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Kia Seltos brings Korean design to a compact crossover platform

Kia SA

Kia Seltos is the brand’s new compact crossover and it will become available in South Africa, soon after its global launch.

This new compact crossover from Kia continues the Korean car company’s theme of daring design and clever packaging.

The Kia Seltos effectively becomes a successor to the Soul and will compete in the subcompact crossover segment. It offers buyers a vehicle with pseudo-gravel-travel styling and manageably tight dimensions – to ease parking and urban use.

Exterior design highlights include LED head- and taillamps, bold chrome grille frames and a 3D-sculptured front bumper. Kia is also offering a diversity of wheel sizes with this new crossover, sized from 16- up to 18-inches.

The wheel size options are interesting, as they will provide a solution to customers who prefer the outright style of large rim – and also please those who might use the Kia Seltos for gravel road touring, and prefer a smaller 16-inch wheels, with a larger volume tyre.

Lots of tech inside – and under the bonnet too

Inside there is all the latest infotainment technology that you would expect from a Korean vehicle.

A 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system takes pride of place with the driver served by an 8-inch head-up display. Sound quality promises to be excellent too, with all streaming media relayed via an eight-speaker Bose audio system.

Although exact engine derivatives for the South African Kia Seltos line-up are yet to be finalised, the model range features a blend of 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol and diesel options, in addition to a 1.4-litre turbopetrol.

All Kia Seltos crossovers will be front-wheel drive, with three gearbox options: a six-speed automatic, seven-speed dual-clutch and continuously variable transmission.

Despite not offering all-wheel drive on any of derivatives, Kia’s latest crossover does feature 190mm of ground clearance, which should enable owners to embark on gravel journeys through the Karoo without too much bother.

Kia expects to start delivering Seltos vehicles to customers towards the end of this year, with the first South African units landing locally in early 2020.

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