![]() Seltos S and EX are available with front-wheel drive or AWD (for an additional $2,000). The base Seltos LX starts with all-wheel drive (AWD) as standard. It does, however, come with a free 6-month trial subscription to All Trails, which seems like a good excuse to explore. Honestly, though, the Seltos is not built to tackle the Rubicon Trail or anything. The Jeep Compass, as one might expect, beats all of them with 8.1 inches of clearance. That’s equal to the HR-V and more than a half-inch more than the Kona. It has a respectable 7.3 inches of ground clearance. Kia’s second-smallest SUV is more off-road/rough-road capable than you might expect. Road noise was reasonably damped, and the seats were comfortable enough, although they would benefit from a bit more bolstering. My experience on Rhode Island roads showed me that the Seltos is ready and willing to get moving on the highway and offers a pleasant, drama-free ride in stop-and-go traffic. In comparison, a Seltos SX with the 1.6L turbo and all-wheel drive is less efficient and gets 25 city, 27 highway, and 26 combined. If you’re looking for the Seltos with the best fuel economy, the front-wheel drive Seltos S or EX with the non-turbo 2.0L powerplant gets an estimated 28 mpg in the city, 34 mpg in the city, and 31 combined. Higher trims (X-Line and SX) include an eight-speed transmission. ![]() Where the often-maligned continuously variable transmission (CVT) can be noisy, the IVT is designed to more closely replicate automatic gear shifting and reduce the annoying drone CVTs perpetuate. Kia’s setup for the LX, S, and EX goes by the initials IVT, which stands for intelligent variable transmission. Rolling Right (Photo/Kristin Shaw)įor the 2024 model, Kia tweaked the transmission to make it slightly smoother, which addresses a frequent criticism from the previous year. That means the majority still go for the less powerful - and cheaper - trims. ![]() Kia told me that about 30% of Seltos buyers go for the more powerful turbo engine. That means the smaller CUV is outpacing the larger Sportage and Sorento, a good sign for this vehicle. Manufactured in South Korea and assembled in the United States, Seltos sales are up 25% compared to last year. While all four vehicles start with a 2.0L engine, the Seltos compares about equally to the HR-V and Kona for horsepower, but the Compass comes out way ahead with 200 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. Step up to the X-Line or top trim SX for the 1.6L turbo good for 195 horsepower and an equal number for torque.įolks looking at the Seltos may also take a look at the Honda HR-V, Hyundai Kona, and Jeep Compass. Under the hood, the base Seltos comes with an inline-four 2.0L engine making 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. Kia Seltos 2024 Kia Seltos Review: More Power It has improved power, looks, safety features, and bright new colors on offer for 2024. In short: The 2024 Kia Seltos is an honest entry-level vehicle that is more capable than it might look and represents an impressive value. Where better to test out the capabilities of an all-around crossover than the streets of Newport, Rhode Island, and the surrounding areas? We drove the Seltos from Newport to Providence and back to determine just how much difference that extra 20 horsepower would bring. ![]() Launched at the beginning of 2020 before the world was turned upside down, the Seltos has survived a tumultuous time and is thriving in an increasingly competitive field. Rather than tack all-wheel drive capability to the Soul, the automaker opted to create a new SUV altogether. ![]() Kia says it created the Seltos with all-wheel drive because its dealers were asking for a Soul with that option. Between the standard amenities and 10-year warranty, there’s a lot to like if you’re in the market for a compact crossover in the roughly $24,000-30,000 price range. Kia packs a lot of features into its vehicles, and the Seltos is no exception. This entry-level crossover is positioned between the Soul and Sportage and would be a smart choice for anyone looking for a moderately capable small SUV. With its first generation introduced for 2021, the 2024 version got a new look - including an additional paint color called Pluton Blue - and goosed the horsepower by 20. Not so in the case of the 2024 Kia Seltos. Most midcycle vehicle refreshes are in name only, featuring small updates that give automakers a chance to give that model a little attention. ![]()
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