By Staff Reporter

The Seltos will be Kia’s entry level SUV but will fight in a busy segment. The Seltos will go up against likes of Renault Duster, Nissan Qashqai, Ford Ecosport and VW T-Cross. Kia is not unfamiliar with intense competition with likes of Sportage having done well locally.

Kia says the Seltos offers distinctive exterior design details, such as its long hood, a strong, character line on the front bumper, and sharp lines pressed into the bodywork. It also sports a wide ‘tiger nose grille’. This makes the car instantly recognizable as a KIA, but with a difference, says Kia.

Seltos is equipped with intricate and sharply designed full LED headlights and taillights, LED daytime running lights and rear lamps, 3D multi-layer indicators and LED fog lights.

The Kia Seltos sits on a choice of 16-, 17- or 18-inch premium crystal cut alloy wheels.

Kia says the Seltos is aimed at youthful, tech-savvy buyers, and as such, the cabin is characterised by broad, sweeping shapes and highly technical details.  The bold design of the cabin incorporates, in some models, a 10,25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Sound Mood Lighting and an and 8,0-inch Head-Up Display system. Higher specification models are also available with a premium eight-speaker Bose audio system. The car’s 10,25-inch gives advanced split-screen functionality. This allows users to control or monitor numerous vehicle features at the same time, and customize the screen to display up to three applications simultaneously. The driver, therefore, can choose to have a single display (such as navigation) or combine different elements on-screen.

Powertrains – which include normally aspirated as well as turbocharged petrol engines, as well as turbocharged diesel options – are engineered with KIA’s Smartstream technology for improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions. Depending on the market, the Seltos will be offered with up to three automatic transmission options to suit their needs and driving style, including a seven speed dual clutch transmission (7DCT), a six-speed automatic transmission (6AT) and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) .

The Seltos is fitted with six airbags, as well as a suite of electronic vehicle safety systems. These include KIA’s Vehicle Stability Management system as standard, incorporating traction control and electronic stability control. Depending on model and market, the car is also fitted with an Anti-lock Braking System, a Traction Control System, a Brake-force Assist System and Hill-start Assist Control, as well as front and rear parking sensors.

The all-new KIA Seltos is expected to make its South African debut early in 2020.