Kia Seltos 2020 review - practical small SUV

The Kia Seltos has quickly become a really popular small SUV thanks to its slightly larger dimensions, generous interior space and futuristic, handsome styling. But is the Seltos the crossover to pick compared to a Mazda CX-30 or Toyota C-HR? Is the Seltos comfortable? And which Seltos engine is right? In In this video, Tom gives a detailed review of the 2020 Kia Seltos 1.6 Turbo in Sydney.
What do you think of the new Kia Seltos? Do you like the styling? Do you think there is decent value for money here? Would you prefer a rival crossover? Let me know all your thoughts in the comments.
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Covers the exterior, interior, and engine of the Kia Seltos 2020 / 2021 Kia Seltos in AWD 1.6 Turbo form.
READ our detailed Australian coverage of the 2020 Kia range here: chasingcars.com.au

[@ComedicInc]

Glad to be early to my favorite KZbinr and favourite car to watch!

[@chasingcars]

Thanks so much! Hope you enjoyed the video!

[@johnduffy500i]

Maybe this has been said before, but does anyone else think Tom is one of the hardest working motoring journalists on KZbin. I’ve never know a channel put out so many videos with the same presenter. Keep up the good work Tom & the Cars Guide team 👏🏻 👍🏼 👏🏻

[@iDreamDance]

I test drove a GT-Line version of the Seltos before settling on my Cerato GT. Heaps of standard gear for the price! Awesome video as always Tom :)

[@chasingcars]

The Cerato GT is fun to drive - we'll have a review on the sedan version of that car soon. Thanks for watching Adam!

[@iDreamDance]

@@sjwright2 yes, if only they could have thrown in adaptive dampers! I'd sacrifice the wireless charging for that 🤣

[@MrBenHaynes]

@@sjwright2 I bought the Cerato Sport+ (didn't want the DCT of the GT) which rides on 17's. After 5000km, I picked up a set of 16" alloys (with new tyres) for $400 from an auto dismantler. The 16" alloys are 3kg lighter per corner, ride softer AND uses less fuel (205 width compared to the 225's on the 17" alloys). Buy a Cerato GT and spec it with 205/55R16 94W Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres (same as the OE spec 18's)

[@iDreamDance]

@@MrBenHaynes yes I'd get smaller wheels but then I also love the look of the 18s! Apparently you can swap the springs out for softer ones but for now I'll just cope ☺️ enjoy your Cerato too, the Sport+ is awesome!

[@michaelgoh5830]

As always, very comprehensive review. Thanks Tom. Would love to watch your review on the 2020 Audi Q3 40 Quattro TFSI, if you have plan to do one.

[@MattFysh]

Thanks for the review Tom! Bought a GT-Line a month back and was looking forward to hearing your thoughts - but I gotta say, I assumed you would be a LOT more excited about this car. It test drove just as good as the latest Q3 and T-Cross (if not better), it's tough to see you're perhaps rather underwhelmed by it. You've vindicate me on engine noise though, I honestly thought there was something wrong and had taken it back to the dealer to be looked at. Quite glad to hear that's just it's normal operating sound, and I've noticed lately a few Hyundai with that same audio property which is not surprising, I believe they do share engine design? Overall - I love my GT, (never thought I'd say that about a car). Glad I hadn't seen this review before purchasing otherwise I might have thought twice!

[@ashalim79]

do you get annoyed with the beeps from all the sensors? Some other reviewers thought the sensors sometimes get annoying.

[@dmatsynin]

Great review as always! Just a few things - would be great to get a bit more feel for how it drives with a 2.0 liter unit given it’s just more popular option. 1.6 can only be pared with All Wheel Drive and the FWD model has a torsion beam, while AWS has multilink rear suspension. Oh and also - based on what people say on forums, you just cannot negotiate on price - it’s a popular car and the waiting list stretches way into second half of 2020. Cheers.

[@pasimmonds1]

Agree with the negotiation. None. Sales manager spend 1/2 explaining why he wasn't going to come down. Went to a car broker and did OKish without the constant phone calls and haggling. The dealers have about $4000 in preparation to play with so its how much they wish to come to the party. Scarce as.. we have 3 weeks of a 3 month wait left.

[@mgrant011]

We took both Engines for a spin and really preferred a 2 L petrol over 1.6 1.6 didn’t seem to have to get up and go that we were looking for as well as the Jewel clutch. Which my wife didn’t really like.

[@dalestarick]

Saw my first one in the wild yesterday, a blue Gt line. Quite a looker.

