Latest update: EPA has released the fuel economy figures for the upcoming Kia Seltos. The most fuel-efficient of the three powertrains is the naturally aspirated 2.0-liter/CVT/FWD setup which returns 29mpg in the city, 34mpg on the highway while the combined efficiency stands at 31mpg. In the AWD variant of the same powertrain, the efficiency drops to 27mpg in the city, 31mpg on the highway and to 29mpg overall. The 1.6-litre, dual-clutch powertrain is available with AWD only and returns 25mpg in the city, 30 on the highway and 27 combined. It is also the least fuel-efficient powertrain of the Seltos.
Kia unveiled the Seltos at the 2019 Los Angeles International Auto Show on Wednesday, November 20. While it’s a new model for North America, other markets have had access to it since summer of 2019.
The Seltos is the Korean brand’s latest entry in its crossover lineup. Slotting in between the Soul and Sportage, the Seltos is a compact two-row crossover on the same platform as the Hyundai Kona. Compared to its H-badged sibling, the Seltos is 8.2 inches longer: at 172.2 inches nose-to-tail it’s actually closer to the Sportage in length. That should make it a much roomier proposition, especially for second-row passengers.
Engine choices mirror the Kona lineup, with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 146 hp and 132 lb-ft and 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with outputs of 175 hp and 195 lb-ft. These send their power to either the front or all four wheels via two transmission choices: a continuously variable transmission (CVT) or seven-speed dual-clutch.
The Seltos features a big touch screen at the center of its interior, in either 8.0- or 10.25-inch sizes. It will also feature Kia’s full suite of safety features, including, emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist and adaptive cruise control. Additional driver assists will be trim-dependent.
Kia will start shipping the Seltos to dealers in the first quarter of 2020. While it hasn’t announced exact pricing yet, Kia has stated the base LX AWD and mid-trim S FWD will both start around $22,000.