The Kia Seltos Sport+ punches hard on space and technology, and even packs a nice wallop under the bonnet, but one thing lets it down.
2023 Kia Seltos Sport+ 1.6-litre turbo
Not long after arriving on the scene, the Kia Seltos – a relatively new nameplate for the Korean car brand – has earned a large chunk of the competitive small SUV segment.
And even though it has only been around since 2019, the Seltos is at the receiving end of a comprehensive update. There’s updated technology, an overhauled powertrain, and a new look.
There is no rest for the wicked when it comes to small SUVs, with the likes of the Toyota Corolla Cross, Honda HR-V and Nissan Qashqai – all quality offerings – lobbing into the segment recently. So while this Seltos is no slouch, it’s got some hard work to do. Let’s see what’s to like, and not like, about Kia’s updated small SUV.
How much does the Kia Seltos cost in Australia?
While the four-model 2023 Seltos range kicks off at $31,690 for the base 2.0-litre front-wheel-drive S grade, we’re 10 grand above that with our Sport+ model at $41,990 drive-away. Opting for the more powerful turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine (146kW/265Nm vs 110kW/180Nm) brings a $3500 impost, which also brings on-demand all-wheel drive into the equation.
All prices are drive-away for the Seltos, and have risen between $2200 and $2900 since before the update. For our turbo Sport+ model, it’s a $2200 jump.
On top of 17-inch alloy wheels, a bigger infotainment display and digital instrument cluster, the Sport+ model picks up keyless entry and push-button start, adaptive cruise control, a more advanced autonomous emergency braking system (with intersection and cyclist detection), LED interior lights, rear privacy glass, and an electric parking brake (among other things).
It misses out on the 18-inch alloy wheels, LED exterior lights, heated and ventilated power seats, rain-sensing wipers, sunroof, head-up display, wireless charging pad and upgraded sound system of the GT-Line (along with some other details), which costs another $5700 over this Sport+.
| Key details | 2023 Kia Seltos Sport+ AWD 1.6T |
| Price | $41,990 drive-away |
| Colour of test car | Neptune Blue |
| Options | Metallic paint – $520 |
| Price as tested | $42,525.60 drive-away |
| Rivals | Toyota Corolla Cross | Honda HR-V | Nissan Qashqai |
How much space does the 2023 Kia Seltos have inside?
One big strength, or perhaps the biggest strength of this Seltos, is the fact that it’s one of the most spacious and practical of the small SUV brigade. Kia’s design didn’t seem to bog down in the quest of making this Seltos look as streamlined, sporty or swooping, but instead sticks to a boxy, squared-off and practical silhouette that bodes well for interior space.
Up front, the new Seltos feels refreshed with a new combined infotainment and digital cluster layout, and some small tweaks to the materials and dashboard. Climate controls are easy and storage is decent: there’s a centre console, twin cupholders, and a storage slot down by the power outlet bay. There’s a USB-A and USB-C point, as well as a 12V plug.
The electric park brake in this specification helps to tidy things up, and frees up some additional storage that works well for a small wallet or your keys.
It’s difficult to compare apples with apples in terms of second row space (without doing a head-to-head comparison), but this Seltos feels like one of the best in this regard in isolation. There is loads of head room and leg room on offer for a small SUV, and it’s a comfortable place to spend time as well.
One good test to cement the pedigree of this second row is a rearward-facing baby seat, which does fit and just allows an adult to sit upfront with enough leg room. Some taller types would be grazing their knees against the dashboard in the front passenger seat, but it’s doable.
There are USB-C power outlets and air vents in the second row, and a fold-down armrest for when you don’t need space for three.
