Kia Seltos: The Small SUV Taking the U.S. by Storm!

The Kia Seltos has become the best-selling model among domestic compact SUVs.

Although it is a compact SUV, its practical space design and stable driving performance make it a popular choice for young professionals purchasing their first car.

Many people choose it for its ease of maintenance and repair.

When I bought my first car, I had the vague notion that I had to choose a Hyundai or Kia model,

and the advantages of easier maintenance and repair significantly influenced my decision.

The 2024 Seltos is gaining attention for its excellent value,

and it outperforms its competitors in terms of price-to-performance ratio among compact SUVs.

While competing brands focus on enhancing space satisfaction,

the Seltos, equipped with a powerful 1.6-liter gasoline turbo and a 2.0-liter gasoline engine,

receives lower ratings in driving satisfaction compared to its rivals.

I know three Seltos owners who all express their satisfaction with the vehicle.

When I compile the owners' feedback, I find that this performance-oriented compact SUV, priced around 20 million KRW (approximately 15,000 USD), offers a comfortable second-row ride that family and friends appreciate,

and its design reflects sophistication and modern trends rather than just cuteness.

Overall, the feedback has been quite positive.

When I asked owners about any complaints, most mentioned that the price and fuel efficiency fall short compared to competing models.

The Niro hybrid shows fuel efficiency exceeding 20 km/L (approximately 47 mpg), but many hesitate to choose the 2.0-liter gasoline and 1.6-liter gasoline turbo engines due to fuel economy concerns.

It seems many are eagerly awaiting the addition of a hybrid engine.

Once they address fuel efficiency, it will likely be just a matter of time before they dominate the compact SUV market.

Kia's Niro offers HEV and EV options, while Hyundai's Kona showcases its EV model, leading in the fuel efficiency (electric efficiency) competition.

I hope the Seltos can provide customers with diverse options through additional powertrain offerings.

In the first eight months of 2024, the Seltos recorded sales of 35,226 units, securing the top spot in the domestic compact SUV segment.

The average monthly sales of around 4,400 units suggest that surpassing 50,000 units annually is possible, but a decrease in waiting stock clouds the sales outlook for the fourth quarter.

The delivery time for the Seltos is three months for the 1.6-liter gasoline turbo and 1.5 months for the 2.0-liter gasoline model.

As the automotive market experiences a slowdown due to economic recession and high interest rates,

people are keen to see how Kia will manage inventory in the fourth quarter.

Kia is implementing various policies such as cash discounts, Save Auto, showroom vehicle discounts, and special support for flood-damaged vehicles,but it remains uncertain whether these measures will effectively boost sales.

Despite these challenges, the Seltos firmly holds its position as the top-selling compact SUV thanks to its outstanding value,

and I often receive inquiries about it from my acquaintances.

In September, one of my friends is set to receive their vehicle, and I will share their feedback once I have it.

Let's also share the specifications of the 2024 Seltos.

Length: 173.6 inches

Width: 70.9 inches

Height: 63.8 inches

Wheelbase: 103.5 inches

Tread Front: 61.4 inches

Tread Rear: 62.0 inches

The driving performance of the 1.6-liter gasoline turbo model generally receives high satisfaction ratings, but in terms of fuel efficiency, the 2.0-liter gasoline model shows slightly better numbers.

1.6-liter gasoline turbo

2.0-liter gasoline

Displacement (cc)

1,598

Max Power (ps / rpm)

198 / 6,000

Max Torque (kg·m / rpm)

27.0 / 1,600 ~ 4,500

18.3 / 4,500

Combined Fuel Efficiency (km/L)

10.8

11.3

Highway Fuel Efficiency (km/L)

9.8

10.4

City Fuel Efficiency (km/L)

12.2

12.6

Curb Weight (kg)

1,490

1,450

so it would be beneficial to test drive them and assess your own driving satisfaction. so it’s advisable to take advantage of these options. 2.0-liter gasoline (Unit: 10,000 KRW)

