[TheWasteHandler]

Hey everyone!

If you seen my post in the new members section, I'm about to make it official in getting a '21 Seltos SX w/ 8k miles on it. Its not official yet, haven't signed a purchase agreement on it yet... But after seeing the posts on here about the transmission and electronics issues with these, I'm starting to reconsider.

So I am asking everyone their consensus:
*Are you happy with the Seltos?
---OR---
*Do you hate it & wish you'd bought something else instead???

This is ultimately gonna be the make or break decision on my getting this truck or not... I know the general ratings on the Seltos are pretty good all around. And the extremely low milage and the factory warranty are the main reasons I'm considering getting it - outside of how a lot of what and how the Seltos is is the whole reason I'm looking for an SUV like this in the first place...

So fellow Seltos owners, WHAT'S YOUR VERDICT??? Are you glad you got it, or should I keep looking for something else while I still can???

Thanks in advance!
J

 

[radconshy]

Yes we like our 2021 Seltos S. We bought it in mid July 2021. It is Neptune Blue with the 2 liter/IVT transmission. Last August we took a round trip from Missouri to California. It handle the mountains real good and was very comfortable. I was concerned with all the negative write ups from owners, but there are many, many more that have not had a problem with their cars. People to tend not to post good experiences with their cars.

 

[TheWasteHandler]

Yes we like our 2021 Seltos S. We bought it in mid July 2021. It is Neptune Blue with the 2 liter/IVT transmission. Last August we took a round trip from Missouri to California. It handle the mountains real good and was very comfortable. I was concerned with all the negative write ups from owners, but there are many, many more that have not had a problem with their cars. People to tend not to post good experiences with their cars.

Thanks for the reply! After a few days of nobody replying, I took to the Seltos group on FB and got about 60 people who replied saying the same as you. I also saw in one of the groups in a poll that was taken, the number of those who had the transmission issues were a tiny fraction of those who have not, which was a huge sigh of relief for me. I really don't do all that much driving, I work more than anything and have only done 6400 miles a year for the last 5 years on my soon to be former Buick Regal GS... So I'm really looking forward to getting my Seltos this weekend!!! Thanks again!

 

[GeoCanada]

I’m super happy with it. Considered many other options, but landed with the Seltos SX Turbo.

No issues. Lots of pep. The AWD system is way better than expected. Handles harsh Alberta Winters and the Rockies no issue.

It’s noisier than I’d like. But that is my only complaint. Fairly roomy inside. Can be loaded up full of camping gear and into the mountains and handles it with ease.

AppleCarPlay works great. Good sound system. Surprisingly good mileage.

 

[TheWasteHandler]

I’m super happy with it. Considered many other options, but landed with the Seltos SX Turbo.

No issues. Lots of pep. The AWD system is way better than expected. Handles harsh Alberta Winters and the Rockies no issue.

It’s noisier than I’d like. But that is my only complaint. Fairly roomy inside. Can be loaded up full of camping gear and into the mountains and handles it with ease.

AppleCarPlay works great. Good sound system. Surprisingly good mileage.

I had test driven a '21 LX w/ 15k on it, amd it too seemed to handle pretty well when the AWD was locked. Then I drove the SX and was even more impressed with how much better it was compared to the LX (obviously...). I've been super anxious for Saturday to hurry up and get here already! Thanks for this!!

 

[GeoCanada]

I can’t remember the reason, but I recall being told not to drive in AWD Lock unless needed. From take off, the Seltos does start with 50/50 front back and stays until traction obtained and/or 60km/h. I think that it was said to be too rough on the system and shouldn’t be used for long drives.

 

[TheWasteHandler]

I can’t remember the reason, but I recall being told not to drive in AWD Lock unless needed. From take off, the Seltos does start with 50/50 front back and stays until traction obtained and/or 60km/h. I think that it was said to be too rough on the system and shouldn’t be used for long drives.

Ah, good to know. Thanks for the heads up, I'll keep that in mind!!

 

[Xcalibur255]

This is what I came up with in about 10 minutes. If I sat here longer I'm sure I could add to this.

Things I like:

• AWD system is excellent, performs better than expected.
• More than adequate power from the 1.6T engine.
• Feels very "right sized" but still has decent space inside.
• Car feels light on its feet in terms of driving feel.
• Good blend of features and options at this price point.
• LED headlights on the top trim are excellent.
• Seats are firm but have good adjustability and basic ergonomics and are pretty comfortable.
• Steering is surprisingly good, especially how they mostly avoid it feeling "darty" or nervous given the very fast steering gear ratio they are using. Self-centers nicely at most speeds and actually has a bit of road feel from the wheels.
• Center LCD display is a quality panel with good black levels and doesn't have a distracting glow at night. You can program the starred "favorite" button to be a shortcut to turning it off too.
• Basic platform and chassis is very good for a "cheap" car with no perceivable body flex. Car has been pretty good about not having any annoying interior rattles too.

