Kia was low-cost and cheerful, but it surely’s rapidly changing into flashy and arduous to come up with.
With waits of round six months, the Seltos SUV is a scorching commodity proper now.
It’s been up to date with a brand new badge, and its value has risen in step with the remainder of the Kia vary as components shortages, skyrocketing delivery prices, and massive demand take their toll.
The 2022 Kia Seltos S on check right here sits one step above the underside finish of the vary, as a result of it’s been fitted with the non-obligatory Security Pack.
Together with a extra superior AEB system, it brings security tools often reserved for the Sport+ and GT-Line.
Given it takes on a large pool of rivals, and given it’s a part of a sprawling vary, do you have to hassle ready for a Seltos S?
How a lot does the Kia Seltos S value?
On check we’re is the Kia Seltos S with Security Pack, which is priced from $28,290 earlier than on-road prices. It’s $1000 dearer than then S with out the Security Pack.
There’s a $520 premium for the paint on our check car and what looks as if each color however Starbright Yellow.
Opponents embrace the Volkswagen T-Roc (from $35,500), Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross (from $32,990) and the Hyundai Kona (from $26,900).
Don’t suppose the Kia skimps on commonplace tools, although. Extra on that in a bit.
2022 Kia Seltos pricing:
- Kia Seltos S 2.0 FWD: $27,290
- Kia Seltos S with Security Pack 2.0 FWD: $28,290
- Kia Seltos Sport 2.0 FWD: $30,290
- Kia Seltos Sport with Security Pack 2.0 FWD: $31,290
- Kia Seltos Sport+ 2.0 FWD: $33,790
- Kia Seltos Sport+ 1.6T AWD: $37,290
- Kia Seltos GT-Line 1.6T AWD: $42,700
Costs exclude on-road prices
What’s the Kia Seltos S like on the within?
Once I first jumped into the Seltos, like all Kias of late, the simplicity of the inside stood out. It’s clear and easy, led by the black dashboard with its sliver of silver trim.
The 8.0-inch infotainment display is outstanding in the course of the sprint, however appears prefer it belongs.
Though the infotainment is pushed by means of a touchscreen, there are easy accessibility buttons on the facet. One thing Kia is understood for the refinement in its infotainment, the Seltos is not any exception.
All the things works nice and could be very simple to navigate. It’s fitted with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto which is wi-fi and the one adverse factor I can say about this unit is that it nonetheless doesn’t maintain an ideal wi-fi connection.
Earlier variations of the system have been identified for bugging out when linked to wi-fi cellphone mirroring, however Kia has labored arduous to resolve the problem. Present variations of the infotainment system are way more dependable.
Air-conditioning controls sit beneath the vents. The pod is easy, but it surely’s simple to navigate at a look.
There’s a storage compartment beneath that which has USB ports, because it’s massive sufficient for a cellphone, some glasses, and a charging cable. Across the gear selector are buttons that are clean, which is a sign I’m within the base mannequin.
Behind that there are two cupholders, with the parking brake and auto maintain management subsequent to that. There’s additionally slightly slot that might be an ideal spot on your key… if this Seltos didn’t require you place an old style key in a barrel.
There’s additionally a decently-sized armrest with an honest quantity of storage beneath. The fabric used for all of the armrests is good and mushy, likewise the door panels which saved my elbows good and completely satisfied.
The seats being cloth, which is clearly cheaper than leather-based, are nonetheless extraordinarily snug. They’re handbook to maneuver, however our bodies of all sizes and styles will be capable to get snug.
There’s a respectable quantity quantity of house within the rear, sufficient room for a child seat – a rear-facing one at that.
Nonetheless, there aren’t any rear seat pockets, rear seat drink holders, rear air vents, or charging ports, which as a mum makes it arduous to juggle the iPads, drink bottles, and rising temperatures. It makes the bottom Seltos much less succesful as a household automobile, which is disappointing.
Behind the second row is 468 litres of boot house and 1428L with the rear seats folded. It’s a really respectable boot measurement and bigger than some larger, dearer vehicles can declare.
The Seltos S is fitted with a space-saver versus the full-sized spare present in different variants, nevertheless.
What’s beneath the bonnet?
All front-wheel drive Kia Seltos fashions are powered by a 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine driving the entrance wheels through a CVT automated.
Outputs are quoted at 110kW (6200rpm and 180Nm (4500rpm), which is about on par for this section.
Gas use is a claimed 6.9L/100km nevertheless at check I received across the 7.2L/100km mark in blended freeway and metropolis driving.
The Seltos is completely satisfied to run on 91 RON unleaded, which retains costs down. The gasoline tank measures 50 litres.
