Kia Seltos is an all-new SUV from the South Korean manufacturer. Teaser information has been provided to the media in preparation for it going on sale in Australia in October.
Seltos is smaller than the Kia Sportage but the dimensions are yet to made public. Photographs show its lines are chunky and certainly standout from mainstream shapes in this hotly contested market segment. Of particularly interest are the very high lines at the rear-sides.
Kia tells us, “Seltos stands apart from its rivals thanks to its sophisticated, sporty design and the space and capabilities of a traditional SUV – all in a compact package.” The reference to ‘traditional SUV is interesting because many in this field are really only hatchbacks with taller bodies. Having said that, Seltos is offered with two-wheel-drive (the front wheels) as well as AWD.
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.
The Seltos has a range of newly developed powertrains. Australians will have choice between a 2.0-litre Atkinson Cycle petrol mated to a CVT and driving through the front wheels. As well as a 1.6-litre Turbo GDi coupled to a seven-speed double-clutch automated manual and AWD. Drivers can choose from ‘Normal’, ‘Eco’ and ‘Sport’ modes.
The car’s large 10.25-inch screen gives advanced 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 Seltos offers Kia’s innovative UVO CONNECT telematics system. This uses its own SIM card to retrieve and update live data during a drive, such as traffic information, weather forecasts and points of interest. It is designed for compatibility on Android and Apple smartphones.
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.
Stay tuned for more information as Kia Australia provides it to the media, as well as for driven impressions when we get ourselves behind the wheel.
