The 2023 Kia Seltos name sounds like a real estate ad, but it’s actually a great little SUV, sandwiched between two small cars in the Kia lineup — the Soul and Sportage — and in the middle the 2023 Seltos looks redundant, but it has carved out a niche for itself. Its dimensions put it at the larger end of the small SUV segment.
The 2023 Kia Seltos offers more engaging driving behavior and is faster than the competition when equipped with the 1.6-liter turbocharged engine. The base powertrain is less powerful, and all-wheel drive is standard on most models. A wide range of features are available depending on the model. The Kia Seltos comes standard with the most popular driver assistance technologies.
The 2023 Seltos offers great interior space, practicality in cargo transportation, and best of all, it comes at an affordable price. An intuitive infotainment system, wide range of standard safety features and long-term warranty enhance its appeal. However, the particular powertrain could use some revision. The Kia Seltos ranks high on our list of the cheapest small SUVs .
New for 2023 Kia Seltos
Kia added a new soundproof windshield on all models, to reduce road noise. Meanwhile, the S trim comes standard with rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, and a blind-spot collision-avoidance system. A larger 10.3-inch screen can be ordered with the navigation system as an option.
The quality of the 2023 Kia Seltos as an SUV
The 2023 Kia Seltos is a great option if you’re shopping for a compact SUV. Despite its small exterior, it has a huge amount of interior space for passengers and luggage. The cabin has an upscale look and feel, welcoming its occupants with comfortable seats, an easy-to-use infotainment system and a host of standard safety features. It performs well, and Kia backs it up with a long-term warranty.
If there’s a snag, it’s the dual-clutch transmission, which tends to vibrate at low speeds. We’d suggest sticking with the base engine and its smoother CVT automatic system although this setup isn’t quite as robust.
2023 Kia Seltos Models
The 2023 Kia Seltos comes in five grades: LX, S, EX, Nightfall Edition, and SX. Overall, each model adds a few more features than its predecessor, and the biggest difference in power is under the hood of the LX, S, and EX models with a 146-horsepower engine, while the top-of-the-line Nightfall and SX models feature a turbo-four with 175 horsepower.
The exterior design of the 2023 Kia Seltos
The 2023 Kia Seltos is an eye-catching SUV that strikes a nice balance between luxury and ruggedness. The ride height and skid plates give it a slightly outward appearance, but the sleek body lines and sharp light signatures make it look modern and high-tech. It is one of the growing number of mid-size SUVs. From the outside, it looks about 4 inches shorter than the Sportage, but the Seltos is between 2 and 8 inches longer than many small SUVs.
The Kia Seltos may be suffering from middle child syndrome, and it’s gotten less attention than its Kia siblings on both sides. On the one hand, it is priced higher than the gorgeous Kia Soul. On the other hand, the all-new Kia Sportage makes a splash with its sharp and aggressive styling that will likely dictate the look and feel of the brand’s future lineup.
Seltos has some bold paint options like Mars Orange and Starbright Yellow. It’s on the growing trend for contrasting roof and mirror options with two-tone color schemes available. Size-wise, the Seltos is a compact SUV between the smaller Soul and the larger Sportage in Kia’s lineup. Its dimensions are similar to the Chevrolet Trailblazer, Mazda CX-30 and Jeep Compass.
The Seltos Kia is 14.3 ft. long. Curb weight ranges from 2,948 to 3,317 lbs. Also, the Kia Seltos was built in South Korea.
Interior cabin design of the 2023 Kia Seltos
The Seltos’ interior design is simple, functional, and spacious. We especially mention the available 10.25-inch infotainment screen; Its graphics are clear and easy to use, and there is a bottom screen that displays the climate settings for one region. The Seltos has enough space for most people, and getting in and out is easy thanks to the wide door opening.
The thick roof pillars obstruct the view somewhat. It’s always a good idea to double check to make sure there are no pedestrians walking towards you from the right side. The wide angle rearview camera is definitely useful when backing up.
Interior quality of the 2023 Kia Seltos
The Kia Seltos makes a convincing impression of being an expensive car thanks to its elegant and upscale cabin. The dashboard has a subtle, almost BMW-like look, and the overall interior feels solid, well-built and well-built. Sure, there are many hard plastics around,
But these surfaces do not look cheap, and they are complemented by many areas of soft texture. All in all, the Seltos is an impressive cockpit with only loud road noise, but that’s par for the same class as a small SUV.
Technology in the 2023 Kia Seltos
Seltos comes with a fun number of technological features. And the Bose sound system (SX model only) produces clear sound and powerful bass. The navigation system is also easy enough to use. Smartphone integration of both types is standard on all models, but works best on the 10.25-inch screen. It has two USB ports, a 12-volt power outlet, and a wireless charging pad on the front. But a single USB port for rear passengers.
