2022 Kia Seltos GT-Line review

This small SUV is packed with equipment and has one of the best warranties in the market making it a genuine rival to Australia’s favourite brand.

Kia’s small SUV is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, but is it worth your hard earned? We find out.

VALUE

The seven-tier Kia Seltos range starts from $29,290 drive-away and climbs to $45,290 for the GT-Line tested here.

It comes with a 1.6-litre turbo engine matched to a dual-clutch auto and all-wheel drive.

It’s expensive for a compact SUV but it has a long list of standard equipment and the only optional extra is prestige paint for $520.

Prices start at $29,290 but rise to more than $45,000 for the Seltos.

Standard gear includes a two-tone paint job – with a black roof – plus 18-inch alloy wheels and chrome highlights.

A 10.25-inch touchscreen is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while there’s a seven-inch digital readout in front of the driver.

It’s the only variant in the range to get a wireless device charger and an eight-speaker Bose stereo.

The Seltos GT-Line has a long list of standard equipment.

Kia covers its vehicles with a seven-year/unlimited km warranty. Seven years of capped price servicing will cost you $3214, which is on the expensive side, while intervals are short at 12 months or 10,000km. Non-turbo versions are cheaper to service and have 15,000km intervals.

COMFORT

Leather appointed front seats are electronically adjustable, heated and ventilated, while a leather-wrapped and heated steering wheel is a nice touch.

There are soft-touch materials on the dash and doors, but below eye level the plastics are hard and shiny. There are two USB points in the front and one in the back, while airconditioning vents cover both rows.

The Seltos has one of the most spacious cabins in its class.

The Seltos is one of the bigger compact SUVs, with a spacious cabin providing plenty of leg and head room for back-seat passengers.

Well sorted suspension soaks up bumps and lumps of all sizes and exterior noise is mostly kept at bay.

The boot is big at 433 litres and there’s a full-size spare under the floor, a rarity these days.

SAFETY

The Seltos will brake automatically if it detects a potential collision with a car, cyclist or pedestrian. It will also sound an alarm if it detects you wandering out of your lane and tug the steering wheel to direct you back into place if you don’t act.

The Seltos has plenty of grunt.

Other aids include blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert, which flashes if a car is approaching from the side when you are reversing out of the driveway.

DRIVING

The GT-Line’s turbo four makes a healthy 130kW and 265Nm, 20kW and 85Nm more than the standard 2.0-litre engine in cheaper variants.

Overtaking is a cinch, thanks to impressive pulling power delivered low in the rev range.

The seven-speed dual-clutch auto works well at speed, flicking through the gears to find the engine’s sweet spot. At slower speeds there can be some hesitation, especially at take off.

As with most SUVs there’s some lean through corners but the GT-Line does better than most, displaying decent body control and poise on twisting sections of tarmac.

All paw grip adds to the appeal and provides confidence in wet weather.

Kia claims fuel use of 7.6L/100km, which is thirsty for a car this size. We experienced mid-8s during our test in a mix of driving conditions. It wins back points by only requiring cheaper unleaded petrol.

VERDICT3.5/5

Safe, well equipped SUV with a spritely engine but expensive for its size.

ALTERNATIVES

Mazda CX-30 G25 Touring SP AWD, from about $46,000 drive-away

Good looking inside and out, but has a shorter warranty.

Mitsubishi ASX Exceed, $37,840 drive-away

Cheap to buy and maintain, with a long warranty, but an older design and available only in two-wheel drive.

MG ZS T Essence, $34,190 drive-away

Well equipped with an unbeatable price but not as sharp to drive.

KIA SELTOS GT-LINE VITALS

Price: $45,290 drive-away

Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol, 130Kw and 265Nm

Warranty/servicing: Seven years and unlimited km, $3214 over seven years

Safety: 6 airbags, auto emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert

Thirst: 7.6L/100km

Spare: Full-size alloy

Cargo: 433 litres

Originally published as 2022 Kia Seltos GT-Line review