Test drive Kia Seltos: all about the main premiere of the year in Russia
Three-dimensional "turn signals", a salon with light and music, a new variator, an adapted suspension, automatic braking systems, a smart steering wheel and other features of a potential bestseller
At the end of last year, it was clear that the newest crossover of the Kia brand would become the most anticipated automotive novelty of the Russian market - AvtoTachki visitors read any news on the topic of Seltos five times better than the others, and the newly formed Internet forum Seltos.club worked more actively than its colleagues, even taking into account the fact that no one saw living machines. The forum even managed to publish incorrect prices ahead of time, and the current price list appeared about a month before the start of sales, which should start in March.
If Creta is built on the platform of the compact Hyundai i20 hatchback, then Seltos is based on the newer Korean K2 chassis, which formed the basis of the Ceed family and the Soul SUV. Initially it was stated that the Seltos will be slightly larger than the Creta, but in fact this is not too noticeable. The length of the Kia is 4370 mm, which is 10 cm longer than that of Hyundai, and both cars are almost identical in width and height. Finally, the Seltos has a wheelbase of 2630 mm, which is 4 cm more.
Visually, the Seltos is noticeably brighter than the utilitarian Creta, and it's not just the initially more sporty Kia style. The model has a new radiator grille in the "Smile of a Tiger" style, sophisticated two-story optics (as many as three options are available), a perky pattern of bumpers and a contrasting roof, visually separated from the rear pillars - a complete set of simple but effective styling tricks. In addition, the off-road version of the Seltos X-Line has already been shown in America, and it is possible that such an off-road version may appear in Russia in the future.
Another fundamental difference from the Creta is the more elegant interior. The screen of the media system according to the latest fashion is made in the form of a tablet attached to the panel, climate control is located at the most convenient height, and the interior itself can be two-color. Instruments - with traditional hands, but different display options inside.
There are three options for finishing the seats, and in the top version, in addition to heating, they are equipped with electric drives and even ventilation. The highlight of the older configurations is a head-up display, a rear-view camera with a mirror function in motion, a remote start system, as well as a configurable backlight that can work in time with the music system.
There is a feeling that the Seltos bypasses the Creta in terms of headroom in the rear, and it is definitely more spacious than in the Renault Arkana with its sloping roof. But there are not many bonuses: there is no separate "climate", there is only one USB socket. The trunk holds 498 liters, but only if the raised floor is placed on the lower level, and this is possible only in a version with a stowage instead of a full-fledged spare wheel.
The set of engines for Seltos and Creta is very similar, but there are differences here too. The base for the Seltos is an aspirated volume of 1,6 liters with a capacity of 123 or 121 liters. with. for versions with manual and automatic transmissions. More powerful options are equipped with a two-liter engine with a return of 149 liters. with., but in the case of the Seltos, this motor already works only in tandem with a variator. And then - a surprise: the top version of the Seltos also has a 1,6 GDI turbo engine with a capacity of 177 liters. with., which works with a 7-speed preselective "robot".
Like Hyundai, Kia initially offers all-wheel drive versions of the crossover, even in simple versions with an initial motor and a manual transmission. In the case of a 1,6 engine, all-wheel drive is possible with any of the boxes, two-liter variants with a variator can also be front- and all-wheel drive, and the turbo version can only be with all-wheel drive.
Depending on the type of drive, the suspension is also different: the all-wheel drive versions have a multi-link at the back instead of a simple beam. All-wheel drive - with a clutch, the Seltos also has a clutch lock button that does not turn off at high speed, as well as an assistant for descending from the mountain.
The K2 platform common to Kia compacts makes the Seltos very similar to the Soul SUV, with the difference that when adapting the crossover, the suspension was softened, and this is a very good option for Russian roads. On the smooth Austrian roads, where the acquaintance with the new product took place, the chassis seemed quite European, but not at all squeezed. As soon as we drove off on a conditional off-road, it became clear that the energy intensity is generally in order, and the car goes almost imperceptibly with minor road flaws.
The two-liter engine did not please or disappoint - by its nature, such a Seltos is moderately dynamic and quite predictable in any modes. The main thing is that the CVT does not make the engine howl at high notes during acceleration and adequately simulates the shifting in the sport mode of the chassis.
The rear multi-link does not instill in the crossover the reference habits of the VW Golf, does not provoke a sharp ride, but the car always remains obedient. Where four-wheel drive is needed, the rear axle engages quickly, although the modest travels do not allow driving in very bad conditions. The ground clearance, depending on the diameter of the wheels, is 180-190 mm, so that for urban and suburban conditions, the capabilities of the car are enough.
Cars for the Russian market have been tested for four months at the Dmitrov test site by NAMI on tracks with different types of surfaces. During the tests, the crossover passed 50 thousand km, which is equivalent to about 150 thousand km under normal conditions. In addition, the vehicles were tested for corrosion resistance.
Already in the basic version, the Seltos is equipped with heated outside mirrors and glass washer nozzles. Starting from the second configuration, the car has heated front seats and steering wheel. The two older configurations also include heating for the rear sofa and windshield.
In the basic Classic set, the Seltos has hill start assist, tire pressure monitoring, audio system and air conditioning. The Comfort version additionally received cruise control and a Bluetooth module. The Luxe grade is equipped with a light sensor, rear parking sensors, climate control, a multimedia system with a rear view camera. The Style trim crossover features 18-inch wheels, gloss black grille inserts and silver moldings.
In the Prestige version, the driver has access to a decorative lighting system, Bose premium audio system, a navigation system with a large display, and a keyless entry system. The top-of-the-line Premium equipment additionally received a head-up display and radar cruise control. The set of electronic assistants includes an emergency braking function, a lane keeping system, a blind spot monitoring system, a high-beam assistant and a fatigue detection system.
The basic equipment with a 1,6 engine and "mechanics" is sold symbolically more than a million - for $ 14. The car is in the same Classic configuration, but with an automatic transmission and a system for selecting driving modes for $ 408. The most affordable all-wheel drive option costs $ 523, but this is at least the second Comfort trim level, but the "automatic" in this case will cost an extra $ 16.
The cost of two-liter cars with a CVT starts at $ 17. for the Luxe version, and the all-wheel drive version is already at least the Style package and the price tag from $ 682. Finally, the turbo version with the "robot" can only be all-wheel drive and is sold in the top-version Prestige and Premium for $ 19 and $ 254. respectively.
