2023 Kia Seltos Facelift Review

Now that's dumb! Shouldn't it be the other way around? The top-spec gets wireless AA/AC while lower models might not.

Thanks for another great review!

Thanks for the review on the new updates.

The already feature-rich car has made more improvements with the current update. But I would still go on to say that Seltos is not a value-for-money car.

Special mention - Photographs are fantastic and the matte black color looks gorgeous when clean!

Such an awesome review, you've got me thinking to trade in my Honda City as my family has ballooned. We did a Chennai-Kumbakonam-Chidambaravilas-Chennai trip in two cars my City and my sons Grand i10 and it was comfortable fitting my family of 5 adults and two kids in reasonable comfort, got me think whether I really need a 7 seven seater with cramped seating or should I continue with the present set up and save a lot of money (I've grown so fond of the Honda City CVT its closing in on 40 k kms). With the launch of the Updated Kia Seltos, what happens to the Honda Elevate? Kind of "Depress"ing when you think of it! Honda India will be left scratching their scalps as to how to sell the Elevate with so many boxes "not" getting ticked visavis the Seltos. Seltos pricing is spot on and most VFM, Kia has played to the gallery very well would be a tough act to follow for those awaiting to launch products in the coming months...

Thank you for the wonderful and timely review. Rated a well-deserved 5*.

Did you get a chance to drive an HTX variant with 17" wheels? I would like to know how it rides compared to GT and X lines.

Thank you for a wonderful review.

I was looking at the variants and the pricing. For a petrol top model, the GTX+ and X-line differ by a mere 1% in cost. Would anyone know if I can get the X-line without the matte paint? The matte body is a huge pain to maintain from what I've heard from others, and I'm ok to pay 1%extra for the top variant but not if it comes with a matte only option.

Nope. The X line comes only in matte Grey

Not having Wireless Android Auto in higher versions is a bummer. Would Carlinkit 5 work with this? Heard the earlier versions had issues with bigger screens on cars. Or, any other device for wireless AA and Apple CarPlay

Well compiled review, covered all the points.
I happened to unexpectedly see the 2023 Seltos when I had gone to check out a couple of used Seltos 1.4 MTs at a Kia Pre Owned outlet.
The display car was a HTX+ 1.5 Turbo. It looked good in that shade of blue. My brother was actually looking at the Seltos turbo or the Skoda-VW twins as his Dzire replacement. He liked the space and the features inside the car. He was also impressed with the dual display for the instrumentation and infotainment system. The Bose sound system worked well, but as good as my XUV700's Sony unit.
But one thing I noticed is that on the Seltos, you sit a bit too close to the steering wheel (even after adjusting the seat and the steering). The space between the steering wheel, my knees and my upper body was less. Even the footwell area could have been better designed. I have really huge thighs, so the spacing of the steering column and the pedals are important to me.
The Carens felt a little better in this aspect, having better space management of the footwell area and keeping the centre console as thin as possible. The gear lever was rightly placed and even the visibility was good. My brother is around 5 ft 11 inches tall and he felt that the Carens actually has more headroom than the Seltos.
For now, he's confused between the Seltos Turbo MT and the Carens Turbo MT.

My observation after seeing both the cars back to back is that the Carens may be slightly more comfortable than the Seltos.
Please share your opinion if anyone has sat in both vehicles

Wow! Brilliant review. As always, Kia has got the car spot-on; PERFECT mix of features, looks, attention-to-details and finesse. I couldn’t find a single thing that I would like to change or add. The Seltos continues to look dope. Only if they deliver on the safety aspect, the car can very well become the default choice for buyers in its segment.

Can't help but notice that the driving section has been copied in its entirety from the Verna 1.5 DCT review with exactly the same wording, leaving the first paragraph aside. It shouldn't be that similar in nature or is it?

I would have thought the extra length could have been used to increase the real volumetric capacity. We already know the published numbers for Hyundai/ Kia can be misleading. I think Kia is tyring to siphon off some of the XUV700 waitlisters particularly those who have chosen petrol. I think it is not a bad option for someone because the performance on offer would be similar or better considering the power to weight ratio, and the availability of ADAS, all at price points below the XUV700 AX7 trims. Even TML needs to get their petrol Harrier out soon.

Stick to the same size and upgrade to some good rubbers like Michelins or Conti's
As the suspension itself is on the stiffer side increasing the width will make you feel uncomfortable

Nice review. Seltos is best looking car in its segment. One concern I have it safety rating, hope this time it gets better GNCAP rating.

Whoever took the photos did an excellent job

The change I liked the most is, how the screens are integrated into the dashboard, previously they used to distractingly protrude out, in the latest iteration the integration is good. Another screen integration that I don't like is Innova Hycross's screen.

Previous:


Latest:

Excellent review!!

May I know why the new 1.5 litre engine is being limited at 5900rpm? is it because of the gearbox limitations or is it because of some other reason? because the manual does well over 6000 rpm.