The 2024 Kia Seltos: an All-Rounder with Good Looks to Boot
The 2024 Kia Seltos has great textures, smart safety features and deceptively large cargo space at a competitive price. For me, this compact SUV is the perfect fit.
Liv Leigh
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The Kia Seltos is the Kind of Car that Makes You Look Back with a Smile
The 2024 refresh of the Kia Seltos SX Turbo AWD is quite the looker. There’s just something about it that makes you want to turn back when you walk away, and that’s pretty special. Definitive lines on the Seltos are accentuated by an embellished metal trim that kisses the exterior curves and new signature headlights; it echoes the continuity of the full taillights. The intentional placement of matte and gloss black sections accentuates its sporty features, and the geometric glossy black grill adds to the effect. Couple all of this with the blue/grey/green sheen of Pluton Blue paint of the model I drove for a week, and you have an undeniably eye-catching package. So much so that, when I first parked it at the grocery store and turned for a second look, so did a couple of other people, who then proceeded to tell me about how good it looked.
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The driver-focused cabin in the Kia Seltos is sporty but tech-forward. Photo: Liv Leigh
The Interior Shines with Beautiful Textures and Finishes
Although I enjoyed the door handles that were simple and ergonomic, it’s not just the outside that looks good. The comfortable cabin also features multiple textures and finishes for a premium effect, minus the price tag. Look too close, and you’ll notice the leather effect is actually plastic; the brushed-metal sheen is artificial too, but that doesn’t diminish how good it all looks. I particularly love the topographical diamond effect highlighting the speakers and door handles that’s echoed in a subtle texture on seating materials.
An expansive digital instrument cluster and center multimedia display encompassing 2/3rd of the dash comes with most trims and modernizes the interior, striking a cohesive balance with similar stylings in other Kia models. A dash of side bolstering brings sportiness to the interior, and the driver’s seat (heated and ventilated, as is the passenger seat) features a full array of powered adjustments. I did miss the option for memory settings for seating positions, and the passenger seat only has mechanical seating adjustment.
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Trunk space in the Kia Seltos is plentiful, and you can drop the floor down for even more room. Photo: Patrick Anderson
Deceptively Spacious in So Many Ways
As a leg amputee, getting in and out of vehicles that sit lower to the ground can be quite a pain. Part of the final impressions I like to take away when I receive a loaner vehicle for review is whether or not the vehicle is high enough off the ground so it feels easy to step in and fit without hoisting, climbing, or dropping. The upright driving style of the Seltos makes it super easy to get in and out of, and that makes a huge difference. I think we can all appreciate cars with thoughtful design details like this. It keeps the driving experience enjoyable from beginning to end and keeps it inclusive for lots of people with all different ranges of mobility.
With its higher stance, it manages to drive like a small vehicle, but it FEELS like you’re up above everyone and can see everything. The interior is well-designed, so there is less of a chance that I will bang a knee on anything when I open the door and get situated. This height is fully apparent inside, and tall passengers will likely appreciate the spacious interior. Going grocery shopping, I found the trunk to be more than large enough for my needs, but then I discovered how low you can drop the subfloor. Adjust the partition to hug the spare wheel closer, and you’ll get even more room.
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It’s not the trunk that’s roomy here – there’s plenty of room for rear passengers in the Kia Seltos too. Photo: Liv Leigh
Who is the Kia Seltos for?
- You’re looking for bang for your buck
- You want a small SUV
- You want stylish features inside and out
- You’re looking for something that’s pretty good at everything
- You want a ton of cargo space
Tasteful materials and an artful topographical motif accentuate the interior design of the Kia Seltos. Photo: Patrick Anderson
The Kia Seltos is Good at Everything
This SUV feels like it *fits* me. It’s small, playful, a bit sporty, and pretty capable. It’s not the fastest, not the most powerful, but it’s fun and pretty and feels really good to drive. It’s ready to do anything you need it to.
Haul a bunch of tall people? “Sure thing!”
Take a bunch of luggage on a road trip? “Absolutely!”
Zip around town? “Let’s go!”
- Starting at $24,390, the 2024 Kia Seltos ranges from 146 to 195 horsepower, 132 to 195 lb-ft of torque, and 25 to 31 MPG. Android Auto and Apple Carplay come standard. All trim levels come loaded with the Kia Drive Wise Driver Assist Technology, which includes:
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with automatic braking (giving a warning before an impending collision and applying the brakes in certain situations)
- Lane Departure Warning (this gives you an alert if your vehicle begins to drift out of the lane)
- Lane-Keeping Assistance (which guides the vehicle back into the lane if it begins to drift outside the markers)
- Driver Attention Warning (will provide alerts if it senses the driver’s attention level has been significantly reduced)
All in all, the 2024 Kia Seltos SX Turbo is a great choice for anyone looking for a capable, stylish, affordable SUV that can accomplish anything you need while looking good too.
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