Kia Seltos

The Kia Seltos is one of the hottest selling cars in the compact SUV segment, and not without a good reason It offers sharp looks, premium interiors with loads of features, and a loaded on-paper safety kit with well-tuned autonomous driving features. To keep things fresh, Kia has given it a mild update with new features and variants rejig for 2025. So let’s deep dive into the Kia Seltos to know all about it.

• The Kia Seltos is one of the sharpest looking SUVs in its segment.

• The nose looks premium with sleek LED lighting elements. 

• The wide grille, busy bumper and the small skid plate add a pinch of aggressiveness to the design.

• The side profile looks clean, but also premium with the stylish 18-inch alloy wheels.

• The Seltos also gets 17-inch and 16-inch alloys with varying designs, depending on the variant. The base variant gets 16-inch steel wheels with covers.

• The Seltos’ styling looks premium at the rear with its connected LED tail lights, roof mounted spoiler and chunky bumper design.

• The turbo-variants get dual exhaust tips, which look really sporty.

• I really like the sequential animation of the Seltos’ LED lighting setup, which looks particularly cool at night.

• The 2025 Kia Seltos is available in 8 monotone shades: Pewter Olive, Clear White, Sparkling Silver, Gravity Grey, Aurora Black, Glacier White Pearl, Intense Red, and Imperial Blue.

• Glacier White Pearl and Intense Red shades are also available with a dual tone black roof.

• The X-Line variant gets an exclusive Xclusive Matte Graphite shade, which is one of my favourite colours of the Seltos.

Design & Quality

• The design of the Kia Seltos’ cabin looks and feels premium. 

• Depending on the variant, there are different mono and dual tone themes available.

• The cabin uses quality materials, with soft-touch leatherette on all touchpoints, and all plastics are finished in a smooth texture.

• I found the layout of the AC control panel to be a little cluttered, and it took me a while to get used to it.

Driving position

• Thanks to the tilt and telescopic steering wheel and the 8-way power adjustable driver seat, finding a comfortable driving position is easy in the Seltos.

• I like the sporty driving position that you get after pushing the seats all the way down.

• As for comfort, the front seats offer good cushioning and adequate side supports for all sizes.

Passenger comfort

• The Seltos can accommodate three passengers at the back for short journeys. 

• While leg and knee room is good, the headroom could feel a tad less for 6-feet+ passengers.

• It gets two recline angles for the backrest, which you’d appreciate on a long journey along with its central armrest and sun shades.

• The only real shortcoming of the Seltos’ rear seats is the base of the seat, which offers slightly less underthigh support than you’d expect.

Storage options

• The 2023 Kia Seltos gets plenty of thoughtful storage spaces with 1-litre bottle in all four doors, two cup holders with an adjustable partition tray in the central console, and a storage compartment underneath the centre armrest as well. 

• The pocket beside the central cupholders can be used to store your phone or key.

• The glovebox doesn't get a cooling function and isn’t considerably big, but you do get a sunglass holder on the roof and a storage space below the AC panel for keeping your wallet.

• Rear occupants get seat back pockets for storing documents and magazines, and two cup holders in the central armrest as well.

• The Seltos gets 3 C-type ports, one at the front and two at the rear. Front occupants get the option of a USB port and a 12 V socket. 

Features

• The Kia Seltos is one of the most feature-loaded offerings in the compact SUV segment with features like auto headlamps, keyless entry with push button start/stop, connected car technology, air purifier, dual-zone climate control, and a wireless phone charger.

• The 10.25-inch infotainment system is crisp and responsive. Gets Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, but the connectivity is wired.

• The smaller 8-inch touchscreen in the lower variants gets wireless smartphone connectivity.

• The 10.25-inch digital driver’s display has a crisp resolution as well. It offers different graphics depending on the drive mode selected.

• The voice-assisted panoramic sunroof makes the cabin feel more airy, and lets more light inside the cabin.

• I like the thoughtful integration of the ambient lighting, which can change colours based on the music you’re listening to.

• The 8-speaker Bose sound system has a good audio quality with a surround-sense like feel.

• The 360-degree camera quality is good and the multiple angles make it easier to park in tight spaces.

• The X-Line variant also gets a 8-inch heads-up display, which shows information like speed and even turn-by-turn navigation.

• Despite the hefty list of features, the Seltos misses out on wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay with the bigger screen, rear seat ventilation, and a cooled glovebox.

• Standard safety features include six airbags, electronic stability control (ESC), tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), all-wheel disc brakes, and 3-point seatbelts for all passengers.

