- Kia hasn’t announced pricing for the 2023 Seltos. The 2023 edition starts at $22,840, plus $1,295 for delivery
- For 2024, the Seltos gets a power boost to its optional turbo engine and a makeover inside and out
The Kia Seltos was already one of the best subcompact SUVs on the market. It has been on the U.S. market two years and won our Subcompact SUV Best Buy Award twice.
But Kia has adopted a new design language and dramatically improved most of its interiors in that time. So Kia unveiled a refreshed Seltos at this week’s Los Angeles Auto Show.
Destined for the 2024 model year, it goes beyond the usual nip-and-tuck cars get midway through their production cycle. The Seltos benefits from a new look outside and a thoroughly updated cabin with new technology. A new X-Line trim brings rugged off-road looks, though no mechanical changes to back them up.
Two Engines, But You Want the Turbo
As before, the 2024 Seltos will be available with two engine choices. As before, most buyers will probably be happier with the turbocharged option.
The base engine is still a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder mill. It sends power through a continuously-variable transmission to either the front wheels or all four with the all-wheel-drive setup.
The available 1.6-liter turbocharged engine was already the better choice, and it has seen an upgrade for 2024. It now makes 195 horsepower. It sends power through a new 8-speed automatic transmission. We found the optional 7-speed model in the 2023 Seltos a bit clunky.
No one in the press has been behind the wheel yet, so we can’t promise the new gearbox is an improvement. But the fact that Kia found a reason to replace it suggests good news.
“Digital Tiger” Look Outside
The Seltos gets a makeover with Kia’s new “digital tiger” design language. Kia says its larger grille “emphasizes width and gives Seltos a stronger appearance,” and we wouldn’t dispute that. Optional “star map” lighting elements in the grille and available projector headlamps help it look more polished.
A new X-Line trim puts a gunmetal finish on that grille and adds a roof rack, gloss-black door “garnish,” and unique 18-inch wheels. Kia uses the “X-Line” name for off-road editions of larger SUVs like the Telluride, but there are no skid plates or trail tires for the Seltos X-Line. It’s just an appearance package.
Screen-Heavy (Optional) Cabin
Inside, the 2024 Seltos gets a big makeover. Sadly, it’s optional. You can still get the old look with a small 4.2-inch digital instrument display. But the optional package will wow more buyers.
Opt for it, and Kia’s signature twin screens – housed in a single bezel, so they look like one big curved screen – take over the driver’s instrument panel and infotainment screen duties. They look terrific and give the impression of a more expensive car. Each measures 10.25 inches diagonally.
The rest of the cabin is unremarkable but tastefully assembled. A new digital key lets you ditch your physical key and use your smartphone to lock, unlock, and start the car.
The subcompact SUV competition is heating up, with a new Honda HR-V threatening the Seltos’ title in 2023. But even if Kia’s smallest crossover gets knocked off the throne in 2023, the 2024 upgrades may mean it comes roaring back quickly.
