The base price of the 2023 Kia Seltos is $22,890. Starting at $28,249 is the highest model, the Kia Seltos SX AWD. $1,295 is the destination fee. The Kia Seltos is a sleek and functional option for subcompact SUVs.
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What does a fully equipped Kia Seltos cost?
The entry-level Seltos series costs $22,590, while the top-of-the-line Seltos SX Turbo costs $28,090 with capacity for expansion. So let’s check off all the boxes and see what you get for roughly $32,000 on a fully equipped, top-of-the-line 2022 Kia Seltos SX Turbo.
What should I expect to spend on a new Kia Seltos?
The base price of a 2022 Kia Seltos is $22,490. The 2022 Kia Seltos LX, the entry-level model, costs $23,665. The LX has a continuously variable automatic transmission and a four-cylinder engine with 146 horsepower. In addition, it has an eight-inch touchscreen, keyless entry, and all-wheel drive. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both compatible with the 2022 Kia Seltos LX.
An enhanced set of safety measures has been added to every Kia Selto. These include lane departure warning, driver attentiveness alert, forward collision warning, and lane keep assist. Additionally, all Seltos have automatic high beams.
Do Kia Seltos make good investments?
Purchasing a Seltos is a wise decision. It provides many first-in-segment features, a wide range of engine and transmission choices, plush interiors, all at very affordable prices. We were so thrilled with the Seltos that our only complaints were the absence of under-thigh support and the ride’s stiffness. The Kia Seltos is a terrific option if you want a family vehicle that is comfortable, has excellent ride quality, a long list of useful features, is reasonably priced, and has improved fuel economy. It has three available engines: a 1.5-liter gasoline engine with 115 horsepower and 144 pound-feet of torque, a 1.4-liter gasoline turbocharged engine with 140 horsepower and 242 pound-feet of torque, and a 1.5-liter diesel engine with 115 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque All three engines come standard with a 6-speed manual transmission. Additionally, it comes with three optional automatic transmissions: a 6-speed torque converter unit, a 1.5-liter gasoline CVT, and a 7-speed DCT (1.4-liter turbo-petrol) (1.5-litre diesel). A 6-speed iMT (clutchless manual transmission) is also included with the 1.5-liter gasoline engine. In addition, we advise you to test drive the vehicle to get a greater sense of its comfort and performance. Select the dealership’s preferred city by clicking the link.
Why is the Kia Seltos defective?
The 2021 Kia Seltos receives an average dependability rating from customers. There are 24 complaints about the Kia Seltos’ engines, 13 about early transmission failure, and one about inadequately heat-treated oil piston rings that might result in engine stall, fire, and damage.
Does the Kia Seltos Have Transmission Problems?
Numerous owners claim that the transmission in their Kia Seltos broke down at or below 6,500 miles. Transmission shake, loss of acceleration or power at 70 mph, engine shut-off, and the inability to reverse are among the NHTSA complaints. According to one owner, the timing chain on the CVT broke after 8,800 miles, causing metal shavings to appear in the engine oil.
Are KIAS still valuable?
We’ll venture the bold assumption that you’ll want to sell your car for as much money as you can. You want to recover as much of the cost of the investment as you can because it was expensive. All cars lose value over time, but some do it more quickly than others.
IntelliChoice calculated the average retained values for a brand’s full model portfolio over a five-year period to find out. These estimates allow us to identify which manufacturers’ vehicles have better depreciation resistance. Let’s talk about the automobile brands that lose value more quickly now that we’ve determined which ones do so the best.
Mini: 50.4 Percent Retained Value
A fairly, well, small percentage of drivers are drawn to Mini automobiles because of its size, which lives up to its name. Models with charming aesthetics and nimble handling, like the retro Cooper, sporty Countryman crossover, or funky Clubman wagon, attract drivers with an eye for fashion and a sense of adventure but, more crucially, who can manage their diminutive dimensions. However, doubts about future worth may put buyers’ first enchantment to rest. The Countryman and Clubman receive a Poor five-year cost of ownership rating from IntelliChoice. Furthermore, we weren’t too impressed by the brand’s recent attempts at electrification. As joyful as Mini’s cars are to look at and drive, the brand’s market position is indicated by its value retention rate of 50.4%.
Mazda: 49.3 Percent Retained Value
Mazda doesn’t compare to other Japanese brands in terms of name recognition, lineup diversity, or value despite producing some of the best-looking and best-driving mainstream cars on the market. Even though the Mazda3 and Miata have sizable fan groups, those and other models may place a greater emphasis on driving characteristics than general utility. The Mazda6 lagged behind rival sedans until it was recently discontinued, while the CX-30 and CX-9 are less adaptable than rival crossovers. Although we usually love driving a Mazda, its value retention rate of 49.3 percent isn’t as high as that of its primary rivals. Possibly the brand’s next, higher-end vehicles will hold their value longer.
