2023 KIA SELTOS

Kia India's 'opener' is back at the crease and looks set to hit the ball out of the park

- ABHAY VERMA

Back in 2019, Kia Motors could not have asked for a better start to its India innings. The Seltos was launched as a midsize premium SUV, one of the most competitive segments in the country and boy, the Seltos really helped Kia get off to a flying start with its terrific success. Its sharp design saw it appeal to a wide range of buyers instantly, especially the young and more urban SUV buyer, besides that exhaustive feature list and premium, well-appointed interiors. The Seltos has had quite a hand in catapulting Kia India to the envious position of being the fastest growing car brand in the country, whilst holding its own against a barrage of big names as direct rivals besides the formidable Hyundai Creta, including the Volkswagen Taigun, Škoda Kushaq, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara and Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder in the midsize premium SUV segment.

Less than four years later we have the facelifted Seltos on sale, which has recorded the ‘segment highest’ first-day bookings. Not surprising, given how much sharper it looks and everything it packs in! I mean, the Seltos has always been one of the sharpest looking SUVs in its segment, and the facelift only makes it look better. The front end looks even more chiselled now, the alloy wheels sharper and the rear even sportier. I have to say, the grille design is very intricate, typical of Korean car makers, but looks very appealing and has a sense of accentuated sharpness. So be it the grille elements, Kia’s trademark tiger nose or the headlamp design and the way the DRLs run into grille itself, it all looks very distinctive.