Kia South Africa has just introduced the new Seltos, with an updated exterior design, a significantly upgraded interior, and a pair of upgraded powertrains, to the market. The introduction also sees the Seltos range being revised and repositioned in the crossover segment of the market.
A new look
One of the most noticeable changes to the new Kia Seltos is to its exterior design. At 4 365mm long, 1 800mm wide and 1 620mm high, it is easily one of the largest and most practical compact SUVs available in South Africa.
At the front, the Seltos benefits from a number of aesthetic upgrades, including redesigned headlights and a redesigned front bumper with a new layout for the foglamps. Changes to the side of the vehicle is limited to updated mouldings at the bottom of the doorline, with the biggest exterior update reserved for the rear. Here the Seltos receives a completely redesigned tailgate that incorporate redesigned taillights connected horizontally below the rear window.
The newcomer also benefits from a set of redesigned alloy wheels, with the range now offering two 16-inch options as well as a new 18-inch design that replaces the outgoing 17-inch wheel reserved for the range-topping GT-Line model.
Future-ready interior
The most notable change to the Seltos interior is in the front of the cockpit, where a redesigned centre fascia and a integrated curved display with a slim touchscreen pad and detailed air vents take pride of place. The high-tech 10.25-inch touchscreen (model-specific) acts as the nerve centre for driver and passenger connectivity, functionality and usability needs, designed for highly intuitive and soft-to-touch ease-of-use and equipped with the latest-generation full thin-film-transistor liquid-crystal display for incredibly precise and clear graphics.
Power and efficiency
The new Seltos range retains the 1.5-litre CRDi engine and introduces two new petrol-powered powertrain options to the range, along with a new transmission option.
The new Seltos CRDI is powered by Kia’s 1 493cc UII common-rail direct injection engine, featuring a variable geometry turbocharger. The engine delivers 85kW of power at 4 000rpm and 250Nm of torque between 1 500 and 2 750rpm. Acceleration to 100km/h is completed in 12 seconds, with a maximum speed of 175 km/h. The engine is only available with a six-speed automatic transmission.
The 1.6-litre naturally aspirated engine that has done duty in the Seltos since launch in 2019 is replaced with a second-generation version of Kia’s Gamma 1.5-litre normally aspirated powerplant. The 1 497cc engine develops 84kW of power at 6 300rpm and 144Nm of torque at 4 500rpm. Acceleration to 100km/h is completed in 12.3 seconds, with a maximum speed of 170 km/h. The new engine is available paired with a six-speed manual transmission as well as a new continuously variable transmission (CVT).
The 1.4-litre turbocharged GDi engine in the GT-Line model has been upgraded to a new Kappa 1.5-litre T-GDi unit. The 1 482cc turbocharged engine develops 118kW of power at 6 000rpm and 253Nm of torque between 1 500 and 3 500rpm. Acceleration to 100km/h is completed in 8.9 seconds, with a maximum speed of 195km/h. The new engine is only available paired with a seven-speed dual clutch transmission (DCT).
Plenty of standard kit
All models are equipped with six airbags as standard: one for the driver, one for the front passenger, two side airbags for the driver and front passenger, as well as two side curtain airbags that stretch across the length of the cabin. All Seltos models also feature ISOFIX child seat anchors, ABS brakes with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), central locking and an immobiliser.
All models come as standard with rear park distance control sensors and a reverse camera with dynamic guidelines, integrated into the vehicle’s touchscreen infotainment system. Mid- and high-spec models also gain front parking sensors and Hill-start Assist Control (HAC).
The reshuffled range
As part of the introduction of the new Seltos, Kia has also repositioned the entire range in line with its approach to offer customers maximum choice across a compact range without compromising on standard specification or value for money. The familiar EX, EX Plus and GT-Line models remain, albeit in a revised format, along with a new LX grade.
The new LX takes all the best features of the outgoing Seltos EX to create a new high-value model as entry point into the Seltos range.
LX models come standard with 16-inch alloy wheels, body-coloured bumpers and trim for the electrically adjustable side mirrors (which feature integrated indicator lamps), LED daytime running lights and automatic headlight control. Remote central locking is a standard inclusion, along with an alarm and immobiliser, as is keyless entry.
Inside, black cloth upholstery is standard, with height adjustment for the driver’s seat. The leather-clad steering wheel can be adjusted for rake and reach, with the second-row seatbacks split 60: 40 to create more or less cargo space as required. Drivers have the benefit of a 4,2-inch Supervision TFT cluster, automatic light control, electric windows all around, an electrochromatic rear-view mirror, manual air-conditioning and cruise control.
An 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system takes pride of place on the dashboard, incorporating a reverse camera that is activated when the vehicle is in Reverse and features dynamic guidance lines for reverse parking. The Seltos infotainment system includes Bluetooth connectivity with voice recognition, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with steering wheel-mounted controls for telephony, audio and cruise control. Six speakers are standard, as is a USB port in the front with additional charging USB ports in the front and rear.
The Seltos LX is available in petrol and diesel, with a choice between five-speed manual or CVT on the 1.5 MPI models. The 1.5 CRDi is only available with a six-speed automatic transmission.
Model line-up & pricing
| Kia Seltos 1.5 LX Manual: | R467 995 |
| Kia Seltos 1.5 LX CVT: | R492 995 |
| Kia Seltos 1.5 CRDi LX Auto: | R521 995 |
| Kia Seltos 1.5 EX CVT: | R532 995 |
| Kia Seltos 1.5 CRDi EX Auto: | R561 995 |
| Kia Seltos 1.5 EX Plus CVT: | R570 995 |
| Kia Seltos 1.5 CRDi EX Plus Auto: | R599 995 |
| Kia Seltos 1.5 T-GDi GT-Line DCT: | R626 995 |
All models ship as standard with Kia’s industry-leading unlimited-kilometre/5-year warranty, inclusive of roadside assistance. In addition, a prepaid 5-year/90 000km service plan is included to give customers peace of mind and predictability when it comes to vehicle maintenance.
