the T-GDi Concept 4×2 version. Above it are the Drive trim, from 30,030 euros, the GT-Line 4×2 DCT, from 35,430 euros, and the X-Line 4×4 DCT, which reaches 38,220 euros with promotions.

The Comfort Pack has an additional price of 1,000 euros. Very simple and with a reasonable price to fit into a very complete range.

Kia Seltos – Image gallery