2020 Kia Seltos: Australian specs and rough pricing

We don’t know exact pricing yet, but we are led to believe it’ll kick off at $25,990 drive-away and top out at about $39,000 before on-roads, which is about par for the class and good considering the space and tech this new model will offer. We also know there will be four equipment grades that we will discuss in a second.

Named for Celtus/Celtos, the mythological son of Heracles — yeah we’re don’t know why either — the Seltos is about the same size as the Nissan Qashqai and a full 200mm longer than the Hyundai Kona, meaning benchmark back seat and boot space, up to 498L (VDA).

The boxy design language and wider front grille flanked by full-width LEDs and a diamond-pattern surround sets it apart from its larger sibling, the Sportage. It also comes in eight colours, with the option of a black or white contrasting roof.

Inside it also offers a brand-leading 10.25-inch touchscreen with a new user interface, and can be had with cool tech such as a Qi wireless smartphone charging pad, a flip-up heads-up display, digital instrument readout and ambient cabin lighting that changes hue and pulses to your music.

Both will be powered by a 2.0-litre petrol engine running the fuel-efficient Atkinson cycle, matched up to a new fuel-saving CVT automatic (no manual will be offered anywhere) and front-wheel drive. It makes 110kW of power and 180Nm of torque (at 4500rpm) giving you a theoretical 0-100km/h time of 9.6 seconds.

Higher grades also get familiar Kia/Hyundai 1.6-litre turbo-petrol unit making 130kW and 265Nm (from 1500rpm), mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and on-demand variable AWD, cutting the 0-100km/h dash to 8.0 seconds. Some markets will get a 1.6 diesel, but not Australia.

Kia’s Sydney-based engineers have tested and calibrated our cars’ springs, dampers, roll bars and bushes to better suit Australian roads, and buyer expectations. It’s worth noting only the AWD turbo models get independent multi-link rear suspension, with the 2.0-litre FWD models using a beam.

Another big selling point for the Seltos will be Kia’s warranty, which is a market leading seven-year and unlimited kilometre program with roadside assist as long as you use dealer servicing. This combined with nationwide drive-away pricing at launch will give it an immediate kickstart.

Kia’s local arm wants up to 750 sales a month, with higher targets once factory supply from the Korean plant improves.

Read our first driving impressions from the Korean-market Seltos launch here. 

Kia Seltos specification ‘walk’

Seltos S — estimated $26,000 d/a

• 2.0 engine, FWD and CVT
• 16-inch alloy wheels
• Halogen DRLs
• Reversing camera and sensors
• AEB below 60km/h, cars and pedestrians
• Lane-keeping assist
• Cruise control
• 8.0-inch touchscreen
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Temporary spare wheel

Seltos Sport — estimated $29,000 d/a

• 2.0 engine, FWD and CVT
• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Front fog lights
• ‘Premium’ steering wheel and shifter
• 10.25-inch touchscreen
• Climate control
• Full-size spare wheel

Seltos Sport+ FWD — estimated 33,000 d/a

• 2.0 engine, FWD and CVT
• Expanded AEB Fusion II with cyclist detect
• electronic park brane
• Electric folding/heated side mirrors
• Cloth/fake leather seat trim
• Seat heating
• Steering wheel heating
• Electro-chromatic rear-view mirror
• Active cruise control
• Blind-spot monitor
• front parking sensors
• Privacy glass
• Proximity key and button start

Seltos Sport+ AWD — estimated $36,000 d/a

• 1.6 turbo engine, AWD and 7-DCT

Seltos GT-Line AWD — estimated $39,000 d/a

• 1.6 turbo engine, AWD and 7-DCT
• 18-inch alloy wheels
• LED headlughts and DRLs
• LED front fog light
• Artifical leather seats
• Cabin mood lighting
• Wireless phone charger
• 7.0-inch instrument display
• Head-up display
• Electric front seats
• Ventilated front seats
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Sunroof

Options:

• Safety Pack on S and Sport
• Expanded AEB Fusion II
• Active cruise control
• Electronic parking brake

Kia Seltos basic data:

• Length — 4370mm
• Height — 1615mm
• Width — 1800mm
• Wheelbase — 2630mm
• Clearance — 183mm
• Cargo — 433-498L VDA 
• Weight — 1312-1425kg
• Fuel tank — 50L