First Drive

2024 Kia Seltos: Is it the Subcompact SUV You Need?

The Kia Seltos has carved a niche for itself in the crowded subcompact SUV segment.

  • by: Samkeliso Maseko
  • May 31 2024
Seltos-AutoTrends

2024 Seltos GTS Specs

  • Base Price

    $22,990 USD (SZL 347,865)

  • PowerTrain

    1.6L Turbocharged I4 Engine (GT-Line) | 8-speed Automatic Transmission (GT-Line)

  • Horsepower | Kilowatts

    241 hp (179 kW)

  • Torque

    258 lb-ft (350 Nm)

  • Seating Capacity

    5

  • Curb Weight

    3,800 lbs (1,724 kg)

  • Cargo Volume

    20.4 cu ft (576 L) with seats up, 80.7 cu ft (2289 L) with seats folded

  • Top Speed

    130 mph (209 km/h)

  • Fuel Economy

    25 mpg combined (9.4 L/100km)

  • Quick Take

    Comfortable ride, feature-rich interior, but average fuel efficiency.

  • Design Score

    7/10

  • Handling Score

    6/10

Verdict - Is Seltos GT-line A Good Car?

Seltos-AutoTrends

What AutoTrends Thinks

A Well-Rounded Contender: The Kia Seltos GTS Delivers Value and Everyday Utility

The 2024 Kia Seltos GTS strikes a compelling balance between style, comfort, and affordability, making it a strong contender in the compact SUV segment. Here's a closer look at why the Seltos GTS might be the perfect fit for your needs.

A Well-Equipped Ride for Daily Needs

The Seltos GTS excels in everyday driving and commuting. Its comfortable and spacious interior offers ample headroom and legroom for five adults, ensuring a pleasant ride for everyone on board. The cabin boasts high-quality materials and a well-designed layout, creating a sophisticated and user-friendly environment. With enough cargo space for groceries, luggage, or even sporting equipment, the Seltos GTS is versatile enough to handle most daily tasks and errands.

Technology plays a significant role in the Seltos GTS's appeal. It features a user-friendly infotainment system with features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, keeping you connected and entertained on the go. Additionally, a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring, provides peace of mind on the road. The Seltos GTS prioritizes safety without compromising on comfort or everyday usability.

Seltos-AutoTrends

How Does It Hold Itself Against The Competition

The Seltos GTS in the Arena: A Battle for Compact SUV Supremacy

The compact SUV segment is a crowded battlefield, with established players like the Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-30, and Hyundai Kona vying for consumer attention. So, how does the newcomer, the Kia Seltos GTS, fare against these formidable competitors?

The Seltos GTS enters the ring with several strong selling points. One of its key strengths is its feature-rich interior. While some competitors might offer a more basic cabin experience, the Seltos GTS boasts high-quality materials, a user-friendly layout, and a comprehensive suite of technology features. The standard infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto keeps you connected, while the available driver-assistance features like automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring prioritize safety. This combination of comfort, technology, and safety creates an appealing package for everyday driving needs.

Furthermore, the Seltos GTS boasts a compelling value proposition. Kia is renowned for its industry-leading warranty coverage, which translates to peace of mind and potentially lower long-term ownership costs. Additionally, the Seltos GTS itself is offered at a competitive price point, considering the features and technology it packs. This focus on value makes the Seltos GTS an attractive option for budget-conscious buyers who prioritize practicality and features over luxury branding.

ADVERTISEMENT - PAGE CONTINUES BELOW

Running Cost - What are The running cost of the Seltos?

Seltos-AutoTrends

How Is Like Living With It?

Running Costs: Fuel Efficiency and Maintenance

Let's delve into the pocketbook-friendly aspects of owning a Kia Forte. One of the biggest factors influencing running costs is fuel economy. The base 2.0L engine shines in this regard, boasting an estimated 27 mpg in city driving and a stellar 33 mpg on the highway. Translating this to kilometers per liter, you're looking at an impressive 44 km/L in the city and an even more efficient 53 km/L on the highway. These figures translate to significant gas savings, especially for those who commute regularly or take frequent road trips.