Kia: 47.7 Percent Retained Value
Kia has put a lot of effort into keeping up with its rivals in terms of quality, dynamics, and design. Want proof? The Sorento is back and even better than before, the Telluride won our competition for SUV of the Year, and the Optima’s makeover into the K5 gave this sedan new life. However, despite their appeal in other areas, Kia’s automobiles behind with an average value retention rate of 47.7% during a five-year period. Despite its extensive standard warranty and genuinely enticing options, that is the case. Even while we enjoy driving the Telluride and the sporty Stinger, Kia still needs to improve as evidenced by their respective Mediocre and Poor IntelliChoice scores.
Hyundai: 47.1 Percent Retained Value
Hyundai strives to match the reputation for quality and durability of Toyota and Honda, much like its corporate rival Kia. The long-term value proposition of Hyundai doesn’t appear to have been significantly impacted by a lengthy warranty or a group of very regarded experts. Models like the Sonata, Palisade, and Tucson serve as indicators of how far the brand’s products have come. However, Hyundai’s 47.1 retained value % suggests that it needs to do more to earn the trust of customers who value their money.
Volkswagen: 46.9 Percent Retained Value
Volkswagen’s image for quality suffered as a result of the Dieselgate incident, even though the company didn’t have a very strong one to begin with. Volkswagen lacks American and Asian rivals in mass-market appeal, even with more recent models like the Tiguan or Atlas, which only manage Average or Mediocre IntelliChoice value scores depending on trim. A shorter warranty is detrimental to its cause. Volkswagen is planning a number of electric vehicles, which might assist the company’s current 46.9% value retention percentage.
Nissan: 45.6 Percent Retained Value
Nissan has struggled to gain momentum and maintain its competitive position after a high-level organizational restructuring. It is currently working on refreshing its stale lineup. We were impressed by some of those efforts, like the Rogue and Sentra. Others, such as the legendary Z sports vehicle or the Pathfinder, stop at simply spiffing up antiquated platforms and engines. Despite the merits of Nissan’s engineering advancements, only a small percentage of its vehicles receive Good IntelliChoice value scores; the majority are ranked at Average, Mediocre, or Poor in terms of ownership costs. Nissan has a dismal 45.6 percent average value retention over a five-year period.
Buick: 42.3 Percent Retained Value
What does Buick mean today? Buick doesn’t seem to be confident in itself. Due to the brand’s current inventory consisting solely of SUVs, its tradition of opulent vintage sedans has come to an end. All of those models aren’t particularly terrible, but they don’t do much to change the outdated perception of Buick. Additionally, Buick’s uncertain positioning does not help. Does it aim for real luxury to compete with the best in the field, or does it aim for a premium experience at entry-level pricing? We believe Buick requires revival and a more focused course. If and when it occurs, it might improve the lineup’s average value retention, which is 42.3 percent.
Mitsubishi: 41.3 Percent Retained Value
Many of the Mitsubishi vehicles we’ve evaluated are affordable, but not just financially. We’ve encountered subpar engineering and craftsmanship in Mitsubishi cars, which leads to dull driving experiences. The Mirage and Eclipse Cross are among the least expensive options in their respective sectors, which is obvious from their flimsy construction and crude driving characteristics. The previous Outlander’s available electric driving range deserves praise, but the revised three-row SUV falls short of expectations. Mitsubishi’s value retention rate of 41.3% is significantly lower than that of other brands. Every other Mitsubishi has a Mediocre or Poor IntelliChoice ownership rating, leaving just the outdated Outlander Hybrid.
Chrysler: 40.2 Percent Retained Value
Any carmaker would find it challenging to maintain a two-model lineup, especially if those options are designed to compete in some of the least-wanted segments of the market. But Chrysler is going in that direction. Despite having advantages of its own, the 300 sedan and Pacifica minivan just do not appeal to the tastes of contemporary drivers. Only a layer of gradual improvements can hide the 300’s deterioration. Considering that it is a minivan, the Pacifica (and its fleet-only Voyager counterpart) is actually rather decent. Although Chrysler’s future is uncertain, introducing models that are contemporary in design could increase the lineup’s average value retention rate of 40.2%.
