You’ve all seen how highly contested the compact SUV market is in India. And they’re all good products. With the new Kia Seltos around the corner, the current iteration continues to stand as a practical and thoughtfully packaged contender. The 2024 update brings mild cosmetic changes and deeper equipment upgrades, but at its core, it remains a sturdy recipe for everyday use. We spent time with the 1.5-litre CRDi VGT engine mated to the 6-speed manual gearbox, and came back content that premium electronics may be addictive, but that bare knuckle diesel shove is still a strong backbone.
Looks Fantastic
Without any doubts everybody will appreciate the butch aggressive looks of the Seltos. Especially in this black paint, if you can keep it clean, it genuinely stands out as a more premium vehicle than the segment it sits in. Other notable colours are olive and blue which are also great choices. The LED headlamps are also excellent at night in terms of range and luminosity, apart from looking sharp. That rugged appeal flows through the sides with strong shoulder lines and a very futuristic rear with these connected star map LED tail lamps. Great job Kia!
Drive Experience Is Calm & Calculated
The 1.5-litre diesel engine in the Seltos produces 114 bhp of maximum power at 4,000 rpm and a peak torque of 250 Nm between 1,500 and 2,750 rpm. This powertrain has been a staple for a long now. The new version is hoped to have more changes soon. The linear delivery of torque in the mid-range is very impressive, which makes every day driving smooth and manageable. Highway runs are effortless, and while driving through the city, it remains frugal. The engine also stays refined even as it climbs up the rev band, and vibrations are mostly filtered out by Kia’s well-insulated cabin.
The 6-speed manual gearbox complements the diesel’s easy-going character. The clutch is light and well-weighted, which is a boon in heavy traffic. Idle Stop & Go (ISG) comes as standard and works okay-ish. An absolute benefit of the diesel is fuel efficiency. Seltos diesel MT returns a healthy 18-19 kmpl under mixed driving conditions.
Suspension Works Great, Most Of The Time
Through and through the suspension setup on the Seltos works great in almost every situation you throw it in. It employs a McPherson strut setup at the front and a coupled torsion beam axle (CTBA) at the rear. While not an independent setup, it is well-tuned for Indian roads. It handles rough roads and potholes with ease and quietly. The ride quality at low and medium speeds is commendable. Seltos eats imperfections gracefully and maintains composure over speed breakers and undulations.
On highways, although it remains planted, some sharper undulations at high speeds can make the rear feel slightly floaty. And sometimes a noticeable jolt may filter in the cabin on full load. We had a family trip driving on the Yamuna expressway with all four occupants, and the rear passengers did experience this floaty but with an occasional thud. Overall not so bad, but definitely needs some work.
The steering feel is neutral, light at low speeds for urban use and heavier as speeds rise. The feedback is vague when you push it hard though. All the weight can be felt marring the experience, but then that is a given on SUVs. The 205/65 R16 tyres on lower trims or 215/60 R17 units on mid variants strike a good balance between ride and grip, though they are not performance-oriented. The brakes are good though; disc brakes on all four wheels provide assured stopping power, and the pedal feel is progressive enough.
Cabin Is Very Functional
The interior continues to be a premium and well-built place to be in. Designers have used quality materials and colour coordination which are consistent with what we expect of Kia. Beige leatherette or fabric upholstery, depending on the trim, is supportive. Seat comfort remains high for long journeys, and the seat ventilation works beautifully. Both front and rear passengers have ample leg and headroom, and the 433-litre boot is spacious enough. The driving position is upright and offers superb visibility all around. You can also set the recline angle for the rear seat for added comfort.
The HTX variant gets the 10.25-inch HD touchscreen with in-built navigation and wired Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, along with connected features via Kia Connect. While this interface works well, the absence of wireless smartphone connectivity in higher variants remains an odd limitation. The screen haptics and colours are excellent. A dual-zone automatic climate control system, rear AC vents and ambient lighting all add to delight. Our test car’s air flow selector was broken, which was odd as this is a very basic requirement for the aircon. Anyway, the large panoramic sunroof adds more drama to the cabin, but not as much as the Bose sound system being the best in business.
Sensibly Packed
While the higher-end GTX+ and X-Line trims come loaded with ADAS Level 2, the diesel manual variants, especially the mid and entry-level trims, stick to a more fundamental safety package. Dual airbags, side and curtain airbags, all-wheel disc brakes, tyre pressure monitoring, and ESC come as standard. Even in the HTX trim, you get conveniences like cruise control, push-button start, smart key with remote engine start/stop and automatic headlamps.
The Kia Seltos diesel prioritises refinement, comfort and practicality for city and highway use alike. The engine is efficient and tractable, the cabin is thoughtfully designed, and the dynamics are tuned for the comfort of all the passengers. If you want more poke, get the 1.5l turbopetrol with the DCT for sure. But for using it every day, and almost everywhere, that robust diesel is a formidable contender in the segment.
Photography: Mohd Nasir
Also Read