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"The mini Telluride."
"The mini Telluride."
After Kia hit a grand slam with the Telluride, they brought out the quirky Seltos. The Seltos is based off the Hyundai Kona's platform, and offers Telluride-like features and styling cues that help it be considered as the "Telluride Jr." But has Kia made a great subcompact SUV while also being better than the Hyundai Kona?
Trim Levels
Trim Levels
Trim levels and pricing applies to 2021 model year Seltos.
LX
LX
MSRP $21,990
(AWD is available, but there's no pricing at this time)MSRP $21,990
S
S
MSRP $21,990
(AWD +$1,500)MSRP $21,990
EX
EX
MSRP $25,290
MSRP $25,290
S Turbo
S Turbo
MSRP $25,490
MSRP $25,490
SX Turbo
SX Turbo
MSRP $27,890
MSRP $27,890
Exterior Design
Exterior Design
Peter Schreyer's hands have definitely played with this design of the Seltos. I like it, but I prefer the more quirky look of the Kona, personally. Kia offers LED headlights and fog lights on just the SX Turbo trim, which is a serious dislike from me. But on the S trims, there's a cool DRL strip that actually runs into the upper part of the grille. Also, that little "bag" under the headlights needs to go. Just makes the front end look frumpy and sad. I like how the Seltos has the lower bumper designed just like the Sportage, which gives it a tougher appearance.
Coming to the side, the Seltos is actually a bit longer than the Kona at 169.9 inches, compared to 164 in the Kona. I love that the Seltos offers a dual-tone roof, especially the black roof. That earns some bonus points from me. There will be more details on the Seltos when we review it.
ONE THING. FAKE EXHAUSTS. WHAT THE HECK KIA?! I HOPE YOU AREN'T JOINING THE TREND OF FAKE EXHAUSTS. Rant aside, honestly the back of the Seltos is a bit boring to me. Sure, it has a chrome strip running through the taillights and the reverse lights are integrated into that strip, but the taillights are kinda uninspiring. They are LED though on the S trims, which is refreshing. I wish Kia put a little bit more time into the rear of the Seltos and gave it some more expressive styling. I'm kinda scratching my head cause of how boring it looks...
Interior Design
Interior Design
Getting into the Seltos is where I start to see the Telluride's influence. Easily first thing you can probably point out is the center tunnel grab handle. It proves to be sturdy, which is nice. All but the SX Turbo trims get an 8-inch infotainment system as standard, whereas the SX Turbo gets a 10.25-inch infotainment system from the bigger Telluride. I wish the 10.25-inch screen was available on more trims than just the top trim.
I cannot comment on the comfort of the front seats as I have not reviewed a Seltos yet.
The second row of the Seltos looks to be just a bit roomier than you might expect. There's not much back there though, which you only get a USB charge port and a two-position reclining seatback. That's it. Kia could've put a couple more features in the back of the Seltos so it's not so drab.
Safety & Technology
Safety & Technology
The Seltos has a wide range of advanced driver assist safety technologies to help ease the pains of driving, but you have to pay up for them. Standard equipment on the LX trims includes just Rear Occupant Alert (ROA). Once you get to the S trims, you get much more. You get Forward Collision Avoidance-Assist Camera (it won't stop you...), Driver Attention Warning (DAW), High Beam Assist (HBA), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), and Lane Following Assist (LFA). EX and S Turbo trims add Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance Assist-Rear (BCA-R) and Rear Cross Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist (RCCA). You have to go the whole way up to the SX Turbo trim in order to get every advanced safety technology. That means you have to pay up to add Safe Exit Assist (SEA), Forward Collision Avoidance-Assist Fusion (FCA) (can detect pedestrians and cyclists), Highway Driving Assist (HDA), and Smart Cruise Control (SCC) with Stop & Go. The Kona has a more widespread availability of advanced driver assist technologies compared to the Seltos. Not really happy about that.
The Seltos hasn't been evaluated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) as of this time. Check back to see how the Seltos does in a bit!
Driving Impressions
Driving Impressions
You just have to be patient until I can secure a Seltos for review!
Performance
Performance
The Seltos rides on the same platform as the Hyundai Kona, and they share the same base 2.0L naturally-aspirated I4 and 1.6L turbocharged I4. The turbo engine makes the Kona a tiny little pocket-rocket, but this 2.0L I4 in the Seltos is hooked up to an Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT (IT'S STILL A DARN CVT)), rather than the 6-speed automatic unit found in the Kona.
Performance Figures
Performance Figures
n/a until review is secured
Horsepower (hp @ RPM)
n/a until review is secured
n/a until review is secured
Torque (lb/ft @ RPM)
n/a until review is secured
n/a until review is secured
Transmission(s)
n/a until review is secured
n/a until review is secured
Drivetrain
Front-wheel Drive or All-wheel Drive
Front-wheel Drive or All-wheel Drive
EPA Fuel Economy (city/hwy)
n/a until review is secured
n/a until review is secured
0-60 Time
n/a until review is secured
n/a until review is secured
1/4-mile (sec @ mph)
n/a until review is secured
n/a until review is secured
Final Verdict & REVIEWS Score
Final Verdict & REVIEWS Score
n/a until review is secured
n/a until review is secured
TBD/85 | Accumulated Score
TBD/85 | Accumulated Score
TBD | Reliability
TBD | Reliability
TBD | Ergonomics
TBD | Ergonomics
TBD | Value
TBD | Value
TBD | Innovation
TBD | Innovation
TBD | Electronics
TBD | Electronics
TBD | Wow factor
TBD | Wow factor
TBD | Safety
TBD | Safety
TBD/70 | Subtotal Score
TBD/70 | Subtotal Score
TBD/15 | Subjective Category
TBD/15 | Subjective Category
Media
Media
n/a until review is secured
Photo Gallery
Photo Gallery
n/a until review is secured
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