Kia Seltos GT-Line review: New SUV brings plenty of kit

The South Korean brand used to have a reputation for making cheap and cheerful cars. But the maker’s latest weapon will change everything you thought about it.

Kia was one of the hottest brands in 2019, posting positive sales results when all competitors went backwards. The new Kia Seltos is the maker’s latest weapon in its battle for sales supremacy, and there is good reason why it should be high up on your new SUV shopping list.

The Seltos GT-Line appears expensive at more than $40,000.

Value

At more than $40,000, the Seltos GT-Line costs more than some versions of the larger Sportage stablemate. But you are rewarded with plenty of creature comforts. Over the base model in the range you get a lot more tech, including a bigger 10.2cm centre screen with Apple Car Play/Android Auto, satnav, head-up display, electronic parking brake, upgraded Bose audio and wireless charging for smartphones. Mood lighting lifts the cabin ambience, particularly at night. Services are reasonably priced and capped for the length of Kia’s industry-leading seven-year warranty.

The Seltos is crammed with safety tech and luxury features.

Comfort

The GT-Line has heated and cooled partial leather seats in the front, while rear passengers are looked after with individual air vents and reclining seats. Head, shoulder and legroom are generous front and back, although if you don’t specify the two-tone roof you get a sunroof that eats into front headroom. The load area will easily fit prams, suitcases and other family paraphernalia. The head-up display makes it easy to stick to the speed limit and also shows navigation directions. Active cruise control makes freeway driving less tiring, while the heated steering wheel comes in handy in winter. The only blot on the comfort front is the occasional thud over potholes and bumps, courtesy of the low-profile tyres.

The Seltos is very spacious inside for a compact SUV.

Safety

All grades get a five-star crash rating but the cheaper models get a more rudimentary version of the autonomous emergency braking — the GT-Line’s smarter AEB operates at freeway speeds and detects cyclists and pedestrians and the adaptive cruise control keeps a safe distance from the car in front. Other active safety items include blind-spot warning and lane keep assistance that will steer you back into your lane if you wander. The car also checks for other vehicles when you’re reversing out of a car spot and hits the brakes if it senses a potential collision.

The Seltos is more fun to drive than almost all other small SUVs.

Driving

The Seltos is more entertaining to drive than most in the city SUV segment. It feels balanced and secure at speed and doesn’t get easily ruffled by mid-corner corrugations or potholes. The steering takes a bit of getting used to — it feels too heavy in some instances — but overall the Seltos’s road manners are impressive for an SUV. The turbocharged engine has enough grunt to haul a small family and luggage without being daunted by hills and, for the most part, the dual-clutch auto responds quickly to a prod of the accelerator. There can be a slight delay if you get on the gas at lower speeds.

Verdict 4/5

The Seltos GT-Line appears expensive at first but for the money you get loads of tech, ample creature comforts, generous space and an entertaining drive.

Alternatives

Subaru XV 2.0i-S AWD, from $41,000 drive-away

Smaller, less cargo space (310L v 433L), shorter warranty and down on power and torque but rock-solid resale and more upmarket cabin.

Hyundai Kona Highlander AWD, from $43,500 drive-away

Shares the Kia’s engine and transmission but is more fuel efficient. Cargo area is smaller at 363L and centre screen not as large.

Renault Kadjar Intens, from $42,200 drive-away

Almost matches the Seltos for size and has a nicer feel in the cabin. The engine is smaller and it lacks some active safety tech.

Kia Seltos GT-Line vitals

Price: $41,990 drive-away

Warranty/servicing: 7 years/unlimited km, $2025 for 5 years

Safety: Not yet tested, 6 airbags, AEB, blind-spot warning, lane keep assist, rear cross traffic avoidance

Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo, 130kW/265Nm

Thirst: 7.6L/100km

Boot: 433L/1393L

Originally published as Kia Seltos GT-Line review: New SUV brings plenty of kit