By Otsile Kadiege

Ever since its local launch a few years ago, the Kia Seltos has been one of the automaker’s popular SUVs on South Africa’s roads. A few months ago the brand released a handful of images of the facelifted Seltos on their website with minimal information on the updated Seltos until recently. The updates include of course exterior design and styling updates, new colours, a new grade, new technologies, a more powerful turbo-petrol engine and a new transmission.

Updated bold looks

Outside, the updated Kia Seltos boasts a refreshed bold look which has been revamped with futuristic and technical shapes to keep the Seltos fresh among the crowded field of small SUVs. Up front, the Seltos sports a larger tiger nose grille with the optional signature  Star Map lighting across the front grille. Its front bumper has also been redesigned with rigid shapes and vertical shaped fog lights which have been integrated with daytime running lights.

Its rear end has also been redesigned with new rear lighting design on tailgate, plus backup lamp and rear reflector on the lower bumper which mimic the signature lighting in the front. The updated Seltos is available with newly designed wheels and three new colours, namely Pluton Blue exterior paint, Fusion Black and Valais Green.

New Seltos X-Line grade

The updated Seltos is the latest Kia to get an X-Line trim. Opting for this trim adds exterior upgrades like an exclusive front grille design with gunmetal finish, uniquely designed 18-inch wheels, black bridge-type roof rack, gloss black door garnish and X-Line badging.

Updated premium-looking interior

Inside, the updated Seltos has an updated interior design and technologies accentuated by clean, geometric shapes and bigger screens. On the design front, the new Seltos’ dash trim keeps in line with Seltos’ horizontal design elements on exterior. High spec Seltos are equipped with a panoramic screen display that combines the 10.25-inch instrument cluster and 10.25-inch center display.

Convenience features include four USB ports, a power liftgate and ventilated seats on high spec models. It also comes with the Digital Key 2 Touch which allows customers to use their compatible iPhone, Apple Watch, and Samsung Galaxy smart devices as a virtual vehicle key to lock, unlock and drive.

Driver assistance systems

Kia’s roster of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) keeps the 2024 Seltos up to date on some of the latest technology with newly added features. These include Forward Collision Avoidance Assist (FCA) with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection, Blind Spot Collision Warning (BCW) and Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA) and Intelligent Speed Limit Warning (ISLW).

Additional ADAS features include Driver Attention Warning (DAW), High Beam Assist (HBA), Lane Following Assist (LFA), Rear View Monitor (RVM),M Safe Exit Warning (SEW), Forward Collision Avoidance Assist 1.5 – includes Junction Turning, Smart Cruise Control with Stop and Go (SCC), Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control (NSCC, Curve), Highway Driving Assist (HDA) and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA).

More power, new transmission

The 1.6-litre  turbocharged petrol engine has been revised and now delivers 20 extra horses for a total of 195 horsepower (145 kW) and it’s paired with a new 8-speed automatic transmission. Power is fed through to the front wheels or to all wheels via an active on-demand all-wheel drive (AWD) system which is designed to provide all-weather capabilities and enhanced driving performance in a variety of circumstances with a center locking differential that can split power equally between the front and rear wheels for more severe environments.

Torque vectoring is designed to increase traction by predicting which wheel will best utilize power, enhancing stability in corners, and giving the vehicle more precise handling dynamics in numerous situations.

The updated Kia Seltos is expected to hit showrooms in the first half of 2023. Local availability is yet to be announced by Kia South Africa.