Fiat: 39.5 Percent Retained Value
Fiat’s tiny, quirky cars briefly appeared ready to inject some Italian panache into the compact car market. But that moment has passed, and time has shown that Fiats are more compromised than compelling. The 500X subcompact crossover is the only vehicle currently offered by the brand. Its cute design and standard AWD can’t make up for its sloppy driving manners and shoddy construction. Fiat’s abysmal 39.5 percent retention rate is the weakest among major brands because the 500X symbolizes the complete lineup.
What are a Kia’s benefits and drawbacks?
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Kia had a rather bad reputation. However, they have significantly improved the quality and consumer satisfaction of their vehicles during the past ten years. So are Kia vehicles reliable?
The answer depends on who is buying the car and what they need. When it comes to acceleration and fuel efficiency, Kias are good vehicles. They are a fantastic choice for someone who wants to spend money on the less expensive end of the spectrum. When purchasing a new vehicle, they offer one of the best warranties available, but many people choose to lease rather than buy because the resale value is subpar when compared to other models from manufacturers like Toyota and Honda.
If you’re seeking for a car with more opulent features, don’t buy a Kia. Overall, many Kia cars have firm suspensions, which makes driving less comfortable. The car interiors are likewise lacking in quality. The navigation systems and entertainment features are rife with issues, and the seating is less comfortable than some of their rivals’. When you take into account their resale value, Kias are also not the best choice as a vehicle to buy.
Overall, the answer to the question of whether Kias are decent cars or not is that, with the exception of the Optima, older models might not be a prudent purchase. We advise against purchasing a Soul in any model year and to stay far away from Kia hybrid and electric cars.
Although Kias are less expensively built, they aren’t being offered at significantly lower prices in 2020. Ten years ago, these automobiles were incredibly inexpensive in comparison to their rivals, but they also had a far poorer level of general quality and had several electrical problems.
The fact that Kia’s sales are rising is probably due to the fact that the company spends a lot of money on advertising, but it is also because the company has made major improvements to its vehicles.
Styling and Presence
Hyundai and Kia have extremely comparable vehicle lineups. Though it’s important to note that Hyundai has established a luxury branch named Genesis that largely addresses those gaps, Kia does provide a few vehicles that Hyundai doesn’t. Hyundai’s aesthetic is generally much more restrained and understated, with slender curves and unobtrusive round forms making up the majority of the design elements. However, compared to their Hyundai cousins, Kia vehicles have sportier style that gives them a more aggressive and dynamic appearance. In a similar vein, compared to the Hyundai model, Kia SUV vehicles have a more robust, off-road oriented look. In general, Hyundai automobiles are more likely to blend in with the crowd, but Kia styling is more angular and futuristic, designed to grab attention and make a statement.
Performance and Handling
Although Hyundai and Kia share platforms and drivetrains, we already established that each company maintains its own independent engineering divisions. This is significant because it enables individual ride and handling characteristics to be tuned for each brand of car. It’s risky to generalize given the large range of vehicles available, including hatchbacks, sedans, crossovers, and vans. In contrast, a comparable Hyundai vehicle is probably going to prioritize a smoother, but disconnected-feeling ride, whilst you will probably find that Kia vehicles provide more dynamic, engaging handling qualities. Both have advantages and disadvantages, but in our opinion, Kia automobiles’ special chassis tuning significantly increases fun.
Price and Value
Kia automobiles are typically less priced than their Hyundai counterparts. The comparable Hyundai Elantra starts at $19,850, while the Kia Forte starts at $17,890. Although the Forte is less priced, Kia didn’t scrimp on quality or features. Like Hyundai, Kia provides one of the best warranties in the industry, which is ten years and 100,000 miles. Both companies offer quality that is unmatched in the industry and stand behind their products. In the J.D. Power U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study*, Kia placed third for 2021, ahead of brands like Toyota, Chevrolet, and even Mercedes-Benz. Even Hyundai’s luxury division, Genesis, ended behind Kia. Only Porsche and Lexus were ranked higher among mass market brands in terms of quality than Kia. At the top of that list, Kia is, in our opinion, in good company. It’s also important to note that J.D. Power named the Kia Optima, Sorento, and Sportage as the top models in each of their respective classes.
The Kia Advantage
In conclusion, Kia cars offer greater value and better quality, with bolder style and a more dynamic driving experience, even though Kia and Hyundai offer comparable vehicles. Simply put, no matter what you value most in a car, Kia automobiles are better overall. Of course, it is ultimately up to you to decide. We recognize that purchasing a new car is a significant investment. We advise you to test drive both brands since we are certain that you will ultimately decide on a Kia. Any way you look at it, it’s unquestionably the better option. Please forgive me, Hyundai.