Kia is the manufacturer of the subcompact crossover SUV known as the Seltos (Korean). The Seltos, a mid-2019 introduction, sits in Kia’s lineup of international SUVs between the smaller Stonic, Soul, or Sonet and the bigger Sportage. [13]
Three varieties of the Seltos have been introduced for various markets and are categorized as a worldwide product. The first variant, code-named SP2, is the largest Seltos model and is produced in South Korea with a focus on developed markets like North America and Australasia. The Indian-made Seltos (codename: SP2i) and the very related Chinese variant branded as the Kia KX3 are the two other versions (codename: SP2c). The SP2i and SP2c models are the low-cost versions of the Seltos to penetrate emerging markets, built on the Hyundai-Kia K2 platform and closely similar to the second-generation Hyundai Creta/ix25. The Seltos is not offered in the European market despite being a model with a worldwide marketing campaign. [14]
The Greek mythological character “Celtos,” who was the son of Hercules and Celtine, inspired the name “Seltos.”
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[16] The Seltos, according to Kia, is specifically targeted at millennials and “youthful, tech-savvy shoppers” searching for a standout car. [7] [10][17]
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Key Points
- The 2021 Kia Seltos only had one recall and 62 complaints after a year on the road. There have not yet been any inquiries opened.
- The biggest issue with the car so far was a significant oil leak recall that affected a total of about 150,000 Kia vehicles. Particular to the 2.0L “Nu engine is this.
- When releasing the brake, some 2021 Seltos drivers have complained that the engine’s auto-shutoff mechanism fails to restart the engine.
- There have only been a few reports that the Seltos may not stay put when set in park or that it may be challenging to remove from park.
- It might still be too early to determine whether the Seltos is a dependable vehicle at this time. However, it has received the IIHS Top Safety Pick designation, and Kias are known for being simple to maintain.
The Kia Sportage is larger than the Seltos, isn’t it?
Compared to the Kia Seltos, the Sportage is about four inches longer and three inches wider, but it also has a lower ground clearance and less cargo space. The Kia Seltos is for you if you prioritize cargo capacity over passenger space.
What drawbacks are there to buying a Kia Seltos?
- Long Waiting Time: Depending on the version, the Kia Seltos is subject to a waiting period that might last up to 6 months, according to our dealer sources. The semiconductor problem is the main cause of the delivery delay.
- Doesn’t Get Panoramic Sunroof: Indian consumers are enamored with large sunroofs, and competitors in the segment include the Hyundai Creta and MG Astor, among others. Even the top-end model of the Kia Seltos has a single glass sunroof.
- No AWD System: The Kia Seltos is only available as a front-wheel drive vehicle. The 2017 Kia Seltos doesn’t even have an optional all-wheel drive (AWD) system, even in the X-Line model.
What caused Kia Seltos to fail?
According to pictures posted on social media, the SUV was split between the C pillar on the driver’s side and the B pillar on the passenger side. It is not often possible to see devastation of this magnitude.
It would be dangerous for rescue personnel to cut into the floor because the gasoline tank is right underneath the seat and the fuel lines also run below. According to reports, the Kia Seltos was moving quickly at the time of the collision on the two-lane NH-547.
Local police officials reportedly believe the Seltos was being driven very quickly. Additionally, it has been alleged that the driver is the subject of a FIR.
The split in the SUV was caused by a unique confluence of elements. The tremendous kinetic energy generated from the high-speed impact in a small space caused the Kia Seltos’ monocoque construction to entirely break into two pieces. The SUV appears to have been destroyed by a powerful force in the image.
The upgraded electronic stability control in the Kia Seltos’ most recent iteration helps the car maintain stability even during maneuvers at high speeds. The SUV that was involved in the collision is an earlier model of the Anniversary Edition, which is no longer available. It lacked the ESC feature.
According to reports, a motorcycle rider suddenly crossed in front of the SUV as it transitioned from a gravel lane to the main road.
In an effort to save the motorcycle rider, the SUV’s driver swerved and made a U-turn. The SUV then returned to the road and abruptly made a right turn in anticipation of a bridge. However, the maneuvers were unsuccessful, and the Seltos struck the bridge. The impact caused the SUV’s floor and roof torn off, causing the SUV to split in half.
The SUV’s rear seat occupants perished in the collision. Despite suffering severe injuries, those in the first row were able to survive thanks to the airbags and seatbelts.
Prior to this, the Kia Seltos received a 5-star rating in both the ANCAP and Global NCAP crash tests. Six airbags and safety aid systems were included as standard equipment in the ANCAP test vehicle. Dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, and rear parking sensors are all standard on the vehicle built for India. Up to six airbags, blind-spot monitoring, a head-up display, and a 360-degree camera are included in the model.
Why did sales of Kia Seltos decline?
In addition to the premium MPV Carnival, Kia India also sells the Seltos and Sonet SUVs. Next week, the company will introduce Carens, a three-row SUV, as its fourth vehicle in India.
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The continuous supply crisis is to blame for the 13% decline in sales recorded by Korean automaker Kia last month. Kia’s sales have plummeted by more than 32% compared to the same month last year, with only 14,214 cars sold in November.
