First Drive: Kia Seltos SUV facelift is flag bearer

Kia, the South Korean car giant, started its India journey back in 2019 with the launch Seltos SUV and took the competitive mid-size SUV market by storm, giving rivals a run for their money.

There are over 4 lakh Seltos on the Indian roads in less than four years when it was launched in India and disrupting the market. But new rival SUVs are now eating into its market with more features, tech and hybrid powertrains. Kia Seltos competes against Hyundai Creta, Maruti Grand Vitara, Honda Elevate, Skoda Kushaq, Toyota Urban Cruiser HyRyder, Volkswagen Taigun and MG Astor.

In order to boost sales and gain market share, Kia has now refreshed and updated the SUV. I took the Seltos facelift for a long spin to check out if this SUV can still woo the huge but price conscious market with many options to buyers.

The Exterior

With subtle updates, the Seltos facelift now looks more stylish and contemporary. It gets a redesigned front fascia featuring a new grille, LED headlamps and new LED daytime running lights. The front bumper has also been reworked and looks more rugged with its large vents and skid plate. It gets L-shaped LED tail lamps with an LED light bar in the centre, a new rear bumper with a grey insert and a faux skid plate with dual exhaust tips.

The Seltos is offered in three distinct variants such as Tech Line, GT Line and X Line. The higher-spec GT Line and X Line get a slightly different body kit compared to the Tech Line. Differences include the front grille inserts, bumpers, body-coloured inserts in the bumpers, skid plates and larger 18-inch alloys. Overall, the Seltos looks upmarket with good road presence.

The Interior

As you step inside, you notice a sleeker dashboard with a dual-screen setup. It has a digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment head unit in the centre. The SUV also gets features such as a panoramic sunroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 360-degree camera, ventilated front seats, an 8-way adjustable driver seat and ambient lighting.

Other 17 features are forward collision avoidance assist; lane keep assist and smart cruise control with Stop and Go. The SUV also gets 15 standard safety features, including 6 airbags, hill-start assist control, ESC and VSM.

The seats are well-cushioned, supportive and will accommodate even larger-sized people. It also has ample space in the back with enough headroom and legroom for even taller passengers. Also, all windows have a one-touch up/down operation and the boot space at 433 litres is good enough.

The Drive Experience

The Seltos facelift is powered by 1.5-litre petrol engine paired with a 6-speed manual and a CVT, and the 1.5-litre diesel engine is equipped with either a 6-speed iMT or a 6-speed automatic and a new 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine, which is available with the option of a 6-speed iMT or a 7-speed DCT.

The SUV is also available with the smartstream G1.5 naturally aspirated petrol engine and the 1.5 litre CRDi VGT diesel engine. The engine produces 160PS of power and 253Nm of torque. Mated with 5 transmission options, MT, iMT, IVT, 6AT, and 7DCT, the new Seltos is available in 18 variants.

As you step on the accelerator, you experience the refinement of the new engine and strong performance as you drive along on the highway. Undoubtedly, it is quite linear in its power delivery, and, paired to the DCT, it feels genuinely quick in Sport mode. The ride and handling are quite good as you drive in the city as well as on the highway. You feel confident and composed at all speeds, as the car absorbs broken roads, and potholes and bumps with ease. The body movements even in taking on corners is comfortable with a stable steering wheel providing stability with brakes providing excellent stopping power.

Should I buy one?

With a refreshed look, powerful engine, and a host of safety and smart features, the new Seltos, priced in the Rs 10.89 lakh - Rs 19.99 lakh, is likely to emerge as the most preferred drive for the new-age aspiring generation. With many variants to suit your budget, the SUV comes across as a premium, well packaged vehicle for the family to resist.