For the latest Kia Seltos pricing and information:
https://www.kbb.com/kia/seltos/

If you’re in the market for a subcompact, five-passenger crossover the Kia Seltos should be on your list. If this is your first intro to the fairly new baby ute, welcome. I’ll let you know some important things. If you’re not new and just looking for what’s new, then I’ll make sure you know when those come up, too.


Starting on the most obvious, the exterior. Personally, I’ve always been a fan of how it looks, even if most of the small utes to tend to look a bit similar, the Seltos looks like it comes from a more expensive segment.


The Nightfall Edition, yes, that’s new comes with the AWD as well as 18-inch matte black alloy wheels, and some extra rugged body cladding.


The Seltos gets some fierce competition that includes the Subaru Crosstrek, Hyundai Kona, Mazda CX-30, Honda HR-V and Toyota Corolla Cross.


All of those aforementioned crossovers hover around the same baseprice s the Seltos’s almost $22,500 not including destination. But the Seltos is on the larger side of all those competitors and comes to the table with great standard features. So, you’re getting something for your money.


Let’s start off with engine options. You have two, a base model 146 horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder or you can upgrade to a 1.6-liter turbocharged mill (175 hp, 195 lb-ft torque) that puts up better power numbers.

That turbo engine is only available on the new Nightfall Edition, yes, we’ve already mentioned that one, and top-of-the-line SX trim.

If you’re looking power and performance, then you are going to want to upgrade to that more powerful engine.


Other standard features you get are solid. Starting with AWD on the base model. You cannot get the LX in Front-wheel drive only.

The next highest trim, the S you can get either in 2- or all-wheel drive, that’s the only trim level that puts power down at the front only. Both the EX and SX as well as the new Nightfall Edition come as AWD models.


Other goodies you can expect for your money include an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, remote keyless entry, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as some extra driver assistance features that now come standard with the Kia Drive wise suite and include lane departure warnings Forward collision warnings Driver attention warning High Beam Assist lane keeping assist and lane following assist. Both of those previous mentioned are excellent systems that don’t feel overly intrusive, but help a driver stay out of trouble.


You can upgrade to higher trim levels and treat yourself to amenities such as an LED lightbar, heated front Syntex seats, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen. That larger screen is now standard on all but the LX, that’s new, too.

You can get a leather wrapped steering wheel, smart key with push button start, rear USB ports and even wireless charging.

OC: But let’s talk about what all that stuff means once you’re in the Seltos.

It feels roomy for such a diminutive car. And while I know this is a model that’s more decked out with amenities, the design and layout of the Seltos feels intuitive and functions well for the driver.


The interface on the touchscreen isn’t multilayered and it’s got one of my favorite features that seems like it would be in a Mercedes.

Once you get the engine started there aren’t diminishing returns here, either.


The Seltos has nice road manners. The ride feels comfortable. There is nothing that stands out as being problematic for me.

I like the steering feel, it’s not overly assisted and the brakes feel solid.

Check off a lot of boxes on your list when it comes to a subcompact crossover with the Seltos.

The base model does come with a CVT, but I find that most people who ask me about what car they should buy don’t even notice the difference. If you’re a gearhead or enthusiast I’d recommend looking elsewhere, but when it comes down to it CVTs are becoming less obtrusive and are getting the job done with added fuel efficiency. Something most consumers crave.


Speaking of fuel economy – the numbers on the Seltos look solid. You won’t even take that big a hit when you opt for the turbo.

The top-of-the-line SX trim will cost closer to $28,000 without Kia’s $1175 destination charge.


So, some new things building on a crossover that’s already shown up as being pretty impressive. Way to go Kia Seltos, keep it up.

00:00 2022 Kia Seltos
0:33 Exterior
1:01 Competitors
1:33 Engine
1:54 Driving Impressions
3:00 Interior