More Than A Soul With AWD 2021 Kia Seltos
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Date: 2020-07-14
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Comments and reviews: 10
Stephen
Alex does his best to explain the somewhat confusing trim level mixes of the Seltos. A simpler way to think about the approach is first to recognize that unlike a most other brands KIA typically offers few individual options or optional packages on various trim levels. Instead, KIA consolidates a large set of features to define a particular trim rather than pricing individual features (as many European brands do) or offering a number of optional packages for a particular trim level (as American and Japanese brands typically do) The advantage of this approach from both KIA's and a consumer's perspective is that the overall production process is simplified, resulting in lower costs, some of which are passed on to consumers. The disadvantage and a complaint voiced by some consumers is that if you want feature X, you have to select a more expensive trim that includes features Y and Z to get X rather than adding X as an individual option or X and Y as a option package to a lower price trim level.
In the case of the Seltos KIA has extended that approach in a way. Rather than providing a single trim level ladder, they've provided two parallel ladders that combine in the top trim SX Turbo trim level. At the base level KIA offers two trims, the LX and the S. The LX offers a relatively comprehensive set of features including AWD for an MSRP of about 22, 000. The S offers even more bells, whistles, and driver assistance/convenience features for the same base price but comes with FWD rather than AWD. (AWD can be added for 1500 raising the MSRP to nearly 23, 500)
One step up from the LX is the EX, a trim level that adds the S's bells and whistles that the LX lacks. The S Turbo, a step up from the S, comes standard with AWD, the more powerful 1. 6L turbo engine, and a DCT transmission but it lacks some of the creature comforts of the EX. Again, the EX and the S Turbo have almost exactly the same MSRP. (EX: 25, 290. S Turbo 25, 490) Finally, the top trim SX Turbo combines the entire set of features in the separate trim levels. The turbo engine and DCT transmission from the S Turbo and all the bells, whistles, and creature comforts of the EX for 27, 890 and an optional sunroof not available on any other trim for another 700.
If all that hasn't simplified the confusing Seltos offerings (and it probably hasn't, think of it as two trim ladders. LX -> EX -> SX Turbo versus S -> S Turbo -> SX Turbo.
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Alex does his best to explain the somewhat confusing trim level mixes of the Seltos. A simpler way to think about the approach is first to recognize that unlike a most other brands KIA typically offers few individual options or optional packages on various trim levels. Instead, KIA consolidates a large set of features to define a particular trim rather than pricing individual features (as many European brands do) or offering a number of optional packages for a particular trim level (as American and Japanese brands typically do) The advantage of this approach from both KIA's and a consumer's perspective is that the overall production process is simplified, resulting in lower costs, some of which are passed on to consumers. The disadvantage and a complaint voiced by some consumers is that if you want feature X, you have to select a more expensive trim that includes features Y and Z to get X rather than adding X as an individual option or X and Y as a option package to a lower price trim level.
In the case of the Seltos KIA has extended that approach in a way. Rather than providing a single trim level ladder, they've provided two parallel ladders that combine in the top trim SX Turbo trim level. At the base level KIA offers two trims, the LX and the S. The LX offers a relatively comprehensive set of features including AWD for an MSRP of about 22, 000. The S offers even more bells, whistles, and driver assistance/convenience features for the same base price but comes with FWD rather than AWD. (AWD can be added for 1500 raising the MSRP to nearly 23, 500)
One step up from the LX is the EX, a trim level that adds the S's bells and whistles that the LX lacks. The S Turbo, a step up from the S, comes standard with AWD, the more powerful 1. 6L turbo engine, and a DCT transmission but it lacks some of the creature comforts of the EX. Again, the EX and the S Turbo have almost exactly the same MSRP. (EX: 25, 290. S Turbo 25, 490) Finally, the top trim SX Turbo combines the entire set of features in the separate trim levels. The turbo engine and DCT transmission from the S Turbo and all the bells, whistles, and creature comforts of the EX for 27, 890 and an optional sunroof not available on any other trim for another 700.
If all that hasn't simplified the confusing Seltos offerings (and it probably hasn't, think of it as two trim ladders. LX -> EX -> SX Turbo versus S -> S Turbo -> SX Turbo.
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Stephen
I think Alex is correct that the Seltos and the Mazda CX-30 are the two most appealing subcompact crossovers available, at least to me. The two are essentially equal in terms of power specs if one compares the 1. 6L turbo in the Seltos to the 2. 5L NA engine in the CX-30. The CX-30 offers a very slight advantage in terms of HP (186 vs 175) while the Seltos has a similarly slight advantage in terms of peak torque (195 vs 186. But the torque curve in the Seltos is much broader and reaches its peak at 1500 RPM while the CX-30 doesn't reach its peak torque until 4000 RPM. That's a significant plus for the KIA in terms of performance.
