This week we are taking a look at the very stylish 2024 Kia Seltos SUV. Seltos was introduced in 2019 and has had quite a few upgrades since then.
I have to say I was immediately drawn to the looks of the Seltos. I love the lines, the contrast-colored roof, the textured grill, and the LED lights that run across the front. I even like the 18” wheels and the Pluton Blue Color is unusual, but attractive.
This one has the 1.6-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged engine that is putting out 195-horses and 195-pound feet of torque. It is hooked to a conventional 8-speed transmission, not the CVT that comes in so many compact SUVs and this one is all-wheel drive.
My tester is the top-of-the-line SX trim. Note that the only options on my tester are a small charge for the paint and also the floor mats.
The 10.25” gauge cluster is bright and easy to read and you can configure the driver info center in the middle.
A large 10.25” touchscreen mid-dash operates the navigation system, Bose stereo, HD radio, Bluetooth, apps, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
On the center console you can change drive modes between normal, smart, and sport. Near the shifter you can activate the all-wheel system, turn on the heated seats, it has an electronic emergency brake, and my favorite feature, Auto Hold that allows you to take your foot off the brake when stopped and it releases when you touch the gas pedal.
The interior is very well done for a slightly over $30,000 SUV. The Syntex seats are comfortable and soft and very easy to clean. Headroom and legroom for all passengers is very good. The center armrest slides forward, which is a nice touch. Back seat passengers get USB-C ports and rear air vents.
The cargo area is very spacious at 62.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down and the load floor is extremely flat. There is a compact spare tire underneath.
The list of standard features is quite impressive. Most notable are: LED headlights and fog lights, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, Bose Premium sound system, remote start, keyless entry, power seat, wireless cell phone charger, and automatic temperature-controlled air.
A couple of cool apps are the Quiet Mode which turns the rear speakers off and limits the front volume in case kids are asleep in the back seat, and Sound Mood Lamp allows you to set the interior lighting and it will change depending on the music. The HD Radio Data app gives you real-time traffic, Doppler radar, and fuel prices.
Where it REALLY gets good is safety features: You get forward collision alert and avoidance system, blind spot monitoring with collision avoidance assistance, lane keeping assistance, rear cross traffic alert, and driver attention warning.
Fuel economy is great at 25 in town and 27 on the highway. MSRP on this loaded All-Wheel drive SUV is $31,710 before any discounts or incentives, and that includes a 10-year/100,000-mile power train warranty.
Let me say that I am extremely impressed with the Seltos. It rides great, the handling and steering is refined, and it was surprisingly quiet inside. There are many compact SUVs on the market, but this one has to be on your shopping list.