How does the Kia Seltos S drive?
It appears the one updates which have been made have been to Seltos are away from the drivetrain. It carries by means of the strengths and weaknesses of final 12 months’s mannequin, which is usually factor.
The two.0-litre petrol engine isn’t something to get enthusiastic about, however for normal driving it’s fairly a punchy engine.
Being a CVT we anticipated numerous revs and an unrefined drive, however the actuality is a lot better than that.
It isn’t completely seamless, but it surely’s a pleasant transmission that fades into the background in common driving, and offers you loads of confidence while you’re pulling out into site visitors. Offered you don’t nail the accelerator it behaves quite a bit like a standard automated, although the modifications between “gears” is a contact slurry.
Often, the CVT is the poor relation in a mannequin vary. Within the case of the Seltos, it’s really a nicer transmission than the dual-clutch transmission accessible within the Sport+ and GT-Line AWD grades.
Dealing with clever, the suspension is strictly what you’d hope for in a base mannequin. It’s snug over velocity bumps and potholes within the metropolis, thanks partly to its small wheels and tall tyres. Positive, they appear a bit fundamental, however they make the experience way more snug.
At low speeds, the steering is gentle sufficient to make parking easy. The hasn’t come at the price of freeway stability, although.
The road-holding and stability at triple figures is spectacular, and regardless of the comparatively meek outputs on paper the two.0-litre engine and CVT combo hum alongside quietly at round 2000rpm on the freeway.
Being fitted with a rear beam torsion bar suspension versus the multi-link rear suspension on the AWD fashions doesn’t take away from the driving expertise both.
Sadly, a few of Kia’s security options resembling lane-keep help are very grabby. It’s not one thing I loved in any respect, because it nearly feels such as you’re competing with the automobile for management at instances.
Fortunately it may be turned off, and the remainder of the motive force assists are well-calibrated. Adaptive cruise management (a part of the non-obligatory Security Pack) works effectively and makes freeway driving a breeze.
It’s a disgrace Kia costs additional for them, although.
What do you get?
Seltos S highlights:
- 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wi-fi)
- Reversing digicam
- Rear parking sensors
- 16-inch metal wheels
- Cruise management
- Six-speaker sound system
- House-saver spare wheel
- Tilt-and-telescopic adjustable steering column
- Computerized headlights
- Auto high-beam
- Air con
The non-obligatory Security Pack provides:
- AEB with:
- Bicycle owner detection
- Junction Help
- Adaptive cruise management
- Driver Consideration Alert+
- Electrical park brake with Auto Maintain
- Electrical folding facet mirrors
- Auto up/down driver’s window
Is the Kia Seltos S protected?
When the Kia Seltos was examined by ANCAP in 2019, it obtained a five-star security score.
All fashions obtained an grownup occupant safety rating of 85 per cent, baby occupant safety rating of 83 per cent, susceptible highway consumer safety rating of 61 per cent and a security help rating of 70 per cent.
Seltos S and Sport fashions fitted with the non-obligatory Security Pack in addition to the Sport+ and GT-Line grades fared higher within the susceptible highway consumer (68 per cent) and security help (78 per cent) classes due to the extra subtle AEB Fusion system that provides bicycle owner detection.
All Seltos fashions come commonplace with:
- AEB with pedestrian detection
- Driver Consideration Alert
- Ahead collision warning
- Lane departure warning
- Lane-keep help
- Reversing digicam w/ dynamic tips
The non-obligatory Security Pack for S and Sport fashions add:
- AEB with bicycle owner detection
- AEB with Junction Help
- Adaptive cruise management
- Driver Consideration Alert+
- Electrical park brake
- Bigger rear disc brakes
Seltos Sport+ provides:
- Blind-spot help
- Rear cross-traffic help
Seltos GT-Line provides:
- Lane Following Help (centring)
How a lot does the Kia Seltos S value to run?
Kia affords seven years of capped-price servicing along with its seven-year, limitless kilometre guarantee.
The Kia Seltos 2.0-litre requires servicing each 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.
When outfitted with the two.0-litre 4, the Seltos has a median value per service of $402 over the primary seven years of possession.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Kia Seltos S
Kia has clearly listened to the individuals on this one, and produced a automobile that’s an SUV that deftly balances house inside with moderately compact dimensions on the skin.
It supplies what we anticipated for the value. It’s a stable performer with out being too flashy, and the funds cuts don’t take away from the very fact this is a superb automobile.
In case you are somebody who needs some extra oomph in your automobile, the GT-Line is definitely arduous arduous to fault. Nonetheless, if flashy isn’t your factor, the Seltos S is a formidable car.
Simply be sure to tick the Security Pack field.
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