New Kia Seltos First Drive Review

Top Things to Know About Kia Seltos

The Kia Seltos continues to be one of the most popular mid-size SUVs in India, thanks to its strong engine options, premium features, modern design, and advanced technology. Whether it’s daily city driving or long highway runs, the Seltos promises a balanced mix of performance, comfort, and convenience.

Kia Seltos Engine and Performance

Positives:

• The turbo-petrol engine remains impressively refined and silent, even at cruising speeds of 120 kmph.
• Strong pulling power ensures effortless overtaking in city traffic as well as on highways.
• Despite its performance-oriented nature, the SUV delivers an ARAI-claimed mileage of up to 17.9 kmpl.
• The Seltos feels planted and confidence-inspiring at high speeds, without feeling bulky or intimidating to drive.
• The iMT (clutchless manual) version offers the convenience of an automatic while retaining the control of a manual gearbox.
• Overtaking in the iMT variant feels stress-free as long as the engine stays above 1,500 rpm.
• The gear lever operation in the iMT is smooth and light, reducing fatigue during long drives.
• Hill-start assist is offered as standard, preventing rollback on steep inclines.

Negatives:

• Throttle response at low speeds could have been better, especially in heavy traffic.
• The first gear in the iMT variant can feel slightly jerky at speeds around 20–25 kmph.
• Ride quality is on the firmer side, particularly noticeable on broken or uneven roads.

Kia Seltos Key Specifications

Kia Seltos Convenience and Technology

Positives:

• The overall cabin quality, fit, and finish feel premium and well put together.
• Comfortable seating for five adults makes the Seltos suitable for long-distance travel.
• Ventilated front seats and an electrically adjustable driver’s seat enhance comfort significantly.
• The integrated touchscreen infotainment system and digital instrument cluster look like a single wide display and operate smoothly.
• Excellent visibility thanks to the sloping dashboard, slim pillars, and large glass area.
• The boot is deep and wide, making it practical for family trips.
• Features such as a panoramic sunroof, dual-zone climate control, and voice-controlled power windows add to its premium appeal.
• The latest Kia Connect app enables live vehicle tracking, remote engine start/stop, lock/unlock functions, and security alerts.

Negatives:

• Taller passengers (above six feet) may find rear seat headroom slightly restrictive.
• Rear seat thigh support is average, and the middle passenger’s backrest feels firm.
• The high boot loading lip makes lifting heavy luggage slightly inconvenient, and the boot height limits stacking tall items.

Kia Seltos Safety

• The Kia Seltos has received a three-star GNCAP safety rating.
• It comes equipped with ADAS featuring 17 advanced safety technologies, including forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and smart cruise control with stop-and-go.
• Standard safety features include six airbags, a 360-degree camera with blind-view monitor, hill assist, and all-wheel disc brakes.

Kia Seltos Interior and Exterior Styling

Positives:

• The Seltos follows Kia’s modern and sharp global design language.
• Exterior styling remains contemporary, while the interior feels youthful and premium.
• The front fascia features distinctive crown jewel LED headlamps with sleek DRLs.
• Turbo-petrol variants get sporty dual exhaust tips that enhance visual appeal.
• Buyers can choose from four alloy wheel designs, ranging from 16-inch to stylish 18-inch crystal-cut black alloys.
• The rear design is highlighted by connected LED tail lamps with a wide light bar across the boot lid.
• Multiple upholstery and cabin colour options are available across variants, adding personalisation.

Negatives:

• While stylish, the Seltos lacks the sheer muscular road presence of larger SUVs like the Tata Harrier.

Overall, the Kia Seltos stands out as a feature-rich, comfortable, and performance-oriented SUV that caters well to urban buyers and highway users alike. Despite a few compromises in ride firmness and rear-seat comfort, it remains a strong contender in the competitive mid-size SUV segment.