The advanced safety systems and driver aids in the best-in-class Seltos SX worked well and weren’t overly intrusive with warnings. But the adaptive cruise control is very conservative.
Navigation and technology features in the 2023 Kia Seltos
Kia offers the Seltos with a standard 8-inch touchscreen or an available 10.2-inch version. These displays benefit from straightforward menus, quick responses, and clear graphics. Both are easy to see and reach while driving, too, and are accompanied by physical buttons and knobs, which make adjusting the climate and audio controls a breeze. It’s a simple design that simply works.
Standard infotainment features on the 2023 Kia Seltos
— A screen that supports Android Auto and Apple Play, a six-speaker stereo, Bluetooth and a USB port. Among the most prominent information and entertainment features available: a 10.2-inch screen, navigation, satellite radio, an eight-speaker stereo, wireless charging and two additional USB ports.
Additional standard features of the 2023 Kia Seltos
Other available features: automatic climate control with vents for the rear seats, keyless entry, push-button start, remote start, and a sunroof.
The spaciousness and spaciousness of the Kia Seltos 2023
The Kia Seltos is a two-row SUV with five seats. It may look small from the outside, but in reality, Seltos offers plenty of seating for adults. The front seats are supportive and well-cushioned, and the range of seat adjustments makes it easy to find a comfortable driving position. The Seltos’ large windows also provide great views of the front, sides and rear of the SUV.
Kia Seltos 2023 car seats for adults and children
The back seat cushions are a bit firmer than those in the front, but the reclining seat backs and ample head and legroom make it a comfortable fit, even for those taller than 6 feet. Cloth upholstery and manually adjustable front seats also come standard.
Faux leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat are available. Seltos also offers two complete sets of LATCH connectors for the outboard rear seats and a rear center seat tether anchor. The Seltos car seat anchorage points are clearly marked and easy to access.
Storage space in the 2023 Kia Seltos
In the rear of the Seltos you’ll find it’s class-leading. With a maximum cargo capacity of 62.8 cubic feet. Leave the rear seats up and there’s still 26.6 cubes left. Loading cargo isn’t difficult either thanks to the wide tailgate opening and decent cargo depth.
The interior storage for the front passengers is sufficient. There are several water bottle-sized pockets, a small cell phone tray in front of the shifter, a small console box and a glove box. It’s plenty of space to store a bike, camping gear, or even the occasional piece of furniture like a coffee table. And the square tailgate opening makes it easy to load and unload cargo, too.
2023 Kia Seltos engine
Kia offers the Seltos 2023 with two powertrain options. The LX, S and EX models feature a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine making 146 horsepower and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The SX and Nightfall Edition models feature a 175-horsepower 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and a seven-speed automatic transmission. Both configurations also come standard with all-wheel drive, except for the S trim which is available with either front- or all-wheel drive.
Each powertrain has its own powerful alternatives. The base engine is more than capable of squeezing the SUV around town. Throttle response is snappy, and the CVT shifts gear ratios quickly and smoothly, but the engine starts to feel like gasoline on the highway, and the powertrain is adequate at best.
The turbocharged engine is significantly more powerful, and it brings the Seltos up to highway speeds with ample passing power. The seven-speed dual-clutch transmission shifts quickly and smoothly once you get going, but it tends to shiver in choppy traffic, which can be frustrating.
Driving impressions of the 2023 Kia Seltos
We tested the Kia Seltos with a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine that pumps out 175 horsepower. And we found its power more than adequate. And we were able to go from rest to 60 miles per hour in 6.6 seconds. And the all-wheel drive system helps the Seltos pull off a very stable and smooth performance, and it’s more fun and well-configured than competitors like the Jeep Compass and Mitsubishi Outlander Sport.
Handling and stability in the 2023 Kia Seltos
The Seltos may not be the sportiest SUV to drive in this segment, but it isn’t. Seltos are a cinch to stand up to and maneuver in tight spots, confidently zipping around turns with minimal nimbleness and sway. The steering is responsive and weighty enough, and the brakes provide reassuring stopping power.
The Kia’s ride quality is also acceptable. Like most small SUVs, the Seltos tends to wobble when driving over rough road surfaces, resulting in a somewhat wobbly ride, but the impacts from big bumps and potholes absorb well. The ride is comfortable, but not flexible.
Driving comfort of the 2023 Kia Seltos
The Seltos are maneuverable on city streets and easy to park thanks to their compact size, but some of their rivals, like the Mazda CX-30, offer sportier handling.
As for ride comfort, it’s reasonably smooth and comfortable for highway cruising, but you might want something with a longer wheelbase if you’re looking for long-distance driving comfort.
Driving Modes in the 2023 Kia Seltos
Although many cars boast Normal and Sport driving modes, which make the engine feel more enthusiastic by adjusting throttle response and transmission shift times.
