Savvy selection

The updated Kia Seltos introduces family-familiar styling and a more sophisticated interior than before, but that turbodiesel engine may be its most compelling Feature

- lan McLaren

As the first product to have been assembled at Kia's A impressive Anantapur plant in India, it's a credit to the packaging and design of the original Seltos that it still looks both distinct and relatively modern within this ever-popular local segment. Amid a busy period of considered respective product enhancements and realigned value propositions for Kia South Africa, it's easy to forget that the brand's compact SUV is already five years old. The Seltos has, to date, proven notably popular with a female audience (60%), with an average customer age of between 35 and 45 years old.

This is a Korean brand with a well-documented mandate to have its products stand out from the crowd via bold and distinct headlamp designs that merge within modern interpretations of its familial grille treatment.

Available now, updates to the Seltos' exterior include redesigned, dual-element headlamp clusters integrated within an altogether larger grille than on the outgoing model. There are new bumper designs, front and rear, and the tailgate incorporates a fashionable horizontal light strip.

The top-of-the-range GT-Line remains distinguishable via bespoke design and trim elements, red brake callipers and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Contrast-colour scuff plates front and rear, 190 mm of ground clearance and the standard fitment of roof rails throughout the range continue to add an element of ruggedness to this compact SUV's well-proportioned stance. As a reminder, the Seltos is positioned above the Sonet and below the Sportage within Kia's SUV portfolio, and its exterior dimensions are close to those of the Toyota Corolla Cross.