Kia adds Seltos subcompact crossover to lineup for 2021, starting at $21,990
Kia has added yet another crossover utility vehicle to its U.S. lineup for 2021, called the Seltos, with lots of standard and available features – and an affordable starting price.
Surprisingly, all but one of the available models come with all-wheel drive, which is even standard at the base price of $21,990 (plus $1,175 freight).
Oddly, the base S model and the LX model are both $21,990, but the S model comes with front-wheel drive. Next up the ladder is the S model with all-wheel drive for $1,600 more -- $23,590.
These three and the next level, the EX ($25,390), come with a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder gasoline engine, producing 146 horsepower and 132 foot-pounds of torque.
The final two models are the S 1.6T ($25,590) and top-ofthe-line SX ($27,990), both of which come with a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine. It’s rated at 175 horsepower and 195 foot-pounds of torque.
A continuously variable automatic transmission comes with the 2.0-liter engine, while the turbo engine gets a sevenspeed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.
Our tester for this report was the SX, complete with the turbo engine, seven-speed transmission and all-wheel drive.
The Seltos slots into Kia’s SUV lineup between the entry-level Soul crossover and the compact Sportage.
It’s based on the architecture of the Hyundai Kona, which was introduced for 2019. Hyundai and Kia are South Korean automakers under common ownership, sharing vehicle designs and some manufacturing plants.
The Seltos has a typical Suv-style upright stance, but its edges are more rounded than those of the boxier Soul, giving it a sleeker look. The styling is based on that of the Kia Telluride, a large three-row crossover the company introduced last year.
Inside, the Seltos also takes after the styling of the Telluride, with an upscale look and lots of standard features even on entry models.
There are various premium features on the higher trim levels, including Sofino leatherette seats and leather-wrapped steering wheel/shift knob on EX (mix of leatherette and cloth seats) and SX (leatherette only) models.
The S and LX models come with cloth upholstery.
Optional two-tone exteriors with contrasting roof color are all $345 extra, and include Dark Ocean Blue with either a white or black roof; our vehicle’s Starbright Yellow with a black
roof; or Clear White with a black roof.
The Glossy Black Door Garnish package is included with the two-tone paint, except for the Dark Ocean Blue with the black roof. The Cherry Black paint is also a premium color ($345), but without a different roof color.
Among key Seltos exterior features are a long wheelbase (103.5 inches) and hood; “harmonized” grille and headlight design (with full LED “Beat” lighting on the SX); an “aggressive” lower front bumper with a sharper approach angle (28 degrees) for off-road driving; 7.3 inches of ground clearance; front and rear skid plates and