In 2024, subcompact SUVs hold a very important place in consumers' minds because they have increased in size, and the need for vehicles for transporting people overall has decreased. As more consumers realize that a large vehicle with features such as large rear seats and a third row is not as important as everyday driving, interest in subcompact cars has grown.
Honda leads in the subcompact SUV category with its popular HR-V, but after its latest redesign resembling a turtle shell, consumers are turning their attention to other models. Kia is entering the market with the updated 2024 Seltos SX Turbo AWD. With a starting price of less than $30,000, the Seltos boasts enormous potential for a wide range of consumers. Although the HR-V and Hyundai's Kona have traditionally led this category, Mazda CX-30 and Kia Seltos undoubtedly generate excitement, and there are solid reasons for that. Our test vehicle, wrapped in Pluton Blue, was, believe us, a real spectacle.
The Seltos is equipped with Kia’s popular 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 195 lb-ft of torque, producing 195 horsepower, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Our Seltos was all-wheel drive, making it much better in icy or snow-covered conditions.
Most manufacturers have gained popularity and made profits in this category by offering simpler options, basic interiors, and an overall focus on vehicles as transportation means, all at the price of a base model. Kia, offering the best warranty in the business, took another step forward by abandoning the CVT! Honda and other companies have always used CVT because it is inexpensive to produce. However, consumers had to tolerate the noise created by the transmission. For Kia, those days are over. It returned to fundamentals with an eight-speed transmission, making the Seltos a complete win for everyone.
2024 Kia Seltos SX Turbo AWD
MSRP: $29,990
MPG: 25 city / 27 highway / 26.1 tested
Price: $31,855