Things I dislike:

• DCT transmission is unrefined, especially when attempting gentle take-offs, and makes me wish I could shift it myself.
• Throttle and transmission programming feels weird and makes the car feel underpowered when the radar cruise is engaged.
• Ride is not overly harsh but also isn't ever very smooth or settled either. Somewhat to be expected for a short wheelbase car but the damping/springrates feel like they are not quite optimized somehow.
• Quite noisy on the highway and is mostly windnoise that a couple of extra very inexpensive rubber seals would have solved.
• Many of the "automatic" features in the car work poorly. Auto headlights have no timer delay and the light sensor is poorly calibrated. It will turn the headlights on and off dozens of times in the space of a short drive and often dims the instrument lighting in broad daylight. Auto climate control refuses to turn the fan speed up to heat the car even when it's freezing outside. Auto high beam control flickers on and off frequently from misdetecting road signs as oncoming traffic, and will flash people randomly when it loses detection for a moment.
• Upgraded screen in the instrument cluster is large and looks good but makes poor use of its size with lots of blank black space because it's basically displaying the same menus and data that the tiny black and white screen in the base model displays. Only Kia vehicle that won't let you set a large digital speedometer on this screen which would be the single best use of it.
• Doors feel cheap and hollow, and tend to try to swing themselves back shut when you open them.
• SX trim ugrades the SCREEN on the infotainment system but it does not upgrade the PROCESSOR so it feels slow and laggy despite having the same screen that a Telluride uses.

One thing to keep in mind from my comments: I'm a pretty picky OCD person who is extremely detail oriented and will tend to notice things that most people do not. If you put me in a Mercedes S500 I bet you I could generate a fairly long list of dislikes for it too. I feel like I should provide that frame of reference in case it feels like I'm hating on the car. I think the Seltos is probably the best car in the sub-compact SUV class overall, but I also think ALL of the cars in this class are pretty meh and are designed in such a way as to encourage you to "size up" to that brands next more expensive model up.

 

[TheWasteHandler]

This is what I came up with in about 10 minutes. If I sat here longer I'm sure I could add to this.

Things I like:

• AWD system is excellent, performs better than expected.
• More than adequate power from the 1.6T engine.
• Feels very "right sized" but still has decent space inside.
• Car feels light on its feet in terms of driving feel.
• Good blend of features and options at this price point.
• LED headlights on the top trim are excellent.
• Seats are firm but have good adjustability and basic ergonomics and are pretty comfortable.
• Steering is surprisingly good, especially how they mostly avoid it feeling "darty" or nervous given the very fast steering gear ratio they are using. Self-centers nicely at most speeds and actually has a bit of road feel from the wheels.
• Center LCD display is a quality panel with good black levels and doesn't have a distracting glow at night. You can program the starred "favorite" button to be a shortcut to turning it off too.
• Basic platform and chassis is very good for a "cheap" car with no perceivable body flex. Car has been pretty good about not having any annoying interior rattles too.

Things I dislike:

• DCT transmission is unrefined, especially when attempting gentle take-offs, and makes me wish I could shift it myself.
• Throttle and transmission programming feels weird and makes the car feel underpowered when the radar cruise is engaged.
• Ride is not overly harsh but also isn't ever very smooth or settled either. Somewhat to be expected for a short wheelbase car but the damping/springrates feel like they are not quite optimized somehow.
• Quite noisy on the highway and is mostly windnoise that a couple of extra very inexpensive rubber seals would have solved.
• Many of the "automatic" features in the car work poorly. Auto headlights have no timer delay and the light sensor is poorly calibrated. It will turn the headlights on and off dozens of times in the space of a short drive and often dims the instrument lighting in broad daylight. Auto climate control refuses to turn the fan speed up to heat the car even when it's freezing outside. Auto high beam control flickers on and off frequently from misdetecting road signs as oncoming traffic, and will flash people randomly when it loses detection for a moment.
• Upgraded screen in the instrument cluster is large and looks good but makes poor use of its size with lots of blank black space because it's basically displaying the same menus and data that the tiny black and white screen in the base model displays. Only Kia vehicle that won't let you set a large digital speedometer on this screen which would be the single best use of it.
• Doors feel cheap and hollow, and tend to try to swing themselves back shut when you open them.
• SX trim ugrades the SCREEN on the infotainment system but it does not upgrade the PROCESSOR so it feels slow and laggy despite having the same screen that a Telluride uses.

