To be straight with you, the Kia Seltos is the kind of car that works instantly at first glance. You see it on the road and people turn their heads. But after spending ten years around cars, driving them, living with them, reviewing them, I have learned one thing. Never trust looks alone. I treated the Seltos the same way.
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Design and road presence yes, this is Kia’s strong suit
The Seltos still looks fresh. The front grille is aggressive, and the LED lights give a proper premium feel during night drives. Once, on the Pune highway, I was driving a Seltos myself when a guy at the toll booth casually asked, which variant is this? That kind of moment sticks. Kia has done its homework here.
But there is one thing I noticed over time. Paint quality. On some cars, by the second or third year, the clear coat starts looking slightly dull. Dealerships usually blame the environment. That’s what he said. Straight face. But when you compare it with rivals, the question does come up.
Engine and driving more than brochure numbers
Kia Seltos engines look impressive on paper, both petrol and diesel. The turbo petrol feels punchy in the city and no doubt, it’s fun. But honestly, keep your mileage expectations realistic.
The company can say whatever it wants, but if you drive the turbo petrol hard, getting beyond 10 or 11 kmpl is difficult. I remember similar claims from older SUVs too, and real-world numbers always told a different story. The Seltos is no exception.
The diesel engine makes more sense. Strong torque, relaxed highway cruising. But post BS6 updates, engine noise is more noticeable. Better sound insulation would have helped.
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The cabin reality
The moment you step inside, the Seltos feels tech-heavy. Big touchscreen, connected features, ambient lighting. Everything is there. Still, the tactile feel is not consistent everywhere. Some buttons feel solid. Others feel surprisingly light.
I remember speaking to an owner back in 2021 at a Gurgaon dealership. He complained about the infotainment system hanging occasionally, especially while using wireless Android Auto. The service advisor promised a software update. Three months later, same story. These small issues start irritating you when you live with the car daily.
Ride best and handling not ideal, however doable
In the town, the Seltos feels comfortable. Speed breakers and bad patches are handled decently. As speeds pass up, though, the suspension starts offevolved feeling a piece stiff. The steering is light, which is first rate for town riding, however enthusiastic drivers would possibly experience barely disconnected.
Once at the Mumbai Pune freeway, I needed to make a sudden lane change. The vehicle stayed in control, sure, but the self belief wasn’t at the extent I sense in some German automobiles or maybe some Japanese rivals.
Safety and the question of trust
This is where most discussions around the Kia Seltos begin. The feature list is long, airbags are there, ADAS has now arrived too. Still, people ask about body strength. And honestly, that question is valid.
I always say this. Safety is not just about features. Structural strength matters just as much. Kia has improved things over time, but trust takes time to build, especially for Indian buyers.
Ownership experience heavily dealer dependent
Kia’s dealership experience is hit or miss. In some cities, the staff is well trained and transparent. In others, the attitude feels too sales driven. Once, a dealer gave me one service estimate and later added extra items to the bill. When questioned, the reply was, sir, this was necessary for maintenance. That moment slightly shook the trust.
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Should you buy the Kia Seltos
If you want style, features, and brand image, the Kia Seltos will not disappoint you. But if you are looking for a no-nonsense, long-term rugged ownership experience, you need to think twice.
In my view, the Seltos is more of a lifestyle SUV. A heart-over-head kind of purchase. Logical buyers should take a long test drive and then pause before deciding. It’s not a bad car at all. It’s just not perfect either.
