What is a Seltos? A Seltos is a subcompact SUV built in the Gwangju, Korea assembly plant and sold worldwide by Kia. This very popular subcompact SUV class has many competitors and the Kia Seltos goes head to head with crossovers like the Honda HR-V, Subaru Crosstrek and the Toyota Corolla Cross. Small crossovers, also known as subcompact SUVs, are a type of sport utility vehicle that are smaller in size and have a more fuel efficient design that gets better gas mileage than all the larger SUVs.
No matter what your lifestyle, the 2024 Seltos delivers a very capable driving experience with a powerful 1.6L turbocharged 4 cylinder engine that has 195 horsepower (HP) and 195 lb.-ft. of torque bolted to an 8 speed automatic transmission. Power is then routed into an all wheel drive (AWD) traction control system, with torque vectoring, center lock drive and drive mode select for positive stability on all surfaces; on and off road, 24/7.
This week Kia sent me a top of the line 2024 Seltos SX Turbo AWD model to test drive and review. The base window sticker price for this SX Edition is $29,990. The options on the test SUV are: the pearl paint for $395, the SX sunroof package for $1,200 and the carpeted floor mats for $175. The manufactures suggested retail price (MSRP), including the $1,325 destination charge, is: $33,085.
After adding in the state and local sales tax, plus the DMV and dealer fees, the out the door and in your garage total purchase price came to: $37,221. At just over $37 Grand this top of the line edition Kia Seltos costs way under the $48,800 average sales transaction price for all new vehicles sold in 2023. So much so, that buying one will leave you with over $11,500 in extra cash to fund your next around the world road trip.
The Kia Seltos costs less than the competition and is big on value. The Seltos SX Turbo AWD model comes with 18 alloy wheels, projection LED headlights, LED fog lights, a Bose premium 400 watt audio system with 8 speakers, a sport steering wheel, a cargo cover, smart cruise control with start and go, an electronic parking brake, highway driving assist, forward collision avoidance assist and intelligent speed limit assist.
The SX sunroof package adds in a power sunroof with a sunshade, a smart power rear lift gate, ventilated front seats and a smart phone digital key. The advanced safety driver assistance systems include: forward collision avoidance assist, lane keeping assist, lane following assist, land departure warning, safe exit warning, driver attention warning, high beam assist, blind spot collision warning and rear cross traffic collision avoidance assist.
The interior comfort and convenience list is over 15 features long, and it starts with: dual 10.25″ panoramic digital display screens with navigation, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM radio, a rear view camera with dynamic guidelines, a smart key with push button start, remote start, a wireless phone charger, front and rear USB charge ports, SynTex seating, power drivers seat with power lumbar support, heated front seats, 60/40 split folding and reclining rear seats, automatic climate control with automatic defoggers, a leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, LED interior lighting, and a rear occupant alert warning system. Everything you need to stay safe and sound all the time.
The Kia Seltos SX Turbo can match any and all of the vehicles in the subcompact class, but only Kia can give you a 10 year / 100,000 mile power train warranty, plus a 5 year / 60,000 mile basic warranty and then add a 5 year / 60,000 miles roadside assistance package at no extra cost to you. This warranty is included on all new vehicles that Kia sells in America, and it gives them an extra sales advantage that nobody else offers.
Plus the 2024 Kia SX Turbo Seltos gets 27 MPG on the highway, 25 MPG in city driving and is rated at 26 MPG in combined driving. The greenhouse gas rating is 5 and the smog rating is 5; both out of 10. So, good fuel economy, clean emissions numbers and a low purchase price all lead up to a great buy for a new subcompact crossover SUV.
Call, click or visit your local Kia dealer for a test drive, and a Bottom Line price review, on the 2024 Kia Seltos SX Turbo AWD SUV. And remember that the base price for a new Seltos starts at only $24,390. Kia – Movement that Inspires.
Be smart, stay safe, and just breathe. Remember, You Are What You Drive, and maybe, just for those reasons alone, you should Drive one, Buy one, Today. Have a great day, drive safely, and enjoy the ride, as the future looks nice and bright – Tony the Car Guy.
This Bottom Line new vehicle review is a Nut & Bolt and Dollars & Sense editorial provided by Tony Leopardo. Tony the Car Guy is an automotive writer, editor and publisher in the San Francisco Bay Area. If you have a question, or comment for Tony, send it to [email protected] and visit AutoWire.Net at www.autowire.net
