Steal of a deal

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This article was published 06/03/2020 (2402 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

AUSTIN, TX — With the launch of the 2021 Kia Seltos, a new crossover which slots between the smaller Soul and the popular Sportage, Kia proves small and affordable doesn’t have to mean cheap.

Seltos, which will begin showing up at dealerships this spring, is good-looking, well-appointed and full of technological wizardry.

Targeted at “urban millennials,” Kia Canada marketing director Michael Kopke says Seltos has a secondary target in “the young at heart, mature empty-nesters looking for a new vehicle with practicality and design.”

I think they have hit both targets.

The name Seltos might be odd, but it not only maintains Kia’s use of the letter S in naming its SUVs, it has some mythological connection. The company says the moniker is inspired by Greek mythology and the legend of Celtos, the son of Hercules. The S in its name, Kia says, implies speed and sportiness. You could add style, safety and sophistication. Sexy might be a stretch.

This is a crossover with curb appeal though. Its lines flow nicely from the LED headlights and daytime running lights that begin above the headlights with the positioning light extending into the grille then running over floating style two-tone roof rails and black wheel wells, to a rear chrome bar that ties it all together. It’s a coherent package.

It even has front and rear skid plates, although this is no off-road rig. Perhaps curbing was on the minds of the designers.

Seltos looks larger than it is. At 4,370 mm long, 1,800 mm wide and 1,630 mm high with a 2,630 mm wheelbase, it has a surprisingly spacious cabin with comfortable seating for four and room for five in a pinch.

Front row head and legroom is plentiful and the spaciousness extends into second row accommodation which gives an average size rear seat passenger plenty of room for knees and head clearance.

With all seats occupied there’s still 752 litres of cargo capacity behind the folding rear seat, more than its competitors.

Interior furnishings are pleasant and equipped with a long list of technical features. Heated power front seats are standard across the lineup while upper levels get heated and cooled seats to go with a heated steering wheel. Heated rear seats are available.

Depending on the model, the driver has a wealth of information at hand and the SX Turbo’s head-up display is one of the most complete I’ve seen. Some HUDs show little more than speed, Kia’s adds navigation data, cruise control setting, a fuel level warning pop-up, and safety system icons.

Other systems not seen on other small utes include safe exit assist, which detects a vehicle approaching from the rear and warns anyone about to exit. Seltos will also remind you to check the back seat if a rear door has been opened previously and it will also remind you to take your cell phone with you.

Add all these technical bits to the long list of safety features and you have a vehicle with great attraction for someone who likes to drive while keeping connected.

Driving through Austin neighbourhoods and on highways and twisty secondary roads in the area, Seltos proved to be a nimble and quick. It is equally at home at highway speeds.

Steering is well-weighted and responds quickly, body lean is minimal in corners, but pushing it produces pronounced understeer. The suspension soaks up road imperfections making the ride smooth either in urban or highway conditions. Wind and road noise are minimal.

Two engines are available. A 2.0L naturally aspirated four-cylinder rated at 146 horsepower and 132 lb. ft. of torque. It’s linked to a Kia-built continuously variable transmission with eight simulated gear shift points. Give it huge points for not sounding like a motorboat. A 1.6L turbo powerplant in top-of-the-line SX models is rated at 175 horsepower and 195 lb. ft. of torque. Shifting is handled by a smooth seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. All-wheel drive is standard on all but the entry level model.

Pricing starts at $22,995 for FX front-wheel drive with standard blind spot warning, rear cross traffic alert, heated front seats, Apple Car Play and Android Auto. LX AWD, which adds 17-in. alloy wheels as well as AWD, costs $24,995.

EX, expected to be the top-selling model, costs $27,595 and adds forward collision avoidance assist, lane follow assist, smart key with push-button start, sunroof and Sofino leather seating. Moving up to EX Premium AWD brings a $30,595 price tag and adds LED headlights and fog lights and a 10.25-inch multimedia interface with navigation, UVO Intelligence and wireless cell phone charger.

The top of the line is SX Turbo which adds the 1.6L turbo engine, seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, head-up display and Bose Premium sound system, rings the register at $31,595.

Harry Pegg is a longtime member of the Automobile Journalist Association of Canada.

Harry.Pegg04@gmail.com