Kia Seltos - Review, Specs, Pricing, Features, Videos and More

AutoGuide.com Staff
by AutoGuide.com Staff
Find everything you need to know about the Kia Seltos here, along with expert reviews, specs, photos, videos and more.
kia seltos review specs pricing features videos and more
Our Rating3.7/5
Price$22,840 - $28,340
Engine2.0-liter 4-cylinder / 1.6-liter turbo 4-cylinder
Power146 hp / 175 hp
Torque 132 lb-ft / 195 lb-ft
DrivetrainFWD / AWD

The Kia Seltos is the brand’s small SUV that slots between the subcompact Soul and compact Sportage. With optional all-wheel drive, the Seltos is a good SUV for couples and small families.

Two engines are available in the small SUV, a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder, or a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder. The latter is a rarity in this segment, and adds a sporty option to the class.

Pros

Lots of space, affordable pricing, smooth city ride

Cons

Slightly cheap interior, fidgety highway ride, base engine lacks oomph

Bottom Line

A smart, friendly family crossover, the Seltos leverages Kia's traditional reputation for value to strong effect.

2024 Kia Seltos Review: First Drive

kia seltos review specs pricing features videos and more

Even though the Kia Seltos has only been with us since 2020, the Korean automaker is throwing a slew of changes at it for its 2024 mid-cycle update.

These changes aim to keep this subcompact SUV competitive in one the most popular vehicle segments.

Apart from a styling update, the ’24 Seltos also receives a more powerful turbo engine, a new transmission, more available tech, and a more rugged trim offering. AutoGuide recently drove the new Seltos and there’s a lot of ground to cover, so let’s dive in.

Read the Full Review Here


Toyota Corolla Cross vs Kia Seltos Comparison

kia seltos review specs pricing features videos and more

The sub-compact crossover segment is the fastest-growing in North America.

Everyone wants a piece of the pie, like the four-wheeled equivalent of the gold rush 170 years ago. As supposedly “compact” crossovers become larger than grampa’s Buick, the class below has room to grow, in both dimension and sales figures. The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross is a shining example: this new model is almost 10 inches longer than big brother RAV4 was in 2005. Similarly, Kia has the Seltos, which showed up on the scene last year. It’s less than an inch bigger than a Sportage of the same vintage.

Nobody would have accused either of those older models of being too small. So are the Corolla Cross and Seltos all the car most people need? And has either one of these manufacturers struck gold? We spent a week with them both to find out.

Click Here to Read the Review


2021 Kia Seltos Turbo SX Review: When Power Corrupts

kia seltos review specs pricing features videos and more

We get it, the tag SUV sounds way more appealing and purer than a crossover.

A pure-bred German Shepherd will always be worth bragging about compared to a retriever/shepherd mix no matter how cute it looks. The Kia Seltos is one such crossover. It comes with AWD and despite its compact size, looks like a proper two-box SUV.

But things take a different turn when you move up the model lineup to the Turbos. The one we got for the test was the 2021 Kia Seltos Turbo SX, the top trim on the Seltos lineup. It is the sportier trim with a more powerful engine, a different suspension setup, more exclusive features and a more striking color scheme. Historically, when most manufacturers insisting on building sporty SUVs, it doesn’t go as planned. But I had faith in Kia to get it right. Was I wrong?

Click Here to Read the Review


2021 Kia Seltos EX Review: Where Do Its Priorities Lie?

kia seltos review specs pricing features videos and more

Kia’s new sub-compact crossover has an uphill battle on its hands. Can it prevail?

The general quality of cars has risen tremendously over the past decade and a half. We are at a stage in the history of the automobile where there are no more “bad cars”. This has made the job of an automotive journalist quite difficult. Now we actually have to put in the work and look at the finer points, because everything just works.

But the whole rise in quality has also brought something unique to the fore: the focus. The sub-compact crossover segment where the 2021 Kia Seltos sits is fraught with options. But instead of what works and what options are available today, the question is what the car does best. Is it a highway cruiser, a city slicker or a corner carver? That is the question we attempt to answer with the Kia Seltos EX 2.0—so let’s start with where you’ll spend the most time.

Click Here to Read the Review


Kia Seltos vs Hyundai Kona: Which Compact Crossover Is Right For You?

kia seltos review specs pricing features videos and more

Hyundai and Kia, though part of the same umbrella are quite the rivals, especially in the crossover/SUV market.

While both brands mostly utilize the same platforms and powertrains, their products tend to have their own personalities. Be it the K5 and the Sonata or the Palisade and Telluride, which we compared recently.

Today we are looking at another pair of vehicles from South Korea that have a lot in common except their names. The Hyundai Kona and the Kia Seltos are based on the same Hyundai-Kia B SUV platform but offer distinctly different packages. Where the Kona is a more contemporary take on the compact crossover segment and looks more akin to a car, the Seltos goes for the traditional two-box SUV shape. But which would be a better fit for your daily needs? We compare them to the bones to find out.

Click Here to Read the Review


Competitors


Detailed Specs

Price$22,840 - $28,340
Engine2.0-liter 4-cylinder / 1.6-liter turbo 4-cylinder
Power146 hp / 175 hp
Torque 132 lb-ft / 195 lb-ft
DrivetrainFWD / AWD
TransmissionCVT / 7DCT
Fuel Economy (city/hwy)25–29 mpg / 27–35 mpg
Cargo Capacity26.6 cu ft.

Our Final Verdict

Kia Seltos

Overall

3.7

Performance7.0
Features8.0
Comfort7.0
Quality and Styling7.0
Value8.0
AutoGuide.com Staff
AutoGuide.com Staff

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