One thing to keep in mind from my comments: I'm a pretty picky OCD person who is extremely detail oriented and will tend to notice things that most people do not. If you put me in a Mercedes S500 I bet you I could generate a fairly long list of dislikes for it too. I feel like I should provide that frame of reference in case it feels like I'm hating on the car. I think the Seltos is probably the best car in the sub-compact SUV class overall, but I also think ALL of the cars in this class are pretty meh and are designed in such a way as to encourage you to "size up" to that brands next more expensive model up.

I'm pretty detail oriented myself, so this was good! I won't use the auto climate functions, I prefer the OG way myself... I'll wind up finding out how to turn a lot of the other stuff off as well, since I won't use it and will do it manually. I did notice what you were saying about the center display on the IP, could have utilized it more and better, no doubt.

And I get what your saying about the ride, but then again, it IS a truck... even the GMC Typhoon was a little bit more refined in its ride, but it still rode like an S10 Blazer...

But the key thing with the Seltos vs. almost everything else out there for the same amount of money, the Seltos looks way better than the rest does. And I'm used to an SUV like this anyway & welcome another one.

So it looks like reading the owners manual is gonna be a must when I get it for a lot of reasons. Again, thank you! Very helpful!

 

[Pourquoi805]

Hey everyone!

If you seen my post in the new members section, I'm about to make it official in getting a '21 Seltos SX w/ 8k miles on it. Its not official yet, haven't signed a purchase agreement on it yet... But after seeing the posts on here about the transmission and electronics issues with these, I'm starting to reconsider.

So I am asking everyone their consensus:
*Are you happy with the Seltos?
---OR---
*Do you hate it & wish you'd bought something else instead???

This is ultimately gonna be the make or break decision on my getting this truck or not... I know the general ratings on the Seltos are pretty good all around. And the extremely low milage and the factory warranty are the main reasons I'm considering getting it - outside of how a lot of what and how the Seltos is is the whole reason I'm looking for an SUV like this in the first place...

So fellow Seltos owners, WHAT'S YOUR VERDICT??? Are you glad you got it, or should I keep looking for something else while I still can???

Thanks in advance!
J

Two years and 56,000 miles in - I still love my KIA! Glad I got it.

 

[dougt]

Genesis GV70 when my boat comes in (and there is a dealer closer!). Until then, only the noisy cabin on long trips bothers me, really...

 

[Bumblebee21]

Hey everyone!

If you seen my post in the new members section, I'm about to make it official in getting a '21 Seltos SX w/ 8k miles on it. Its not official yet, haven't signed a purchase agreement on it yet... But after seeing the posts on here about the transmission and electronics issues with these, I'm starting to reconsider.

So I am asking everyone their consensus:
*Are you happy with the Seltos?
---OR---
*Do you hate it & wish you'd bought something else instead???

This is ultimately gonna be the make or break decision on my getting this truck or not... I know the general ratings on the Seltos are pretty good all around. And the extremely low milage and the factory warranty are the main reasons I'm considering getting it - outside of how a lot of what and how the Seltos is is the whole reason I'm looking for an SUV like this in the first place...

So fellow Seltos owners, WHAT'S YOUR VERDICT??? Are you glad you got it, or should I keep looking for something else while I still can???

Thanks in advance!
J

I had a 1995 Del Sol vote before my Seltos and I LOVED that car. I had trouble finding a new car because of that. A year ago I got my Seltos SX. I LOVE it just as much and have no regrets for the change. I live out side of Chicago, and we had a big snow with lots of ice. My driveway is under the house and my Seltos walked right out. I was / am very excited about its performance. SO yes, I love my car and would buy it again.

 

[MotoChooch]

Be careful with used. They don't get the same warranty as new. Some in the Soul forum have learned this the hard way:
What Happens to Coverage of a Used Kia When Sold under Warranty?
Kia's limited powertrain warranty switches to a shorter version of the warranty when the car is sold. The remainder of the warranty under this new term length then transfers to the new owner. When sold, the Kia's original 10-year/100,000-mile term length becomes a five-year/60,000-mile term length.
The following Kia warranties also transfer their remainders:

• Five-year/60,000-mile limited basic program
• Five-year/100,000-mile limited anti-perforation program
• Five-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance program

Transferring warranties add to the resale value of a vehicle, so this is another point for Kia models.

