Kia made a grand debut in India by carpetbombing the midsize SUV segment with its first offering – the Seltos. This is an SUV that comes with a wide variety of engine and transmission options, an expansive list of features and, with prices ranging between Rs 9.89 lakh and Rs 17.34 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), it covers a wide range of price points. With a choice of three engines, four transmissions and multiple trim levels, the Seltos caters to a wide spectrum of customers, and it’s no surprise that, in just a few months, it emerged as the bestselling SUV in the country. But just how deserving is it of the customer’s trust? We put both the petrol and diesel variants through an exhaustive road test to see how good it is in the real world.
DESIGN
LED headlamps look stunning and illuminate roads really well.
What the Seltos establishes is Kia’s family look and the Korean brand’s signature ‘Tiger Nose’ grille with tasteful chrome detailing that grabs your attention. The sweptback LED headlamps and vertically stacked fog lamps stand out, as do the red accents on the GT Line variant. The 17-inch alloy wheels fill the wheel arches nicely, while the high bonnet, upright stance, downward-sloping roofline, and rising window line give it a sophisticated appearance. At the rear, the LED tail-lamps and chrome tailgate applique make the Seltos easily identifiable even from afar.
GT Line’ gets sportier crystal-cut alloys and red front brake calipers.
Overall, its styling isn’t as conservative as the Duster’s or the Creta’s; it looks fresh and wears a rather contemporary design language.
VERDICT
All it takes is one drive in the Seltos to make you an admirer. This car is so well packaged, it has everything this segment demands. The multiple engines and transmission combinations mean buyers have a wide range of options to choose from too. Those who enjoy driving will love the turbo-petrol, while the ones who cover more miles will be happy with the frugal diesel engine. The Seltos drives well too. Its interiors set a new benchmark in the segment when it comes to quality and fit-finish. The car is spacious, comfortable and practical, and it is loaded to the brim with premium features, many of which are segment-firsts. So for the money, the Seltos is a package that’s really hard to fault. If we had to nitpick, we’d say it doesn’t feel as robust as rivals like the Renault Duster or the larger Tata Harrier. The ride is a bit on the stiff side, and the variant mix is extremely confusing. But none of these are real deal-breakers for those seeking a posh, modern and urban SUV. This is a quality product by Kia that represents outstanding value for money. It’s no surprise then that the Seltos won our Car of the Year 2020.
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