The Seltos’ powertrain feels like you’ve suddenly fallen into a different engine. Possibly the result of increased boost from the turbo as well as the throttle and variable differentials, the overall powertrain feels lively in Sport mode, but barely adequate in Normal mode. But it’s a pretty neat performance, actually.
Noise and vibration in the 2023 Kia Seltos
The rest of the Seltos driving experience is typical for Kia, capable and memorable. It handles bigger bumps well, even surprisingly for such an inexpensive crossover, perhaps in part because the 18-inch wheels are the largest available.
Its chassis shows poise around corners, and we could happily push it along a mountain road without feeling like a hopeless fish out of water. It never crosses the sporty realm the way the Mazda CX-30 does, but that’s more fact than complaint. There’s also a fair amount of road noise inside, which is another sign of its price point.
2023 Kia Seltos Powertrain Performance
The base four-cylinder engine in the Seltos delivers just the right performance, is fuel efficient thanks to the CVT transmission, and is powerful enough for the daily commute. And the available turbo engine is an excellent upgrade if you want a little extra boost in a small SUV. It delivers a significant improvement in performance, but comes with a slight fuel economy penalty, and is for you if you’re looking for spirited performance.
The turbo engine is mated to a 7-speed DCT automatic transmission. It’s better for sporty driving than the CVT that came with the base engine, but it can be a little slow to shift when you want a little more slip.
Four-wheel drive performance in the 2023 Kia Seltos
With the exception of the S model, every Seltos comes standard with all-wheel drive. The Subaru Crosstrek and Jeep Compass Trailhawk are better off-road, but the all-wheel drive system gives the Seltos good all-weather traction and light off-road capabilities. If you don’t want AWD, the front-wheel-drive Model S is the more fuel-efficient alternative.
Fuel efficiency of the 2023 Kia Seltos
The EPA estimates that the Seltos will deliver MPG fuel economy figures at a fairly efficient value. Highway fuel economy is estimated at 35 mpg for the front-wheel drive with the standard engine, and in our road test fuel economy is estimated at 75 mph.
The all-wheel drive, turbocharged Seltos got 30 mpg. We scored 27.9 mpg on the 115-mile mixed-driving-rated road. And we think it’s able to match the EPA numbers without too much trouble.
Most Valuable 2023 Kia Seltos Models
The best value is Seltos’ EX model. The SX comes loaded with just about everything, well equipped and at the same time much cheaper. It includes:
- sunroof
- Luxurious faux leather upholstery
- 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat
- Heated front seats
- Smartphone wireless charging pad
- A larger 10.3-inch infotainment system with in-dash navigation.
- All-wheel drive is standard on all models except the S.
Kia Seltos 2023 price
The Seltos is a better-than-average value for the class thanks to its impressive number of standard features. The higher-end SX models are more expensive, but they add a lot of features, the most notable of which is a turbocharged engine. And solid build quality.
Kia Seltos 2023 Reliability
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the 2023 Kia Seltos an overall safety rating of four out of five stars. The Seltos received four stars in the frontal crash and rollover tests, and five stars in the side crash test. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has not yet tested the 2023 Seltos at the time of writing.
Safety and security features of the 2023 Seltos
Standard driver assistance features:
- rear view camera
- Driver drowsiness monitoring
- Forward collision warning with pedestrian detection
- Forward automatic emergency braking system
- Lane departure warning with lane keep assist
- High beam automatic headlights
- Rear Seat Alert (helps prevent children and pets from being left inside the car)
Driver assistance features available as options:
- Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Traffic Alert
- Pheasant detection
- Adaptive cruise control
- Highway Driving Assist (adaptive cruise control with lane centering)
- Safe Exit Warning (prevents rear seat passengers from opening the doors if a vehicle is approaching)
Maintenance and warranty costs for the 2023 Kia Seltos
Kia’s warranty is the best in the industry, and the company continues to offer 10 years or 100,000 miles of powertrain coverage on its models. The only other competitors the SUV can match is from sister company Hyundai.
- The limited warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles
- The powertrain warranty covers 10 years or 100,000 miles
- There is no free scheduled maintenance
Features of the 2023 Kia Seltos
- AWD is standard on most models
- Spacious for its size with an excellent interior
- Easy to use infotainment system
- Average fuel efficiency
- Offers the IIHS Top Safety Pick
- Large cargo area
- Many standard features
- Distinctive design and paint color options add character
- reasonable price. With ample standard security features.
Disadvantages of the Kia Seltos 2023
- The base engine lacks punch and at higher speeds it is relatively weak
- An unimpressive DCT transmission
is not an available dual-clutch transmission - The front seats are not very comfortable on long trips
- Athletic performance is below par
- Fuel economy is not impressive.
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