Kia Seltos GT-Line (2019-2026)

Speed Warning System – Like other reviewers regarding the speed warning system. I dislike it intensely because of the beeping noise that occurs every time the speed limit (according to the cars computer) is exceeded. In city driving the speed warning beeping device seems to beep continuously. I can put up with the visual warnings of the system (in fact I think it's a… Read more

good idea) but the noise is something else. The noise turns pleasant driving into nothing short of a nightmare. I've now opted to turn it off every time I get into the driver's seat. Unfortunately this negates what i like about it, that is seeing the speed limit on the HUD or map function. Is KIA going to issue an updated software version to fix the problem? If so when? Let's having the warning system without the horrible noise please.

The rugged cousin of the Kia Soul. AWD and practicality are the best things about this compact SUV – This car came at exactly the right time in my week. I managed to witness our $210,000 Range Rover Sport that we were reviewing be struck by a careless delivery driver. That meant the most expensive car I’ve ever reviewed had to be returned less than 48 hours into our review period. With my head down low, I swapped the Kia Sorento PHEV for a… Read more

bright yellowish-green Kia Seltos AWD. I’m going to be honest, going from a $200,000 SUV to a Kia Seltos wasn’t exactly the most exciting jump.

However, I was more than pleasantly surprised with this small SUV.

Kia’s taking all the right steps to make it harder than ever to say you bought a bottom-of-the-range Audi for the ‘build quality’.

The doors are well-weighted, with a very solid ‘thump’ when shut. On the inside, there are less soft touch plastics than a European alternative, however it’s all constructed beyond my expectations here.

Priced from $44,290 drive away, it’s ideal for either an individual, a couple or even a small family. The way this thing has been designed makes it comfortable in the second row, and it has plenty of space in the boot, considering it’s a small SUV.

Personally, if you’re choosing between this and a Hyundai Kona, I’d opt for the Seltos. It’s more SUV-like than many cars in this segment, and it’s cheaper than the new Honda Civic. It’s the pocket-sized adventure vehicle you could take camping, without being worried about getting stuck in a little bit of gravel.

With 7 years warranty and 7 years of capped price servicing, it’s the industry leading manufacturer support program - and you get it when you purchase a Kia Seltos. Total servicing costs arrive at $3,214 over 7 years or up to 70,000km of driving.

The 1.6L motor isn’t the best sounding petrol motor, but it at least sounds better here than it did in the Sorento PHEV. It’s not all that intrusive, but it does make itself known to occupants when under hard acceleration.

What really blew me away was the BOSE audio system fitted in the GT-Line. The 3D geometric patterns on the speaker grilles and flashing multi colour lights aren’t just entertaining visually, but they also provide an excellent sound stage for the price.

I’d never think a Kia could produce a sound like this, with plenty of power through the mid-range and little distortion as you raise the volume. Okay, so it’s nowhere near the $14,000 system fitted to the Range Rover I was SUPPOSED to have this week, with high volume levels increasing sound rather than just power.

However, if you’re looking for one of the best OEM sound systems in a small SUV, the Seltos hands down has the best system in this category.

Weighing in at just 1,470kg, there’s not a lot to stop in the Seltos. I would have liked a little more bite from the larger 305mm front brakes and 284mm rear brakes (up from 280mm and 262mm from the S and Sport models). With three people in the car, braking suddenly still required a little more squeeze, resulting in that force being translated to the cabin.

Torrential rain is no obstacle to just how capable the Seltos is. Normally, I’d expect a car at this price point with a turbocharged motor to lurch the front wheels and cause a bit of wheel spin, however I was met with the complete opposite effect.

Using all 130kW at 6,000rpm and 265Nm at 1,500 - 4,500rpm is no problem when translated through to all four wheels. It’s an active AWD system, meaning the front wheels never have the chance to slip before AWD is engaged.

Dual-clutch transmissions aren’t the ideal transmission of choice for comfortable drives. They’re usually jerky and are busy shuffling between gears at variable speeds. Luckily, the Seltos manage to iron out most of those characteristics, however those negative elements occasionally become very obvious.

The most obvious mistakes from the transmission occur when soft footing the accelerator at the top of the rev range, and manoeuvring at low speeds when reversing.

Throwing the Seltos through the urban jungle is plenty of fun. It’s easy to coast over coarse sections of road and then quickly veer into a hairpin corner. Steering could feel a little quicker, but it’s nothing too egregious.

It’s easy to let your passengers feel comfortable when driving around in a Seltos. The upgraded rear multi-link suspension is a fantastic mechanical upgrade, vs the cheaper models in the range.

That turbo motor demands a combined 7.6L per 100km of petrol. I saw figures reach as high as 10L per 100km, and that’s the reality of a more punchy petrol motor.

Initially, the Seltos just feels like a slightly boxy Kia interior, but as you start to interact with it, you begin to appreciate its quirks and features.

Starting with the driver's display, it’s larger than most, but not entirely digital. Flanked by two analogue dials, there’s plenty of information to be consumed by the driver via this interface. It’s well integrated and feels modern, with an excellent blend between analogue and digital.

The centre 10.25-inch display is typical Hyundai/Kia. It uses an Android-style app layout, which is one of the best screens in the industry. Responsive and clear, it’s easy to navigate and an excellent display for Apple CarPlay.

There’s 433L minimum and 1,393L of boot space available in the Seltos, as this one was fitted with the full-size spare tyre option. This is an underrated option until you need it.

A boxy and level boot floor makes this more than practical for daily use, and the integrated roof rails allow you to transform the Seltos into a snow-bound vehicle by using a roof box.

Looking for a small SUV that actually can do the light off-road stuff? The Seltos GT-Line has you covered. It’s comfortable, it’s impressive and it’s fun. It really is the successor to the iconic Kia Soul here in Australia.

It's worth noting updated versions of the Seltos get Kia's VERY annoying speed warning beeps. That happen when the car thinks you've exceeded the posted speed limit (regardless if that speed limit the car has read was on the back of a bus or a speed limit sign from a car park you've just exited). It requires you to turn it off every time you start the car via the screen and it's a major annoyance that needs to be updated soon.

However, if you want to get serious about off-roading, I'd opt for the new Subaru Crosstrek instead.

*Disclaimer - I work for ProductReview as their independent car and motorbike expert. I borrow new cars and motorbikes from manufacturers and owners to review. I am not paid or incentivised by these brands to post reviews. I write and create content to provide insight and information about any new or used vehicle I can get my hands on.

Great car, pity about the after sales service at the dealer – Great little car, modern looks, way up there with the technology and safety features. Factory paint finish very substandard and damage by dealer on 3 month inspection, awaiting warranty respray .8 months after purchasing still messing around with dealer for repairs and the latest is the rear door panels on the inside have bowed like a banana and corner trims have fallen off. Show details