Kia Seltos Debuts Abroad as New Subcompact Crossover
The Kia Seltos has debuted as a new subcompact crossover to slot underneath the Sportage in the Korean automaker’s lineup.
The new Hyundai Kona-sized crossover debuted in India, but will likely arrive in the North American market in the second half of this year. Kia says the attractive and chunky-looking CUV is “one of the most high-tech cars in its class with a range of in-car features.” The Kia Seltos will be available with full exterior LED lighting, an 8-inch head up display, mood lighting that matches the music, a 10.25-inch touchscreen, and a Bose audio system. There was no information yet on active safety features like automatic emergency braking, but it would make sense for the Seltos to get the full suite of driver assistance features unless Kia is omitting them to keep the pricing low.
For our market, two engines will be available: a 2.0L four-cylinder and a 1.6L turbo four-cylinder. In the Kia Soul, the 2.0L outputs 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque, while the 1.6T gets 201 hp and 195 lb-ft. Other markets also get a diesel option with a six-speed automatic. Two transmissions will be offered (a seven-speed DCT for the 1.6T or a CVT for the 2.0L engine) and the Seltos will have different driving modes to choose from.
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The Kia Seltos will be manufactured in Andhra Pradesh, India, and Gwangju, Korea. Expect a full North American debut with region-specific specs, features, and pricing in the coming months. No photos of the interior were also released, so expect more information when the full debut happens.
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Jodi has been obsessed with cars since she was little and has been an automotive journalist for the past 12 years. She has a Bachelor of Journalism from Ryerson University in Toronto, is a member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), and a jury member for the prestigious North American Car/Truck/Utility Vehicle of the Year (NACTOY). Besides hosting videos, and writing news, reviews and features, Jodi is the Editor-in-Chief of AutoGuide.com and takes care of the site's day-to-day operations.
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