Kia recorded sales of 16,331 units in October of this year, a decrease of almost 22% from the same month last year. The sales decline has gotten worse inside a month.
What drawbacks exist with Kia vehicles?
Everyone can find a Kia, but the drawback of buying a Borrego, Forte, Optima, Sorento, Spectra, Sportage, or any other model you can afford is that you will almost certainly have transmission issues. Owners of Sorentos are likely to have noticed jerking when changing, especially when moving uphill at a speed of roughly 75 mph.
Kia’s transmission issues, however, go beyond jerking. A 2019 Kia Forte owner from Delaware claims that, despite having less than 5,000 miles on the odometer, the transmission has already been changed twice. Similar depressing transmission-related experiences are common among Forte owners.
Is Seltos too expensive?
Review by a User of the Kia SeltosGTX Plus 1.4
For the amount of space it offers, the car is jerky and quite expensive. The interior is nice and the color selections are good, but the pricing is different from others in the same category. A far better option is the Captur diesel for 12.5 lakh manual and fully loaded.
Do Kia Seltos have issues with the transmission?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration receives consumer complaints about sudden transmission failure. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has 62 complaints and one recall related to the 2021 Kia Seltos, just 13 of which are related to powertrain problems.
Are Kia Seltos and Ford Escape the same size?
Ford Escape vs. Kia Seltos: Overall Size The Seltos is the smallest of the two, according to these outside measures. This aspect is advantageous because it gives you stronger cornering skills when you come across tight curves.
The Kia Seltos is it a small SUV?
The Kia Seltos is a small SUV with athletic looks and spacious cabins that won’t break the bank. Petrolheads, though, can’t keep their eyes off the GT models at the top of the range while you’re scanning the pricing list and adding up the amenities. By converting one of the most popular compact family SUVs into a track-ready super SUV, Vishnu Suresh, the artist behind the Instagram page Zephyr Designz, shows us the best way to take advantage of the 1.4-liter turbo-petrol engine.
Those of you with keen eyes for cars must have seen that this is not the Seltos built for India. It is the North American model with all-wheel drive, left-hand driving, and active safety and assistance technology (AWD). The front bumper has been altered to include a wider, full-width lower vent. That posture, which is a result of lowering springs and enormous wheels, doesn’t appear to alter the 190mm ride height of the regular SUV’s ground clearance.
The Pirelli P-Zero tires on those Rotiform alloy wheels, which appear to be 20 inches in diameter, are sporty low-profile tires. The drilled brake rotors and aftermarket Brembo brake callipers are obvious. To keep the bigger wheels from ruining the SUV’s aerodynamics, the wheel arches have extensions. If this car had a V6 or V8 engine under the hood, the new bumper’s quad exhausts at the rear would make more sense.
Does owning a Kia make sense?
Maintaining the factory-recommended maintenance plan and taking care of problems as soon as they appear are the best ways to maintain your Kia in good working order. Any material or workmanship flaws should be covered by the Kia guarantee that comes with new and certified pre-owned cars, but these protections ultimately run out.
If your car needs repairs after the first warranty period has passed, an extended warranty might assist cover the cost of such unforeseen expenses. Kia has an extended warranty that may be purchased directly from the company, but you can also acquire coverage from third parties.
Independent extended warranty providers frequently provide more options for coverage, older vehicle coverage, a larger network of repair facilities, and more comprehensive benefits. Endurance and CarShield are two companies that we suggest.
Endurance: Best Coverage
Up to 8 years or 200,000+ miles of additional warranty coverage are possible with Endurance. Additionally, Endurance offers some of the market’s most comprehensive contracts. There are five different coverage options available, ranging from straightforward powertrain coverage to complete bumper-to-bumper warranty protection.
CarShield: Best Value
Additionally, CarShield provides extended warranty protection for cars with up to 300,000 miles on the odometer, potentially doubling the Kia factory warranty’s scope of coverage. CarShield offers a solid reputation in the market, a wide range of coverage options, and some of the most affordable contracts available.
For more information, see our comprehensive CarShield review. To get a free, no-risk CarShield quote, click the button below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Kia is a dependable automaker. Overall, Kia receives a reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0 on RepairPal, placing it third overall (out of 32 brands).
Both Kia and Toyota are well-known for their dependability, and both have a 4.0 out of 5.0 RepairPal reliability rating. Kias may be marginally more reliable, while RepairPal puts Toyota seventh overall and Kia third.
Kias require an average of 0.2 unforeseen repair shop visits year, according to RepairPal. This is half of the 0.4 visits per year average for all brands. You have a one in five risk of needing an unforeseen repair each year, according to this statistic.
Previously, the Kia name was associated with low-cost, subpar vehicles. This is partly because the brand’s automobiles had a lot of issues when it first appeared in the United States. Since then, Kia has made fleet improvements and has earned a reputation for having great reliability.
Yes, Kias have a reputation for lasting just as long as other trustworthy cars like Hyundai, Honda, and Toyota. Although the powertrain is covered by the manufacturer’s warranty for up to 100,000 miles, many owners keep their Kias for much longer.