Buying a new car is always a huge dilemma. On one hand, you want the best you can get. On the other hand, you want to ensure that you don’t overspend. You want a great price without having to compromise on the quality. However, it isn’t always possible to understand how to get the best bang for your buck – especially since this is the first time you’re purchasing a car.
The good news is that there is a car that meets all of these expectations – Kia Seltos. This SUV lineup by Kia manages to occupy that slim middle ground between Soul and Sportage and successfully pairs practicality with style in a size that feels just right.
Due to sharing its platform and powertrains with the smaller Hyundai Kona, the Seltos are able to deliver a competitive fuel economy with an engaging driving demeanor. 2.0-liter four-cylinder power the base models. However, the upmarket trims come with a turbocharged 1.6-liter that can pump out 175 horsepower.
This line from Seltos has some additional features and niceties that can satisfy modern SUV buyers without shooting the price through the sky. It is also slightly roomier than the common SUVs, giving a larger feel on the whole.
Performance
The most important factor of any car is its performance. No matter how stylish a car is or how many features it boasts of, everything else just seems futile if the performance doesn’t live up to a standard. But that’s not something you’ll have to worry about when it comes to the Kia Seltos.
Since Kia offers two different four-cylinder engines, its power is more than adequate by the average person’s standards. The base engine is mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), but the turbo has a seven-speed automatic. The all-wheel-drive is standard with turbo four. However, with the non-turbo base engine, it is optional.
For an SUV, the Seltos has sharp handling and offers a firm yet smooth ride.
Fuel Efficiency
Fuel efficiency is another important factor that needs to be considered while buying a car. After all, it can determine how much money you’d be spending on fuel for years to come. According to the estimations by EPA, the Seltos are capable of delivering fairly efficient MPG figures.
It is also estimated that the Kia Seltos highway fuel economy can be as high as 35 mpg for front-wheel-drive models with 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines. Therefore, it is safe to say that Kia Seltos has sufficient fuel efficiency and you likely won’t be spending all your money on fuel.
Comfort
As stated earlier, Kia Seltos is larger and roomier than the average SUV. This obviously adds to the comfort level of the cars. In addition to the size, the materials used in the cabin also add comfort to the ride. This is because these materials are chosen and refined enough to give you the grand luxurious feel of driving a high-end car. It has standard interior ambient lighting, which can also be set to pulse along with the music.
If you usually spend a lot of time in your car or are planning on going on a lot of road trips, the Kia Seltos is a great option to consider. It provides you a comfortable experience at a reasonable rate, without you having to worry about where to keep the extra stuff – the trunk has enough space for everything that you may need.
Infotainment & Entertainment
What fun is a car without any source of entertainment? Fortunately, Kia Seltos does not lag in that department either, as it comes with a great number of features. It has an efficient navigation system that is fairly easy to use. This means that you’ll never find yourself struggling to find an address.
The car also comes with a Bose audio system that produces a clear sound with punchy bass. Both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard across the board. However, they work best on the 10.25-inch infotainment of the Kia Seltos.
Depending on the model you choose for yourself, the car may come equipped with up to three USB ports, a wireless smartphone charging pad, a 7-inch color display in the gauge cluster, and a head-up display. All in all, you’ll never be bored while riding in this car.
Warranty & Maintenance Coverage
If you’re spending so much money on something, you would also want some type of security. Besides, getting a car without coverage can be a very dangerous idea for a lot of reasons.
Fortunately, Kia’s warranty happens to be the best in the industry, as the company continues to offer a 100,000-mile or 10-year powertrain coverage on the models. In fact, the only rival it has in the market when it comes to coverage is its sister company Hyundai.
Depending on your budget, you can choose one of the following options.
- Limited warranty: Covers 60,000 miles or 5 years.
- Powertrain warranty: Covers 100,000 miles or 10 years.
- No complimentary scheduled maintenance.
Value
Finally, it is important to consider whether a car is worth its value. Thanks to the pleasing amount of standard features, the Kia Seltos is better than average when it comes to value. Various additions, such as the turbocharged engine, also make it fairly attractive.
However, it does have some minor setbacks as well. While it has an amazing build quality, there is a lack of substance in the interior materials. The abundant plastic can also make it feel a little cheap if you pay attention to it.
However, taking the rest of the features into account, these minor issues can be ignored unless you become overly fixated on them.
Conclusion
Overall, the Kia Seltos is a great investment. If you’re looking for a car that is economical, while also being practical and stylish, this line certainly lives up to the expectations. It may have some minor setbacks. But if you’re willing to overlook those minor issues, it is certainly a great investment.