By Otsile Kadiege

We recently joined Kia South Africa in the Western Cape for the launch of the brand’s facelifted Seltos which gains substantial exterior and interior design and styling updates, new technologies, an updated powertrain, and a new transmission.

Updated exterior design and styling

Kia has bolstered the bold design of the Seltos with modern touches tying in with the brand’s recently updated Carnival thanks to the brand’s ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy. Highlights of the top-spec GT Line include redesigned LED headlights and taillights, LED daytime running lights, newly designed 18-inch alloy wheels (other grades get two 16-inch wheel designs) and revised front and rear bumpers.

Overall, the Seltos GT-Line retains its bold looks with a few modern touches that elevate its attractiveness.

Updated interior design and tech

Hopping inside, the Seltos also gets numerous updates like a redesigned centre fascia, two integrated 10.25-inch displays (specific to the GT Line grade) for the instrument cluster and infotainment system as well as a redesigned centre console with new switch-gear. More highlights include a flat-bottom steering wheel, cream white inserts on the door panels and leather seats, a large panoramic sunroof and a head-up display to name a few.

The cabin impresses with comfortable sporty seats, large displays with crisp graphics, mood lighting, a large moon roof and ample luggage capacity. A few niggles include an nonadjustable high seating position for the front passenger seat and a finicky infotainment system.

Engine lineup and driving impressions

The facelifted Seltos ditches the 1.6-litre engine and ushers in a new 1.5-litre Gamma engine as well as a new 1.5-litre Kappa engine developing 84kW/144Nm and 118kW/253Nm respectively. The Gamma engine is paired with a 6-speed manual or CVT gearboxes while the Kappa engine is solely paired with a 7-speed DCT gearbox. Kia has retained the much-loved 1.5L diesel engine making 85kW/250Nm and is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

At launch, we were very impressed with the turbo-petrol 1.5-litre engine developing 118kW and 253Nm. It’s quite peppy but it suffers from noticeable turbo lag. It’s 7-speed DCT gearbox is a breeze on the open road but we are keen on seeing how it will fair in city driving. Another noteworthy highlight includes an applaudable +800km range on a full tank.

We also had some fair amount of time behind the wheel of the Seltos LX grade with a 1.5L turbodiesel engine underneath the hood making 85kW and 250Nm. Its power output might sound small but it doesn’t feel under-powered thanks to ample torque. The engine is paired with a buttery smooth 6-speed automatic transmission and like the turbo-petrol engine, the diesel powerplant has commendable range.

Pricing and revised model derivatives are as follows:

> Seltos 1.5 LX manual – R467,995 

> Seltos 1.5 LX CVT – R492,995 

> Seltos 1.5 CRDi LX auto – R521,995 

> Seltos 1.5 EX CVT – R532,995 

> Seltos 1.5 CRDi EX auto – R561,995 

> Seltos 1.5 EX Plus CVT – R570,995 

> Seltos 1.5 CRDi EX Plus auto – R599,995 

> Seltos 1.5 T-GDI GT-Line DCT – R626,995