Kia Seltos Review

The competition in Malaysia's B-SUV market has always been fierce. When consumers choose a car, they value design distinctiveness, practical space, and rich configurations—these are also the core considerations for most family users when buying or replacing a car for the first time. Today, we focus on the 2021 Kia Seltos. Since its launch, this car has established itself with its balanced performance. This review will comprehensively analyze it from static experience to dynamic driving to see if it truly meets the needs of local users.

The exterior design of the 2021 Seltos follows a youthful and sporty route. Its overall contour is compact without appearing small. The front face features Kia's signature "tiger nose" grille, enhanced with chrome trim accents, giving it a high level of recognition. The two side headlight clusters use halogen light sources with an automatic lighting function, which is sufficient for everyday use. The side body lines are smooth, and the 17-inch wheels are proportionate to the body, while the door protective strips and black plastic cladding around the wheel arches add a rugged SUV vibe. At the rear, the taillight cluster adopts a horizontal design, which has a clear visual effect when lit. The silver skid plate below the rear bumper enhances the sporty feel. Overall, the exterior of the Seltos doesn't have an overly aggressive design, but the details are well-handled, meeting the aesthetics of most people.

Once you step inside, the interior layout of the Seltos is simple and orderly, primarily in dark tones paired with silver trim accents. The texture is not particularly luxurious, but it is durable enough. The center console is equipped with either an 8-inch (1.6 EX version) or 7-inch (1.6 GT-LINE version) touchscreen, supporting Bluetooth connectivity and the Sound Plus feature, with decent operating fluency. Physical buttons are retained below, making it convenient for blind operations while driving. Regarding configurations, both models come standard with an HUD head-up display, keyless entry, rear air-conditioning vents, and a 6-speaker audio system. The GT-LINE version also upgrades to an 8-way power-adjustable driver's seat (with 2-way lumbar support), offering greater comfort. As for materials, the top part of the center console uses hard plastic, but touchpoints like the door panel armrests and seats are wrapped in soft materials, offering a decent tactile feel.

Space is one of the advantages of the Seltos. Its body dimensions are 4315mm×1800mm×1645mm, with a wheelbase of 2610mm, which is at the mainstream level within its class. The front-row seating space is spacious, and a passenger with a height of 175cm can still have a fist's width of headroom after adjusting the seat. The rear legroom can reach two fist widths, while the headroom still has one fist's space, making it comfortable even for three adult passengers. In terms of storage space, the front center armrest compartment and door panel storage slots have sufficient capacity. The rear center armrest features cup holders, and the trunk has enough standard capacity to meet daily shopping or short trip needs. Folding down the rear seats can further expand the cargo space.

In terms of performance, the 2021 Seltos is equipped with a 1.6L naturally aspirated engine across the range, delivering a maximum horsepower of 123PS and a peak torque output at 4850 rpm (explicitly marked in the GT-LINE version), paired with an AT gearbox. During actual driving, the power response during acceleration is not particularly aggressive, but it provides a smooth experience. When accelerating at low to medium speeds, the transmission logic is clear, and there is no significant lag. When overtaking, pressing the accelerator deeply increases engine speed, providing sufficient power reserves. This powertrain is entirely adequate for everyday city driving. However, during high-speed acceleration, the power output may feel slightly underwhelming.

The handling and chassis performance are tuned for comfort, the steering wheel is light, and there is minimal play, making daily parking or lane changes very agile. The suspension uses a front MacPherson independent suspension, which can filter out most small vibrations when dealing with common city speed bumps or bumpy roads, ensuring comfort for rear passengers. When cornering, the body roll is controlled within a reasonable range, without evident swaying, and the stability is acceptable. As for braking, the feedback from the brake pedal is linear, the initial force is moderate, and there’s decent confidence during emergency braking.

Fuel consumption performance meets expectations. The official combined fuel consumption is 7.6L/100km. In actual testing, fuel consumption in city traffic is about 8.5L/100km, while on highways, it drops to 6.8L/100km, overall staying within the normal range for vehicles in the same class. In terms of noise control, the cabin remains quiet at idle, but once speeds exceed 80km/h, wind and tire noise become increasingly noticeable, though it does not interfere with normal conversations.

Safety features are a highlight of the Seltos. Both models come standard with 6 airbags (including front/rear side airbags and curtain airbags), ABS, electronic stability control, forward collision warning, front and rear parking sensors, and a reversing camera. Safety performance is above average in its class.

Overall, the key advantage of the 2021 Kia Seltos is its balance—it offers adequate space, rich configurations, solid safety features, and power and fuel efficiency that cater to daily family use. Compared to peers like the Honda HR-V or Toyota C-HR, the Seltos provides more comprehensive features (especially the HUD and electric seats) at a more affordable price, making it highly cost-effective.

This car is suitable for family users who value practicality and safety, especially those who need to balance city commuting with occasional short trips. The GT-LINE version's electric seats make it particularly appealing to young users with a certain demand for comfort. If you’re looking for a B-SUV without significant shortcomings and high value for money, the 2021 Kia Seltos is worth considering.