 

[TheWasteHandler]

Be careful with used. They don't get the same warranty as new. Some in the Soul forum have learned this the hard way:
What Happens to Coverage of a Used Kia When Sold under Warranty?
Kia's limited powertrain warranty switches to a shorter version of the warranty when the car is sold. The remainder of the warranty under this new term length then transfers to the new owner. When sold, the Kia's original 10-year/100,000-mile term length becomes a five-year/60,000-mile term length.
The following Kia warranties also transfer their remainders:

• Five-year/60,000-mile limited basic program
• Five-year/100,000-mile limited anti-perforation program
• Five-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance program

Transferring warranties add to the resale value of a vehicle, so this is another point for Kia models.

I was made aware of that before I signed for the Seltos... Wasn't a deal breaker for me, and I have an extended bumper to bumper warranty for the 7 years I'm paying for the Seltos. So God forbid ANYTHING at all goes wrong with it, it's covered.

 

[MotoChooch]

I was made aware of that before I signed for the Seltos... Wasn't a deal breaker for me, and I have an extended bumper to bumper warranty for the 7 years I'm paying for the Seltos. So God forbid ANYTHING at all goes wrong with it, it's covered.

Just making sure! Glad you got it covered

 

[Dave1954$]

Genesis GV70 when my boat comes in (and there is a dealer closer!). Until then, only the noisy cabin on long trips bothers me, really...

I have 2021 SXT and everyone that has ridden in it says its quieter than they excepted. My Nissan Altima was nosier. I love this car. Dollar for dollar it was a very good dealer. But I got mine before the dealers started price gouging. Got mine for $1800 below suggested price...

 

[allan.bolas]

Hey everyone!

If you seen my post in the new members section, I'm about to make it official in getting a '21 Seltos SX w/ 8k miles on it. Its not official yet, haven't signed a purchase agreement on it yet... But after seeing the posts on here about the transmission and electronics issues with these, I'm starting to reconsider.

So I am asking everyone their consensus:
*Are you happy with the Seltos?
---OR---
*Do you hate it & wish you'd bought something else instead???

This is ultimately gonna be the make or break decision on my getting this truck or not... I know the general ratings on the Seltos are pretty good all around. And the extremely low milage and the factory warranty are the main reasons I'm considering getting it - outside of how a lot of what and how the Seltos is is the whole reason I'm looking for an SUV like this in the first place...

So fellow Seltos owners, WHAT'S YOUR VERDICT??? Are you glad you got it, or should I keep looking for something else while I still can???

Thanks in advance!
J

Very happy with mine. Received delivery in May '21 in Sydney Australia.

 

[Dave1954$]

Very happy with mine. Received delivery in May '21 in Sydney Australia.

Got 2021 SX turbo with 28,000 and love it, not a single problem. Not a squeak or rattle. Averaging 30-31 mpg too..

 

[NumbNuts]

Hey everyone!

If you seen my post in the new members section, I'm about to make it official in getting a '21 Seltos SX w/ 8k miles on it. Its not official yet, haven't signed a purchase agreement on it yet... But after seeing the posts on here about the transmission and electronics issues with these, I'm starting to reconsider.

So I am asking everyone their consensus:
*Are you happy with the Seltos?
---OR---
*Do you hate it & wish you'd bought something else instead???

This is ultimately gonna be the make or break decision on my getting this truck or not... I know the general ratings on the Seltos are pretty good all around. And the extremely low milage and the factory warranty are the main reasons I'm considering getting it - outside of how a lot of what and how the Seltos is is the whole reason I'm looking for an SUV like this in the first place...

So fellow Seltos owners, WHAT'S YOUR VERDICT??? Are you glad you got it, or should I keep looking for something else while I still can???

Thanks in advance!
J

I really like my 2021 Seltos SX Turbo! I just wish Consumer Reports see these replies. CR evaluated an S model and should have done a evaluation on the SX Turbo instead, Like SavageGeese on YouTube. Reason why I purchased it was there were Many Great evaluations on YouTube, so I purchased the S model then the SX Turbo. I've been subscribing to CR for the last 35 years and it's the first time I regret it. CR did a hatchet job on the Seltos S model and they didn't even include it in the Total list of Cars at the end of the April issue! If anyone is reading this please see the Consumer Reports April issue and please complain to them.

 

[NumbNuts]

If you see my previous postings, I purchased a 2021 Seltos S back in Feb 2021. When I took it in for the 1st oil change in May of 2021, I left with a 2021 Seltos SX Turbo and glad I did. I'm extremely happy with my 2021 SX Turbo, extremely fast. Had to get used to the Dual Clutch transmission, but I'm very satisfied with it.
Please read my recent posting about Consumer Reports evaluation back in 2021 and CR IGNORING the Existence of the Seltos (all models) in their RELIABILITY CHARTS in April Auto Issue! Please Contact CR and put a complaint in.
thank you.