KIA’S CROSSOVER HIT
Competitive subcompact genre gets new contender with the impressive 2021 Seltos
The red-hot subcompact crossover segment has a new player, and with a Kia badge on the hood, it’s bound to be a contender. The 2021 Kia Seltos arrived in Canada this spring and hit the ground running, currently outselling the Soul and Sportage, the two models between which this little ute slots. Key to its appeal is a melding of slick styling, good dynamics, value, interior quality, and a killer warranty — now a familiar song from Kia that, of late, has delighted buyers and critics alike while giving the competition a migraine.
The 2021 Seltos starts at $22,995 for the LX FWD (the only front drive variant) with a 146-horsepower naturally aspirated 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine hooked up to a CVT. The range tops out at $32,595 for the SX Turbo, sporting a 175hp 1.6-L turbo four paired with seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Today, we’re exploring the middle ground — the nicely equipped Seltos EX that, at $27,595, comes with all-wheel drive and the 2.0L/CVT combo. The only option on this specimen is the Neptune Blue paint for $250.
The Seltos is closely related to the Hyundai Kona, but its taller ride height, slightly longer wheelbase and roomier cabin make for a more spacious offering. Outward visibility is excellent, and second-row occupants will enjoy reclining seatbacks, along with surprisingly generous headroom and legroom for a vehicle of this footprint.
The Seltos really shines when it comes to cargo capacity. Lift the hatch and the maw-like opening reveals a spacious 753-L trunk with a clever bi-level floor. Folding the 60/40-split rear bench opens up 1,778 L of cargo space — more than the Kia Sportage or Mazda CX-5.
The Seltos a decent-looking rig as far as subcompact crossovers go, although it’s not the stylistic home run of its big brother, the Telluride. The front end comes across as particularly classy, while avoiding any untoward gaudiness. Artful body creases and slightly flared fenders give it some muscle, and the satin-chrome accents on the C-pillars are a nice touch. The EX rides on 17-inch alloy wheels.
Hop inside and it’s Kia all the way — simple, elegant design built to a high standard with sensible ergonomics. Yes, the dash and door tops are fashioned in hard plastic, but you won’t know until you feel them; it looks just like the richly textured soft-touch stuff. The major touch points feel premium: the steering wheel is trimmed in soft leather worthy of a Range Rover, and the synthetic leather seats are comfy and well contoured. The controls work with oily precision, too, and perhaps most importantly, they all make good ergonomic sense — a hallmark of the Hyundai/kia/ Genesis juggernaut.
Perched atop the dash is an eight-inch touch screen with clear graphics and quick response times. Apple Carplay and Android Auto are supported, and this base six-speaker audio system sounds pretty good. Standard EX safety kit includes forward-collision mitigation, lane-keep assist, blind-spot detection, and rear cross-traffic alert, but Kia dropped the ball on the headlights. At this price point we expect full LED lighting, but you have to step up to the EX Premium or SX Turbo to gets those. As such, the EX is saddled with some disappointingly dim projector-based halogens. Another annoyance is the EX’S express-down/no-express-up front windows.
Everything else is accounted for: proximity key with push-button start, automatic climate control, a power sunroof, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel.
The Kia Seltos EX is a great little drive. Ride quality is good, the steering has a direct feel, and there’s even a touch of sportiness to its handling. Granted, there’s a bit of body lean, but this diminutive crossover has an eager appetite for the corners when you’re feeling frisky. Similarly, the engine/cvt combo never comes up flat-footed; the 2.0-L engine feels stronger than advertised.
A couple of nice off-roady features are hill-descent control and a centre-locking differential for those days when you just gotta do some mud-plugging.
The Seltos offers customers another flavour of compact ute — not as funky as the Soul, yet more youthful than the Sportage. With AWD standard on all but the base model and fine driving dynamics, the Seltos will be kicking some posterior in the cute-ute playground.