The 2020 Kia Seltos is a new compact crossover and an attempt to break into the entry-level SUV market. Being a new model, its success is still pure speculation – though it did get off to a good start in India and South Korea where it launched early this year.

Kia Philippines currently has a limited line-up. But if you’re looking for an affordable all-around vehicle that doesn’t make too many sacrifices on design and specs, Seltos fits the bill. Here are all the details on the new Kia Seltos.

2020 Kia Seltos Exterior

Seltos has an elongated hood that tapers gently towards the front. It almost looks like the snout of a tiger, which wouldn’t be complete without Kia’s Tiger Nose. The design language was developed by former BMW executive Peter Schreyer. Like the kidney grill in BMW cars, its main purpose is to draw attention to the front.

True enough, Kia Seltos has an attractive front grill featuring a diamond-pattern lattice and top-and-bottom indents which can be spotted from afar. The ridged chrome on the grill aligns with the sleek wrap-around headlights to create a seamless “unibrow”.

Other exterior features on the compact crossover include:

• LED headlights and taillights
• LED daylight running lights and position lamps
• LED foglamps (only for the SX variant)
• Dual muffler design and dual exhaust pipes
• Down-sloping roof with roof rails
• 17-inch crystal-cut alloy wheels

Overall, the 2020 Seltos combines sleek curves with masculine elements for a more balanced look. It doesn’t come off too aggressive or too curvy, which its rivals are guilty of.

How does the new Kia Seltos measure up against competitors?

Kia Seltos shares the exact same platform as its sister vehicle, Hyundai Kona. This makes it one of the largest “compact” crossovers in the segment, beating the likes of Honda HR-V and Mazda CX-3. It is bested only by Ford EcoSport and Toyota Rush which are taller and offer the best ground clearance in the category.

Dimensions	Measurement
Length	4370 mm
Width	1800 mm
Height	1610 mm
Wheelbase	2630 mm
Ground Clearance	170 mm

With these in mind, Kia Seltos is a good choice if you want a subcompact SUV that doesn’t look quite as compact as its competitors. While not the best-in-range, it does have a decent ground clearance compared to Mazda CX-3 and Hyundai Kona.

2020 Kia Seltos Interior

As expected of a large vehicle, Kia Seltos has a spacious cabin. The five-seater has been designed in such a way that it provides more headroom, shoulder room, and legroom than Hyundai Kona and Honda HR-V.

The luggage space behind the rear seats is also sizeable. It can store up to 498 litres of cargo, which is the largest for its class. If you fold the rear seats and adjust the two-step floor, the cargo space can be further expanded.

 Other interior features on Kia Seltos include:

• Hatchback-like seats
• Bolstered seating upholstery
• Three-spoke multi-function steering wheel
• Analog instrument cluster
• 8-inch or 10.25-inch infotainment system
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support
• 6-speaker setup with Bose audio system
• 60:40-split rear seats with reclining backs
• Ambient lighting with “party mode”

What’s interesting is that Kia Seltos is the only vehicle in its segment that allows two separate devices to connect simultaneously via Bluetooth. If you opt for the range-topping SX variant, you’ll also get automatic climate control, smart entry, push start, and a heads-up display that shows trip information.

Unfortunately, there’s not much to talk about in terms of design. Seltos is ergonomic at best with accessible controls. But the hard plastics on the dashboard and door panels make it look cheap.

2020 Kia Seltos Performance

Kia Philippines doesn’t leave us much option here. Other markets are getting a 1.6-liter T-GDi engine with 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. It cranks out 177 hp and 265 Nm of torque, and can take you from 0 to 100 kmph within 8 seconds.

Locally, we’re stuck with a less powerful 2.0-liter gas mill. It will be mated to IVT, which is Kia’s version of continuous variable transmission.

Here is look at Kia Seltos specs -

Specifications	2020 Kia Seltos
Engine type	2.0L Atkinson four-cylinder naturally-aspirated engine
Fuel type	Gasoline
Maximum power output	149 hp at 6200 rpm
Peak torque	179 Nm at 4500 rpm
Transmission	Intelligent Variable Transmission
Drivetrain	Front-wheel drive
Front suspension	MacPherson struts
Rear suspension	Torsion beam

On the plus side, the subcompact SUV drives comfortably and confidently. Kia Seltos also has decent NVH levels and five driving modes – Smart, Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Custom.

2020 Kia Seltos Safety

All variants of Kia Seltos are built with advanced high-strength steel body for better impact resistance. However, if you want to get the best safety features, you’ll have to go higher up the range.

Here is a list of  Kia Seltos safety features on:

• Rear camera display
• Rear-view driving function
• Cruise control (EX and SX variants)
• Electronic stability control (SX only)
• Downhill brakes and hill-start assist control (SX only)
• Rear-parking distance warning (SX only)
• Front side and curtain airbags (SX only)

2020 Kia Seltos Price

Kia Seltos will be available in three variants in local markets – the base LX model, the mid-tier EX, and the range-topping SX. Below are their Kia Seltos prices :

Variant	Price
2020 Kia Seltos 2.0 LX	Php 1,098,000
2020 Kia Seltos 2.0 EX	Php 1,198,000
2020 Kia Seltos 2.0 SX	Php 1,498,000

What colors are available for the 2020 Kia Seltos?

Depending on the variant, you get to choose between monotone and two-tone body paint. Kia Seltos color options include Dark Ocean Blue, Gravity Grey, Iron Grey, Mars Orange, and Starbright Yellow. 

How does its price compare with other entry-level subcompact SUVs?

It’s not as affordable as Toyota Rush or Ford EcoSport which you can get for under P1-million. But it is cheaper than most of its rivals including Hyundai Kona, Mazda CX-3, and Honda HR-V whose starting prices range between P1.19M and P1.3M.

Verdict: Is Kia Seltos a good option?

The 2020 Kia Seltos is still in its first generation, yet it already has an impressive design that fools onlookers into thinking it’s a premium vehicle. The Japanese automaker also did well by equipping it with a few best-in-range features.

It’s not a perfect SUV, and falls behind in performance and interior design. But for its price point, it feels like you’re getting more than what you pay for, especially when you compare it with rivals.

Also read: New Kia Seltos - Top features