• Seltos’ Level-2 ADAS suite, including features like adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist and autonomous emergency braking are limited to the top-spec GTX+ and X-Line trims.

• Higher variants of the Seltos get dual dashcam, an electronic parking brake with auto hold, rear wiper and washer with defogger, and rain sensing wipers.

• While the facelifted Seltos hasn’t been crash tested yet, the pre-facelift version received a 3-star rating from Global NCAP.

• Kia claims a 433-litres of boot space for the Seltos.

• In real life, you will be able to utilise the space fully by using small or medium sized suitcases with soft duffle bags.

• For additional storage flexibility, there's a 60:40 split in the rear seats, which fold flat with the boot.

• The Kia Seltos gets three 1.5-litre engine options, each paired with different transmissions. The options include a naturally aspirated petrol, a turbo-petrol and a diesel unit. 

• Eco, Normal and Sport drive modes, along with Snow, Mud and Sand traction modes are available in the automatic variants.

• There is no CNG option available with the Seltos.

*CVT/IVT = continuously variable transmission, DCT = dual clutch automatic transmission, AT = torque convertor automatic transmission

1.5-litre NA petrol

• The NA petrol unit of the Kia Seltos is a smooth operator and has good refinement levels.

• It packs the least amount of punch amongst all the engine options, but its performance is adequate for all city commutes.

• It cruises effortlessly at triple digit speeds, but overtakes at those speeds will require planning.

• I felt the engine to be underpowered under two conditions - when the car is fully loaded and you want to make a quick overtake, or when you’re driving in hilly regions.

• The manual transmission is easy to use with a progressive clutch and well-defined gates.

• But if you want a smoother experience, I would recommend the CVT transmission for its calm and jerk-free nature in regular usage.

• However, quick overtakes with the CVT will require some planning as the engine takes some time to build up actual speed.

• Fuel efficiency isn’t the best with this engine, and you can expect an average efficiency of around 10-12kmpl in the city and 14-16kmpl on the highway.

1.5-litre diesel

• The refinement levels of the Kia Seltos’ diesel engine are above average.

• This is the best engine in the lineup if you want a good balance of performance and efficiency.

• With loads of torque, the Seltos diesel feels at home in the city. 

• In slow moving traffic, you won’t have to change gears frequently.

• Highway cruising is effortless, and it has enough power to make overtakes at triple digit speeds without much effort too.

• The torque converter automatic has been tuned well to offer smooth shifts in regular conditions, but also to offer quick shifts when you ask for it.

• I would recommend the automatic transmission for its overall convenience , especially if your usage involves heavy stop-and-go traffic.

• With the diesel, you can expect an efficiency of around 13kmpl and 18kmpl in the city and highway, respectively.

1.5-litre turbo-petrol

• This four cylinder engine’s noise and vibrations are well controlled.

• With the maximum power output amongst the Seltos’ engine options, this is the one to go for if you want an exciting drive experience.

• The performance feels super quick in the city, and quick enough on the highway.

• It reaches triple digit speeds easily, and keeps accelerating quickly beyond the 100kmph mark as well.

• There’s not a proper manual available, but you do get a clutchless manual with the turbo-petrol in a single HTK+ variant.

• I really like the working of the DCT, where it feels smooth and jerk-free in the city, but quick and responsive when you’re feeling a bit enthusiastic.

• While performance is the highlight, it does take a toll on the efficiency with an expected fuel efficiency of around 10kmpl in the city and 13-15kmpl on highways.

• The Seltos offers a good balance between comfort and sportiness.

• Despite the huge 18-inch alloys of the higher variants, it absorbs most of the city's bumps and speedbreakers without translating any jerks inside.

• It’s only over really bad/rough roads that you’ll feel some side-to-side movement, but that too isn’t uncomfortable.

• It feels rock stable at high speeds, and remains composed over an expansion joint or sudden elevation change.

• The steering is light in the city, but weighs up as you pick up speed, which gives confidence at higher speeds.

• Kia offers the 2025 Seltos in 9 variants: HTE(O), HTK, HTK(O), HTK+, HTK+(O), HTX, HTX(O), GTX+, and X-Line.

HTE(O)

• Base variant misses out on LED headlights, but gets LED DRLs, and connected LED tail lights. Sits on 16-inch steel wheels with covers.

• Covers all functional features like powered windows, tilt steering adjust, driver seat height adjustment, rear AC vents, and adjustable front headrests.

• Even gets an 8-inch infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, four speakers and a 4.2-inch MID driver’s unit.

