The Kia Seltos was launched on the U.S. marketplace for the 2021 mannequin 12 months as a competitor for fashions just like the Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-30, and the Chevrolet Trax. Despite the truth that it’s priced like a sub-compact crossover, it’s truly only a bit bigger, which is the way it’s in a position to lay declare to best-in-class second-row legroom and AWD passenger house. An spectacular car that feels extra on the premium facet and gives a reasonably partaking drive, the Seltos was updated for 2024 to deliver a recent exterior and inside look in addition to very welcome up to date infotainment system.

With a beginning worth of $24,490 and a barely bigger footprint, the Seltos has a lot to supply, and this information will fill you in on all the pieces you might want to find out about it.

What’s New For 2024

Highlights

• New 10.25-inch, twin-screen infotainment system and instrument cluster duo
• Sportier, extra fashionable exterior look
• New X-Line trim stage brings some ruggedness to the Seltos
• AWD accessible on most fashions
• Standard panoramic driver info middle
• Roomier than a lot of the competitors

For its third 12 months in the marketplace, and seemingly a bit early, Kia gave the Seltos a reasonably sizable facelift for the 2024 mannequin 12 months. The most essential updates come within the type of an up to date entrance finish with a brand new headlight format and a brand new entrance fascia. The rear finish additionally acquired an up to date fascia to go together with a brand new taillight design that features a new gentle bar that connects each gentle models. And, should you’re into automobiles which have a extra rugged look, a brand new X-Line trim stage brings a sure diploma of that into the combo as effectively.

On the within, Kia gave the Seltos an up to date infotainment system and a few recent non-obligatory expertise. It comes commonplace with a panoramic driver displace, however you may have for the twin 10.25-inch show screens that embody OTA updates for navigation and multimedia capabilities on all however the base mannequin.

Finally, there are some welcome updates below the hood as effectively, with the 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder getting a 20-horsepower bump as much as 195 horsepower. A brand new eight-speed automated takes the place of the seven-speed unit that was discovered on all turbocharged fashions.

Exterior Dimensions

Engine Specifications And Performance

The 2024 Kia Seltos is obtainable with a 2.0-liter, naturally aspirated inline-four within the base LX trim in addition to the S, and EX. The Seltos X-Line and SX come commonplace with the extra fascinating 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. The former pumps out 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, making it one of many subcompact crossover with the least horsepower at present in the marketplace. The turbocharged mill, nevertheless, is sweet for a good 195 horsepower (20 greater than final 12 months) and 195 pound-feet of torque.

The 2.0-liter engine is paired completely with Kia’s Intelligent Variable Transmission, which is – primarily – only a fancy solution to say CVT. The X-Line and SX include the brand new eight-speed automated transmission. Interestingly sufficient, AWD comes commonplace on the bottom LX mannequin, although for the S and EX, FWD is the usual providing with AWD being a paid possibility. The rugged X-Line and range-topping SX fashions additionally come commonplace with Kia’s AWD system.

According to Kia, naturally aspirated FWD fashions can hit 60 mph in 8.8 seconds, whereas these outfitted with AWD, because of the further weight, will take 9.6 seconds to hit the identical benchmark. The turbocharged X-Line and SX fashions (which even have AWD) make the identical dash in 8.0-seconds flat.

Off-Roading Capability And Towing

Kia’s gross sales portal and official communication share completely zero details about towing capability for the U.S. market. Various sellers say something between 1,323 and a pair of,425 kilos, which is principally a conversion from euro-model specs. If you propose to tow with the Kia Seltos, it’s extremely advisable to achieve out to your native gross sales rep to confirm its functionality and what tools is required.

As far as off-roading is anxious, the Kia Seltos is definitely not designed to deal with any main off-roading expeditions. With AWD, and particularly with the X-Line trim, you may definitely enterprise off the asphalt a bit, however don’t count on to deal with any mountaineering or extra-rough trails.

