Updated on April 26, 2021 - Kia Motors will launch the new updated Kia Seltos and the Seltos Gravity Edition in India tomorrow. Now, as you have done that, you can keep scrolling down to check out the Pros and Cons of the Kia Seltos.
Original Article - November 19, 2020; The Kia Seltos is one of the most popular cars in its segment. It was Kia Motors India who made us Indians believe that a 20 lakh rupee car can stand in the top 10 sales list. With over 1,00,000 sales bagged already within a year, the Seltos is acing its segment and so does its cousin brother - the Hyundai Creta. But why Seltos is so popular and what downers you should keep in mind before owning one? We tell you that and more in the pros and cons of the Kia Seltos.
Pros:
Looks Astonishing
When Kia first showcased the SP2i concept at the 2018 Auto Expo, we all had our eyes stuck to the futuristic design. We all wondered that will this design make its way to the production model and it did. The production model is very similar and equally lovable. Be it the tiger-nose grille or the ice-cube LEDs, the Seltos brings in exclusivity and novelty to the table.
Efficient and Refined Powertrains
The Seltos is offered with a lot of engine options which can be had with a lot of gearbox options. If you want the ease of driving, Kia has the 1.5 IVT, if you want an affordable engine, you have the 1.5 MT, if you want frugality, you have diesel MT and the enthusiasts are given the 1.4 DCT combo which is very tempting. However, the DCT which Kia and Hyundai use is the dry-clutch type and that won't work in traffic very effectively. All in all, Kia has one Seltos for every kind of buyer.
Loaded to the Brim
The Kia Seltos is undoubtedly the most feature-loaded car in its segment and most of them are really useful. We get a massive 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple Car Play, wireless charging, smart air purifier, 360-degree parking camera, BOSE audio, sound mood lighting, UVO connect and much more. Interesting features like electric driver's seat, front parking sensors, heads-up display, ventilated seats are also on offer.
Great Quality Interiors and Space
The interior quality of the Kia Seltos is great overall with the use of soft touch plastics on the dashboard. The dashboard layout is sporty and the red stitching on the GT Line is very appealing too. The seat cushioning on the Seltos is great and the ventilation function is a boon in summers.
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Cons:
Not Great on Comfort
The Kia Seltos looks sporty and even the suspension setup is more towards sportiness. The ride isn't cushiony and it moves a bit on big bumps, however, it's no where uncomfortable. On the other hand, the Hyundai Creta offers a much more comfortable ride and more spacious cabin too. So if you crave for comfort over sportiness, you know which one to choose.
Lack of Safety, Poorly equipped base trims
As we all are aware, Kia Seltos has recently received a poor 3 star rating in the crash test conducted by Global NCAP. Customers had expected at least 4 stars and a stable bodyshell but none of that has been attained in favour of the Seltos. Furthermore, Kia has poorly equipped the base variants of the Seltos and features like rear-adjustable headrests and tilt & telescopic steering are missing in lower trims. These basic features are standard in Ford EcoSport despite being a car from a lower segment.
Lack of Wide Reach
Kia Motors India is still growing in the Indian market and trying to increase its presence across the length and breath of India. Till then, the reach of the Kia service centers is limited and the Hyundai Creta is a safer bet if you live in a Tier II or Tier III city. Kia will still take some time to widen its reach in the smaller cities and towns whereas Hyundai offers hassle-free servicing experience.
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Some Missing Features
While there is no doubt that the Seltos is a feature-loaded SUV and it had all of us awe-stuck at the launch. But with the arrival of the Hyundai Creta, some features make their absence felt inside the cabin. Features like part-digital instrument cluster, paddle shifters and a big panoramic sunroof should have been offered with the Seltos given how close both these SUVs are.
Those are the pros and cons of the very-popular Kia Seltos. Do you have any more to share? Drop them in comments and also become a part of interesting automotive discussions by clicking here