• Standard safety kit is expansive and includes high-end equipment like 6 airbags, tyre pressure monitoring system, all-wheel disc brakes, hill-start assist, and rear parking camera and sensors.

HTK

• Only adds indicators on the outside mirrors.

• More functionality with auto driver side window down, luggage lamps, push button start/stop, luggage lamps, and electrically adjustable outside mirrors.

• There is only one addition to the safety kit - front parking sensors.

HTK(O)

• Slightly improved looks with 16-inch alloys, and silver roof racks.

• Cabin gets better lighting LED front and rear map lights.

• Top highlights include dual tone panoramic sunroof, cruise control, and ambient lighting.

• The safety kit only gets rear defogger and rear wiper and washer.

HTK+

• Exterior gets projector fog lamps while interior gets leatherette-wrapped gear knob and steering wheel.

• Sports only two feature additions - auto AC and driver side window one touch up/down.

• Only variant to offer the turbo-petrol engine with the clutchless manual transmission.

HTK+(O)

• Upgraded exterior with chrome inserts, LED headlights, LED foglamps, sequential turn indicators and 17-inch alloy wheels.

• Features fully automatic outside mirrors and parcel tray.

• Electronic parking brake with auto hold, drive and traction modes, and paddle shifters are exclusive to the automatic variant.

• Entry-level diesel automatic variant.

HTX

• Improved exterior and interior look with 17-inch alloys, dual tone black and beige interior, and leatherette on the seats, armrest and door trims.

• Top additions include dual zone climate control, tilt and telescopic steering adjustment, auto inside view mirror, wireless phone charger, air purifier, rear central armrest and 60:40 split rear seats.

• Improved entertainment package with bigger 10.25-inch touchscreen, voice recognition (including Alexa), and additional connected car technology features.

• Safety kit now features ISOFIX child anchor and adjustable rear headrests for all three passengers.

HTX(O)

• Exterior only gets a glossy roof-mounted black rear spoiler.

• All black interior features Indigo (dark blue) coloured leatherette seats.

• New features include a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display, 8-way powered driver’s seat, ventilated front seats, and 8-speaker BOSE sound system.

• Dual dashcam is the only addition in the list of safety features.

GTX+

• More premium and sporty exterior with 18-inch alloys, chrome door handles, front and rear body kit (GT line only) and dual exhaust tips (turbo only).

• All-black interior gets black leatherette seats with white inserts all around, sporty alloy pedals and GT-Line logo on the steering.

• Gets UV cut windows, rain sensing wipers and full suite of Level-2 ADAS features, including a blind view monitor and 360-degree camera.

X-Line

• Sports the Xclusive Matte Graphite shade with knurled gloss black surrounds on the radiator, gloss black outside mirrors and body coloured door handles.

• All black cabin gets sage green inserts and leatherette seats.

• Only feature addition is an 8-inch head-up display.

CarDekho Recommends:

• If you’re on a really tight budget and just want a big car with all the basics, then you can opt for the base variant of the Kia Seltos.

• If you want the more exciting turbo-petrol engine with a proper automatic, then the GTX+ is one of the only two options. X-Line can be opted if you want that exclusive matte shade.

• Overall, the HTX variant feels fairly value-for-money with its premium exterior and interior styling, and good mix of functional and feel-good features. Can stretch to HTX(O) for the additional creature comforts.

With premium exterior and interior looks, a feature-loaded cabin, and an expansive safety kit, the Kia Seltos has a rather alluring brochure that’s hard to ignore. But what makes it a real winner are the things that you can’t put on a brochure like its space, practicality, and the sweet balance between comfort and handling. The various powertrain options and the well-sorted variant lineup just makes that deal even sweeter.

Other cars to consider instead of the Kia Seltos

Hyundai Creta

Reasons to consider

• Feels more family oriented

Reasons to ignore

• Light coloured cabin will be tough to maintain

Toyota Hyryder/Maruti Grand Vitara

Reasons to consider

• Much more fuel efficient (Hybrid)

• Better ride quality

Reasons to ignore

• Not as refined and powerful 

• Less premium cabin experience 

Honda Elevate

Reasons to consider

• Slightly better ride comfort

• Bigger boot space

• Top variant undercuts massively

Reasons to ignore

• No turbo-petrol or diesel option

• Misses out on a few features

Volkswagen Taigun/Skoda Kushaq

Reasons to consider

• Feels more enthusiast-oriented

Reasons to ignore

• Better as a 4-seater 

• No diesel or non-turbo petrol option