Off-Road Specifications

Fuel Economy And Estimated Fuel Cost

The Kia Seltos does fairly effectively when it comes to gas financial system, but it surely doesn’t break any data. You’ll garner as a lot as 34 mph on the freeway with a FWD mannequin outfitted with the naturally aspirated 2.0-liter engine. The turbocharged fashions don’t do fairly as effectively, with 27 mpg on the freeway being one of the best. Annual gas prices is estimated to run wherever between $1,750 and $2,100 relying on the engine and driveline configuration.

Interior Technology And Comfort

As is the case with all Kia fashions as of late, the construct high quality supplies and fitment of panels contained in the Seltos scream “premium”. Sure there’s some plastic bits right here and there, particularly on the bottom mannequin, however on the whole it seems prefer it prices effectively past the $30,000 mark. This turns into much more true if you find yourself taking a look at a mannequin that has that stunning duel-screen infotainment and instrument cluster combo.

We haven’t had the prospect to take a seat inside an up to date Kia Seltos but, however the pre-facelift mannequin was snug and positively felt extra spacious than the majority of its rivals. In phrases of supplies, you may count on a primary, woven material seat within the LX, whereas the S and X-Line have SynTex with Cloth trim. The EX and SX fashions include SynTex seat trim.

At this worth level, it shouldn’t shock you that the usual providing is a 6-way handbook adjusting driver’s seat. This is discovered on the LX, S, and X-Line fashions. You can get a 10-way energy driver’s seat within the EX and SX solely. The base mannequin is void of any leather-based, however from the S trim up, you’ll get a leather-wrapped shifter knob and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, although the range-topping SX mannequin has a flat-bottom steering wheel.

Technology

In phrases of expertise, the Kia Seltos has two completely different personalities. In the bottom, LX mannequin, you get an eight-inch touchscreen show to go together with an analog instrument cluster with a 4.2-inch digital show. This setup does embody Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a six-speaker audio system, and multi-device join by way of Bluetooth. Other fundamentals embody a 12-volt socket up entrance in addition to a USB media port and two USV-C charging ports within the rear.

Moving past the bottom trim to the S or greater nets you the duo 10.25-inch panoramic shows that function the digital gauge cluster and infotainment system. All trim ranges apart from the range-topping SX are nonetheless persist with that six-speaker audio system, although a entrance USB-C charging port, Sirius XM radio, distant begin, keyless entry and beginning, Kia Connect, and pre-cooling and heating al come commonplace from the S trim on up. Wireless cellphone charging is restricted to the Seltos EX and SX fashions, whereas the 8-speaker Bose premium audio system with a temper lamp is commonplace on the SX. As of the time of this writing, the Bose system just isn’t non-obligatory on every other fashions.

Interior Dimensions

Safety And Reliability

All Kia Seltos fashions come commonplace with the essential electrical nannies that you just’d count on, together with ABS, stability management, stability administration, hill-start assign, downhill brake management, and tire strain monitoring. Kia’s Drive Wise expertise is shared throughout the lineup, although, what you get is determined by the mannequin. The base providing on the LX contains ahead collision avoidance, lane departure warning, lane-keep help, lane-following help, driver consideration warning, and rear occupant alert.

Beyond the bottom mannequin, there are a number of extra options along with the aforementioned techniques. This contains safe-exit warning, rear cross-traffic avoidance, and blind-spot collision warning. Meanwhile one of the best of one of the best is reserved for the range-topping SX trim stage that features 5 extra applied sciences:

• Forward collision avoidance with pedestrian and bike owner detection
• Navigation-based good cruise management with cease and go
• Smart cruise management with cease and go
• Highway driving help
• Intelligent velocity restrict help

In phrases of security testing, the up to date 2024 Kia Seltos hasn’t been tested by the NHTSA quite yet, although there have already been 2 recollects and seven complaints for this mannequin 12 months. Most of the complains centered across the car velocity management system or engine issues. The two recollects are each fairly essential to be aware of. The most up-to-date was issued on December 7, 2023 and claims that the facet curtain airbags might deploy unexpectedly. The different recall, issued on July 31, 2023 is much more vital, and revolves round the electric oil pump assembly overheating, which might trigger the car to catch on fireplace when parked.

