Kia flexes in on the SUV market
AS THE world moves towards a preference for SUVs, manufacturers are focusing their attention on supplying that increasing demand with a myriad of options that range from small crossovers through to large executive all-wheel drive behemoths.
Adding to the proliferation of choices, Kia last week launched their Seltos – which is a welcome addition to the brand’s line-up.
The car has been on sale for a month or two already but it was the media’s first opportunity to get behind the wheel.
Kia chief executive Gary Scott says that, within two years, SUVs will make up more than 50% of vehicle sales. “We’re starting to see that the market is flattening out and that people are starting to buy down but are still looking for value, affordability and reliability. This is also in line with Kia’s global shift towards SUVs.”
The Seltos comes up against some strong opposition in the form of the Hyundai Creta, Renault Duster, Mazda
CX3 and VW’s T-Cross.
Kia, though, are confident that it will be a good seller on the back of having finished first in the JD Power awards, for the past five years.
There are three variations to choose from, starting with the EX that’s fitted with manual air-conditioning, automatic headlight control, electric side mirrors with integrated indicators, cloth upholstery, steering wheel mounted remote controls, cruise control, a 20cm colour touchscreen infotainment system, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as Bluetooth. There are USB ports for front and rear passengers which personally, I believe, in this age, should be standard in every vehicle. It rides on 16-inch alloys, with a full-size spare wheel.
Power is delivered by a 1.6-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine that delivers 90kW and 151Nm of torque, mated to either a six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed automatic transmission.
A 1.5-litre diesel mill will be added to the range in April, also with the choice of a six-speed manual or auto configuration.
The mid-spec EX+ is fitted only with the automatic transmission and comes with leather upholstery, including trim on the door panels, the side mirrors are auto-folding and it also gains a centre console armrest, with an integrated storage box, and runs on 17-inch alloys with 215/60 R17 rubbers.
Upping the stakes is the top of the range GT line that offers a distinctive look with satin chrome and red trim, gloss black and satin chrome detailing on the front grill, 17-inch crystal cut alloy wheels and red brake calipers.
Inside, the leather upholstery gets matching embroidery, a D-shape steering wheel and stainless-steel pedals.
A new version of Kia’s Drive Mode Select system, incorporating a 2WD Terrain Mode, comes as standard with the Drive Mode Select offering normal, eco and sport mode options. The 2WD Terrain Mode has snow, mud and sand options.
What gives the GT-Line its edge though is the 1.4-litre turbocharged mill under the hood, pushing out 103kW
and 242Nm of torque, paired to a seven-speed dual clutch transmission.
The Seltos is built out of a new plant in India. Considering other vehicles in the market out of India that have some quality and fitting issues, the new Seltos shows none of those imperfections. It’s neatly put together, with no body panel gaps or ill-fitting interior parts or panels.
We got to sample the EX+ and GT-line at the launch in Cape Town, that included the lovely sweeps and bends of the Franschhoek Pass.
The driving position is comfortable and the cockpit a pleasant place to while away the time, although some of the hard plastic surfaces are likely to become scuffed over time.
The suspension, with the McPherson strut up front and multi-link set-up at the rear, handled sharp curves and hairpin bends without any fuss, and body roll was hardly an issue.
The six-speed automatic box, however, struggled to hold a gear – especially on inclines – and would jump down two gears, sending the rev counter on a sharp curve to the right with the accompanying sound track intruding into the otherwise quiet cabin. Unfortunately, because there isn’t a manual option, it’s something that you’ll have to live with.
The GT-Line, however, is a different animal – with the DSG transmission moving effortlessly between gears and power shifting – providing more of a driver’s car impression.
The interior also has a more premium feel to it, with soft touch surfaces scattered around the dash.
The engine is nippy and quite happy to get in to the high rev range, while cabin noise remained unobtrusive. It’s quick off the line too, and maintained cruising speed easily, while passing slower traffic on Cape Town’s highways.
The Seltos is likely to be a popular choice among South Africans as the economy continues to squeeze us and buyers look for more practical value propositions. While the GT-line is the pick of the bunch, the difference of R55 000 is a lot of money.
Considering that it will mostly be used as a home, work, school or holiday vehicle, the EX+ – despite the gearbox hunting – should be the go-to option.