The only constant in life is change, unless you’re talking about the Kia Seltos.
Carried into the 2025 model year unaltered, the Seltos is still a highly functional and satisfying small SUV, although the shine has started to wear off for buyers.
A total of 6395 examples were sold this year to the end of September, a 22.4 per cent drop on sales for the first three quarters of 2023.
Perhaps that’s due to the emergence of new competitors in the small SUV space, or maybe it’s the entry price that makes less sense than the $25,000 drive-away sticker for which you could snap up a base Seltos back in 2019.
WATCH: Watch Paul’s review of the the 2023 Kia Seltos GT-Line 1.6T AWD
Regardless, the Seltos has lost some fans.
If you’re starting to doubt the relevance of the Seltos in 2024, don’t click off this page just yet. The entry-level Seltos S still offers plenty of value at $32,090 drive-away, and a charmingly simple experience behind the wheel.
How does the Kia Seltos compare?
View a detailed breakdown of the Kia Seltos against similarly sized vehicles.
Kia
Seltos
Kia Australia has bumped up Seltos prices marginally for the 2025 model year.
There’s a $70 increase for two-wheel drive variants, rising to $90 for all-wheel drive versions, but no change to the drive-away pricing available nationwide.
| Model | Price excluding on-road costs | Drive-away pricing |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Kia Seltos S 2.0 FWD | $29,850 | $32,090 |
| 2025 Kia Seltos Sport 2.0 FWD | $33,050 | $35,790 |
| 2025 Kia Seltos Sport+ 2.0 FWD | $36,150 | $38,890 |
| 2025 Kia Seltos Sport+ 1.6T AWD | $39,670 | $42,390 |
| 2025 Kia Seltos GT-Line 2.0 FWD | $41,850 | $44,990 |
| 2025 Kia Seltos GT-Line 1.6T AWD | $45,270 | $48,090 |
To see how the Seltos lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool.
There’s no hiding that this is a bottom-spec mainstream SUV, but many buyers in this segment will happily take function over form.
In fact, the only real attempt that Kia has made at bold design in this interior ultimately falls flat. Yes, I’m talking about those speaker surrounds.
I get that Kia’s current design language is all about straight lines and sharp edges, but it doesn’t work here. Instead, the black plastic covers look like they’ve been shaped by a sledgehammer. No thanks.
Beyond that, the interior of the Seltos S is a plain mix of hard, dark plastic surfaces, aside from the light-coloured headliner.
The common touch points don’t get any special treatment – the steering wheel is trimmed in firm urethane, and there’s a distinct lack of padding for elbows.
On the bright side, the interior will likely last the test of time better than cars packed with less resilient materials.
The Seltos is honest, in terms of both its budget intent and age. To fire up the 2.0-litre engine you turn a key, and shifting the transmission involves pulling an old-school gear selector and dropping a physical handbrake lever.
That’s not to mention the rotary air-conditioning controls.
In keeping with the theme, this bare-bones S features cloth-trimmed seats with manual adjustment. The base cushion is a little firm for my liking, but sculpted side bolsters do a good job of holding you steady through corners.
While the cabin of the entry-level Seltos is very yesterday in many ways, the interior tech is far more 2024.
The S gets an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen and 4.2-inch digital instrument cluster, both incorporated into the same wraparound panel.
Neither will win design awards, but the advantages of simplicity shine through here. The infotainment system is responsive to touch inputs (if a little hard difficult to reach), quick to load, and easy to navigate with few excess features, while the instrument display presents the essential information (speed, rpm, lane position) in a clear manner.
Wireless smartphone mirroring is standard across the range, and there are three connection points (USB-A, USB-C and 12V) located under the centre stack.
Storage options include narrow door bins, dual centre phone trays, a stock-standard glovebox, and a centre armrest cubby. Overall, there are plenty of storage compartments for a car of this size.
The practical second row is a highlight of this affordable family SUV. Tall adults will struggle for leg room, but otherwise both outboard seats boast plenty of head room and toe room.
