Seltos
2023 Kia Seltos in Peoria, AZ
- 4.54 (13 Reviews) - Edmunds.com
MSRP
$23,390
MPG
29 City
35 Highway
2023 Kia Seltos Review| Subcompact SUV Redefined
What is the 2023 Kia Seltos? This all new Kia subcompact SUV has a sizable cargo hold, remarkable interior spaciousness, and a big technology package.
Is the Seltos right for you? That’s the ultimate purpose of this review -- beyond the fun of speculating over a new SUV. You can determine for yourself by reading over this authoritative information about its specifications, capability, trim levels, drivability, and overall ownership experience.
How Spacious is a Subcompact SUV?
The word subcompact generally implies that the vehicle isn’t spacious. The 2023 Kia Seltos manages to defy its class by being bigger inside. The passenger volume is rated at 99 cubic feet. The second row boasts 38 inches of legroom and 38.4 inches of headroom.
You can look at rivals to see that this is indeed spacious. The subcompact Hyundai Kona SUV is rated at about 94 cubic feet. It can claim only 34 inches of second-row legroom. This size advantage is part of what made the 2022 Kia Seltos so popular in its class.
How Much Cargo Space in a Subcompact SUV?
One reason to choose a subcompact SUV over a regular car is to get a roomy hatchback. The Seltos cargo space is rated at 26.6 cubic feet. In comparison, cars tend to have a trunk measuring 14 cu ft (small sedan), 15 cu ft (midsize), and 18 cu ft (large).
Obviously, the Seltos is a better choice for those who need space for luggage and gear. The hold’s dual-level cargo floor can be raised to match the folded seats, making an actual flat surface. Such a flat surface is rare in a car and often difficult to find in the compact SUV class.
The larger area measures 62.8 cubic feet. Owners can split-fold the seats to gain cargo length while retaining a back-row seat.
How Stylish is the Kia Seltos?
Seltos shoppers are right to wonder if this SUV can be stylish at its low pricepoint. However, designers drew inspiration from the much higher priced Kia Telluride when they outfitted this ride.
A high tech cabin is an essential element of the Seltos style. The driver’s cockpit has the latest dash technologies. Ergonomic placement of the switches and dials put everything in easy reach.
Furthermore, Kia craftsmanship achieves a refined fit and finish. The use of quality materials will ensure that the interior is as durable as the SUV itself. Extensive insulation blocks out sound and vibrations. Plus the windshield has been acoustically treated to reduce unwanted road noise.
What are the Engine Choices?
While it is a true SUV, the Seltos has been carefully designed to minimize its weight. The result is a curb weight of 2,948 pounds. This takes less horsepower to move. Even the AWD models are lightweight at 3,087 pounds.
A fuel-efficient four cylinder engine generates 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. A continuously variable automatic transmission provides cutting-edge gear shifting. Compared to a traditional automatic, it can alter response more precisely to match acceleration or deceleration duties.
Drivers command an intelligent 4-cylinder turbocharged unit and a dual-clutch 7-speed automatic with the SX trim or the Seltos Nightfall edition. This increases capability to 175 horsepower. Even better, the torque rate rises to 195 pound-feet, and it can be utilized at 1,500 rpm as necessary.
What is the Fuel Economy?
Both of these engines are fuel savers, earning either 30 or 31 miles per gallon on the highway. Furthermore, to reduce city fuel use, Kia provides a system that will pause the engine at a redlight. The SUV engine recognizes a long braking period and will maintain only the battery to run accessories.
When the driver lifts a foot from the brake pedal, the engine restarts and is ready to go when the driver presses the accelerator. Whether you are completely stopped in a traffic jam or simply waiting in the fast-food drive-through, this system reduces the costs of these long idles.
LX Base Trim: Much More Than the Basics
The 2023 Seltos LX trim has a high-tech cockpit with an 8-inch touchscreen, HD Radio, and a 3.5-inch driver display. Drivers will find it easy to establish a comfortable perch since the chair adjusts 6 ways and has height adjustments. Plus the steering wheel is fully tilt-and-telescopic adjustable.
Connectivity is easy with tools like Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. USB ports make it quick to plug in your smart device for connectivity or charging purposes.
