2024 Kia Seltos road test | Car Reviews

•    Auto123 evaluations the 2024 Kia Seltos.

For 2024, Kia’s well-liked subcompact crossover has been given a mild refresh introducing some new tech, some styling nip n’ tucks and a minor a lot more electricity, to boot. So let us dive in to this new just take on Kia’s funky little ‘ute, shall we?

Specs sheet of the 2024 Kia Seltos SX

Technical specs sheet of the 2024 Kia Seltos X-Line

Layout of the 2024 Kia Seltos – 8./10

For its mid-cycle refresh in 2024, the Seltos – already a really fashionable-on the lookout CUV – receives a new entire-width DRL light-weight bar in just about every trim, matched by a full-width brake gentle as effectively for an even more modern-day glimpse – not just present day, but increased course as effectively.

Of class, it also receives the things shared with other Kias such as the Tiger Nose grille, nice dim 18-inch wheels with chrome inserts as nicely as the dual-tier headlight remedy that places the DRLs at the primary edge of the hood, previously mentioned the headlights.

It is a fantastic-searching auto even when concluded in white, whilst there are substantially brighter greens, yellows and reds if you’re feeing far more adventurous, or youthful.

2024 Kia Seltos, interior

Photograph: D.Heyman

Inside of the 2024 Kia Seltos – 8./10

Our tester was the SX trim and for 2024, that usually means 8-speaker Bose audio as perfectly as artificial leather-based seating and a sunroof. Luckily, the Seltos has a rather superior roof and the headroom is not a great deal impeded by the sunroof, a blessing for taller motorists like myself.

The same goes for the rear seat, which folds in a 60/40 split. That’s good, but it is a shame there is no centre move-by way of solution, which means you have to sacrifice an complete outboard seat if you hope to haul longer items.

Up entrance, the ergonomics are on-issue. The gearlever sits near but not so shut as to crowd the driver, and the button lender over and above that is just that: a button bank. There are standard hard buttons there for your weather, navigation and media controls this means you never have to count on a touch exhibit or panel for this things, generating it less difficult to use with gloves on, for case in point.

In addition to the sunroof, my tester’s gentle-coloured inside helps make for some good, vivid environs though the contrasting black panels insert an air of course that you never easily uncover in this section. The seats themselves are typically cozy, while the seatbacks are a minimal on the slender aspect.

2024 Kia Seltos, steering wheel, dashboard

2024 Kia Seltos, steering wheel, dashboard

Photo: D.Heyman

Engineering in the 2024 Kia Seltos – 8./10

The most important transform for the Seltos in 2024 occurs within, the place the dash is all-new. Previously the infotainment system and the gauge cluster experienced their possess particular person pods individuals have been swapped for dual 10.25-inch displays. They are sharper and the operating technique to which they’re attached is more quickly than before, but additional than that, the sprint now has a decrease profile and delivers a superior perspective forwards. It’s obvious enough so that you can nonetheless see all the required details in your peripheral vision.

It’s a superior set-up and if only the graphics had been a little nicer to seem at – they are a tad monochromatic – it would be a home run alternatively of a good double.

Of program, considering the fact that there’s also Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (neither is obtainable with a wi-fi link, unfortunately, though there is a wi-fi demand pad), you can fail to remember the native screen completely. Also, the digital gauge cluster alterations variations dependent on what generate mode (usual, sport, clever) you are in, including just a little additional flare to the proceedings.

2024 Kia Seltos, in profile

2024 Kia Seltos, in profile

Image: D.Heyman

Driving the 2024 Kia Seltos – 7.5/10

Ability in our SX tester is rated at 195 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque from a turbocharged 1.6L turbocharged 4-cylinder, which is a 20-hp boost above previous year’s design. The entry stage 2.0L in a natural way aspirated 4-cylinder sees its energy figures stay unchanged at 147 hp and 132 lb-ft.

Electrical power is despatched to the 4 wheels by way of an 8-speed automatic transmission that whips through its ratios in shorter purchase, supplying acceleration more suited to a incredibly hot-hatchback than a compact CUV. It’s zippy at commence and because the eight ratios are carefully spaced, you can uncover power when at pace as properly. If ever there was a crossover that asked for a pair of paddle shifters, this is it but alas, you can’t get any. You can change manually through the leer, but it is just not the identical.

Even though you might feel the tall roof would make for a increased centre of gravity and extra entire body roll, that is not actually the scenario. There is some – this is not seriously a stiffly-sprung or damped overall performance crossover soon after all, and occupancy ease and comfort remains paramount – but it is a remarkably planted affair all round. You will come to feel some fore-aft bounce above more compact bumps, while but that falls rather short of deal-breaker position.

2024 Kia Seltos, front grille

2024 Kia Seltos, front grille

Picture: D.Heyman

A number of of your concerns about the 2024 Kia Seltos

Is the Seltos out there with FWD?
You can get the Seltos in FWD in equally base LX and mid-degree EX forms, but only with the 2.0L 4-cylinder the turbo powertrain will come only with AWD.

Is the Seltos’ AWD technique comprehensive-time or component-time?
The Kia Seltos receives a component-time AWD technique, which means electricity is sent only to the entrance wheels below standard driving situations. If the goings get much more slippery or adverse, electricity can then be directed rearwards that means gas cost savings when you really don’t will need power to all 4 wheels, and excellent traction when you do.

2024 Kia Seltos, Kia logo on the rear hatch

2024 Kia Seltos, Kia emblem on the rear hatch

Photo: D.Heyman

Pricing of the 2024 Kia Seltos

The 2024 Seltos commences at $25,345 for the entry-stage LX FWD trim, although upgrading to AWD adds an extra $2,000. Our SX tester starts at $35,945 although the prime-spec X-Line variation comes in at $38,545.

The last term
The Seltos grew to become a strike pretty much as soon as it dropped in 2021, that means this refresh experienced some quite bug shoes to fill. The extra electric power and new appears are wonderful, but the genuine strike is the new inside and digitized sprint set-up. Tech and connectivity are turning out to be even larger and more substantial variables for potential buyers these days and when we do lament the lack of wireless connectivity, the amplified working pace and dual electronic shows are fantastic provides. 1 thing’s for confident there are couple that will not be joyful with the upgrade.

Strong details

  • – Punchy turbo powertrain
  • – New inside digs
  • – Excellent interior ergonomics

Weak points

  • – No FWD with turbo electrical power
  • – No paddle shifters
  • – Experience can get bouncy

2024 Kia Seltos, rear

2024 Kia Seltos, rear

Picture: D.Heyman

Rivals of the 2024 Kia Seltos

  • – Chevrolet Trax / TrailBlazer
  • – Honda HR-V
  • – Hyundai Kona
  • – Jeep Renegade
  • – Mazda CX-30
  • – Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
  • – Nissan Kicks
  • – Subaru Crosstrek
  • – Toyota Corolla Cross
  • – Volkswagen Taos

2024 Kia Seltos, wheel

2024 Kia Seltos, wheel

Photograph: D.Heyman