Kia Seltos 2019 Review

After sampling only the top-shelf Kia Seltos GT-Line, with Korean-spec suspension, I can happily report that Kia's Aussie suspension gurus have fixed many of our dynamic criticisms of the compact SUV..

What was then a doughy, soggy mess when it came to cornering, has been transformed into a more confident, responsive machine.

The entry-level Kia Seltos S with its rudimentary 16-inch steel wheels and hub-caps and front-drive propulsions has a less sophisticated (torsion beam) rear suspension setup compared to the independent rear suspension-equipped all-wheel-drive GT-Line and isn't quite as settled through a corner and over rougher bumps, but compared to the Korean-spec cars they are both significantly improved.

The changes gives the cars (and drivers) more confidence when navigating corners.

The steering system in the local version of the Kia Seltos is also slightly more direct thanks to the Aussie tweaks, although it won't match the very best for feel and feedback. Perhaps more importantly in this segment, Seltos has a reasonably good turning circle, clear sight lines, reverse parking sensors and a rear camera standard on all models.

Combined, these elements make parking and navigating busy shopping centres easier as pie.

You'd think driving two Seltos variants back-to-back would see the continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) of the Seltos S the least desirable but – dare I say it – the CVT is in some ways more appealing than the seven-speed dual-clutch jobbie in the top-of-the-range GT-Line.

Sure, the entry-level 2.0-litre non-turbo engine (110kW/180Nm) in the Seltos S needs to be whipped a bit harder up freeway on-ramps than the GT-Line's 1.6-litre turbo (130kW/265Nm), but the fact of the matter is the CVT gearbox is smoother and arguably better suited to ‘vanilla’ transport duties and urban driving.

Truth is, at first I didn’t even realise the gearbox in the Seltos S was a CVT. This sort of transmission is normally whiny, rubbery and a wretched thing to deal with. But not this one. It's a refreshingly refined unit that works away diligently in the background and delivers reasonable fuel economy too, at 7.6L/100km measured (its rated at 6.8L/100km).

CVTs have typically been miserly engine associates but this thing is a tantalising proposition because it actually makes the Kia Seltos S feel lively and engaging to drive. There's a bit of engine noise at freeway speeds but nothing a little Justin Timberlake can't fix.

The up-spec GT-Line had more chutzpah and even with its 18-inch alloy wheels feels more settled. Its part-time all-wheel drive system adds weight and, in our experience, this variant was significantly thirstier, returning almost 10L/100km versus its claimed 7.6L/100km.

All Kia Seltos models come with a rather fancy-pants touchscreen infotainment system -- even the cheapie Kia Seltos S.

As the centerpiece of the Seltos S’s cabin, the good-sized 8-inch infotainment touchscreen is easy to read and works well with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto when you plug in via cable.

Every other model in the Seltos range, including the GT-Line, gets a class-leading 10.2-inch widescreen display that makes the car feel more German than Korean. It offer three-way split screen functionality, can have two wireless devices paired at once (Spotify streaming and Google Maps anyone?) and has a tasty high-def 720p resolution.

The Seltos S falls down a bit in the climate control arena too, where a pair of large, dated (but admittedly functional) dials control temperature and direction.

The GT-Line adds things like climate control, heated and cooled front seats, wireless phone charge mat, a very useful digital head-up display and artificial leather seats. Another first is the eight-speaker premium BOSE sound system that interfaces with the Seltos’ funky LED mood lighting system, hidden away in the doors and along the dashboard.

When you play music (or even spoken podcasts), the lights pulse in time with beats and melodies, although it is only noticeable at night. Nevertheless, the system is kind of cool and has various settings and colours. It even flashes in time with the reversing sensors to add a little more caution to your parking manoeuvers.

Another great feature of the Seltos – and all Kia vehicles – is the seven-year warranty, which is among the strongest in the market — adding peace of mind over the long term. This is backed up by capped-price service costs for seven years and up to eight years roadside assistance — handy if the car breaks down or runs out of fuel.

It’s not all perfect, however. The Kia Seltos’ dash plastics are pretty cheap in both models, along the doors surfaces and the material around some parts of the dashboard.

In contrast, the GT-Line's faux leather seats are really quite nice. The pleather extends to the armrests, gear shifter, steering wheel and a little bit on the dash fascia, which helps distract from the LEGO-quality plastics.

While there is a good selection of safety aids as standard across the Seltos range (including driver attention alerts, autonomous emergency braking, lane keeping assist and six airbags) there are a few omissions at Seltos S level. You’ll need to option up the base grade Seltos S with a $1000 'safety pack' to get the high-grade radar-based autonomous emergency braking.

Adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality also comes with the pack. So does an electronic park brake which is a must-have, if you ask me (primarily for the auto-hold function that's a godsend at intersections and in stop-start traffic).

Every other model in the Seltos range comes with electronic park as standard.

The Seltos S only gets one USB up front and only the top-spec GT-Line mode-grades get rear seats air vents and a USB port.

The Seltos S also looks a bit crummy with its plastic wheel covers and lack of LED daytime running lights and while the adaptive radar cruise control is effective, the lane keep assist and lane following assist features are some of the most ineffective I've experienced.

All models get a full-size spare under the boot floor except the entry-level Seltos S, which gets a space-saver spare wheel (but more boot space as a result). That translate to a class-leading 498 litres compared to other models' 433 litres.

Overall, however, the entry-level Kia Seltos S represents good value for money in the segment – despite not being quite as affordable as the $23,990 Mitsubshi ASX.

As well as the stuff mentioned above, like the good-looking infotainment system, the Seltos S gets cruise control, a six-speaker stereo, rear parking sensors, reversing camera, automatic headlights, electric windows and electric mirrors.

The steering wheel controls are great. With a four up/down toggle switches and eight buttons, you're not overwhelmed by buttons, but there's enough to get common tasks done easily. Think: music selections and volume control; answer/hang up phone calls; adjust cruise control and so forth.

The top-range GT-Line gets a lot more kit, which you'd expect for the $41,990 drive-away price. We're talking 18-inch alloy wheels, sunroof and more LED lights than a nouveau discotheque.

The front end of the Kia Seltos GT-Line also looks very techy, with triple stacked vertical LED fog lights and quad stack horizontal LED headlights.

After two weeks driving the bookends of the Kia Seltos range, it's clear there are pros and cons for both the cheapest and most expensive models. Overall, I reckon the good stuff far outweighs the bad in both cases. This car will generate plenty of mainstream appeal primarily through value-for-money and drive-away pricing, which will be key in today's gloomy market conditions.

Pitched at small car buyers, the new SUV will find favour with a broad demographic with its strong after-sales support, Aussie-tweaked chassis (which transforms the way it drives) and surprisingly spacious and well-equipped cabin.

The Seltos name is confounding – a play on Hercules' son, Celtos – and even Kia admits not everyone loves it, but the chunky-looking machine should not be overlooked when buyers cross-shop its rivals.

It may have taken its time joining the small SUV party but I reckon the new Kia Seltos' popularity will snowball. Where the Mazda CX-3 and Mitsubishi ASX have been kicking sales goals, the Seltos will have no trouble muscling in on the action.

How much does the 2020 Kia Seltos S cost?
Price: $25,990 (drive-away)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 110kW/180Nm
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission (CVT)
Fuel: 7.6L/100km (as tested)
CO2: 157g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: TBA

How much does the 2020 Kia Seltos GT-Line cost?
Price: $41,990 (drive-away)
Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 130kW/265Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 9.7L/100km (as tested)
CO2: 175g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: TBA