Safety features include a frontal collision avoidance assist. This system has an autobrake, a forward collision warning, and pedestrian detection. Lane departures are less like with a warning and assist system.
Drivers benefit from an attention warning to help prevent distracted or sleepy driving mistakes. High beam assist raises and lowers the light at night. A rearview camera and a rear occupant alert round out the list of standards.
S Trim Level: More Style and More Tech
The 2023 Kia Seltos S really hits the sweet spot between a budget package and a luxury one. The cabin seats are covered in a combination upholstery of premium cloth and Sofino. More leatherette covers the console, and the steering wheel is wrapped in real leather.
The second-row seats offer more amenities, including an armrest and adjustable headrests. Passengers have their own rear air vents for greater comfort and a USB charging port for a smart device.
Drivers enjoy more tools such as the Smart Key, a remote starter, and push button start. There’s an automatic system to regulate the air conditioning.
Parking can be safer with the rear cross traffic alert. This system may trigger a reverse-gear autobrake to stop a collision. There’s also a blind spot avoidance assist to help the driver stay out of the way of neighboring vehicles.
Nightfall Edition: Dressed for an Evening Out
Building on the S trim level, the Nightfall achieves a different look with blacked-out exterior details. Under the hood, the speedier turbo engine adds more performance to the package.
The interior is dressed up with a blue stitch accent on the Sofino-and-cloth upholstery. Drivers will appreciate the larger touch screen display with UVO telematics. This is definitely the date-night edition of the Kia Seltos.
With Rodeo Kia pricing, the SUV starts off extremely affordable. Many shoppers are surprised to discover that they don’t have to find a Kia Seltos sale to afford a higher trim level such as the exciting Nightfall edition.
EX Trim Level
Like the Nightfall Edition, the 2023 Kia Seltos EX has the 10.25-inch touch screen. This system has Android Auto and Apple CarPlay just as the regular system does. However, it also has built-in navigation. Satellite radio is available by subscription.
With color choices of black or gray, Sofino premium leatherette covers the seats and the console. A sunroof adds to the upscale vibe. Drivers sit in a 10-way power chair, and they can keep their phones ready with the wireless charging pad.
Adaptive cruise control can make it much easier to handle Phoenix AZ commutes. Lane keeping assist helps you maintain a safe trajectory. If you are interested in this SUV, ask our finance department about the latest Kia Seltos incentives.
SX Turbo Trim Level
The 2023 Kia Seltos SX Turbo addresses luxury lovers, audiophiles, tech geeks, and driving enthusiasts all at once. The turbo engine is standard, providing a zippier response to every push of the accelerator pedal.
Seats are covered in a premium upholstery of the finest Sofino. This trim level offers a special Plum color scheme that you won’t find on rivals. Adding fun to the surround sound, a sound-responsive mood lamp is a special feature of the 8-speaker Bose audio system.
The cockpit gains a big driver’s display behind the flat-bottom sporty steering wheel. This 7-inch customizable color screen and the large touchscreen work well with the system’s navigational aids. An electrochromatic mirror and auto-hold electronic parking brake add more modern touches to the standards list.
Highway Driving Assist is a semi-automated mode of travel. It combines Smart Cruise Control and Lane Following. Safe Exit Assist is designed to prevent a passenger from stepping into traffic after the Seltos is parked.
How many automated features does your current ride have? Your old car may be a good downpayment on a new one. Find out with this Kelley Blue Book trade-in tool.
Exterior Colors, Styling and Features
Even with its low asking price, the Kia Seltos offers to help you personalize your Seltos. There are many exciting single-tone colors including the unique Mars Orange. However, more curb appeal is guaranteed with two-tone combinations. This includes choices such as Starbright Yellow with Cherry Black or Clear White with Dark Ocean Blue.
Standard exterior accents include a black spoiler, black side sills, and silver skid plates. On the S model, Kia adds useful silver roof rails and fun chrome accents to the grille. This model gains LED running lights and fog lamps. It also has heated side mirrors and LED rear combination lights.
Black sport-design roof rails are added to the Nightfall Edition, matching its other black-out elements. Even the projector headlights are full LEDS on the racy SX Turbo editions.
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APR based on Kia Motors Financing.