However, if you crave more power under the hood, the GT-Line trim with its turbocharged engine might be tempting. While it delivers a thrilling driving experience, keep in mind that the extra punch comes at the expense of fuel efficiency. It's important to weigh your priorities and driving habits to determine which engine best suits your needs.

Peace of Mind: Kia's Generous Warranty

Kia has built a strong reputation for reliability, and the Forte is no exception. This translates to lower ownership costs in the long run. To solidify this commitment, Kia offers a comprehensive warranty package that provides peace of mind to its owners. The standard warranty covers your car for 5 years or 60,000 miles (whichever comes first) for any bumper-to-bumper issues. That's not all ,the Kia goes a step further by including a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, ensuring your engine and transmission are protected for an extended period. These extensive warranties translate to significant savings on potential repairs, significantly reducing your ownership costs over the years.

Seltos-AutoTrends

Maintanace Cost

Peace of Mind: Kia's Generous Warranty

Kia has built a strong reputation for reliability, and the Forte is no exception. This translates to lower ownership costs in the long run. To solidify this commitment, Kia offers a comprehensive warranty package that provides peace of mind to its owners. The standard warranty covers your car for 5 years or 60,000 miles (whichever comes first) for any bumper-to-bumper issues. That's not all – Kia goes a step further by including a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, ensuring your engine and transmission are protected for an extended period. These extensive warranties translate to significant savings on potential repairs, significantly reducing your ownership costs over the years.

ADVERTISEMENT - PAGE CONTINUES BELOW

interior and comfort - Is The Seltos GT-line comfortable?

Interior

Stepping Inside the Seltos: A Haven of Design and Comfort

The Kia Seltos welcomes you with a surprisingly upscale interior that surpasses expectations for a subcompact SUV. The design is both stylish and user-friendly, with high-quality materials that are pleasant to the touch. The cabin avoids the plasticky feel that can plague some competitors in this segment. Soft-touch materials and tasteful accents create a sophisticated ambiance that elevates your driving experience.

But the Seltos goes beyond aesthetics to prioritize comfort. The front seats are designed to be supportive, even on extended journeys. They offer ample adjustability to accommodate drivers of various sizes and seating preferences. The sculpted bolsters provide good lateral support during cornering, ensuring a confident and planted feel behind the wheel. Passengers in the rear won't be left wanting either. The Seltos boasts decent legroom for adults on shorter trips, making it a comfortable choice for running errands or carpooling with friends.

Seltos-AutoTrends

How Much Interior Space?

Spacious Enough for Your Adventures

While subcompact SUVs might conjure up images of cramped interiors, the Seltos defies expectations. It offers a surprisingly generous amount of space for both passengers and cargo. Four adults can comfortably fit inside, enjoying ample headroom and legroom for a pleasant ride. This makes it a great choice for small families or groups of friends who value comfort without sacrificing maneuverability in the city.

But the Seltos' versatility extends beyond everyday commuting. When adventure calls, you'll be glad to know the rear seats fold down to reveal a very usable 26.6 cubic feet (757 liters) of cargo space. Need to haul even more gear for a weekend camping trip or a shopping spree at IKEA? Simply fold down the rear seats, and the cargo capacity expands to a whopping 54.8 cubic feet (1,553 liters). This impressive amount of space ensures you can pack everything you need for your outings, making the Seltos a perfect companion for an active lifestyle.

ADVERTISEMENT - PAGE CONTINUES BELOW

Practicality And Booot Space- Is The Seltos Practical?

Practicality

Everyday Hero: The Seltos' Practical Advantage

The Kia Seltos excels in practicality, making it a perfect companion for daily life. Its secret lies in the intelligent balance it strikes between size, features, and functionality. Unlike some subcompact SUVs that prioritize style over substance, the Seltos focuses on delivering a practical driving experience.

