Road Test: 2024 Kia Seltos SX Turbo AWD

Redesigned In and Out

Kia says the significantly refreshed 2024 Seltos is “designed to appeal to consumers who enjoy life on the move.” Heck, that means everyone should want a Seltos, which would make Kia very happy. As it is, 2023 Seltos sales were up 25 percent over the previous year, so Kia is expecting to continue this success in 2024, saying the redesigned Seltos has “a more commanding presence, inside and out.” The Kia folks may be on to something. Read on.

20224 Kia Seltos SX Turbo AWD — **Casting a wide net**

Smooth Operator

The 2024 Seltos comes in five trim levels with two engine options and front wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). Clean Fleet Report spent a week in the Kia Seltos SX Turbo AWD with the 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine running on 91 octane gasoline to produce 195 horsepower (hp) and 195 pound-feet of torque (lb.-ft.). Our zero-to-60 times were a respectable 7.1 seconds, which was plenty peppy for the 3,362-pound Seltos. For best performance, the 8-speed automatic has three driver-selectable drive modes—Normal, Smart and Sport. Normal and Smart were both good for fuel economy, while turning the selector wheel all the way to the right Sport gave more spirited driving. This is the same engine and transmission combination on the Seltos X-Line.

The EPA rates the 1.6L turbo at 25 mpg city/27 highway/26 combined. In 166 miles driving through Southern California we averaged 27.1 mpg.

The Seltos SX, S and EX are front wheel drive-with a 2.0-liter engine, putting out 146 hp and 132 lb.-ft. of torque. Mated to a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), fuel economy is 28 mpg city/34 highway/31 combined.

Driving Experience: On the Road

The Seltos SX isn’t fast off the line, but once the turbocharger spools up, it takes off with smooth and even acceleration. On the road the Seltos’ AWD makes use of torque vectoring, which increases traction by predicting which wheel will best utilize power in a given road situation. This enhances stability in corners and gives the vehicle more connection to the road. The good steering feel, and the AWD system, gave a solid, stable command of the road, allowing you to attack high speed cloverleaf freeway ramps at over the posted speed limit. There was little affect from passing big rigs. The body roll, when pushing corners a bit too fast, was minor, nothing that wasn’t predictable, manageable or controllable. With the acoustic front glass only a small bit of wind noise is heard.

The 18-inch machined alloy wheels, which are unique to the SX trim, are shod with Kuhmo 235/45 all-season tires. On certain paved surfaces there was noticeable road noise transmitted to the cabin, but these tires were good for cornering, handling and stopping.

For additional traction on snow-covered or icy roads, there is a Center Lock button that locks the center coupling, offering sure-footed traction up to about 25 miles per hour. This is a handy feature when the roads get sloppy and tricky. The Seltos SX is composed, and for a subcompact crossover, the overall ride was pleasant. While not sporty, the Seltos SX is fun and easy to drive.

Refreshed and Updated: Outside

The 2024 Kia Seltos slots between the Soul and Sportage, carving-up Kia’s crossover offerings with even a sharper knife. The Seltos shares the platform with the Hyundai Kona (which Clean Fleet Report really liked), but the Seltos has been stretched by one inch in the wheelbase and eight inches in length. The exterior of our test Seltos was Snow White Pearl, one of nine solid colors (plus four more with a contrasting roof). Small crossovers can blend together, but not the Seltos, as its styling and color options will help make yours more personalized.

The smooth exterior has a few well-placed crisp angles. Clean Fleet Report’s SX Turbo AWD model had LED projection headlights, with a stacked design, separate from the daytime running lights. The LED fog lights are located on the outer corners in the bottom fascia. For a cool factor, the SX upgraded signature tiger nose grille with a horizontal LED light bar that runs nearly the complete width of the grille.

The appealing side view has a gently sloping windshield with chrome rack rails, black rear view mirrors with slim LED turn signals, a color-keyed shark fin antenna and an integrated spoiler over the rear hatch window. The sides have minimal chrome; a strip wraps the windows ending in an attractive design element on the rear pillar. The horizontal LED tail lights connect across the power lift gate, only interrupted by a bright K-I-A logo. The concave design of the hatch includes Seltos and SX badges. The black bumper, with a silver-painted defuser, incorporates the back-up lights.

