Kia’s Seltos was probably the worst-kept secret at the 2019 LA Auto Show. Hyundai Motor Group had already confirmed it as a global model earlier this year, teased it numerous times, and featured it on a gigantic banner outside the Los Angeles Convention Center prior to its official debut. But Kia still managed to surprise us.
Along with the U.S.-spec version of the Seltos, Kia also paraded two off-road concepts meant to preview future offerings. Positioned above the Soul, the new crossover is basically an oversized subcompact aimed at fleshing out the brand’s “SUV” lineup. While mostly conventional, it does offer some of the industry’s hottest trends (hidden pillars, contrasting roof, butch plastic cladding, etc) with enough attitude of its own to remain semi-distinctive. Most of that comes from a presumed ruggedness, enhanced by the brand’s edgy marketing.
Kia’s tagline for the vehicle is “Inspired by the Badass in You.”
Expect Kia to double down on that mantra after the model goes on sale late in 2020 (as a 2021 model-year vehicle), because that’s what the accompanying concepts were all about. The Korean marque revealed two Seltos X-Line models in LA this week: The Trail Attack Concept is all about improving off-road capabilities through lights, a suspension lift, and big, gnarled tires. The Urban Concept is basically the same but styled more for city dwellers.
While an urban off-roader seems daft on the surface, I’ve done plenty of curb hopping in New York City and have noticed the locals have a penchant for sinisterly modified Jeep Wranglers. You see them every few blocks, typically with huge tires and more lights than one would ever need without there being a citywide blackout in effect. Let’s not waste too much time on the concepts, though. They’ll probably remerge in a year’s time as lifestyle/activity vehicles with plenty of optional accessories.
The production Seltos closely matches what we’ve already seen in Asia, and is kind of a hodgepodge of Kia’s various products. The front has touches from the Optima and Soul, with hints of Telluride and Sorento. The back is more generic, making it harder to finger any specific Kia model as a direct influence.
Beneath the hood, owners can have either a 146-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 132 lb-ft or splurge for the optional 1.6-liter turbo with 175 hp and 195 lb-ft. The standard Seltos comes with a CVT, while the 1.6-liter receives a dual-clutch transmission with seven speeds. The manufacturer plans to offer the model with either front- and all-wheel drive. MacPherson struts are said to be up front with a torsion-beam setup in the rear (standard). All-wheel-drive variants will ditch the twist beam for a multi-link arrangement.
With a starting MSRP of “below $22,000,” Seltos finds itself occupying an interesting middle ground between budget micro SUVs and slightly larger alternatives. Kia undoubtedly believes this was the right play to make; it’s touting the model’s superior interior volume and comfort as the reason to not buy something like a Nissan Kicks. Rear legroom is an admirable 38 inches but it’s been difficult to get concrete specs on other passenger-related dimensions (some may be less impressive, but the Seltos looks to have decent shoulder room).
Kia did provide cargo specs, however, saying some 26.6 cubic feet of cargo room resides behind rear seats. Folding them down brings that up to 62.8 cubes — which is technically more than the Sportage. That’s probably where the model shines the brightest and will receive the most praise come review time.
Visually, the interior is classic Kia. There’s a floating 10.25-inch touchscreen (8 inches is standard), underlined by a handful of physical buttons. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity come standard and customers can add a Bose premium audio system outfitted with a color-changing, musical mood lamp. Adding another USB (it comes with two), automatic climate control, or a wireless charging pad for your phone is similarly optional.
Wheel size is either 17 or 18 inches, depending on trim. There are four in total — LX, S, EX and SX — and moving up that ladder tacks on minor embellishments to the exterior while opening the door for new interior options and leather upholstery. Ditto for the 1.6-liter turbo, as it’s limited to the S (which also has the 2.0-liter) and SX trims.
The rest is exactly what you’d expect from a new automobile coming from Kia — multiple drive modes, automatic engine shut-off, tons of connectivity features, and an optional suite of advanced driving aids. Interestingly, automatic emergency braking doesn’t appear to be standard. Definitely not a deal breaker for us, but it’s worth noting after so many automakers have promised to make it standard content.
The rest will have to remain a mystery for a while longer. Kia promised to furnish more specs (MPGs, hopefully) closer to launch. As of now, North American deliveries are estimated to commence this time next year.
[Images: Hyundai Motor Group]
Killed In Action is so badass, it redefines the word.
“multiple drive modes, automatic engine shut-off, tons of connectivity features, and an optional suite of advanced driving aids.”
Lots of new stuff to break just out of warranty.
“ automatic engine shut-off,”
Sounds like it’s already broken, Detroit and Europe had a bad rep for this in the 70s and 80s.
I see shades of about ten different “Utility” vehicles all wrapped into one. Sheesh…when will it end? Do we really need a model to fill every microscopically different size along the CUV/SUV continuum?
Evidently the buying public is just that stupid you can sell the same thing in 35 variations and they all lap it up.
Yeah, there’s about a $1000 worth of bolt-on crap and stickers
I’ve been liking the styling of many of the new Kia’s, but not this. That front end is awful IMO.
Still looks better than the new Trailblazer and at least has 4 cyl engines, unlike the Trailblazers ridiculous mouse motor 3 cyl engines.
Kid’s car, so are there enough 18 year olds with the money to buy one? No, but their parents do :)
New Rule based on now long-established trends:
90% of crossovers in any given segment (i.e. A, B, C, etc segments) look 90% indistinguishable, to the point that removing the badges and manufacturers’ names would induce total and complete confusion.
The other 10% of crossovers appear something along the lines of 80% indistinguishable, the point that removing the badges and manufacturers’ names would induce deep confusion for all but the most nerdiest of crossover buffs.
Oh, I agree, but it’s always been that way, one car company builds a mildly successful car and all the rest follow. Look what the Mustang Pony car started or whichever car started the personal luxury coupe with opera windows. Geez, was that look ever going to die?
You could say the same about any trend in automotive history. 90’s midsize sedans for one.
The “badass in me” bought a manual V10 M6 to daily.
Is the Jurassic Park appearance package a factory option?
38″ of rear legroom is no joke, and a (semi) proper transmission could indeed make this more interesting than the Kicks. I like it.
But after 10 years of H/K ownership and many different vehicles, I’ve never been able to decode their trim level names. I can’t even say whether my own 09 Sedona is an EX or LX.
“Kia’s tagline for the vehicle is ‘Inspired by the Badass in You.’ ”
Ridiculously embarrassing.
Should have been the tagline for the Stinger.
With all the automotive news, I feel like keeping my Mazda6 MT for 15 more years