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Since Kia announced the Seltos, it has created a buzz in the South Korean and Indian car markets as a breath of fresh air for the global compact SUV segment.
Many reviewers in India have been up close to the Seltos and have shared their initial thoughts on it. So far the Seltos has made a strong impression in India and is being held in high regard.
When the Seltos was revealed in June, Autocar India fell in love with the Seltos’ design that makes it appear larger that is it with its ‘tiger nose grille,’ flat hood, and its wheelbase.
Autoportal’s review of the Seltos during its June reveal focused a lot on its build quality and the variety of features that will be available for customers in India.
In Car India’s review of the Seltos, one of the big things they noticed was its interior space and seating. “One of the reasons mid-sized SUVs are so popular in India is that they provide uncompromised rear seat comfort. The Kia Seltos is no exception to this virtue. Rear-seat passengers are driven in good comfort with ample knee-room and a relaxed sitting position. The rear seat can be inclined a couple of notches to catch a nap on longer drives. There’s no visible cost-cutting as the Kia Seltos offers rear a-c vents, centre arm-rest and segment-first features such as 60:40 split seats and adjustable centre head-rest. It’s Kia’s first car model for India and, clearly, they’re leaving no stones unturned.”
Overdrive noted in its first impressions review that with the Seltos, Kia has “created one of the best examples of platform sharing and ensuring that it doesn't feel like a cost-saving badge-engineered product.” The Seltos shares a platform with the Hyundai Creta, its sister car in India.
CarDekho made the explains how the Seltos stacks up to its competitors in India.
“Kia seems ready to disrupt the compact SUV segment with the Seltos as it promises to offer some segment topping equipment in the same price bracket as the Hyundai Creta. It will feature a 10.25-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a 7-inch screen for the instrument cluster, 8-speaker Bose audio system, built-in air purifier with air monitor, ventilated front seats, powered driver seat, head-up display and an eSIM powered UVO connected technology similar to the Hyundai Venue and Hector.
It will get two petrol and one diesel engine that will comply with BS6 norms from day one. Not convincing enough? Well, Kia will be offering three different automatic options- CVT, 6-speed torque converter and a 7-speed DCT with the Seltos making it the only car in the mass market to offer these many options.
India is one of the world’s largest markets and if the Seltos can succeed there, it’ll be a promising sign for its success worldwide.
