Just launched in Australia Kia Seltos is smaller than the very popular Kia Sportage. It features a chunky shape that’s well removed from mainstream designs. Of particularly interest are the very high lines at the rear-sides.
Seltos is offered with two-wheel-drive (the front wheels) as well as AWD, with the latter it can be termed an SUV rather than simply a tall hatch.
For Australia, Seltos is available in four specification levels: S, Sport, Sport+ and GT Line. The S, Sport and Sport+ front-wheel drive are powered by a four-cylinder 2.0-litre MPI Atkinson cycle engine producing 110 kW and 180 Nm coupled to a new design CVT.
Sport+ and GT Line all wheel drive has a 1.6T-GDI engine coupled to a seven-speed Dual Clutch Transmission producing 130 kW and 265 Nm.
Starbright Yellow is a standard colour. Premium colours ($520) Neptune Blue, Gravity Grey, Mars Orange, Snow White Pearl, Steel Grey and Cherry Black.
A two-tone treatment is available on Seltos GT Line at no extra cost for Clear White with Cherry Black Roof and Starbright Yellow with Cherry Black roof.
As with all Kia models in Australia, the ride and handling characteristics of the car have been optimised to provide the experience Australian drivers have come to expect.
Seltos S has standard AEB (car and pedestrian), an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Lane Keeping Assist, Cruise Control, Driver Attention Alert, halogen Daytime Running Lights, reversing camera with dynamic guidelines, rear parking sensors, six airbags, six speakers and auto headlights.
There’s an optional safety pack that provides full Autonomous Emergency Braking for cars, pedestrian and cyclists, Advanced Smart Cruise Control, Driver Attention Alert+, electronic parking brake, electric folding mirrors, auto up and down driver’s window and 15-inch rear disc brakes.
Seltos Sport added equipment includes 17-inch alloy wheels, 10.25-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite navigation with SUNA traffic and 10-year MapCare updates, single zone climate control, electric folding mirrors, auto up and down driver’s window, auto window defogger, front halogen fog light, solar windows and full size spare.
The optional Safety Pack adds full AEB, Advanced Smart Cruise Control, Driver Attention Alert+, electronic parking brake and 15-inch rear disc brakes.
Kia Seltos Sport+ features cloth and artificial leather seats, full AEB, Driver Attention Alert+, Advanced Smart Cruise Control, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist, smart key with push button start, smart remote start, electronic parking brake, heated side mirrors, LED interior lights, electrochromic rearview mirror, front parking sensors, luggage screen and 15-inch rear disc brakes.
The topline Seltos GT Line has a sunroof (not available with two-tone paint), 18-inch alloy wheels, interior sound mood lighting, 8-speaker BOSE premium sound system, fast wireless phone charger, 7-inch driver instrument cluster, Head-Up Display, premium artificial leather seats, powered driver and front passenger seat, heated and ventilated front seats, LED headlights, LED daylight running lights, LED front fog light, rain sensing wipers, Lane Following Assist, Safe Exit Alert and aeroblade wipers.
The car’s large 10.25-inch screen has split-screen functionality. This allows users to control or monitor numerous vehicle features. The driver can choose to have a single display (such as navigation) or combine different elements on-screen.
The UVO system is free to users for the first three years, and includes stolen vehicle notification and tracking, safety alerts, auto collision notification and emergency assistance.
Kia Seltos is fitted with six airbags, as well as a suite of electronic vehicle safety systems. These include Kia’s Vehicle Stability Management system, incorporating traction control and electronic stability control. Anti-lock Braking System, a Traction Control System, a Brake-force Assist System and Hill-start Assist Control are standard.
Starting from $25,990 driveaway for the Seltos S, through to $41,990 (D/A) for the Seltos GT Line. A $1000 safety pack is available for the S and Sport models.
The Seltos is covered by Kia’s industry-best 7-Year Warranty, 7-Year Capped Price Service and 7-Year Roadside assistance program.
An unexpected change of plan meant we weren’t able to attend the launch of the new Kia Seltos, so we missed out on a drive opportunity. We will fix that problem asap and report back to you then.
MODEL RANGE
Seltos S FWD: $25,990
Seltos Sport FWD: $29,490
Seltos Sport+ FWD: $32,990
Seltos Sport+ AWD: $36,490
Seltos GT Line AWD: $41,990
Note: These are driveaway prices.