And Inside

Climbing inside, the cabin includes ample leg and headroom for two six-footers up front, with the rear seat providing good space and comfort for two adults, three for short trips. The SX Turbo has seats covered in SynTex, a blend of textile and synthetic materials that mimics the characteristics of leather, but without the use of any animal products.

The front seats are heated and ventilated with the driver getting 10-way power adjustments with lumbar, while the passenger gets manual adjustments. We like that the outlook on the road, with 7.3 inches of ground clearance, was higher than a sedan but not as high as a typical SUV. The rear seat center armrest has cup holders. If there are no passengers out back, fold down the 60:40 split rear seat for 62.8 cubic feet of cargo space. The rear dual level cargo floor has a convenient feature where the floor panel can be dropped-down about two inches, producing additional space for taller items.

The Seltos SX came with a 10.25-inch touchscreen housing Kia’s UVO telematics and navigation. The 8-speaker Bose sound system, with a subwoofer, produced excellent sound for AM/FM//MP3/and Sirius/XM and wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Siri Eyes Free, with smartphone integration via Bluetooth, complete the audio system. The leather-wrapped steering wheel has controls for audio, telephone and cruise control.

Big thanks to Kia designers for the knobs to control the radio channels and volume, and for the temperature control. The speakers have multi-dimensional grilles, giving a unique look compared to a basic flat speaker cover. For fun, the Bose system has sound-connected mood lighting that pulsates with six color themes, changing colors and intensity based on volume level. You will need to visit your Kia dealer at night to check-out this cool feature.

Other features are a power sunroof, heated and power side mirrors with turn signals, three front USB ports, wireless charging, sliding front center armrest, cargo cover, rear passenger vents and USB ports, automatic climate control, remote and push button start and a compact spare tire.

The Digital Key allows owners to use a compatible Apple iPhone, Watch, and Samsung Galaxy as a virtual key to lock, unlock and start the car.

Safety and Warranties

The Seltos comes with an extensive list of standard and optional safety features. Make sure to speak with your Kia sales rep for what safety features come with which trim level. If you are looking to save a few dollars on your Seltos purchase, don’t skimp on the advanced driver safety assistance systems (ADAS).

Safety items include front, side and curtain airbags, forward collision avoidance, stability control, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, blind spot collision warning and collision avoidance, park assist with front and rear sensors, vehicle stability management, traction control, hill start assist, tire pressure monitoring system, engine immobilizer, lane keeping assist and departure warning, and rear cross traffic alert.

The 2024 Seltos has not been rated by the National Highway and Safety Administration (NHTSA) but The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has given it an overall Good rating.

The Seltos comes with these warranties:

Powertrain – 10 years/100,000 miles
Basic – Five years/60,000 miles
Roadside Assistance – Five years/60,000 miles

Pricing

The 2024 Seltoscomes in five trim levels with these base prices, including the mandatory $1,375 destination charge.

LX AWD $25,865

S FWD $26,465

S AWD $27,965

EX FWD $27,265

EX AWD $29,465

Observations: 2024 Kia Seltos SX Turbo AWD

Does anyone else see a bit of the Land Rover Evoque in the Seltos? If you do, it isn’t a bad thing and only enhances the Seltos’ appeal. Consumers looking for something a bit larger than a small crossover and a bit smaller than a midsize crossover will be drawn to the Seltos. With five trim levels, each with more features and a crazy big assortment of exterior color choices, there may be a Seltos for everyone.

For versatility, ride, style, fuel economy, safety equipment and a great warranty, the 2024 Kia Seltos is hard to beat. We can easily see an owner using the Seltos for commuting, weekend errands and filling it with camping gear and heading off into the vast unknown. The AWD inspires confidence for on-road driving and mild off-roading.

In January 2020, Kia announced it will be offering 11 electric vehicles by 2025, with the first models hitting showrooms in 2021. With the Seltos being all-new for 2021 and now going through this significant refresh, it is too early to speculate on future changes. But since Kia currently sells hybrid vehicles and has announced electric vehicles are coming soon, don’t be surprised if the Seltos gets some sort of electrification in the coming decade. Until then, visit your Kia dealer and test drive what Clean Fleet Report feels is one of the best entry-level crossovers on the market. We don’t think you will be disappointed.

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Story and photos by John Faulkner.

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