Unveiling the Future: The 2023 Kia Seltos Combines Advanced Safety and Smart Features for a Thrilling Drive

Since its introduction in 2019, the Kia Seltos has become one of the leading vehicles in its segment in India. This compact urban SUV is adept for both city commutes and highway journeys, but its success in India can largely be attributed to its extensive features. Innovations like Kia Connect (formerly known as UVO) and various autonomous safety features have distinguished the Kia Seltos amidst fierce competitors in the market.

Now, Kia has launched the 2023 facelift for the Kia Seltos, enhancing its already comprehensive feature list, adding a new upscale ‘X-line’ variant, and upgrading engine and transmission options across the lineup. I had the opportunity to test drive the new Kia Seltos while traveling from Nagpur to the Pench Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh, and here are some highlights of Kia’s revamped mid-sized offering.

The 2023 Kia Seltos X-line debuts in an attractive Matte Graphite finish

Pricing and Variants of the Kia Seltos (2023) in India

The price range for the Kia Seltos (2023) starts at Rs. 10.90 lakh and goes up to Rs. 19.99 lakh (ex-showroom), varying by variant. Factors such as engine type, transmission choices, and trim level influence the pricing, with options spanning from the base HTE formulation to the new premium X-line, which is exclusively available in the Matte Graphite color. Additional color selections include the fresh Pewter Olive, along with various glossy metallic shades.

Offered in Petrol, Diesel, and Turbo Petrol configurations across the lineup, buyers can also choose from multiple transmission types, which include manual, iMT (clutchless manual), and three automatic options such as CVT, torque converter, and DCT. Some variants feature paddle shifters for manual control. For my test drive, I drove the Kia Seltos (2023) GT-line with the Turbo Petrol engine in Pewter Olive, equipped with all the key safety and technology features.

Kia Seltos (2023): Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) Enhancements

With an increased emphasis on safety, the Kia Seltos showcases its ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) as a key highlight, in addition to featuring six airbags and disc brakes on all four wheels across all variants. The ADAS systems in vehicles range from Level 0 (no automation) to Level 5 (complete automation), and the Kia Seltos is classified as ADAS Level 2, allowing for a degree of automated driving and control.

This marked my first experience with a vehicle that featured any form of automation, which felt somewhat unnerving initially, with the ADAS managing certain driving tasks, creating an eerie sensation. The Kia Seltos (2023) incorporates 17 ADAS functionalities, including forward collision warning and forward collision avoidance assistance, most of which you’d prefer not to rely on during driving.

Most ADAS features were demonstrated in controlled test environments, while some of the smaller functions were evident during my few hours of driving the Seltos. This is complemented by a 360-degree camera system, providing clear visuals around the vehicle, effectively operating while driving and in low-speed scenarios like parking.

In the controlled environments, Kia’s trained drivers showcased the car’s ability to autonomously brake, emit loud audio alerts, and execute counter-steering when a collision was imminent, whether involving another vehicle or an opening door in proximity.

The Kia Seltos is equipped with two 10.25-inch displays, one for infotainment and the other serving as the digital instrument cluster

I was able to personally witness functionalities such as lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control in action during my drive. On multi-lane highways with clear lane markings, the Kia Seltos (2023) successfully maintained its lane most of the time, occasionally alerting me with gentle feedback to make minor steering corrections. The fully-digital instrument cluster indicated the presence of vehicles in the blind spot when signaling left or right, while the adaptive cruise control adjusted its speed in accordance with that of the car in front of me as needed.

As previously noted, it was slightly unsettling when these features commenced operation, considering I wasn’t accustomed to my car undertaking tasks autonomously, even for my benefit. Nevertheless, I adapted quickly, maintaining primary control of the vehicle, with only minor feedback through the wheel. However, the Driver Attention Warning chimed every 15 minutes to remind me to take a break, which became somewhat tiresome.

Kia Seltos (2023): Kia Connect, Voice Commands, and Large Screens

Kia Connect is a system I’ve previously tried out on the Kia Sonet when it was still branded as Kia UVO, and there have been several improvements since then. This is primarily due to the expansive 10.25-inch touch infotainment system positioned next to an equally sized digital instrument panel. Together, these components contribute to a modern aesthetic for the Kia Seltos and make a wealth of driving information easily accessible.

While connecting your smartphone via USB allows access to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, the Kia Connect system can also stand alone. The vehicle operates on a fully integrated system utilizing its own data connection to enable features like voice commands, detailed navigation mapping, and more. I successfully navigated to various points of interest and issued voice commands accurately, even in fairly isolated areas like the Pench Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh.

For audio, various devices can connect both through wired and wireless options; the variant I drove featured a Bose audio setup. Sound quality was decent over Bluetooth, and there were also several intriguing ambient soundtracks preinstalled within the Kia Connect system for a relaxing listening experience.

The 2023 Kia Seltos now offers a 1.5L turbo petrol engine option, delivering 158bhp and 253Nm of torque, paired with an optional DCT automatic gearbox

The Kia Connect application permits you to monitor data related to the vehicle, such as fuel range, status, and location, in addition to allowing you to start and stop the car remotely when necessary. Other tech-centric capabilities include full diagnostics of the vehicle and ADAS features accessible through the displays, navigation setup via your smartphone with instructions relayed to the car, remote climate control, and an integrated air purifier for clean air while in the Seltos.

Voice commands can be employed to control various vehicle functions, including operating the panoramic sunroof, navigating to specific sites and points of interest, adjusting the air conditioning, and opening or closing the windows, among other actions. While there were instances where I had to repeat commands, the voice recognition generally performed well. Notably, these commands operate not just in English but also in a bilingual mode (Hindi and English), with phrases like ‘sunroof kholo‘ or ‘AC band karo‘ functioning accurately.

Kia Seltos (2023): Driving Experience

The Kia Seltos (2023) comes with three distinct engine options and different transmission types tailored to specific variants. For my test drive, I received the new turbo petrol variant, noted for its superior horsepower and torque, making it the most potent choice among the three. This was coupled with a seven-speed automatic dual-clutch transmission (DCT), featuring paddle shifters that provided manual control when desired.

The vehicle performed capably in both urban and highway scenarios, thanks to the smooth and seamless transitions offered by the DCT. It also remained responsive to throttle adjustments and set up well on inclines, where automatic transmissions may sometimes falter. While the manual option was useful, I rarely needed to engage it during highway overtaking; simply pressing down on the accelerator delivered the necessary power, whether in the city or on the expressway.

Everything felt smooth, with the Kia Seltos (2023) offering a ride quality akin to that of a sedan. When cruising between 70-80 kmph on the highway in seventh gear, the Seltos excelled, providing a seamless journey with low engine revs for enhanced fuel economy. The DCT gearbox is agile enough to promptly change gears, facilitating quick lane merging and overtaking as necessary.

Concluding Thoughts

From a technology standpoint, this car ranks among the finest in its price bracket, embodying the future of connected driving and providing drivers with a glimpse into the future of minor automation designed to enhance overall safety and convenience. Features like voice commands for vehicle functions, navigation, as well as the Kia Connect app for diagnostics significantly enrich the user experience.

All this is complemented by an overall positive driving experience. However, given the wide price variation among different trims of the Kia Seltos, it’s important to select a variant that encompasses all your necessary features. The well-equipped trims are significantly more expensive than the basic models, with the high-end X-line variants nearly costing double compared to the entry-level versions.