2021 Kia Seltos FIRST LOOK

2021 Kia Seltos FIRST LOOK by Auto Critic Steve Hammes

Does Kia need another utility vehicle?  You bet they do and here it is: the 2021 Kia Seltos – a small SUV slotted between the Soul and Sportage. 

Kia refers to it as an “adventure-ready crossover” and with over 7” of ground clearance, available all-wheel drive with lock mode, off-road friendly approach angles and skid plates it has the resume. 

Following the Soul’s formula of powertrain choices minus the manual transmission option, the base 2.0-liter engine pairs with a CVT while the 1.6-liter turbo, available on S and SX trims and rated at 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, works through a 7-speed dual clutch automatic.

Front –drive models utilize a torsion beam rear suspension while the all-wheel drive Seltos benefits from a more sophisticated multi-link setup in addition to the enhanced handling benefits of torque vectoring. 

Priced from about $22,000 and available in LX, EX, S and SX trims, the Seltos flaunts a well-appointed cabin with inspiration taken from the much bigger Telluride.  There is an available large touchscreen, the Kia debut of a Bose sound system with the Soul’s famous sound-connected mood lighting, wireless phone charging, reclining rear seats and a plethora of driver assistance systems that punches far above its weight including smart cruise control with stop and go. 

Look for it during the first quarter of 2020.