Kia Seltos: Most Value for Money Variant Revealed

The Kia Seltos, manufactured by the South Korean automaker Kia, is a subcompact crossover SUV introduced in mid-2019. The name Seltos is derived from “Celtos”, the son of Hercules and Celtine in Greek mythology. The Seltos is aimed at millennials and “youthful, tech-savvy buyers”. It is a versatile vehicle that boasts impressive performance, advanced technology features, and a spacious interior. If you are interested in learning which is the most value for money variant of the Seltos, we have the answer for you here. Read on!

Kia Seltos: Top Competitors

The top rivals of the Kia Seltos are the Skoda Kushaq, MG Astor, Hyundai Creta, and Volkswagen Taigun.

Also read: Locked out of Kia Seltos: Service centre breaks glass to enter inside the car

Kia Seltos Variants

The Kia Seltos has 12 variants, which are listed below along with their prices (ex-showroom, Delhi):

Kia Seltos: Quick Review

Design and features: The Kia Seltos has a contemporary design and looks handsome on the road. The front of the Seltos features Kia’s signature “Tiger Nose” grille, and sharp LED headlights and daytime running lights. On the sides of the vehicle are its sculpted lines and prominent wheel arches, which give it a muscular and athletic appearance. The available two-tone roof adds a touch of flair to the Seltos’ design.

At the rear, the Seltos has a unique taillight design that stretches across the entire width of the vehicle. The angular lines of the taillights mirror the front headlights. The available roof spoiler and dual exhaust outlets give the Seltos an extra sporty touch.

In terms of features, the Kia Seltos has an 8-inch touchscreen display audio system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Higher variants come with a 10.25-inch touchscreen display with navigation and a premium 8-speaker Bose sound system. Some convenience features available in the Seltos include a rearview camera, a power sunroof, keyless entry and ignition, automatic climate control, wireless phone charging, and USB charging ports.

Engine and performance: The Kia Seltos comes with a choice of three engines – a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, a 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine; and a 1.5-litre diesel engine, with each getting a 6-speed manual and an automatic option.

The 1.5-litre petrol has CVT (continuously variable transmission), the 1.4-litre turbo petrol has a 7-speed DCT (dual clutch transmission), and the diesel has a 6-speed torque converter automatic. The Kia Seltos offers good acceleration, responsive handling, and a comfortable ride.

The standard engine provides enough power for most driving situations, while the turbocharged engine delivers even more power and a sportier driving experience. The Seltos features a sport-tuned suspension on its higher variants.

Ride and handling: The Kia Seltos has McPherson strut suspension with coil springs at the front and a coupled torsion beam at the rear. Ride quality at city speeds is smooth, but there’s a certain firmness to it. There is no problem as long as the roads are smooth, but bad roads can be felt inside the cabin. The Seltos’ handling is agile and responsive, with well-weighted steering that provides precise control on serpentine roads. The vehicle’s turning radius is also impressive, making it easy to manoeuvre in tight spaces.

Comfort and space: The Kia Seltos offers a comfortable and spacious interior. The cabin of the Seltos is designed with high-quality materials that provide a premium feel. The seats are well-cushioned and supportive. The driver’s seat is also adjustable. The rear seats of the Seltos are spacious and can accommodate three adult passengers. The vehicle’s tall roofline and generous legroom provide ample head and legroom for rear-seat passengers. Additionally, the Seltos’ rear seats can be reclined.

The Seltos also offers ample cargo space, with a well-designed cargo area and a low load floor. The rear seats can be folded down, providing additional cargo space when needed. The Seltos’ interior is equipped with several comfort features, including a dual-zone automatic climate control system, heated and ventilated front seats, and a panoramic sunroof.

Safety: The Kia Seltos offers a suite of safety features, which include Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Driver Attention Warning (DAW,), Blind Spot Collision Warning (BCW), Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning (RCCW), Smart Cruise Control (SCC), Safe Exit Assist (SEA), Surround-View Monitor (SVM), LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system, a range of airbags, including front and side airbags, and child safety rear door lock system.

Mileage: The Kia Seltos has a city mileage of 11.51 km/l and a highway mileage of 18.03 km/l.

Concluding remarks: The Kia Seltos is a stylish and versatile SUV that offers a great combination of performance, comfort, and safety features. Its sleek design, spacious interior, and advanced technology coupled with a powerful engine, responsive handling, and smooth ride provide an enjoyable driving experience.

Kia Seltos: The Most Value for Money Variant

There are two most Value for Money Variant (VFM) variants of the Kia Seltos – one for the petrol version, and one for the diesel version. For petrol, it is the Seltos HTK, priced at Rs 12.00 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi), and for diesel, it is the Seltos HTK Diesel iMT, priced at Rs 13.69 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Most VFM (Petrol) Variant in Comparison with Base Variant

The base variant of the Kia Seltos is the Seltos HTE, priced at Rs 10.89 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi). The most VFM (petrol) variant has some additional features over the base variant, which are fog lights, and rear parking camera. Other features such as automatic climate control, audio system, 8-inch LCD touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, rear AC vents etc. are the same in both.

Most VFM (Diesel) Variant in Comparison with Base Variant

The most VFM (diesel) variant has rear parking camera, cruise control, and fog lights as additional features over the base variant. The rest of the features remain the same.

Most VFM (Petrol, Diesel) Variants in Comparison with Top-end Variant

The top-end variant of the Kia Seltos is the Seltos X-Line Diesel AT, priced at Rs 19.65 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi). The top-end variant has some extra features over the VFM variants, such as cruise control (the petrol Value for Money Variant doesn’t have it, while the diesel one has), and 17-inch wheels (16 inch in both VFM variants).

Key Take-outs from the Comparative Analysis of Base, Value for Money, Top-end Variants Above

There are minor differences in features across the base, VFM and top-end variants. However, the price difference between the VFM variants and the top-end variant is markedly high.

In the end, while the Kia Seltos HTX and GTX variants offer premium features and powerful performance, for those on a budget, the Seltos HTK variants provide a great value for money with a decent set of features.

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