2023 Kia Seltos was introduced for the 2021 model year in the US as a new subcompact crossover that sits between the full-size Telluride and the smaller Soul, sporting a stylish design that sets it apart in the crowded segment.
As competition in the crossover market is fierce, Kia has wasted no time in upgrading the Seltos to stay one step ahead of its competitors.
Just one year after its American debut, the Seltos was updated for the 2022 model year with new standard safety technologies,
And now Kia is already working on a mid-cycle update that will bring about even more significant changes.
2023 Kia Seltos Review: New Kia Seltos 2023
The 2023 Kia Seltos is a subcompact SUV that delivers a surprising number of features and a cabin that feels way above its modest price tag.
Inside, there’s plenty of room for four adults (three in the back squeezed), plus plenty of luggage in the ample cargo area.
Where the Seltos stumbles a bit is in terms of horsepower and powertrain refinement. The base engine is fine for city driving, although it quickly runs out of steam at highway speeds.
An optional turbocharged 4-cylinder provides even more oomph, except it is equipped with a 7-speed automatic dual-clutch which can be a bit tricky when changing gears.
If keeping a tight SUV budget is a major concern, standard engines are cheaper and fuel consumption is better.
Kia doesn’t skimp on standard features. Each Seltos comes with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, three driver-selectable driving modes (Normal, Sport, Eco), and a range of driver safety aids.
This includes automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, driver attention warning, fixed lane assistance, and more.
Adding to the overall appeal of the 2023 Kia Seltosis its stylish exterior. We like the available 2 color roof configuration which adds to the fun factor of this small SUV.
2023 Kia Seltos Redesign
2023 Kia Seltos Changes Under the hood, the current American Kia Seltos is offered with a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine producing 146 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, or a more powerful 1.6-liter engine with 175 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque.
According to The Korean Car Blog, a new, more efficient hybrid version of the 2023 Kia Seltos will join the lineup as part of the mid-cycle update of the 2023 model year.
In overseas markets, the new hybrid Seltos will replace the diesel-powered model, which is not sold in the US.
It will reportedly use the same hybrid setup as the Kia Niro, combining a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor to produce 139 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque.
Read next: 2023 Kia Soul: Next-Gen Kia Soul Look Incredible
2023 Kia Seltos Sx
The 2023 Kia Seltos Sx Turbo is the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) for the base model Seltos SX Turbo trim shown – the higher price at $28,335 MSRP MSRP excluding destination and handling fees, taxes, title, license, options, and dealer fees.
2023 Kia Seltos Ex
The Kia Seltos EX is an SUV. Available in Dark Ocean Blue, Gravity Grey, Neptune Blue, Steel Grey, Cherry Black, Snow White Pearl. The Kia Seltos EX comes with a 2.0L Inline 4-Gas engine that produces 146 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque and has a Continuously Variable Automatic Transmission.
The fuel tank capacity is 11.9 gallons, the mileage in the city is 27 MPG, and the mileage on the highway is 131 MPG. The Kia Seltos EX has a top speed of 125 MPH.
The dimensions of the Kia Seltos EX are 172 inches long, 70.9 inches wide, 63.6 inches high, and a wheelbase of 103.5 inches. The curb weight is 3087 lbs.
KIA Seltos EX provides a lot of connectivity and other features including, HD Radio, Bluetooth Connection, Smart device integration, Additional Audio input, an MP3 player, Satellite Radio.
Safety Features Include, Backup Camera, Rear Parking Aid, ABS, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Maintenance Assist, Tire Pressure Monitor, Brake Assist, Stability Control, Traction Control.
Other Features are Navigation System, Steering Wheel Control, Power Mirror, A/C, Climate Control, Cruise Control, Heated Front Seat, Keyless Entry, Power Driver Seat, Electric Passenger Seat, Remote Luggage Release, Universal Garage Door Opener, Start Keyless.
2023 Kia Seltos Hybrid
The 2023 Kia Seltos will be updated next year – and rumors now suggest a hybrid option will join the line-up, with combined fuel consumption as low as four liters per 100 kilometers.
