Compact Seltos saw the light three years ago and has already become Kia’s second-best-selling model. In 2020 and 2021, 318,000 cars sold around the world – only the Sportage is more popular. Now the updated Seltos is ready to enter the market: its debut took place in South Korea, where sales will begin in the coming days.
On the left – it was, on the right – it became
There was no radical intervention in the design: the characteristic two-level architecture of the headlights is preserved. However, the LED headlights themselves have been changed, as well as all the plastic plumage of the front end, including the bumper. The radiator grille has become wider, and the additional sections of navigation lights integrated into it are now located lower. The top version has been preserved in the Korean scale Gravitywhich on the outside is distinguished by abundant black decor.
The stern has changed on a larger scale. The new taillights are connected by a functional bridge, and the sections on the fenders are made vertical. The rear bumper has been changed, as well as plastic lining on the doors and sills. Finally, the design of the wheels has been revised, which can be up to 18 inches in diameter. With new bumpers, the length of the car has grown by 15 mm (up to 4390 mm).
The salon has been redesigned on a larger scale. The front panel is completely new – with two screens with a diagonal of 10.25 inches, although they are not installed in a single plane: the touchscreen of the media system is slightly turned towards the driver. The center console has been redesigned: the climate control unit has become more compact and has lost the rotating temperature control knob (buttons are now responsible for this), and under it are the keys and knobs of the audio system. And instead of the usual “machine” lever, Seltos found a rotating washer. Expensive versions now have a windshield with an additional soundproofing layer.
Until now, Kia Seltos crossovers were offered only with a 1.6 petrol turbo engine (although at first there was also a diesel), but now there is a choice once more. The basic version now has a two-liter aspirated engine (149 hp, 179 Nm), and in pairs it does not rely on a CVT, as in Russia or other countries, but an eight-speed “automatic”. The Seltos had never had such a gearbox before. The 1.6 T-GDi turbo engine has been boosted from 177 to 198 hp, although the torque is the same (265 Nm). The gearbox is a seven-speed “robot” with two clutches. You can choose front or all-wheel drive.
In South Korea, the updated Seltos starts at $15,700. Following restyled cars will appear in other countries. The largest markets for Seltos (besides Korea itself) are India, the United States and China (where it is sold under the name Kia KX3). It is possible that new power units will also be prepared for them.
