Let me be immediately. The second you hear the name Kia Seltos, a clean image forms to your head. Sharp layout, a slightly premium vibe, and an SUV that still stands out in metropolis site visitors. Now the agency has released it again with a starting price of Rs 10.99 lakh. Sounds appropriate at first. But after spending 10 years interior this enterprise, I am not a person who receives inspired simply via a charge board.
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Price creates excitement, then a small question mark
When a supplier instructed me at the phone that the base variant now starts offevolved at 10.Ninety nine, my first reaction turned into fine. The compact SUV area is overcrowded today, and each competitive rate is a assertion. But the very subsequent idea observed quick. What precisely are you getting at this rate, and what is quietly lacking.
This reminded me of a 2019 incident. I had gone to test some other brand’s SUV lower back then. The fee regarded attractive on the standee, but when delivery time came and features have been counted, 1/2 the exhilaration vanished close to the showroom corner. That second while the salesman stated sir this comes only within the higher variant. Same feeling, just a little, comes here too.
Design is largely untouched, and that is probably deliberate
The Kia Seltos still looks familiar on the road. Kia has not experimented much. Headlamps, grille, overall stance, everything feels known. As far as I see it, this is intentional. The Indian buyer does not like too many risks. What is working, do not disturb it too much. A dealer told me this very clearly last week.
But one thing needs to be said. Expectations from the interior have gone much higher now. Touchscreens, digital displays, connected tech. It all sounds repetitive. Every brand is saying the same things. These words no longer excite me. Instead, I start wondering how this system will behave after two years.
Engine choices and the reality outside brochures
The company talks about engine options and power figures. All fine on paper. But I still remember a highway interaction from around 2021. I met a Seltos owner during a test drive event. He laughed and said sir on paper everything is strong, but switch on the AC in peak heat and the mood changes a bit. You will never read this in a brochure.
Even today, I believe daily drivability matters more than numbers. Smooth low-speed performance, clutch feel, and comfort in traffic define ownership. Kia usually does well here, but long-term reliability becomes a fresh question with every update.
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The feature list is long, but what about software trust
Another small story comes to mind. Last year, a customer called me about his Seltos infotainment screen freezing randomly. The service centre reply was simple sir an update will come. Three months later, the issue was still there. When such things happen, the premium feel slowly slips away. That is why whenever I hear about new features, my focus stays on one thing only. Will this work smoothly after two years, without drama.
Competition pressure and buyer confusion
There is no shortage of options in the market. Every brand claims its SUV is the best. Seltos has one clear advantage. The name has already built trust. People recognise it instantly. But for a new buyer stepping into the 11 to 15 lakh SUV bracket, the decision is not easy. And yes, one more thing. Kia’s service experience varies widely. In metro cities it is usually smooth. In smaller towns, response can sometimes feel slow. This is ground reality.
Also read : I Drove the 2026 Kia Sportage and Walked Away Unsure — Heres Why
My personal take at the end
The new Kia Seltos at Rs 10.99 lakh is a strong entry, no doubt. The design feels safe, features look modern, and the brand still connects well with younger buyers. But I would also say do not decide just by price and shine.
Take a proper test drive. Visit the service centre. Speak to an existing owner for five minutes. That is when things become clear. After a decade in this space, this is what I have learnt. A car should not just impress on launch day. It should inspire confidence every single morning when you turn the key.
