The Kia Seltos arrived in Australia at a time when every manufacturer with a warm workshop was building a subcompact SUV. Kia's answer is sharper to look at than the ASX it competes with, and it brings a longer warranty to sweeten the deal. The Sport Plus tested here pairs a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated engine with a CVT.
Jenny took the Seltos through a week of daily running and found it more composed than the price tag suggests. The interior is well-executed for the segment, with a clean layout and materials that hold up under scrutiny. The CVT works better than it sounds in the car park and fades into the background on the freeway. Boot space is honest and the ride around town is settled.
The Seltos earns its spot on the shortlist for compact SUV buyers who want style without paying the Mazda premium. The naturally aspirated engine is fine for city and suburban use. If your commute involves extended highway work, the turbocharged option in higher trims is worth pricing up.
The full review is on the CarTell.tv YouTube channel above.
