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Kia Seltos 2023: Feature-rich and efficient. Check out the driving experience review.
It wouldn't be wrong to say that anyone looking for a mid-size SUV today is in a bit of a bind. There are many cars currently competing for the top spot, and each is unique in its own way.
However, Kia Seltos has been the protagonist of this segment, and the 2023 makeover of kia Seltos is completely eye catching.
Seltos retains the aggressive front end and has a similar design to the pre-facelift model. New aggressive front grille with increased dimensions and a redesigned bumper.
The rear has changed a lot, but some design elements, such as the front, have also been moved. You now have LED taillights attached to the redesigned tailgate. The rear bumper has also been revised and includes reflectors and reversing lights
The side profile has not changed much, apart from the 50mm length difference, which is now 4365mm. The vehicle's wheelbase (2,610 mm) and other dimensions (width = 1,800 mm, height = 1,645 mm) remained unchanged.
Seltos price starts at Rs. 10.90 lakhs. The HTX variant with CVT automatic transmission is priced at Rs 16.6 lakh. Unfortunately, the 1.5-liter NA petrol unit with CVT transmission is not available on the high-end HTX+, GTX+, and X-Line models.
Kia also offers 1.5 NA petrol engine on the top model, just as Hyundai did with the Verna. It will also help Kia attract some customers from the Toyota Hyryder and Maruti Grand Vitara.
The 6-speed iMT in the HTK+ variant is priced at Rs 15 lakh. The DCT automatic top-end X-Line variant is priced at 20 lakhs.
The price of the X-Line premium AT is Rs 20 lakh. You can see the detailed pricing of each variant at carbike360.com.
Considering the features of Seltos in this section, we can say that it has a reasonable pricing. When the prices of the top models are compared, it is the most expensive in its segment. The Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun are close but lack ADAS features.
A nice feature is the panoramic sunroof and the shark fin antenna is now more aerodynamically designed.
It has 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment unit, which is paired with an 8-speaker BOSE sound system. The screen is beautiful and clear with perfect font size.
Interestingly, lower versions have smaller 8-inch touchscreens that support wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
If you are tired of listening to radio broadcasts, by default, you will hear some soothing nature sounds. You can choose different settings for your Bose sound.
A good backup camera is available. The 360° camera is very useful when parking in tight spaces
There is a 12V socket at the bottom, a USB Type-A port and a USB Type-C port
The electric handbrake with auto-hold function is here. you get lot of space to place your phone under the EPB. There is more storage with a slider that can also be used as a cup holder.
Behind the touchscreen, there is also an LED reading light. All windows at Seltos are equipped with UV-resistant glass.
The Boot space in the Seltos remained unchanged at 433 liters.
Also Read: Kia seltos facelift all variants explained
Put your feet on the ground, and before you know it, the speed limit will be 120 km/h. That's the problem with turbo-petrol - it's kind of like pressing the accelerator on the open road. Off-the-shelf acceleration is excellent and more linear than Skoda's 1.5 TSI engine.
You can drive at 100 km/h on the highway when the engine spins comfortably at 1,800 rpm. Even at 120 km/h, the engine lights up when the rev counter reads 2,200 rpm.
The power of the dual-clutch transmission moves smoothly. Downshift response time is fast enough that the transmission won't hesitate to downshift three or even four times to get the engine into the powerband.
Steering wheel shifters are responsive, and you can use them to extract some of the engine's performance for fast acceleration or to keep the engine electrically powered on certain corners.
I wouldn't say the same for the DSG in Volkswagen and Skoda cars. The gearbox logic in the Taigun and Kushaq 1.5 DSG is better and more responsive to the driver.
The 1.5-liter engine is very good overall. You can hear the engine noise in the cabin when cruising at city speed at 100 km/h. Even vibrations are well controlled, and driving on the highway with the family should be comfortable.
Eco Mode: Join Eco Mode when you need fuel the most. The throttle response is slow, but the mod is suitable for city use given the strong power. We actually like to drive in this mode in cities because it feels like driving a car. When you select Eco mode, the Auto Start-Stop function will be activated.
Normal Mode: This is the default mode, and, as the name suggests, it drives normally. The difference between the normal type and the commercial type is very small.
Sport Mode: Activate this mode when you want the car to do more for your equipment. In this mode, throttle response is sharper, and the transmission holds gears longer.
Ride quality can still be harsh, but the overall setup is similar to what you'd expect to find in a Creta. It's much better now, and most car owners will appreciate this change, including 18-inch wheels.
The suspension quietly absorbs small bumps and potholes. On a bad road, some of the body roll can still be felt at home, but it's manageable.
The Seltos has a MacPherson strut suspension at the front and a torsion beam axle at the rear.
Kia has made disc brakes on all wheels standard on all models. You also get brake assist and ABS. When braking at high speeds, the car stops in a straight line without any drama.
113 BHP, 1.5 liters of naturally aspirated petrol engine, 158 BHP, 1.5 liter turbo petrol and 114 HP, 1.5 liter turbo diesel. The turbo-petrol engines are paired with a 6-speed iMT or 7-speed DCT automatic transmission.
Seltos is equipped with ADAS Level 2 technology with 17 autonomous functions. Equipped with 1 front and 2 rear radar sensors, the system activates functions such as forward collision avoidance assist, intelligent cruise control, blind spot collision avoidance, and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance.
There are three Buttons SOS will call the emergency number of Kia Customer Service, the button will call Kia Roadside Assistance, and the third button will open Kia Connect. Auto-dimming is also available.