The IIHS shares a similar story as the NHTSA, having not crash examined the Seltos since late 2021 when the 2022 fashions hit sellers. In these exams, the Seltos acquired Good scores (one of the best you may get) for the small entrance overlap take a look at, reasonable overlap entrance unique take a look at, and side-impact unique take a look at.

IIHS Crash Test Video

• NHTSA Recalls: 2 Recalls, one for sudden side-curtain airbag deployment and the opposite for an overheating oil pump that might result in a fireplace.
• NHTSA Complaints: 7, mostling revolving across the engine and electrical system
• NHTSA Investigations: None
• Awards: None

Warranties

The Kia Seltos comes with the most effective powertrain warranties within the business, which runs for 10 years or 100,000 miles. The primary restricted guarantee, anti-perforation corrosion guarantee, and roadside help plan are all additionally good for 5 years. The former and latter are good for as much as 60,000 miles whereas the corrosion guarantee is sweet for as much as 100,000 miles. Note that warranties based mostly on 12 months and mileage expire when on the time restrict or mileage, whichever comes first.

2024 Kia Seltos Versus Its Competitors

With Kia’s evolution from an financial system automobile builder to an automaker that produces automobiles that elevate the bar for reasonably priced premium automobiles, it turns into simpler for Kia’s fashions to compete in no matter section they’re in. With the Seltos, the subcompact crossover section is virtually overflowing, but it surely’s not precisely straightforward to discover a mannequin below $30,000 that provides the identical stage of expertise, security, guarantee protection. Its closest rivals are, arguably, the Honda HR-V and the Mazda CX-30 that has additionally been praised for its high-quality cabin.

How The Kia Seltos Compares To The Mazda CX-30

• 	2024 Kia Seltos	2024 Mazda CX-30
  Model	Kia Seltos	2024 Mazda CX-30
  Engine	2.0-Liter | 1.6-Liter Turbo	2.5-Liter Inline-Four (Turbo and Non-Turbo)
  Transmission	IVT | 8-Speed Auto	6-Speed Automatic
  Horsepower	146 – 195 HP	191 – 250 HP
  Torque	132 – 195 LB-FT	186 – 320 LB-FT
  Driveline	FWD | AWD	AWD (Standard)
  MSRP	$24,490 – $30,090	$24,995 – $36,800
  Fuel Economy	Up To 34 MPG	Up To 33 MPG HWY
  Towing Capacity	None	Up To 1,500 Pounds

It could be tough to seek out one other sub-compact car below the $30,000 mark that provides a real panoramic, dual-screen system. There merely aren’t lots of them on the market but. The Mazda CX-30, doesn’t have this selection, both, however the 10.3-inch infotainment system nonetheless comes with its personal set of bragging rights. Beyond this, the CX-30 includes a sporty, fashionable cabin that’s largely based mostly on the Mazda3, and is, really, simply as snug because it seems. The Kia Seltos is, largely, on par when it comes to construct high quality and supplies, particularly in greater trims, although should you’re wanting on the base mannequin, the Mazda CX-30 may be a greater possibility.

Where the Mazda CX-30 really takes the win is in its overly impressive driving dynamics – a Mazda trademark – and the accessible powertrains. The base engine is a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated mill that’s good for 191 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. If you go for the marginally dearer turbo fashions, you’ll get a 2.5-liter, turbocharged mill that places out 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet on common fuel or 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet when working on premium gas. These figures however the naturally aspirated and turbocharged Seltos as an enormous drawback when it comes to energy output, and it’s very clear while you take a look at drive them back-to-back. A six-speed automated transmission is commonplace throughout the lineup, as is standard AWD and a towing capability of as much as 1,500 kilos, the latter of which the Seltos can’t compete with.