The boot is a strong point as well. Its 433L puts the Seltos at the pointy end of the segment, and that square shape yields a boxy, usable space. What’s more, there is a full-size spare wheel hiding underneath (as well as some room for some extra bits and bobs), and the addition of all-wheel drive doesn’t impinge upon the available amount of space.
| 2023 Kia Seltos Sport+ AWD 1.6T | |
| Seats | Five |
| Boot volume | 433L seats up 1393L seats folded |
| Length | 4385mm |
| Width | 1800mm |
| Height | 1635mm |
| Wheelbase | 2630mm |
Does the Kia Seltos have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
One of the important upgrades in this updated Seltos comes in the all-important field of infotainment. A 10.25-inch system, which is an upgrade from the 8.0-inch system in the base model, feels modern and big with good levels of features and ease of use.
There’s digital radio, native navigation, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a good smattering of physical buttons and dials for easy use.
This new Seltos also gets a new feature called Kia Connect, which allows some additional functionality through a specific Kia app. You can locate your vehicle, check your status, and do some basic functions like remote start and climate controls. It’s not as wide-ranging and involved as Hyundai’s Bluelink, which can do things like operate windows, camera views and sync up with calendars.
The infotainment display is matched by a equal-sized (10.25-inch) digital instrument cluster in front of the driver, which provides higher levels of functionality and data than the basic offering lower down the specification rungs.
Is the 2023 Kia Seltos a safe car?
A five-star ANCAP rating for the Seltos – which was garnered from testing in 2019 – applies to all Seltos vehicles in Australia from November 2022 onwards.
This rating breaks down as an 85 per cent score for adult occupants and 83 per cent for child occupants, while the safety assistance technology scores 70 per cent, and vulnerable road users (pedestrians) gets a 61 per cent rating.
| 2023 Kia Seltos Sport+ AWD 1.6T | |
| ANCAP rating | Five stars (tested 2019) |
| Safety report | Link to ANCAP report |
What safety technology does the Kia Seltos have?
Lower-spec-level examples of the Kia Seltos get a more basic version of autonomous emergency braking, but the Sport+ is the first in the line-up to get a more comprehensive system that includes pedestrian and cyclist avoidance, as well as junction turning assist.
This is joined by front and rear parking sensors, rear-view camera, blind-spot monitor (and collision avoidance assistance), rear cross-traffic alert (and collision avoidance assistance), safe exit warning, traffic sign recognition with intelligent speed limit assistance, lane-keep and lane-follow assistance, driver attention alert (with lead-vehicle departure alert) and rear occupant alert.
The traffic sign recognition system is truly infuriating, and I tried to give it the benefit of the doubt. It’s a helpful ally – especially when I was driving during a double-demerit crackdown over Easter in New South Wales – to reduce the chance of being nabbed for speeding.
However, it loses any credence (in my mind) when it manages to bing and bong at you mercilessly despite having the facts wrong. Misreading some signs, missing others completely, wrongly applying school zone limits, and holding onto the wrong limit for way too long. Perhaps I have a low tolerance for such things, but it’s annoying.
It can be turned off with four separate button pushes on the infotainment system, which turns the system off completely (including the instrument speed display), but the system defaults back to on whenever the ignition is cycled.
There are six airbags inside, including twin front, side and curtain units. It is missing the front centre airbag, however, which is becoming an increasingly common fitment to new vehicles.
How much does the Kia Seltos cost to maintain?
Servicing comes via Kia’s capped-price program, which costs $1181 for three years or 20,000km, or $2187 for five years or 50,000km. It’s worth noting here that the turbocharged engine does have lower service intervals of 10,000km in comparison to the 2.0-litre naturally aspirated motor. It has 15,000km service intervals, and is cheaper over three years ($1134, 45,000km) and five years ($2072, 60,000km).
Kia’s range is backed by a seven year, unlimited kilometre warranty for private buyers. For vehicles used commercially (taxis, rideshare, and delivery) Kia places a 150,000km distance cap. Kia also offers different warranty periods on some vehicle components, with a three-year warranty on the infotainment system.
