Kia Seltos: 5 Things You Should Now

Expect Kia to start accepting pre-launch bookings for the Seltos from mid-July onwards

Kia has taken the wraps off the Seltos ahead of its launch later this year. Here are the five things you need to know about the upcoming compact SUV.

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Kia’s first car for India: The Seltos marks Kia’s entry into the Indian four-wheeler market. The South Korean carmaker will become the second new brand to enter India this year after MG Motor, which is set to launch its SUV, the Hector, on 27 June 2019. Kia plans to set up 265 touchpoints in 160 cities at launch. This number is expected to go up to 300 by 2020 and to 350 in 2021.

It will be the most powerful compact SUV: The top-spec GT-line variant of the Seltos will be powered by a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a power output of more than 140PS, making it the most powerful compact SUV in India. This engine will come mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. Besides this, the compact SUV will also be available with a pair of 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines.

Kia Seltos Power Figures Revealed, Will Be Most Powerful Offering In Its Segment

Multiple auto transmission options: The Seltos will be available with as many as three automatic transmission options: a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT), a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and a 6-speed torque convertor. While the DCT will only be offered with the turbocharged petrol engine, the 1.5-litre petrol engine will be available with the CVT. The 1.5-litre diesel engine will come paired to the 6-speed torque converter. The Seltos’ 1.5-litre petrol and diesel variants will also be offered with a 6-speed manual transmission for those who prefer shifting gears themselves.

Features: Like the recently launched Hyundai Venue, the Kia Seltos will also feature connected car technology, which the company calls the ‘UVO Connect’. It offers 37 features classified into five categories: Navigation, Safety and Security, Vehicle Management, Remote Control and Convenience. The software will be free for the first three years.

Other prominent features that will be offered with the Seltos include LED headlamps, LED fog lamps, LED tail lamps, a 360-degree camera, a 10.25-inch touchscreen instrument cluster with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 7-inch MID, ambient lighting, built-in air purifier with live monitoring and an 8-speaker Bose sound system. In terms of safety features, it will come equipped with up to six airbags, ABS with EBD, brake assist, ESC (electronic stability control), HAC (hill assist control) and VSM (vehicle stability management) on the top-spec variant.

Launch and expected price: The Kia Seltos is expected to launch in August 2019. It is expected to be priced from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 16 lakh (ex-showroom). Kia is likely to begin accepting pre-launch bookings from July 2019 onwards. When launched, the Seltos will take on the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Maruti Suzuki S-Cross, Nissan Kicks as well as the Renault Duster and Captur. The top-spec variants of the Kia Seltos will be priced on par with the Tata Harrier and the MG Hector, which is also expected to bear a competitive price tag.

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