If the hybrid option flashes green for Australia, it will be Kia Australia’s fourth hybrid SUV, following the plug-in and plug-in versions of the Niro and Sorento hybrids – with the Sportage Hybrid available overseas also on the local arm’s wish list.
2023 Kia Seltos Facelift
The 2023 Kia Seltos Facelift has been spied on testing for the first time, ahead of an Australian launch in the second half of 2022 – and hybrid power could be on the agenda.
Images published to South Korea’s Autopsy show a Seltos prototype clad in heavy camouflage testing in the home market – and while specific styling details are hard to see, the black cladding appears to hide the revised front and rear similar to Kia’s new Sportage medium SUV.
The alloy wheels look new, as does the signature LED inside the headlights. Some changes are visible in the taillights, though a new lighting sign seems likely.
No images of the facelifted Seltos cabin have surfaced, although the current model already offers Kia’s mid-level 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen (recently added to the Cerato small car), the updated SUV could get a larger 12.3-inch center screen. larger than the Sportage, or the 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster in front of the driver.
Whether these items will come to Australia remains unclear, given that the 10.25-inch instrument screen offered with the facelifted Cerato in South Korea is not available Down Under.
No engine changes are expected for the core range, with a 110kW/180Nm 2.0-liter non-turbo and 130kW/265Nm 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, paired to a CVT automatic transmission and a seven-speed automatic clutch.
However, The Korean Car Blog reports diesel engines available overseas will be discontinued, and a new ‘self-charging’ hybrid system introduced, in a bid to bring down market leader Toyota.
The website says the Seltos Hybrid will use the same powertrain as the new-generation Niro Hybrid – the same system as the old car – mating a 1.7-liter 77kW/147Nm non-turbo petrol engine with a 32kW/170Nm electric motor to combine. 104kW and 265Nm outputs.
The Niro Hybrid currently cites claims of a combined 3.8L/100km fuel consumption, although the Seltos’ larger body lacking aerodynamics should see it drop to all fours – still competitive with the 4.3L/100km of the Toyota C-HR Hybrid.
A Niro front-wheel-drive layout and a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission will be carried.
On the safety front, upgrades are not easy to predict, given that the current Seltos already offers Kia’s latest blind-spot and rear cross-traffic assist system – which can detect and brake for danger – and intersection support built into autonomous emergencies. braking system.
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2023 Kia Seltos Release Date
As for the potential US launch, we believe the new hybrid Seltos will be the new base model in America.
In terms of economy, the EPA rates the Niro at 23/30/26 mpg highway/city/combined, but we expect the larger Seltos hybrid to be a bit more frugal.
As part of the facelift, we also expect the Seltos to be refreshed with redesigned front and rear bumpers, revamped grille, and new graphics for the headlights and taillights.
A prototype was spied on in South Korea completely undercover, but hopefully, it won’t be long until our spy photographers capture the American model in the wild.
Since the Seltos was only introduced for the 2021 model year in the US market, the facelifted model is likely to go on sale in late 2022 as early as the 2023 model.
A fully electric Kia Seltos is also in the works according to the leaked documents.
The Kia Seltos 2023 is slated for launch in the first half of next year, ahead of an Australian launch in the second half of 2022.
2023 Kia Seltos Price
We expect the Kia Seltos 2023 subcompact SUV to start at around $23,000 for the base model.
These include a 146-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine paired to a continuously variable automatic transmission. Notably, even the base model Seltos comes standard with all-wheel drive (AWD).
That’s the case with all Seltos trims except the S, which comes standard with front-wheel drive and optional AWD.
Many SUV buyers would consider upgrading at least one step above the entry-level 2023 Kia Seltos if only to have access to features like the larger 10.25-inch infotainment screen that comes standard on all models except the base model.
At the top of the range, the Seltos SX Turbo comes standard with a 175-horsepower turbo 4-cylinder engine and includes a Bose audio system, Highway Drive-Assist with adaptive cruise control, digital gauge cluster, and safe exit assist.
Pricing for the KIA Seltos SX Turbo 2023 is expected to be in the $28,000 region.