2021 Kia Seltos
- Kia’s newest SUV provides versatility, value, and modern tech
- Class-leading cargo space and legroom
- A wide array of safety and tech offered at the base price
- Pricing starts at $21,990 (plus $1,120 destination) | Price yours
- On sale now | See Autotrader listings right here on KBB.com
When it comes to offering substance, space, and style, the 2021 Kia Seltos is the complete package. It has won KBB’s 2021 Best Buy Award in the subcompact SUV segment – a category that’s growing like wildfire – because of its excellent interior packaging, smart combination of practical and upscale interior amenities, and wide array of advanced safety features. That it does all of this with a starting price that’s around $23,000 makes the Seltos an undeniably good value. Those characteristics impressed us so much that we also selected it as this year’s Best New Model in our KBB Best Buy Award program.
As we saw last year with the Kia Telluride – the 2020 Best Buy Awards Best New Model – when it comes to entering a popular segment, Kia does its homework. In the case of the Seltos, that meant ensuring there is enough space in the front and rear rows for all passengers. The company also placed a high priority on easy-to-use connectivity and tech. An 8-inch touchscreen and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity come standard on the Seltos. Also standard is Bluetooth technology that allows you to connect two devices at the same time.
Inner space
It may sound strange to describe a subcompact SUV as roomy, but it’s appropriate here. The Seltos has front seats that are comfortable and there’s plenty of head- and legroom, but the real shocker is the space in the second row. Not only is rear-seat legroom the best in its class, but its 38 inches of room is comparable to what you would find in a full-size sedan. And, everyone sitting in back of the Seltos has reclining seats.
Not only that, the extra interior space does not come at the expense of this Kia’s cargo volume. It has best-in-class space for cargo behind the second row; fold down those seats and the cargo volume swells to 62.8 cu ft., also best in class.
Affordable safety
Even the lowest-priced version – the Seltos S – comes standard with safety features such as lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, forward collision-avoidance assist with pedestrian detection, and automatic high beams. This is in addition to standard front airbags, seat-mounted side airbags, full-length side-curtain airbags, hill-start assist, downhill brake control, rear occupant alert, and tire-pressure monitoring.
All-wheel drive (AWD) is standard on the LX, and AWD models come with a lock mode for added traction. Seltos SUVs that come with AWD – standard on every trim level but the S – also come with independent rear suspension for better ride and handling. Stepping up to higher trim levels adds adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, and safe-exit assist. You can also get highway-driving assist. That semi-autonomous system controls steering, acceleration, and braking based on the vehicle’s cruise control settings.
Standout value
Kia’s pricing of the Seltos gives buyers a choice of trim levels at the same base price. Both the LX and the S start at $23,100. If you want standard AWD, look to the LX. However, if you opt for the S, you benefit from the aforementioned roster of safety features. For a mere $1,500 more, you also get AWD. Even if you wanted to go all out, choosing the Seltos SX with its turbocharged engine and AWD and adding a sunroof and two-tone roof, pricing is still a reasonable $30,000.
But the Kia Seltos isn’t just a vehicle that checks all the right boxes. It’s how Kia integrated these elements into a subcompact SUV that’s versatile, easy to use, and comfortable that makes it such a great choice. The Seltos is one of the best-looking subcompact SUVs on the market. The spacious interior is loaded with features that are intuitive to use. You can get the Seltos at the lowest price with plenty of impressive advanced safety features, with even more available. Not to be forgotten, it’s also backed by one of the best warranties in the business. It’s for all of these reasons that we chose the Kia Seltos as the Kelley Blue Book Best New Model for 2021.
Photo Tour: 2021 Kia Seltos
More 2021 Kia Seltos
Build and price your own 2021 Kia Seltos to see this week’s Fair Purchase Price, 5-Year Cost to Own, and more, or see Autotrader listings right here on KBB.com.
