2023 Kia Seltos: 6 Reasons Why The All-rounder Should Apologise To Every Other SUV In Its Segment

It’s rare to see a new entrant coming into the market and outright stealing the show with its insane amount of talent. Back in 2019, the Seltos was the car that cemented Kia’s position in India with its good looks, long list of attractive and usable features, multiple powertrains and expansive variants on offer. Now, Kia has taken the wraps off the 2023 Seltos, which builds on the super successful formula of the pre-facelift model and continues to be a hit in the compact SUV segment. 

In fact, it’s so popular that the Seltos should apologise to every other compact SUV in the market for stealing the show. Here’s why:

A More Robust Safety Package 

One of the biggest updates, in our opinion, is the bolstering of the Seltos’ safety package. Firstly, Kia has made enhancements to the Seltos’ platform, so it’s more stable and can take more shocks in the unfortunate event of a crash. The revised platform also has the potential to achieve a 5-star crash test rating, and we hope the Seltos nails it to become one of the safest offerings in its segment. 

Then there’s the massive list of safety features onboard. Your highway drives are made all the more safer, thanks to the availability of Level 2 ADAS with features such as Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist, Forward Collision Avoidance Assist and much more. This makes highway driving safer and the system has been tuned keeping our road conditions in mind. 

Find it to be too intrusive? You have the option to switch it off as well. Plus, safety features such as 6 airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Hill Assist Control (HAC), Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) and a 360-degree camera give an added layer of safety on our roads.

Arguably The Best Design

There’s a saying that the first impression is always the last impression. Be it you presenting a new idea to your bosses or trying to make waves in a heavily contested space or even taking someone out on a first date. And no doubt, the Seltos’s drool-worthy looks does tingle your heart when you set eyes on it for the first time. 

The redesigned DRLs, larger grille and sporty styling for the bumpers give the front an aggressive demeanour. Come to the side and your eyes are drawn to the 18-inch dual-tone alloys that give it a nice beefy stance. And at the rear, the connected LED tail lamps dials up the premium factor a notch, and we bet you won’t miss it even if you’re looking at it from quite far off. 

Check Out: 2023 Kia Seltos Image Gallery 

Kia has perfectly balanced the Seltos’s sporty and elegant design elements, thus making it one of the best looking compact SUVs no matter where it is placed. And for this reason, the Seltos should apologise to other models for stealing the show with its drool worthy looks. 

Most Feature Loaded In Its Segment

Once you’ve impressed everyone with a positive first impression, it’s now time to carry that momentum forward. For that, you need the talent and skill set to make life easier. And in this case, the Seltos’s cabin is so thoughtful, with plenty of bits that make you and your occupants’ life all the more easier. 

The moment you sit inside the car, getting comfortable is very easy thanks to the electrically adjustable mirrors and the powered driver’s seat. Your eyes will instantly be drawn to the dual 10.25-inch screens that give the cabin a neat minimalist look. 

The digital driver’s display is crisp, changes themes depending on the drive mode you select, and displays a gazillion bits of information. On the other hand, the infotainment system is very easy to get your head around, and supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as well as connected car tech. Feeling too lazy to use it? Simply tap the voice command button and operate certain features, including even the sunroof! 

Buckle up, thumb the starter button and let’s head out on the road. First, your occupants will not need to fight for setting their desired temperature, thanks to the segment-first dual-zone AC. Then there’s the Bose sound system which ensures you have a good audio experience in the car.  

If the weather permits and you want an added dash of light and airiness, the Seltos gets a large panoramic sunroof, which lets ample light inside the car. And if the day is hot and you want to keep the cabin cold, ventilated seats ensure you have a nice cool back. 

In fact, the Seltos is easily the most feature-loaded and talented car in its segment, and it says, “Sorry boys, I have easily stolen the spotlight in this section as well.” 

Most Exhaustive Variant And Trim Lineup 

Having multiple talents will make you the most likeable and dependable one of the lot. And in this case, we can attribute this to the fact that there’s a Seltos for everyone. 

Check Out: Kia Seltos Colour Options

For starters, you get to choose from 11 exterior colours and 18 variants! Then there are the trims. You get to choose from the Tech Line, with its elegant looks, or the GT Line and X-Line, both of which look a bit more aggressive. You can check out how the Seltos looks in varying trims by clicking these links below: 

• 2023 Kia Seltos Facelift: Tech Line vs GT Line Compared In Images

• 2023 Kia Seltos Facelift: GT Line vs X-Line Compared In Images

All in all, there’s a Seltos for everyone no matter their budget, thus catering to the need for different buyers in the segment. So sorry, boys, the 2023 Kia Seltos is so talented that it suits the various needs of different buyers. 

Buffet Of Powertrain Options 

Finishing tasks before a deadline always makes the boss the happiest man in the world. And on top of that, ensuring that there are no errors and the task is done flawlessly makes them even happier. 

And in this case, it’s the Seltos’s reliable and powerful engine options that makes it a great companion out on the road. Especially the powerful 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol motor that's good for 160PS and 253Nm. But while us enthusiasts might be content with this engine, Kia is offering two more engine options on the Seltos. 

More Details: 2023 Kia Seltos Specifications

There is a 1.5-litre NA petrol for those who want to take things easy and a 1.5-litre diesel for those heavy mileage users. For a detailed look at its specifications, check out this table:

And considering that most of its rivals are now mainly petrol offerings, Kia offers more engine choices depending on the requirement you need. So… psst rivals, SORRY! 

Kia Seltos: The All-rounder You Need! 

You’re the most dependable employee, you’re the most loving partner, and you have nailed all the challenges that were thrown at you. It’s no doubt that the Kia Seltos has tackled all its hurdles and is one of the most lovable compact SUVs in India. 

So much so that 1 out of 10 Kias sold worldwide is a Seltos. In India, the Seltos not only accounts for 50-60 percent sales of the Korean brand, it also ranks second in the segment in terms of total sales. So it’s no surprise that the Seltos is one of the quickest models in its segment to rack up over 5 lakh sales on our shores. 

Not just that, with the Seltos, Kia has ensured that customers get their added piece of mind, thanks to its low cost of ownership in its segment. Along with that, you get a product that is bang for your buck with its features, its offering and the aspirational value one would expect from their new car. 

Cars are not just used for home-to-office commutes, but also to go on long drives so you can explore new destinations. So, buyers naturally expect versatility out of their vehicles, and the Kia Seltos does this wonderfully. It is an ideal companion to go on long, comfortable drives, thanks to its expansive list of features, trims, multiple engine and gearbox options, and safety tech. So sorry to all the competitors, it’s time for me (read: Seltos) to bask in the glory and enjoy my success!