Kia is synonymous with hybrid/electric SUVs in New Zealand. It launched the Niro back in 2018 as an exclusively electrified compact-SUV (hybrid, PHEV and BEV, all bases covered) and of course its “EV” range of pure-electrics are big news at the moment: EV5, EV6, EV9 and more to come.
However, the brand’s biggest-selling model is still a pure-ICE SUV, the Seltos. It was the 7th-biggest-selling new model in NZ last year and even beat Suzuki’s ever-popular Swift.
Seltos has been making headlines of its own ever since launch in 2019. Back then, it was the $26k entry price that helped make it Kia’s most successful Kiwi new-model launch… ever. It’s still a high-value proposition, with pricing that starts at $32,990 for the LX.
But also key to the model’s ongoing success is a surprisingly comprehensive lineup: no fewer than six distinct variants, split into two (also surprisingly different) power/chassis segments. There's a 2.0-litre front-drive with torsion beam rear suspension, or a more powerful and sophisticated 1.6-litre turbo with multi-link rear suspension.
Our test car is near the top of the mainstream: the $39,850 Seltos EX is powered by the basic 2.0-litre and sits above the LX and LX+, but just below the $43,850 LTD.
Kia New Zealand's biggest-selling model is still a pure-ICE SUV. This one: the Seltos.
As an aside, you can have the turbo-AWD model in our EX specification for the same price as the 2.0 LTD, meaning you have the choice of more goodies or more power (up from 110kW to 146kW) and dynamic ability.
Seltos might not have any electrification under the bonnet, but there is a touch of hybrid tech in this 2.0-litre model. It has an Atkinson cycle engine, which is a type most often used in hybrid vehicles (Toyota being the prime example).
The official figure is 7.7l/100km, but that doesn’t do the Seltos justice. Returns in the 5l bracket are achievable.
Without boring ourselves into submission, in a “normal” Otto cycle petrol engine (yes, that’s what they’re called) the intake valve closes completely during combustion, ensuring a big bang and optimum power. In an Atkinson cycle, the valve stays open longer, which lessens the force of combustion and saves fuel; what escapes that time around is drawn back in for the next cycle, so it’s not wasted.
Atkinson is more thrifty, but also loses low-down power - which is why it’s suited to hybrid powertrains, because the electric stuff fills in the gaps at low speed where the petrol engine falls short.
The Seltos delivers on refinement, the only real downside from a comfort point-of-view being a fussy urban ride.
Seltos is very definitely non-hybrid, but know what? It’s not that bad at low speed, partly because the Kia intelligent variable transmission (IVT) is quite good at picking up the slack. If you’re happy to cruise along gently, the powertrain delivers great economy; if you want more grunt, the IVT can pick up the pace and will even do little pseudo-gearchanges as the engine gets to the redline.
The official figure is 7.7l/100km, but that doesn’t do the Seltos justice. On the open road you’ll be in the 6l bracket without really trying, and if you’re doing motorway journeys and are prepared to drive carefully (but not slowly), returns in the 5l zone are achievable.
The Seltos also delivers on refinement. It’s quiet at a cruise, the only real downside from a comfort point-of-view being a fussy ride on broken urban surfaces. That’s the torsion-beam rear suspension making its presence felt, but things smooth out nicely at higher speeds.
And there’s very little wrong with the way it goes around corners. Accurate steering, decent body control and fundamentally the right stuff to cope with trick Kiwi roads, assuming you’re not in a massive hurry.
Seltos offers impressive passenger space for an SUV that’s on the compact size of medium. It’s a nice-looking cabin environment too, although there a few elements that remind it comes from humble beginnings.
The current model has a techy-looking dual-screen instrument/infotainment unit and there are some nice little trim elements around the cabin in Kia’s current signature crinkly-look style, but a lot of the plastic on the passenger-side dashboard and doors is pretty hard, in roundy shapes which don’t really go with the rest of the car; that’s because they have been carried over from the pre-facelift version, which had a less Kia-contemporary, more conventional look.
So EX, or step up to the LTD with the same engine? We love the thoughful front-seat heating and ventilation on this model. But while EX has most things you need, it is missing a few things you might really want. Rain-sensing wipers, for example. Or curiously, a cargo cover for the boot. Or nicer trim for that dashboard. Or a wireless phone charger (although you still need a cable for projection anyway).
The LTD has all of that. It also solves a quirk of the idiosyncratic Seltos light arrangement at the front. There’s a lot going on there anyway, but on the EX the running lights are bright-white LED, while the main lamps and foglamps are yellow-tinged halogen. Looks odd. In the LTD, the whole lot is LED and visually much more pleasing.
LTD also picks up larger 18-inch wheels (okay, that won’t help the ride), Bose audio and a power tailgate.
So we’d say yes, if you can handle the extra $4k, go for the LTD. But either way, Seltos is a distinctive little SUV that delivers on ease-of-driving and and practicality, while offering fuel economy that’s getting pretty close to hybrid territory. We can see why it’s still so popular.
How much is the Kia Seltos EX?
The EX is kind of in the middle of a slightly complex Seltos lineup, at $38,850. There's a more lavishly equipped LTD for an extra $4k, but then the range steps again to the turbo-AWD models.
What are the key statistics for the Kia Seltos EX?
The Atkinson-cycle 2.0-litre naturally aspirated engine makes 110kW/180Nm, driving through Kia's intelligent variable transmsision (IVT, continuously variable in other words), with front-drive.
Is the Kia Seltos EX efficient?
It certainly is. Atkinson-cycle engines are super-thrifty and the official figure of 7.7l/100km doesn't do the Seltos justice. In open-road driving, you'll easily be in the 6l bracket and on the motorway 5-6l is very do-able.
Is the Kia Seltos EX good to drive?
Atkinson-cycle engines are also not strong on low-down power, so the Seltos 2.0 is no ball of fire. But it's lively enough and the IVT makes the most of the power and torque that's there. The ride is a little fussy on urban surfaces, but smoothes out nicely at higher speeds.
Is the Kia Seltos EX practical?
It's a practical family SUV for a vehicle with a relatively small footprint: it's less than 4.4m long. Cabin space is good front and rear and the 433-litre boot can can transformed into a fairly flat load area with the rear seats folded. Weird that the EX doesn't get a cargo cover, though. You have to step up to the LTD for that.
What do we like about the Kia Seltos EX?
It's astonishingly economical for a vehicle with absolutely no electrification, it's very quiet and refined and it's well-packaged - a smallish SUV that feels more like a mid-sizer to occupants.
What don’t we like about the Kia Seltos EX?
The styling is not the most cohesive (although wacky looks are part of the vibe), the low-speed ride is a bit fussy and it's lacking a few key equipment items that make us think another $4k is money well spent on the LTD.
What kind of person would the Kia Seltos EX suit?
Somebody who wants an economical family crossover SUV with fairly traditional values, but still likes to stand out from the crowd a bit.