Kia Reveals Modestly Updated Seltos at LA Auto Show
Kia’s had a great run the past few years. The Telluride was a hit when it landed, and the new EV6 is selling out all over the place, and the automaker has established itself as a forward-looking company that has outgrown its budget-friendly beginnings. Kia took the opportunity to unveil a revised Seltos crossover and brag about its recent accomplishments at this year’s LA Auto Show.
The Seltos got a modest makeover for the 2024 model year, which includes a new X-Line trim and improvements to its drivetrain, tech, and safety equipment. Kia revised its front fascia with a larger “tiger nose” grille and a new bumper shape. The vehicle is available with LED projection headlights and a “Star Map” pattern lighting system for the grille “so passersby and drivers will recognize the Seltos from a distance.” But beyond options for people irrationally excited about buying a Seltos, the crossover’s new look isn’t a radical departure from previous model years.
The new X-Line trim brings more rugged styling but no changes to the Seltos’ performance. It gets exclusive 18-inch wheels, gloss-black exterior trim, a unique grille, and X-Line badging. All trims get new geometric wheel designs for 2024, and Kia offers three new colors: Pluton Blue, Fusion Black, and Valais Green.
The same 2.0-liter and turbocharged 1.6-liter powertrain options remain, but the turbo mill got a 20-horsepower bump for the model year, bringing output to 195 ponies. It’s paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base 2.0-liter comes with a CVT and makes 146 horsepower. Front-wheel drive is still standard, and Kia offers all-wheel drive.
Tech got a few modest improvements, including more USB ports and a power liftgate for the top SX trim. Kia also offers a new connected app suite that brings phone-as-a-key functionality and enables over-the-air updates for maps and infotainment features.
The Seltos also got three new ADAS features for 2024. Forward collision avoidance assist with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind spot collision warnings, and intelligent speed limit assist are now part of its safety equipment.
[Image © 2022 Tim Healey/TTAC]
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Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.
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Kia and Hyundai are really upping their game. I like their products but I don't like their reliability. Both need to concentrate on their quality especially when it comes to their engines. Good styling but unreliable powertrains.