Furthermore, there's one crucial difference that Alex doesn't mention and it gives the Seltos a significant advantage (imo. The Seltos and CX-30 are essentially the same size in terms of length. In fact the Seltos is about an inch shorter than the CX-30 But the CX-30, like other Mazda CUV's sacrifices interior room, especially cargo space for what Alex calls its pretty looks that stems in part from its long hood/short body. The Seltos has 26. 6 cubic ft of cargo space behind the second row compared to the 20. 2 cf in the CX-30. But the huge difference is in total cargo space behind the first row, 62. 8 cf in the Seltos vs 45. 2 in the Mazda. In fact, the Seltos has more total cargo space than the larger compact Mazda CX-5 (59. 6 cf. And the difference in capacity is the equivalent of a typical trunk in a midsize sedan. For a subcompact UTILITY vehicle, such generous cargo space is a MAJOR advantage. I agree with Alex that the CX-30 is pretty. But for an SUV I prefer versatility over looks.
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I think Alex is correct that the Seltos and the Mazda CX-30 are the two most appealing subcompact crossovers available, at least to me. The two are essentially equal in terms of power specs if one compares the 1. 6L turbo in the Seltos to the 2. 5L NA engine in the CX-30. The CX-30 offers a very slight advantage in terms of HP (186 vs 175) while the Seltos has a similarly slight advantage in terms of peak torque (195 vs 186. But the torque curve in the Seltos is much broader and reaches its peak at 1500 RPM while the CX-30 doesn't reach its peak torque until 4000 RPM. That's a significant plus for the KIA in terms of performance.
Furthermore, there's one crucial difference that Alex doesn't mention and it gives the Seltos a significant advantage (imo. The Seltos and CX-30 are essentially the same size in terms of length. In fact the Seltos is about an inch shorter than the CX-30 But the CX-30, like other Mazda CUV's sacrifices interior room, especially cargo space for what Alex calls its pretty looks that stems in part from its long hood/short body. The Seltos has 26. 6 cubic ft of cargo space behind the second row compared to the 20. 2 cf in the CX-30. But the huge difference is in total cargo space behind the first row, 62. 8 cf in the Seltos vs 45. 2 in the Mazda. In fact, the Seltos has more total cargo space than the larger compact Mazda CX-5 (59. 6 cf. And the difference in capacity is the equivalent of a typical trunk in a midsize sedan. For a subcompact UTILITY vehicle, such generous cargo space is a MAJOR advantage. I agree with Alex that the CX-30 is pretty. But for an SUV I prefer versatility over looks.
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Mike
I'm a big Mazda fan, so I tend to be extra critical of their products. The CX-30 is a vehicle (especially compared to the competition when looking at it's lower trims) but it has several critical flaws IMO. (1) Small sight lines/green house. The belt line comes up so high and your sight lines are so narrow (same with the Mazda 3) that it'll deter a lot of customers that want the big airy SUV feel. (2) Outdated naturally aspirated engine. Yes it's less complex and less prone to failure than a turbo, but you're going to feel so sluggish compared with the competition. (3) No touch screens. In Mazda press briefings they consistently bring up how touchscreens are distracting and how their system is intuitive once you spend a few weeks with it. I know Mazda has their own principles and philosophy, but touch screens are what consumers want. Personally I love everything about the Seltos except the DCT. These 7 speed Hyundai DCTs are so prone to overheating if you try to do any sort of mild trailing crawling for more than 5 minutes.
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I'm a big Mazda fan, so I tend to be extra critical of their products. The CX-30 is a vehicle (especially compared to the competition when looking at it's lower trims) but it has several critical flaws IMO. (1) Small sight lines/green house. The belt line comes up so high and your sight lines are so narrow (same with the Mazda 3) that it'll deter a lot of customers that want the big airy SUV feel. (2) Outdated naturally aspirated engine. Yes it's less complex and less prone to failure than a turbo, but you're going to feel so sluggish compared with the competition. (3) No touch screens. In Mazda press briefings they consistently bring up how touchscreens are distracting and how their system is intuitive once you spend a few weeks with it. I know Mazda has their own principles and philosophy, but touch screens are what consumers want. Personally I love everything about the Seltos except the DCT. These 7 speed Hyundai DCTs are so prone to overheating if you try to do any sort of mild trailing crawling for more than 5 minutes.
