2022 Kia Seltos GT-Line FWD Limited Edition due in Australia by July

Kia will expand its popular 2022 Kia Seltos small SUV range within the coming months with a new GT-Line FWD Limited Edition, set to appease demand ahead of a facelifted model due in the second half of this year.

Due in Kia showrooms in the second quarter of 2022 (April to June), the new Seltos GT-Line FWD Limited Edition is, as its name suggests, a front-wheel-drive, 2.0-litre non-turbo version of the flagship GT-Line variant – which until now has been available only with a 1.6-litre turbo engine and all-wheel drive.

Kia Australia is yet to announce prices for the Limited Edition, however it's likely to cost just under $42,000 drive-away – based on the $3500 difference between non-turbo FWD and turbo AWD versions of the one-step-down Sport+, and the GT-Line AWD's $45,290 drive-away price.

The Seltos GT-Line FWD Limited Edition will only be sold for a few months as a Model Year 2022 vehicle, ahead of the arrival of a facelifted Seltos in the second half of 2022, as a Model Year 2023 vehicle.

Standard equipment in the new variant is all but identical to the all-wheel-drive GT-Line, meaning niceties including 18-inch wheels, LED headlights, faux leather trim, heated and ventilated electric front seats, a wireless phone charger, a head-up display, Bose sound system and more.

Interestingly, the information provided to Drive does not list the GT-Line AWD's electric sunroof as available on the FWD Limited Edition model – suggesting its price may be closer to the $40,000 drive-away mark – nor the all-wheel-drive variant's optional black contrast roof.

Powering the new Limited Edition is the same 2.0-litre non-turbo four-cylinder petrol engine fitted as standard to all other Seltos variants, routing 110kW and 180Nm to the front wheels through a continuously-variable (CVT) 'automatic' transmission.

That's a step back from the 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine currently standard in the GT-Line (or optional in the Sport+), which develops 130kW/265Nm, and is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.

Combined fuel consumption is rated at 6.8 litres per 100 kilometres in other variants with the 2.0-litre engine – with 91 RON regular unleaded fuel supported.

Available colours include Starbright Yellow, Steel Grey, Gravity Grey, Neptune Blue, Mars Orange, Cherry Black and Snow White Pearl. All hues bar Starbright Yellow are expected to command a $520 premium.

The 2022 Kia Seltos GT-Line FWD Limited Edition is due in Australian showrooms in the second quarter of 2022 (April to June). Pricing will be announced closer to launch.