This translates to a thoughtful selection of standard features that enhance your daily commute and errands. Imagine starting your day on a chilly morning with the blissful warmth of heated seats. A panoramic sunroof, if equipped, can bathe the cabin in natural light, creating a more spacious and airy feel. The large touchscreen infotainment system becomes your command center, allowing you to seamlessly navigate, connect your smartphone, and control the audio system – all within easy reach. These features, along with ample storage compartments throughout the cabin, elevate the Seltos from simply a means of transportation to a comfortable and convenient extension of your everyday life.

Seltos-AutoTrends

Boot Space

From Groceries to Gear: The Adaptable Cargo Space

As mentioned earlier, the Seltos boasts an impressive cargo capacity that belies its subcompact classification. With the rear seats upright, you'll have a generous 26.6 cubic feet (757 liters) of space at your disposal. This translates to effortless handling of your weekly grocery hauls or luggage for a weekend getaway. But the Seltos' adaptability truly shines when you fold down the rear seats. The cargo capacity expands to a cavernous 54.8 cubic feet (1,553 liters), offering immense versatility.

Imagine tossing in camping gear for a spontaneous outdoor adventure or easily accommodating bulky sports equipment like bicycles or skis. The Seltos' ample cargo space makes it a perfect partner for your active lifestyle. Whether you need to run errands, embark on a road trip, or pursue your hobbies, the Seltos adapts to your needs with exceptional practicality.

ADVERTISEMENT - PAGE CONTINUES BELOW

Reliabilty And Safety - Is The Seltos GT-line Reliable?

Reliabilty

Built to Last: The Kia Seltos and Reliability

Kia has established a strong reputation for building reliable vehicles, and the Seltos is expected to continue this tradition. While the Seltos is a relatively new model, Kia's commitment to quality shines through in its impressive warranty coverage. The standard 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty signifies Kia's confidence in the Seltos' long-term durability. This extensive warranty translates to peace of mind ownership, knowing that major repairs to the engine and transmission are covered for a substantial period.

Beyond the warranty, Kia engineers the Seltos with a focus on reliability. They utilize high-quality materials and components throughout the vehicle, ensuring it can withstand the rigors of everyday driving. Additionally, Kia employs rigorous testing procedures during development to identify and address any potential issues before the Seltos reaches your driveway. This commitment to quality control minimizes the likelihood of unexpected breakdowns, keeping you on the road and reducing ownership costs in the long run.

Seltos-AutoTrends

Safety

Safety First: The Seltos Shields You

The Kia Seltos prioritizes your safety with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). These intelligent features act as a second pair of eyes, helping you navigate the road with confidence and avoid potential collisions. Automatic emergency braking (AEB) is a crucial safety technology that can intervene in critical situations. If the system detects an imminent forward collision and you fail to react in time, AEB can automatically apply the brakes to help mitigate the impact or potentially avoid the accident altogether.

The Seltos also features lane departure warning (LDW), which plays a vital role in preventing unintentional lane drifts. This system monitors your position on the road and issues visual or audible alerts if you start to veer out of your lane without signaling. Additionally, blind-spot monitoring (BSM) utilizes sensors to detect vehicles approaching from your rear blind spots. When a vehicle enters your blind zone, BSM will typically illuminate a warning light on the side mirror and may also provide an audible alert, bringing potential hazards to your attention and allowing you to change lanes safely.

These are just a few of the many safety features that the Seltos offers. It has also received positive ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a government agency that conducts rigorous crash testing on vehicles. With its comprehensive safety features and strong NHTSA ratings, the Seltos provides you and your passengers with exceptional peace of mind on every journey.

Trim Power
LX, S, EX 109KW | 146HP
(2.0-liter)
X-LINE, SX 130KW | 175HP
(2.0-liter)
_ _
_ _

Recommended