The Kia Seltos offers an enticing blend of city-friendly size, responsive performance, and high-end interior comfort. Here are the key highlights of the 2023 model that’s now arriving in Canada’s dealerships.
Subcompact Size, Spacious Interior
The Seltos falls firmly into the subcompact SUV class, with its length of 437cm and 180cm width making it an agile performer in crowded city streets. However, unlike many of its competitors in this segment, the interior feels anything but cramped with a front leg room of 105.1cm and 96.4cm in the rear. If you like the nimble size of subcompact SUVs but prefer a little extra space and comfort in your drive, the Seltos makes an attractive choice.
Powertrain and Performance
All but one of the 2023 Seltos trims are based around a 2.0L four-cylinder engine pushing out 146 horsepower and 132lb-ft of torque, an ample amount for this SUV’s subcompact dimensions. The output is passed through a continuously variable transmission (CVT) to either front-wheel or all-wheel drive, and delivers city-friendly performance paired with a fuel economy as low as 7.1L / 100km on the highway.
However, at the top end of the 2023 Seltos range, the SX Turbo trim switches out the standard engine for a 1.6L turbo mill, pushing up the power to a satisfying 175hp and 195lb-ft. With this powertrain, a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is provided alongside all-wheel drive as standard. The extra output greatly boosts responsiveness and straight-line acceleration, while keeping the highway fuel economy at an impressive 7.9L / 100km.
But whichever model you choose, the 2023 Seltos provides a firm and reliable drive that can handle both city and highway conditions with ease.
Interior and Infotainment
The Seltos interior borrows many features from its larger upscale sibling the Kia Telluride, with options including ambient mood lighting and heated, air-cooled front seats setting the high-end tone. Faux-leather upholstery is available on the higher trims, along with a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel for an extra touch of luxury.
At the entry level, infotainment is accessed through an 8″ touchscreen display that sits alongside a 3.5″ LCD instrument cluster, but moving to higher trims increases the sizes to 10.25″ and 7″ respectively. Smartphone connection is handled by Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, while a wireless device charger and premium Bose sound system can be added at the top end of the range, lending the interior a genuinely luxurious feel.
Advanced Safety and Driver Assist
Kia’s safety technology is second to none in the mainstream SUV market, and the 2023 Seltos maintains the high standards set by previous models. Even at the most affordable level, the LX trim is supplied with blind spot collision warnings, rear cross-traffic alerts, and a safe exit assist system to prevent opening doors into unseen traffic approaching from behind.
Moving up the trim levels adds forward, blind spot, and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance systems, alongside lane keep assist and a lane centring option.
And lastly, the highest trims also add an optional head-up display system which projects essential driving data directly onto the windshield, letting the driver concentrate fully on the road ahead.
Put all these features together, and the 2023 Kia Seltos has the character and quality to stand out in an increasingly competitive subcompact SUV market. Book a test drive by clicking on the button below and experience the unique Seltos blend of agility and comfort for yourself.
Please Note: The details of this article were accurate at the time it was written. Manufacturers may change the details of any vehicle’s specifications, at any time, without notice.
