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2024 Kia Seltos S: Review, Specs & MSRP – Subcompact SUVs are one of the smallest, but it’s a fiercely competitive one. There’s a reasonable capacity for cargo, and all-wheel drive, and reasonable price tags that rank near the top of most buyers’ lists. The market is also looking to find the most recent and best latest models. To stay ahead of the pack in the market, Kia recently rolled out their new 2024 Kia Seltos.
After just a few hours on the road in the latest Seltos and we discovered it to be modern sophisticated, refined, and stronger than the previous model and with adequate second-row passenger space. Overall it’s an impressive model and is evidence that Kia is now very adept at giving its customers the things they need. However, will they really want it more than the brand new Subaru Crosstrek, which has been significantly redesigned in 2024’s model year?
Review
Since the Seltos was brand new two years ago, the new design for 2024’s model year is more evolutionary rather than groundbreaking. Many customers will not even know that the Seltos features a new exterior unless the two models are placed side-by-side.
The wider grille, complemented by LED full-projection headlights is the most prominent change to the exterior. Kia has added “Star Map” LED lighting which connects the headlights grille, and running lights as well as giving the Seltos a distinctive look at night. The fog lights that are vertical fit more seamlessly into the bumper and the upgraded lower bumper gives the Seltos a more attractive design.
In the rear, Kia updated the taillights using a horizontal design. linked by a light bar that runs along the back of the gate which gives the Seltos a more striking appearance. The rear reflectors and the backup lights on the bumper resemble the design and shape of the fog light on the front.
The updated design is complemented by the new wheel shapes which help differentiate grades of the trims. Kia has Seltos in three new colors. Seltos in three fresh colors: Pluton Blue, Fusion Black as well as Valais Green. In the brand new Pluton Blue, my test vehicle drew a lot of interest from people who were unsure about the car but loved the shade.
One of the first things we noticed concerning the Seltos upon entering it was how far the seat of the driver can be elevated. With the current era of high beltlines and decreasing sightlines, it was refreshing to have the ability to raise the seating height so that we could see clearer above the car’s hood.
When we tested our test drive of the Seltos, Kia only had the highest-end SX AWD for us to test with its turbocharged 1.6-liter and eight-speed auto engine. The motor worked without a trace and in a non-invasive manner. The Seltos is a smooth ride around town as well as seamlessly integrates into highways and effortlessly maintains the speed of its cruising. Also, the small SUV’s cabin is quiet when compared with other models that compete in this segment. They generally let more wind and engine sounds enter the interior. The Seltos blocks the bulk of it from entering the cabin, and the only place that you actually hear the engine is when you step on it.
The steering is light and fluid at all speeds Its brakes operate quite effortlessly. Its ride quality is quiet and doesn’t seem to be slowed. When taking long turns in a hurry it is common for the suspension to tilt slightly into the corners, and in general, the Seltos is a bit hesitant when you push it. The Seltos isn’t as streamlined as, for instance, or that the Toyota Corolla Cross, with its more fun and chuckable design.
The large display on the screen is an excellent improvement since it’s visible and clear even at the most bright times of the day. Utilizing the infotainment screen is also easy since everything is identified and responds well to inputs. Interior materials are comfortable in their feel and the seats ooze sturdiness. However, we tested the priciest Seltos that you could buy, and it’s not clear if the same observations are applicable to trims with lower levels.
Due because the backs of the seats have a more inclined angle, the rear seats have plenty of headroom. However, those who have longer legs may find their knees too cramped. However, the Seltos is still able to offer greater rear legroom than the Mazda CX-30. Its trunk is adequate in this class and is able to accommodate two luggage cases or the smaller models of three or four.
Specs and Performance
The Seltos is positioned in between its siblings, the Soul as well as the Sportage The Seltos is due to be launched within North America in 2021, which means it’s a brand new car. So, any changes to the exterior have been minimal and the 2024 version’s biggest modification is more streamlined taillights, as well as the addition to the lineup of Pluton Blue paint, which has been added to the Seltos line-up. The most notable change within the cabin is the addition of Kia’s newest panoramic dual information display and infotainment screens, which will look familiar to those who have seen the updated Kia Telluride. The configuration can be scaled as high as 10.25 inches per piece to be used as a substitute.
Two powertrains will be available in 2024 Seltos that can be paired with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, based on engine and trim. The basic 2.0-liter four-cylinder that generates 146 hp and 130 lb-ft of torque is the same, coupled with the CVT that was used previously. It’s also available as a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and is now equipped with an eight-speed auto instead of the old seven-speed DCT. The engine also gets a 20 horsepower increase to a reported 195 horsepower and 195 pounds of torque. Kia claims it was able to achieve this through improvements to the turbocharger as well as the cooling system. The only negative to this horsepower advantage is that the upgraded engine and transmission combination will return somewhat lower fuel efficiency as compared to the version of 2023. However, it’s a bit stronger than the powertrain of the top-trim version of the Crosstrek transmission, which is a plus.
In the 2024 Seltos range is a brand new X-Line design trim, which is replacing the previous Nightfall Edition. It is only available equipped with only a 1.6-liter engine, the X-Line comes equipped with exclusive features, including 18-inch wheels, a black roof rack with gloss-black door trims, as well as a front grille with a gunmetal finish.
One line-up change worth noting A note about pricing: The cheapest pre-facelift basis version was Seltos S with front-wheel drive. In 2024, the new base model will be that of the Seltos LX, which is only accessible that comes with all-wheel drive. Kia executives we spoke to stated that the move was done as a result of its desire to create AWD more affordable and accessible as is feasible. Also, there’s that difficult Subaru to compete with. Subaru offers the standard AWD all across its models.
The Celtics have two engines available. Both remain, however, the turbo 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine has now produced the power of 195 hp (up from 175) as well as the base 2.0-liter four-cylinder has the least amount of power boosts, settling at the 147 horsepower from an initial 146. The eight-speed automatic transmission has replaced the dual-clutch seven-speed automatic that is used for 1.6-liter models. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder is now paired with a continuous-variable auto.
Kia has two four-cylinder engines for the Seltos which include the 2.0-liter engine that produces 147 horsepower and a turbocharged 1.6-liter which produces the equivalent of 195 horses. We test-drove the Seltos using its turbo-charged 1.6-liter and found its performance to be adequate. In our testing, it was turbocharged. Seltos speeded up to 60 speed with a time of 6.9 seconds. The base engine comes with the continuously variable auto transmission (CVT) The turbo has an 8-speed auto. All-wheel drive is standard with all except that of the S and EX variants. The Seltos provides a comfortable but generally smooth ride and the handling is nimble for a SUV. It’s more fun and calming than rivals like the Jeep Compass and Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. We’ll be able to drive the new Seltos in our base We’ll update this report by bringing you results from the acceleration test as well as driving experiences.
The EPA believes that the Seltos are expected to deliver decent MPG numbers. Fuel economy on highways is thought to reach 34 mpg in front-wheel-drive models equipped with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. In our 75 mph highway fuel economy testing route, an all-wheel-drive Seltos model with a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine clocked 32 mpg.
Price
The 2024 Kia Seltos S costs $24,990. It comes with fabric and synthetic leather seats as well as a leather-wrapped steering and a shift knob, a 10.25-inch touchscreen and a 10.25-inch gauge cluster that is digital with navigation, a Wi-Fi hotspot satellite radio, an extra USB port, an automatic climate control, a push button to start, remote start and ambient LED lighting and roof rails blind-spot tracking as well as rear cross-traffic warning and warning for vehicle exit. The heated front seats are available and offered as a package of $1,500.