A Comprehensive Review of Kia Seltos: Driving Experience and Features Analysis
Reviewing the Kia Seltos, a compact SUV, can help potential buyers understand its strengths and weaknesses. Known for its aggressive stance and premium features, the Seltos offers a blend of style and practicality. This review, based on a personal experience, provides insights into its performance, features, and overall driving experience.
Design and Looks
The Kia Seltos, a branch of the Hyundai family, boasts a striking appearance with its tiger-nosed front grill. The choice for this model was driven by its distinctive design, especially when contrasted with the more common Hyundai Creta. The Seltos offers a premium look, particularly with its Gt line variant, which highlights red accents and LED headlights. The interior promises a soft touch experience with its D cut steering wheel and driver touch points. However, the overall driving experience is more mixed, as highlighted by its performance in different settings.
Driving Experience and Performance
The driving experience of the Seltos is noteworthy, especially its comfort on long trips where the suspension and seating offer a smooth ride. On highways, the car provides a quiet and efficient drive, with good fuel consumption. Despite being a petrol variant, the 1.4-liter TGDI engine performance is impressive, offering a rev-happy and sporty drive in various driving modes.
Key Features and Pros
Equipped with a range of advanced features, the Kia Seltos Gt line variant is a value for money option. Key features include a front parking camera and sensors, 360-degree camera, head-up display, connected car technology, tyre pressure monitoring system, ventilated seats, Bose sound system, and more. These features enhance the driving experience and contribute to making the car stand out from its competitors.
Cons and Limitations
Despite its positive attributes, the Seltos has several areas of concern. The headlights, brake performance, and transmission are notable issues. The LED headlights use a reflector setup, causing an issue with visibility. The DCT transmission, while quick, can be problematic in city traffic, leading to jerky movements and potential damage to the transmission. Additionally, the braking system can be sluggish, requiring a lot of pressure to activate.
Safety and Reliability
The safety ratings of the Seltos are a concern, with only a 3-star rating in crash tests. The A-pillar instability poses a risk in collision situations. There are also concerns about the reliability of the DCT transmission, although these can be managed with careful driving practices.
Verdict
While the Kia Seltos offers impressive features and performance, it is important to weigh the positives and negatives. For those seeking a unique and well-equipped SUV, the Gt line variant provides a solid option. However, potential buyers should be aware of the issues associated with the headlights, brakes, and transmission. The purchase of the GTX Gt line variant was also influenced by improved safety features, as lower-spec models lack essential safety features.
Conclusion
Overall, the Kia Seltos is a compelling choice for a compact SUV, blending style, performance, and features. However, the driving experience might require some adjustments, especially in handling jerky movements and city driving. Despite these challenges, the car's advanced features and reliability contribute significantly to its appeal.