Kia Seltos – a New B-Segment SUV For The Sporty Millenial

Automologist ATHERTON serves up another SUV for you to consider. 

With the likes of the Honda HR-V, Peugeot 2008 and soon to be launched Proton X50, buyers are spoilt for choice when it comes to getting an SUV that is not too big, not too small and fits into their budgets. Kia’s Seltos, which is a CBU imported from India, has the makings to rake up some sizeable numbers here in Malaysia. Although prices have yet to be revealed, we hear that customers are already making bookings.

Firstly, you get two variants: the entry-level 1.6 EX and the 1.6 GT-Line, which are currently open for booking. Powering the two variants is the tried-and-tested 1.6-litre Gamma naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine, which produces 123 PS and 151 Nm of torque paired with a six-speed automatic gearbox.

At first glance of the front, you might mistake it for a Range Rover but that lasts only for a second. The Seltos is smartly dressed with 17-inch wheels and 215/60 tyres. The difference is that the EX gets a five double-spoke silver design while the GT-Line gets a two-tone machine-finished Y-spoke wheelset with red centre caps. Leather seats are in both variants and you get a 60-40 fold in the rear seats, ideal for those cycling chaps and chapettes.

On top of that, the GT-Line has full LED headlights with LED DRLs that extend into the grille, chromed grille surrounds with diamond-textured finish, red body inserts (front bumper, side moulding, wheel caps and rear bumper), vertical LED fog lamps, chromed door handles (body-coloured on the EX), and LED combination taillights. There is also a sportier rear bumper with a plastic insert to mimic a dual exhaust setup, chromed tailgate trim, GT-Line badges on the grille and tailgate. Yes, the GT-Line would be my preferred choice.

Standard kit on both variants are :

• six airbags
• Isofix child seat anchors
• ABS with EBD
• vehicle stability management
• electronic stability control
• traction control system
• hill-start assist
• passive cruise control
• reverse camera

Other similarities are eight-inch touchscreen info display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (works via a wired USB connection) functionalities, a leather-wrapped multi-function D-style steering wheel (GT-Line gets red stitching and a GT-Line badge), a six-speaker sound system with Sound Mood (six themes, eight-colour LED lighting system) and not forgetting keyless entry with push-start button.

But for extra cash, the GT-Line gets front parking sensors and a head-up display. Regarding colour options, both variants has Glacier White Pearl and Gravity Grey. But the EX has an additional colour option, that is Intense Red, whereas the GT-Line has Intelligency Blue.

So, if you’re keen on getting a B-segment SUV for running around and for the weekends with your young brood, the Kia Seltos is worth considering.