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| Source: KIA India |
South Korea’s second-largest automobile car manufacturer after Hyundai, Kia Motors are now a hot topic in discussions of millennials as well as the boomers.
The looks itself is enough for the rivals to start worrying and if we start talking about the features, it will take some time to cover all those as the new Kia Seltos is loaded with features that in no time you will be asking, ‘tell me, what it doesn’t have’.
KIA first showed its presence in India with KIA Stinger at Delhi Auto Expo in 2018, after which their second launch come to Seltos on 16th July 2019. And Seltos is a hell of a car for the competition to keep up with in terms of the features that she provides in the given price range.
It is not a new car in the market, it is a new brand here to take down the best of the best.
Seltos has given a threatening start to its sales for the SUV segment of every brand, yes, every brand.
Let us talk about the looks first, Kia has their signature tiger-nose grille which looks quite good. It’s not just the nose on the front does look aggressive and appealing, from the outside it has been given a bit muscular curves also from the back it is appealing.
KIA Seltos topped in the utility vehicle sales in Nov 2019 by selling 14005 units in November itself pushing down Maruti’s Vitara Brezza(12033) and Hyundai Venue(9665).
Looks & Design
Exterior
You can have Seltos with these colours: intense red, glacier white pearl, steel silver, gravity grey, aurora black pearl, intelligency blue, punchy orange.
26.03cm (10.25") HD touchscreen with Navigation & UVO connected car technology improves the convenience & safety in the car at the same time adding to the interior beauty.
It has LED headlamps with DRLs, sunroof, two-step rear recliner seats, ambient mood lighting.
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| Source: KIA India |
Interior
It has a smart 20.32cm (8.0") Heads-up Display
Smart 20.32cm (8.0") HUD displays driving information which assists in safe driving by reducing movement of driver's line-of-sight.
26.03cm (10.25") HD touchscreen with UVO
Overall KIA has done a nice job even the size of the tire to the body ratio is good to make it feel like a compact SUV. It’s not just from outside it looks good but also, a big well-placed infotainment system and on top variants, you will also get BOSS speakers which you can say is a party piece for this car. KIA has paid a lot of focus on including technology.
The air-purifier is a must for now, as we know the difficulty to breathe in some Indian cities nowadays, Seltos doesn’t compromise on it. Ventilate & power seats are provided in the new brand. 8-speaker Boss system is a delight to see, the dynamic Speed Compensation technology, keeps you entertained on every drive.
Safety
Seltos has some new and inspiring safety features to talk about.
The structure: The Seltos has high strength steel and adhesive to give extra safety as the manufacturers claim, as it reduces the impact of a crash.
6 airbags: The omnidirectional crash safety starts with the airbags for drivers and passengers.
Kia Signature Tiger nose grill
ESC /HAC /VSM /ABS: Active safety features like these and ABS helps you control the car better.
All-wheel disc brakes
Tire pressure monitor
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| Source: KIA India |
Specifications
Features
Driver and Passenger Airbags & ABS
Projector Headlamps
Shark Fin Antenna
Air Conditioner with Rear AC Vents
9.65cm (3.8") Audio with Steering Mounted Audio Controls
Rear parking sensors
Keyless Entry
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| Source: KIA India |
Dimensions
Measurements
Overall Length
4315mm
1800mm
Overall Width
1645mm (17"tyre with roof rack)
Overall Height
Wheelbase
Variants
2610mm
Boot space
433l
Smartstream G1.5 6MT
1.5L CRDi VGT 6MT
R16 - 40.62cm (16") Wheel cover
Exterior
Features
Diamond knurling pattern - Metal paint
Front skid plates
Rear skid plates
Door Garnish - Black
Steering Mounted Audio Control
Rear Bridged chrome garnish - Hyper metallic silver
Body colour outside door handle
Projector HeadlampsHalogen tail lamps
Shark Fin Antenna
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| Source: KIA India |
Interior
Premium Headlining
Inside door handle Hyper silver metallic paint
Premium fabric seats - Black
Convenience
Electric Power Steering
Tilt steering
Follow Me Home Headlamps
All door power windows
Front Armrest with Storage Box Fixed Type
Sunglass Holder
Driver Seat Height Adjust (Manual)
Central Locking
Bench type seatback folding
Front passenger adjustable headrest
Keyless Entry
Eco Coating
Day and Night Rear View Mirror
Manual Air Conditioner
Rear AC Vents
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| Source: KIA India |
Infotainment & Technology
9.6 cm (3.8") 2 DIN Audio
4 speakers
Bluetooth
8.89 cm (3.5") Mono Colour Display Cluster
Performance
Even in this model you can select the driving mode and only with DCT you get this option, with which not just the throttle response changes but also the weight on the steering wheel and it changes the driving experience makes it much better. In terms of on-road behaviour, the car manages its weight good enough to go around the corner it’s not sporty but gives enough confidence. When it comes to Diesel, you can say it is one of the most refined diesel engines you can find in the market. You can say Seltos is not the most powerful here in this segment.
Let's talk about performance, it has 3 engine variant 1.4l petrol and 1.5 L Diesel/petrol. In this the 1.4l petrol is turbocharged and most powerful here there is turbo lag in the lower range but not that much and for this one there are 2 options manual and DCT with different driving modes which not only changes the throttle response but also the weight on the steering wheel, this makes driving experience even better and DCT is way better than other automatic gearboxes available for other engine variants downshift and upshift are smooth and on time when needed reducing to jerk while driving it.
Enough stiffness is given to the steering, but it is said to be the best feeling Korean SUV in the market. Refinement is quite smooth and handling is easy.
1.5 diesel is the stable one in the group, already meets BS6 standards, so being ready for India.
The 1.4 turbo petrol which has 7-speed DCT. It comes with a sporty feel and gets a heads up display and first in class. Paddle shifts are missing in this variant, don’t know why but it is. You have a good traction control system.
Seltos has brought a great car in the Indian market at a great price, the spec safety and the tech which it provides in the car is new. This car is for those who want space comfort and tech in their car should definitely go for it.
The backseat is quite comfy but not very big. Legroom and headroom are enough for tall people as well. Packed with facilities even in the backseat you will be delighted.
You have 16 variants if Seltos, wow, and that’s something KIA trying to do here. KIA is just bombing with offers to the customers they never knew they can have.
KIA Seltos is a connected car, it comes with a SIM inside the car which can be connected to your SIM. UO app you get with Seltos can be used to start the car from outside and pre-cool before you get inside the car.
Final verdict
Seltos has brought a great car in the Indian market at a great price, the spec safety and the tech which it provides in the car is new. This car is for those who want space comfort and tech in their car should definitely go for it.