You sit quite upright, which is an observation more than a complaint.
Ingress and egress is made easier by the wide-opening rear doors, which afford more room to load children and items into the back. Two ISOFIX child seat anchor points and a trio of top-tether points boost the family-friendly credentials of the Seltos.
Older rear occupants will appreciate the pair of USB-C outlets below the air vents, of which there are two.
There’s also a small storage tray, although the Seltos lacks map pockets or a rear centre armrest. Drink bottle holders are integrated into the doors.
Kia quotes a best-in-class boot capacity of 468L – a massive drawcard for family buyers. Not only is the boot huge, but it’s easily accessible via a large square aperture, with no pronounced loading lip.
If you ever need more space, the rear bench folds just about flat with a slight incline, unlocking extra capacity. A space-saver spare wheel can be found under the boot floor.
| Dimensions | Kia Seltos S |
|---|---|
| Length | 4385mm |
| Width | 1800mm |
| Height | 1630mm |
| Wheelbase | 2630mm |
| Cargo capacity | 468L |
To see how the Seltos lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool.
The Seltos still offers the choice of two petrol engines. On test here is the 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder, paired with a CVT auto and front-wheel drive.
| Specifications | Kia Seltos S |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0-litre 4cyl |
| Power | 110kW |
| Torque | 180Nm |
| Transmission | CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) |
| Driven wheels | Front-wheel drive |
| Fuel economy (claimed) | 6.9L/100km |
| Fuel economy (as tested) | 8.0L/100km |
| Fuel tank capacity | 50L |
| Fuel requirement | 91 RON |
| CO2 emissions | 157g/km |
| Emissions standard | Euro 5 |
| Braked tow capacity | 1100kg |
To see how the Seltos lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool.
The Seltos is a very self-assured SUV on the road, with consistent driving dynamics and a user-friendly powertrain.
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Sport 2.0 shown
It may be the base engine, but the 2.0-litre non-turbo four-cylinder doesn’t feel like it’s lacking in any way, with enough poke to hold its own in regular driving.
In the city the Seltos is responsive to throttle inputs, pulling away cleanly without making a racket. Engine noise can be an issue in cheaper, less insulated vehicles, but that’s not the case here.
Even the base Seltos S is quiet and smooth, with an effective CVT transmission that feels far closer to a traditional automatic than other examples that slur and jerk.
Well-weighted and accurate steering complements the predictable powertrain – you point the steering wheel, and that’s where the car goes. No vagueness or hairy moments where you turn the wheel and nothing happens.
This package will be particularly appealing to previous Kia owners, as the elements are all familiar. This being my first drive of a Seltos, I liken it to a Cerato on stilts, which is a good thing.
In the city, Kia’s second smallest SUV feels just that, compact and manoeuvrable. Visibility is good, front and back, and you’ll comfortably fit down any tight laneway.
If you manage to get yourself into a real pickle, the Seltos also has a tight turning circle.
All the above elements contribute to the Seltos’ excellent parking manners – it fits in tight spaces, and has a high-resolution reversing camera with lines to show your trajectory.
None of these benefits come at the expense of cabin space, as the Seltos will transport four adults in comfort.
It rides well, too, with a compliant suspension tune that smooths out regular lumps and bumps in the road with ease. Deep potholes and speed humps do cause the car to bounce a little, but the Seltos rides impressively for its size.
It’s not all good, however. Kia still has plenty of work to do on the Seltos’ active safety systems, which spoil the driving experience to a degree.
The speed limit warning system is straight up infuriating. Every time you exceed the posted limit by the barest margin, there’s a beep to pull you back into line. Rinse and repeat, over and over, every day.
What’s more, the Seltos is easily confused by temporary speed limits, ordering you to drive at school drop-off speed (40km/h) outside the designated hours. This isn’t a Kia-specific issue, but there’s no point having traffic sign recognition systems if they can’t read the signs correctly.
Driver assist technology is also the focus of my Seltos criticisms on the highway.