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Shared
A decent video and overview. I agree with you it s a shame a company known for offering more than the class competitors can t manage to offer smart adaptive cruise control in a vehicle that tops out around 30K when it s becoming a must have feature for many. You highlight the trade offs with a dual clutch vs CVT but the best answers for many is a regular 6 or 8 speed automatic. Keep in mind Hyundai and Kia have a class action lawsuit against them for how horrible their DCT transmissions can be. The all new for 2021 Hyundai Tucson should flat out blow the Seltos away in many ways based on preliminary information and speculation. The Tucson is still in this class being around the same length as a Crosstrek but should offer some class leading tech including smart cruise, smart phone entry/keyless start, possible wireless Android auto/Apple car play, and even semi autonomous highway lane following as all those features are available on the cheaper 2021 Hyundai Elantra.
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A decent video and overview. I agree with you it s a shame a company known for offering more than the class competitors can t manage to offer smart adaptive cruise control in a vehicle that tops out around 30K when it s becoming a must have feature for many. You highlight the trade offs with a dual clutch vs CVT but the best answers for many is a regular 6 or 8 speed automatic. Keep in mind Hyundai and Kia have a class action lawsuit against them for how horrible their DCT transmissions can be. The all new for 2021 Hyundai Tucson should flat out blow the Seltos away in many ways based on preliminary information and speculation. The Tucson is still in this class being around the same length as a Crosstrek but should offer some class leading tech including smart cruise, smart phone entry/keyless start, possible wireless Android auto/Apple car play, and even semi autonomous highway lane following as all those features are available on the cheaper 2021 Hyundai Elantra.
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Husker
I'm a Kia fan, have owned two so far and haven't been disappointed yet. When I see this Seltos, it's disappointing. Front bumper/grill could have been integrated better. No lumbar support, no power seats. This is the first Kia that I actually don't like from an asthetic and feature point of view. Maybe they'll get it right on the refresh or next gen. Kia, I give you a thumbs down for this model.
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I'm a Kia fan, have owned two so far and haven't been disappointed yet. When I see this Seltos, it's disappointing. Front bumper/grill could have been integrated better. No lumbar support, no power seats. This is the first Kia that I actually don't like from an asthetic and feature point of view. Maybe they'll get it right on the refresh or next gen. Kia, I give you a thumbs down for this model.
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M_U_M_M_Y
What's up with the turbo fetish from the manufacturers these days? All for the sake of fuel efficiency? It puts a lot of stress on the engine, especially at this price point.
Personally I cross out any vehicle with turbo from my shopping list. Just because the word turbo sounds cool, it doesn't make it cool. A lot of people don't know, and don't care I guess.
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What's up with the turbo fetish from the manufacturers these days? All for the sake of fuel efficiency? It puts a lot of stress on the engine, especially at this price point.
Personally I cross out any vehicle with turbo from my shopping list. Just because the word turbo sounds cool, it doesn't make it cool. A lot of people don't know, and don't care I guess.
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Sava
Appearantly Kia is throwing everything in their arsenal to the market. Unfortunately, what Kia lacks is brand and model integrity. Their all car models have completely different designs philosophies based on that year's best selling competition model. Am I the only one who thinks this car is heavily influenced by VW T-Roc?
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Appearantly Kia is throwing everything in their arsenal to the market. Unfortunately, what Kia lacks is brand and model integrity. Their all car models have completely different designs philosophies based on that year's best selling competition model. Am I the only one who thinks this car is heavily influenced by VW T-Roc?
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John
Alex, I just saw the Seltos at the local Kia dealership. The Seltos is bigger than the pictures and videos imply.
It is definitely worth looking at.
I was surprised that the back seat was actually sit inable. Even with the driver's seat all the way back, like you I still had a coup, e inches of knee room.
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Alex, I just saw the Seltos at the local Kia dealership. The Seltos is bigger than the pictures and videos imply.
It is definitely worth looking at.
I was surprised that the back seat was actually sit inable. Even with the driver's seat all the way back, like you I still had a coup, e inches of knee room.
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Shadownian
I wanted to love this thing. I sooo wanted to. But it and the 2021 sorento have 1 huge flaw. a dual clutch transmission. Every review who put any strain at all on the awd have had it overheat. If you going down dirt roads or dealing with snow. I wouldn't put my faith in the dual clutch. Shame.
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I wanted to love this thing. I sooo wanted to. But it and the 2021 sorento have 1 huge flaw. a dual clutch transmission. Every review who put any strain at all on the awd have had it overheat. If you going down dirt roads or dealing with snow. I wouldn't put my faith in the dual clutch. Shame.
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SteveR
Really like the Seltos. Thanks for the review. I'm on my 5th Mazda in a row now (6 Signature) all of witch have been great cars, but am getting ready to switch brands. Why? No touch screen in the infotainment. I can't stand using that knob!
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Really like the Seltos. Thanks for the review. I'm on my 5th Mazda in a row now (6 Signature) all of witch have been great cars, but am getting ready to switch brands. Why? No touch screen in the infotainment. I can't stand using that knob!
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