![]() ![]() The Seltos is one of the larger small crossovers, which could make it attractive against both small and compact crossovers. Fold the seats down and the Seltos has at least two cubic feet more than the Sportage, mostly on account of the more squared off roofline of the Seltos. Rear leg room is a roomy 38 inches (38.2 in Sportage), and the cargo volume behind the second row is 30.7 cubic feet in the Sportage compared to 26.6 cubes in the Seltos. It’s narrower, not as tall, and 4.5 inches shorter in length, but the Seltos is nearly identical in interior space. The Seltos doesn’t sacrifice much in its more compact compartments than the Kia Sportage compact crossover. Other small crossovers at this price point have a push-button start. Fishing the key out of pockets is a minor irritant, but an irritant every time you drive becomes something more. Like broadband internet connections and smartphones as do-it-all devices, there’s no turning back to AOL, slider phones, or keyed starts. That’s about $1,500 less than a similarly equipped 2021 Chevy Trailblazer Activ, and it’s cheaper than the 2020 Hyundai Kona, though the Kona starts off as a better deal with better equipment. The best balance between features and dollars is the $26,410 Seltos EX and its power heated seats, 18-inch wheels, panoramic sunroof, leather steering wheel, wireless charging, keyless start, and blind spot-monitors with rear cross-traffic alerts. The S is the only Seltos without standard all-wheel drive. The LX would be recommended if it came with standard automatic emergency braking. The base model Seltos LX with all-wheel drive or S with front-wheel drive starts just above $23,000 and comes with an 8.0-inch touchscreen with smartphone compatibility, power features and an excellent 5-year/60,000-mile comprehensive warranty with roadside assistance. It might not be enough to be a deal-breaker, but if you aren’t the type of driver to ever hit the pedal to the floor, the CVT is cheaper, smoother, and more efficient. Under heavier throttle, the shifting is quicker and appropriate. Under normal throttle, the first few shifts hesitate, like a teenager being told to stop gaming and do something else. The upcharge to the S Turbo is for the punchier engine and the dual-clutch transmission. That engine is pokier and strains more under a heavy foot, but is more than capable for the everyday driving typical in a small crossover. But the non-turbo models with a 146-hp 2.0-liter inline-4 mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) are more efficient at 29 mpg combined. The driver has more control and can have more fun, but a dual-clutch in this application is about quicker shifts and better fuel economy. For $2,000 more than the similarly equipped S model, the S Turbo comes with a more potent 175-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo-4 with a dual-clutch transmission that lets the driver switch between automatic and a kind of manual transmission without a clutch pedal. It could be impressive with its bursts of power, but it could also use a kick in the rear when changing gears. The upgraded powertrain of the 2021 Kia Seltos S reminded me of a young teenager. But after a week driving around town and on the highway in the S Turbo model, there may be better options, including the less expensive Seltos with the basic engine. While complete pricing will be available closer to the Seltos’ on-sale date, the LX AWD will have a starting price below $22,000 and the S FWD will have a similar starting price.It’s more mainstream than the boxy Soul and the hatchback Niro, and it slots below the larger Sportage. Looking at all it has to offer, it’s no wonder the 2021 Kia Seltos is poised and ready to become a true contender in one of the fastest growing segments in the industry when it goes on-sale in the U.S. It is available in five trims: LX, EX, S 2.0L, S 1.6T and SX. ![]() Complementing Kia’s robust SUV lineup, and following on the heels of the Telluride, the Seltos slots between the popular Soul and Sportage models, providing a comfortable and tech-savvy cabin, a choice of two well-tested engines include a spirited 175-horsepower 1.6-liter turbo, and an available all-wheel drive system with torque vectoring control and a lock mode to handle more severe road conditions. with modern styling and a penchant for adventure, whether that means everyday driving around town or in the wilderness on weekends. As a utility vehicle with an abundance of attitude, the Seltos arrives in the U.S. Rugged, refined and right-sized, the all-new Seltos energizes the Entry SUV segment with a personality all its own. ![]()
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