The base Seltos S isn’t equipped with adaptive cruise control, a feature that’s quickly becoming a must-have. As a result, congested highway runs require you to brake when cruising behind a slower travelling car, interrupting the relaxation and reminding you of simpler days.
Overtaking requires some effort too, as the 110kW/180Nm engine starts to run out of puff at triple-figure speeds.
When the traffic eventually thins out, the Seltos is a pleasant long-distance tourer, even in base specification. Although adaptive cruise is absent, steering is taken care of by intuitive lane centring.
Road and wind noise are kept to a minimum, and the engine is muted once settled.
In terms of efficiency, the Seltos S managed 8.0L/100km in mixed driving conditions, which is hardly class-leading but down on Kia’s claim.
The Seltos is available in four different trim levels, of which our test car is the base grade.
2025 Kia Seltos S highlights:
- 16-inch alloy wheels
- Spare-saver spare wheel
- Automatic halogen headlights
- Automatic high-beam
- Halogen daytime running lights
- Rear fog light
- Matte black grille mesh
- Body-coloured door handles
- Body-coloured, power-folding side mirrors
- Roof rails
- Rear spoiler
- Shark fin antenna
- 4.2-inch instrument cluster screen
- 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Six-speaker sound system
- 12V power outlet in front console
- USB-A and USB-C outlet in front console
- Two USB-C outlets behind centre console
- Manual air-conditioning
- Second-row air vents
- Manual handbrake
- Folding key
- Cloth upholstery
- Six-way manually adjustable driver’s seat
To see how the Seltos lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool.
The Kia Seltos was assessed by ANCAP in 2019 and received a five-star safety rating.
| Category | Kia Seltos |
|---|---|
| Adult occupant protection | 85 per cent (32.3 out of 38) |
| Child occupant protection | 83 per cent (40.67 out of 49) |
| Vulnerable road user protection | 61 per cent (32.94 out of 54) |
| Safety assist | 70 per cent (11.2 out of 16) |
Standard safety equipment includes:
- Front, front-side and curtain airbags
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Vehicle detection
- Pedestrian detection
- Blind-spot assist
- Rear cross-traffic assist
- Safe Exit Warning
- Intelligent Speed Limit Assist
- Lane-keep assist
- Lane Following Assist (lane centring)
- Driver Attention Alert
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Rear-view camera
- Tyre-pressure monitoring system
Sport+ and GT-Line models receive AEB with cyclist avoidance and junction turning assist, as well as adaptive cruise control and lead-vehicle departure alert.
The 2025 Kia Seltos is covered by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, with seven years of capped price servicing and up to eight years of roadside assistance if you service the car at an authorised Kia dealer.
Service pricing differs between variants with the 2.0-litre engine and 1.6-litre turbocharged engine. The information below relates to the 2.0L Seltos.
| Running costs | Kia Seltos S |
|---|---|
| Warranty | 7 years, unlimited kilometres |
| Roadside assistance | Up to 8 years |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000km |
| Capped-price servicing | 7 years |
| Total capped-price service cost | $3061 |
To see how the Seltos lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool.
Want a simple, practical and affordable SUV with no frills? You could do a lot worse than a Kia Seltos S.
It’s easy to drive, has heaps of space, and comes with the benefit of a familiar badge.
But don’t expect an overload of showroom appeal, tech gimmicks or funky interior materials. In fact, don’t expect many luxuries at all, really.
If it’s a modern small SUV experience you’re after, the new Chery Tiggo 4 Pro is packed with premium features at a much lower price point. However, we can’t yet attest to how well that car drives.
Likewise, the Haval Jolion Lux promises more on paper, but the Kia has far better road manners.
We’d recommend the Seltos S over the GWM, and similarly priced rivals from established brands such as the Mazda CX-3 and Mitsubishi ASX.
That said, we strongly advocate for potential buyers to stretch their budget to the Seltos Sport, which adds heaps of useful kit including upgraded interior tech, improved materials and climate control for a $3700 premium.
Interested in buying a Kia Seltos? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
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