This week we were sporting the 2023 Kia Seltos SX, an easy driving vehicle and a great option to take on our mini road trip out to Abbotsford.
The Seltos looks like a SUV, but drives like a sedan. And as such, within the cabin it feels like one. We found that as 3 grown adult women, we didn’t have much room, which is ironic as the vehicle is listed as having a more spacious cabin from that of its predecessor, (according to their website). We found it especially more cramped at the back with little to no sprawling leg room for the back seat passenger. But at least with a more compact cabin, we found it easier to communicate, hearing one another clearly from front to back.
Aesthetically on the exterior the Kia Seltos has a sporty trim, which speaks to its new performance-oriented look and feel. And the new front and rear LED lighting has it standing out.
Inside, the seats and leather flourishes are a warm milky caramel, accenting the cabin between cold black plastic.
I liked the little clear screen behind the wheel. On it was my speed and the city’s limit broadcasted in LEF. I liked that this wasn’t projected on to the windshield, like that of other make or models. Thus allowing me the ability to tune it out of my peripheral. I find there is already so much stimuli out on the road to watch out for, and within the vehicle when transporting friends; so one less thing to focus on adds to a should be peaceful drive.
As for the way it handles, I found the Seltos SX responsive and the drive more exciting thanks to the listed 1.6L turbocharged GDI engine, generating 195 horsepower. There was minimum body rolling when I took sharp corners, and good breaks when the highway traffic suddenly built up in front. Plus plenty of safety features to keep my two passengers safe.
The new 2024 Kia Seltos comes with more standard safety features than ever before, including advanced Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA), Rear Cross-Traffic Avoidance Assist (RCA), and Lane Keep Assist (LKA). (As taken from the website). All of which are a nice gentle reminder and a good to have especially driving, while driving and engaging in deeper discussions on life and relationships with your friends.
I also noted that using “Kia Connect” I was able to start and pre-warm or pre-cool the car. This was especially handy given the hot summer day that we spent out in the sun. Where pre-cooling meant climbing in was a reprieve.
Similarly, the cooling seat function and high power air conditioning was a godsend. The former most was even available for all the seats, so not just the driver and front seat passenger could indulge, but all of us front and back as well. The cooling effects here were further accentuated thanks to the perforated leather seats. Its soft fabric moulded to your body and did not leave you pulling leather from skin when you stood up.
We also took advantage of the sunroof to let in a little extra wind. I just would have liked it larger, as we attempted to stick our heads out of it, but found it too narrow to do so.
Worth mentioning was there were plenty of compartments and enough cargo room to fit the accumulated belongings and gathered goods of three women.
In closing, the 2024 Kia Seltos SX is a solid vehicle for everyday driving, where you are equipped with many essentials and a handful of nice to have luxuries.