Kia operates driving centers nationwide, and dealerships also provide test drive vehicles, offering many opportunities for direct experience,
The price of the Seltos varies significantly depending on the powertrain and trim.	1.6-liter gasoline turbo (Unit: 10,000 KRW)	2WD
4WD	Trendy	218.6
236.4	Prestige	251.2
269.0	Signature	268.5
286.3	Gravity	272.5
290.3
Personally, I recommend choosing between the Signature and Gravity models for a high level of driving comfort, but if you are focused on price, opting for the Trendy model is also a good idea.

2WD

4WD

Trendy

208.7

226.5

241.3

259.1 1.6-liter gasoline turbo Gravity 4WD Discount bond: 160,000 KRW (approximately 120 USD) 2.0-liter gasoline Gravity 4WD

Signature	258.6	276.4
Gravity	262.6	280.4
	If you prioritize spacious interiors among compact SUVs, the Seltos offers a distinct advantage, and customers can choose the trim and drivetrain that best meet their needs.	The owners I mentioned earlier have chosen different trims, and their high satisfaction ratings suggest they made choices that truly reflect their needs.
		I conducted a mock estimate for the most expensive model, the Gravity 4WD, based on the powertrain.
Vehicle price: 29,030,000 KRW (approximately 21,500 USD) Acquisition tax: 1,850,000 KRW (approximately 1,400 USD)	=> Estimated actual purchase price: 31,040,000 KRW (approximately 23,200 USD)

Vehicle price: 28,040,000 KRW (approximately 20,900 USD)

Acquisition tax: 1,780,000 KRW (approximately 1,340 USD)

Discount bond: 160,000 KRW (approximately 120 USD)

=> Estimated actual purchase price: 29,980,000 KRW (approximately 22,500 USD)

Comparing the two powertrains, the 1.6-liter gasoline turbo model is priced approximately 1,000,000 KRW (around 750 USD) higher than the 2.0-liter gasoline model for the same drivetrain and trim.

Additionally, through consultations with credit specialists, they assist in obtaining vehicles at relatively lower interest rates, Receiving estimates will not expose personal information or negatively affect credit scores, The Seltos requires a three-month wait for delivery based on the 1.6-liter gasoline turbo model,

The trunk space is quite generous, making it a recommended compact SUV for golf enthusiasts or those who enjoy camping, leisure activities, or fishing. If you plan to use it primarily for camping, the Kia Ray, with its boxy style and height of 66.9 inches, may be more advantageous,	but considering the differences in length and wheelbase, the Seltos offers one of the most satisfying spaces among compact SUVs.
The 2024 Seltos can be purchased for just over 20 million KRW (approximately 15,000 USD) to just over 30 million KRW (approximately 22,500 USD).	However, this might be a significant financial burden for young professionals with limited budgets.	For those individuals, I recommend the KS Autoplan's long-term rental and leasing options, which allow vehicle use without upfront costs.
	KS Autoplan is a specialized agency for long-term rentals that collaborates with all major capital companies,	and it provides the lowest price estimates tailored to customers' situations and conditions, allowing for affordable use of the Seltos.
		so those who feel their credit scores are low should consider consulting directly before making a decision.
so there’s no need to worry; just request an estimate and decide whether to proceed.

but KS Autoplan has already secured stock for popular models that can be delivered immediately.

Thanks to this, delivery within a week after matching stock is possible,

so those who need a vehicle quickly should check the availability and make a decision.

Consultations can be easily requested through the website,

and you can choose your preferred method of communication, whether it be text, KakaoTalk, or phone,

to receive delivery dates and the lowest price estimates.

As KS Autoplan sets the standard for long-term rentals in South Korea,

even if you have received estimates from other companies, since purchasing a high-priced vehicle is a significant decision,

it would be wise to compare estimates to make a regret-free decision.

This post has been supported by KS for content creation.