Pricing for the CX-30 begins at $24,995 and climbs to as excessive as $36,800. This provides the CX-30 a really related start line (it’s simply $505 dearer in base type), but it surely does carry a $6,000+ premium for the range-topping mannequin.

How The Kia Seltos Compares To The Honda HR-V

• 	2024 Kia Seltos	2024 Honda HR-V
  Model	Kia Seltos	Honda HR-V
  Engine	2.0-Liter | 1.6-Liter Turbo	2.0-Liter Inline-Four
  Transmission	IVT | 8-Speed Auto	CVT
  Horsepower	146 – 195 HP	158 Horsepower
  Torque	132 – 195 LB-FT	138 Pound-Feet
  Driveline	FWD | AWD	FWD | AWD
  MSRP	$24,490 – $30,090	$24,600 – $28,150
  Fuel Economy	Up To 34 MPG	Up To 32 MPG
  Towing Capacity	None	None

The Honda HR-V fairly merely can’t compete with the Kia Seltos in relation to expertise. It’s not that the HR-V’s expertise isn’t as much as fashionable specs, however you definitely received’t discover any panoramic dual-screen setups right here. What you’ll get is a trendy, analog instrument cluster with a small digital show and a 7.0-inch infotainment system as commonplace. At this level within the vary, wi-fi Android Auto and Apple CarPlay isn’t an possibility. If you progress up greater within the vary, you’ll get a 9.0-inch infotainment system that does include these wi-fi Bluetooth options, however you’ll nonetheless should pay a bit further for the Wi-Fi hotspot and Sirius XM if that’s your factor. Like the Seltos, nevertheless, the HR-Vs cabin feels a bit more premium than what you’d expect to seek out within the reasonably priced segement, particularly should you transfer past the entry-level mannequin.

The HR-V’s greatest claims to fame, outdoors of affordability, is Honda’s popularity for reliability and, in fact, gas financial system. As such, you’ll get as a lot as 32 mpg on the freeway, however on the efficiency entrance, it’ll take you almost 10 seconds to hit 60 mph. The solely type of motivation is a 2.0-liter inline-four that’s paired with a CVT. This engine produces 158 horsepower (lower than the Seltos) and 138 pound-feet of torque. Like the Seltos, there is no such thing as a towing capability to talk of, although, you may go for AWD throughout the lineup. Pricing for the Honda HR-V begins out at $24,600 and climbs to as a lot as $28,150 for the range-topping mannequin.

Kia Seltos Trim Levels And Pricing

The Kia Seltos is offered in 5 completely different trim ranges, staring with the bottom mannequin LX that’s truthfully designed to be as reasonably priced as potential with principally primary facilities. Moving as much as the S, EX, X-Line, or SX will web you higher expertise, nonetheless with out breaking the financial institution, with a most MSRP of $30,090 earlier than choices and taxes.

Is It Worth Buying The Kia Seltos

The Kia Seltos comes from an extended line of evolution that has seen the model’s high quality and craftmanship skyrocket, and this compact crossover is a main instance of that. Sure, the bottom mannequin isn’t all that effectively outfitted, however even on a decent funds, you received’t really feel such as you’re driving one thing extraordinarily low-cost. The candy spot within the lineup is, arguably the EX. It comes with the facility driver’s seat, syntax seat trim, leather-wrapped shift knob and steering wheel, and that attractive panoramic twin-screen setup, amongst different issues. Even higher but, it’ll solely set you again an additional $1,400 over the bottom mannequin, which comes off as an excellent deal. So, until you’re searching for one thing that may tow a bit or one thing that’s tremendous enjoyable to drive, then the Kia Seltos is a main alternative as a small, environment friendly household car or a dependable day by day driver.