New look and new engines for Kia Seltos

Kia South Africa has unveiled the latest Seltos to the South African market, boasting a fresh exterior, upgraded interior, and enhanced powertrains and the revamped lineup aims to fortify its position in the fiercely competitive crossover segment by blending quality and reliability with an even more compelling value proposition.

Originally hitting South African roads in November 2019, the Seltos made waves as the inaugural offering from Kia's production hub in Anantapur, India. Since its debut, the model has garnered a loyal following, proving its mettle as a consistent performer for Kia. Now, with this substantial upgrade, Kia aims to build upon its success.

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“At the time of launch, the Kia Seltos offered customers a strikingly styled, high quality alternative to Kia’s evergreen Sportage range,” comments Gary Scott, CEO, Kia South Africa. “Up until that point, Kia’s only offering in that segment was the Kia Soul which was, arguably, well ahead of its time. The model immediately resonated with South Africans and has since become a consistent performer for Kia. We are confident that the vast enhancements on the range will build on that success.”

The exterior makeover of the Seltos aligns with Kia's design ethos of 'Opposites United,' presenting a fusion of nature-inspired elements and modern aesthetics. From its reimagined headlights to the bold grille and redesigned taillights, every aspect intends to elevate the Seltos' stature in the compact SUV landscape.

Inside the cabin, the Seltos embraces a future-forward approach, blending design with technology. The centerpiece is a curved display, integrated into the redesigned center fascia, offering access to a myriad of connectivity and entertainment features.

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Stephen Crosse, Sales & Marketing director, Kia South Africa, says: “It’s the upgrades to the Seltos interior design that truly stands out, bringing the look, feel and user interface right into the here and now. We’re confident that this upgrade will resonate with modern, discerning buyers.”

Under the hood, the new Seltos lineup offers a range of powertrain options designed to deliver both performance and efficiency.

From the 1,5-litre CRDi engine to the turbo-charged GDi unit, each variant promises a dynamic driving experience tailored to diverse preferences and driving styles. The Seltos LX is available in petrol and diesel, with a choice between 6-speed manual or CVT on the 1.5 MPI models. The 1.5 CRDi is available only with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

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The Seltos EX Plus is limited to a 1.5 CVT or 1.5 CRDi 6-speed automatic The Seltos GT-Line is strictly a 1.5 T-GDi with 7-speed dual clutch transmission (DCT).

The 1,6-litre naturally aspirated engineis replaced with a second-generation version of Kia’s Gamma 1,5-litre normally aspirated engine. The 1 497cc engine develops 84 kW of power at  ,300 r/min and 144 Nm of torque at 4 500 r/min.

The 1,5-litre T-GDi unit develops 118 kW of power at 6 000 r/min and 253 Nm of torque between 1 500 r/min and 3 500 r/min.

In addition to its mechanicals, the Seltos prioritises safety and comfort, boasting a robust safety shell and a host of driver-assist features. From its comprehensive crash bag system to its advanced driver assistance systems, the Seltos offers peace of mind on every journey.

“As with our other model ranges, there is truly nothing ‘entry-level’ about the new Seltos LX,” says Crosse. “Our research has once again showed customers not only want quality, reliability and efficiency, but also all the creature comforts and – critically – space, whether it’s for family, friends, solo adventures or taking pets along. As a new entry-point into the Seltos range, the LX model packs a significant value punch at a price that is not far removed from its predecessor.”

“The Kia Seltos has found strong favour amongst customers across their late-30s, 40s and early-50s. While these customers may vary across age groups, they all share the need for a great looking, high quality, reliable and feature-packed crossover with loads of space,” comments Crosse.

“It was apparent throughout our research these customers have struck a beautiful balance between settling down in their careers and family setups, while retaining a very strong sense of identity. They choose to live life to the full, on their own terms. The fact we are able to introduce the new Kia Seltos at a lower starting price than the outgoing range is bound to resonate as well.”

All Picanto models have and Unlimited Kilometre/5-year warranty, inclusive of Roadside Assistance. In addition, a pre-paid 5-year/90 000 km service plan.

Colin Windell

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