In Kia’s lineup of vehicles that offer comparable value, the 2024 Seltos stands out thanks to its fashionable appearance, roomy cabin, and engaging driving experience. The Seltos is positioned between the smaller Soul and the larger Sportage, but it has more cargo space than competitors like the Hyundai Kona and Nissan Kicks thanks to its slightly larger-than-subcompact size. The 2024 Seltos boasts a redesigned exterior that enhances its already stunning appearance, and an upgraded interior with the improved infotainment system. Two four-cylinder options are available, one of which is a powerful 195-hp turbocharged engine. All-wheel drive is standard on the majority of models, and even the entry-level Seltos is one of our favorite compact SUVs because it offers good value and practicality.

The 2024 Kia Seltos’ greatest attributes

Kia Seltos from 2024: What’s New?

For 2024, the Seltos’ external and interior styling has been updated. The SUV’s exterior is enhanced by a redesigned grille, modernized lighting components, new wheel designs, and a rear light bar that links the taillamps. A rotary controller appears to have taken the place of the more conventional shift lever found on the current model, and the infotainment panel inside the cabin has been updated with two large screens. In addition to gaining 20 horsepower over the previous model year, the Seltos’s optional turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder now produces 195 horsepower. A new eight-speed automatic transmission replaces the seven-speed unit that was previously fitted. The lineup now includes the tough-looking X-Line model, which has distinctive external styling.

Engine, transmission, and performance of the Kia Seltos

In the Seltos, Kia offers a choice of two four-cylinder engines: a 2.0-liter with 146 horsepower or a 1.6-liter with 195 horsepower that is turbocharged. When we tested the turbocharged 1.6-liter Seltos, we discovered that it had more than enough power. The turbocharged Seltos reached 60 mph at our test track in a mere 6.9 seconds. The turbo engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, whereas the base engine is mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Except for the S and EX trims, all-wheel drive is standard. Compared to competitors like the Jeep Compass and Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, the Seltos is much more fun and composed to drive. Its ride is firm but generally smooth, and its handling is sharp for an SUV. We’ll add acceleration test results and additional driving impressions to this story when we get a chance to test the updated Seltos at our home base.

Real-World MPG and Fuel Economy of the Kia Seltos

According to EPA estimates, the Seltos will provide reasonably efficient MPG numbers. It is estimated that front-wheel drive models with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine can achieve up to 34 mpg on the highway. A turbocharged 1.6-liter Seltos with all-wheel drive achieved 32 mpg on our highway fuel-economy test route at 75 mph. Go to the EPA website for additional details regarding the fuel efficiency of the Seltos. 

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo of the Kia Seltos

Compared to the Hyundai Kona, the Seltos has substantially more interior space for passengers and luggage. The brand’s excellent Telluride SUV looks perfectly at home in the showroom next to the cabin, thanks to the refined materials used throughout. The upscale SX model comes equipped with standard interior ambient lighting that can be programmed to pulse in time with the music, just like the system available in Kia’s smaller Soul SUV. We tested the pre-facelift model by fitting eight carry-on suitcases in the cargo hold and twenty with the back seats folded. The cargo area easily swallowed our suitcases, backpacks, and photo bag.

Kia Seltos in Connectivity and Entertainment

For 2024, the infotainment system of the Seltos has undergone a significant overhaul. A new seamless panel that spans two thirds of the dashboard functions as both an infotainment touchscreen and a digital gauge display. This configuration is comparable to that of other contemporary Kia models and is optional. Standard features include a smaller display with an analog gauge cluster. All models include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but additional features like an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot and SiriusXM satellite radio are available.

Kia Leads in Safety and Driver-Assist Technology

On the Seltos, Kia provides a basic suite of driver-assistance technologies; however, more advanced features like adaptive cruise control are an add-on. Visit the websites of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for additional details regarding the Seltos’s crash test results. 

Kia Seltos of Maintenance and Warranty

The best warranty in the business is provided by Kia, which also offers models with 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain coverage. SUVs made by sister company Hyundai are the only competitors that can compete with it.