Insurance costs $1275.74 per year for a Seltos based on a comparative quote for a 35-year-old male driver living in Chatswood, NSW. Insurance estimates may vary based on your location, driving history, and personal circumstances.
| At a glance | 2023 Kia Seltos Sport+ AWD 1.6T |
| Warranty | Seven years, unlimited km |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 10,000km |
| Servicing costs | $1181 (3 years) $2187 (5 years) |
Is the Kia Seltos fuel-efficient?
One area where this Seltos does fall down is in the realm of fuel economy. It’s part of the deal when you get a nice level of warmed-up performance and a power-to-weight ratio that almost breaks into the triple figures.
Kia’s claim of 7.4 litres per 100 kilometres on the combined cycle might be achievable, but we got a number noticeably higher than that: 9.8L/100km. It at least runs on cheaper 91RON fuel, but this figure is higher than most in the segment.
Naturally, the range of hybrid petrol options in this segment (Toyota Corolla Cross, Honda HR-V and a future Nissan Qashqai) will offer much better fuel economy than this turbocharged Seltos.
Fuel Consumption – brought to you by bp
| Fuel Useage | Fuel Stats |
| Fuel cons. (claimed) | 7.4L/100km |
| Fuel cons. (on test) | 9.8L/100km |
| Fuel type | 91-octane unleaded |
| Fuel tank size | 50L |
What is the Kia Seltos like to drive?
Once you get past all of those annoying dings (or turn them off for the umpteenth time), the Seltos is a fun and comfortable jigger for town roads and highways alike.
Having some extra oomph from this turbocharged 1.6-litre motor’s 146kW/265Nm helps to liven things up, with a nice surge of torque always available for brisk and responsive acceleration when needed. And when you’ve got the right stretch of road (or a long highway on-ramp), pushing up into that 6000rpm area for peak power is enjoyable.
Don’t forget, this Seltos now almost matches the 150kW/275Nm of the proper hot Hyundai i20 N. However, it can’t match the 1213kg tare weight of the hatch, as we’ve got 1495kg to contend with here.
It’s matched by a suspension and steering set-up that is controlled and responsive without being full-on firm and uncomfortable, completing the sense that this is a well-sorted and warmed-up driving experience.
The on-demand all-wheel-drive system is fast to respond and provides plenty of grip for acceleration, and there feels to be loads of grip available for some back-road fun.
Perhaps the biggest winner is the introduction of a new (to the Seltos) eight-speed torque converter automatic transmission. It replaces the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox of the pre-update Seltos, that had its foibles.
While this new eight-speed might not be able to match those fast, crisp-feeling gear changes when on the move, it’s a better gearbox in every other respect. It’s a smooth operator with good enough response speeds, but is dutifully easy at a crawl without any of that characteristic belligerence from a dual-clutch set-up.
Don’t get me wrong, dual-clutch gearboxes can be good, and they have their place, but in my opinion an SUV like this isn’t one of them.
| Key details | 2023 Kia Seltos Sport+ AWD 1.6T |
| Engine | 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol |
| Power | 146kW @ 6000rpm |
| Torque | 265Nm @ 1600–4500rpm |
| Drive type | All-wheel drive |
| Transmission | Eight-speed torque converter automatic |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 97.7kW/t |
| Weight (tare) | 1495kg |
| Spare tyre type | Full-size |
| Tow rating | 1250kg braked 600kg unbraked |
| Turning circle | 10.6m |
Should I buy a Kia Seltos?
If fuel economy is an important factor for you, then have a closer look at the same car with the 2.0-litre naturally aspirated motor that is much more miserly. Or, look around the segment at some of the more efficiency-focussed alternatives.
However, if you want a little bit of extra spice in your daily driver (without over-egging the pudding), then this Seltos hits some good notes. It’s a well balanced and engaging car to drive overall, and the souped-up 1.6-litre engine provides a good level of performance to match.
It’s also well packaged, with a boot and second row that are among the best in the small SUV segment.
The major negative for me is centered around the traffic sign recognition system. If there is a solution to permanently fix this foible, then the Seltos will grow in appeal greatly, as it hits many of the right notes.
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