[@chasingcars]

The GT-Line does look the business with the proper LED headlights.

[@leonted4290]

Fantastic review as always and congrats on getting beyond 50k subs 💪🏾

[@chasingcars]

Thanks, Leon! Happy to pass 50K, onward to 100K now…

[@JonoPich]

Nice review. What mileage are you getting out of a tank?

[@DomsE36Garage]

I've got the Sports + 1.6L turbo and have now put 1000km's on it. Thoroughly impressed with the little Kia and honestly never would've considered a Kia before the Seltos was released (and 7 year warranty was a big selling point). I've got two kids seats (infant and toddler) in the rear and can fit a small adult in between the two kids seats. Throw it in sports mode and it goes seriously well, it would walk away from my stock E36 325i 141kw 6cyl in a drag race from a stand still. Great review, and top videography.

[@chasingcars]

Glad you’re enjoying the car! Agree, the warranty is a huge benefit.

[@meownmazda1]

Have you driven the 2L engine Tom? I would like a review of a model with that engine too

[@DOUGALUS]

My lovely bought the base spec Sport moving up from an ancient CRV. She loves it and never stops extolling its features. I think it is one of the best looking SUVs' available. The interior presentation is first class far nicer than its Hyundai cousin or other brands for that matter. It is not a rocket ship but that is not a problem because it performs exactly for her needs. Exterior looks good and I like the textured trim around the grille and generally it looks good overall. Vision is good good from the cabin rivalling that of the CRV. A couple of niggles however - no cargo hatch cover or the option two fit one on the lowest spec model. The other gripe is the shittiest looking wheel covers / hub caps fitted to the steelies. Looks like a trip to Super Cheap Autos to dress it up. A friend of hers loved it saying here X3 is too high to climb into comfortably and loved the Kia's ease of entry!

[@rahul20061982]

Hey Tom i really need your help. I just ordered seltos sports plus 2wd . Just worried about the fact that it doesn't have rear vents. Is the air con that bad. I live in Melbourne and have a 2 year old for the rear seats. Thanks

[@MLife1972]

I had been looking forward to this review. Thanks. I prefer the boxy look of SUVs, such as the Seltos, Rav4 and XC40. One thing that frustrated me was that the cheaper Seltos models had a more utilitarian matte plastic on the console, compared to the glossy piano-black on the turbo cars. The glossy black plastic had already scuffed up in the showroom models. Especially in a 'rugged' SUV, piano black is just ridiculous.

[@chasingcars]

Yeah, down with piano black! Metal (or metal effect, if cost requires it) is much nicer.

[@jaggu6210]

Hey Tom, I am willing to by Seltos S with Safety Pack, Just want your guidance on if I should buy or not?

[@d.j.z.j]

Tom, is this better value then the t roc or t cross

[@MrBenHaynes]

Thanks for the review Tom! Whilst it's a nice car, the Seltos Sport+ is around $6.5K more than Kia's own Cerato Sport+ (like for like drivetrains, plenty of deals to be had on Cerato but not one on a Seltos) AND has FAR less kit! (Cloth seats, no seat heaters, non-adjustable console armrest, no face level air vents in the rear, .......) Unless you MUST have the Seltos (and let's be honest, what can a front wheel drive Seltos do that a Cerato can't?), the Cerato is King. Death to the "SUV tax"....

[@grantjenner8988]

As usual 9 out of 10 reviews are near the top of the range.

[@smule27]

Nice review, Hope you can do the new defender soon too

[@chasingcars]

I've put a request in for when the Defender lands here in Australia!

[@bigchief2331]

@@chasingcars This new Defender looks so amazing, but is so unaffordable for the average person. Would definitely be keen to see a review though.

[@Joobkl]

Cool car. Just got Job with Kia. This and the new Sorrento should do well

[@chasingcars]

Looking forward to driving the new Sorento.

[@thapelomalimela652]

In my country we get rear air vents and usb charging port in the rear as standard throughout the range. Leather flat bottom steering wheel aswell.

[@chasingcars]

What country is that?

[@thapelomalimela652]

@@chasingcars South Africa

[@chasingcars]

Interesting! No air vents is silly here in hot Australia…

[@thapelomalimela652]

@@chasingcars Thank you for your great reviews, keep up the great work.

[@chasingcars]

Will do.

[@indetailcarcaresolutions3770]

Nice work again Tom. Confirmed a lot of what I found out before we bought our CX-3. I wanted slightly bigger, but the lack of features on the Seltos compared to the CX-3 Akari saw my wife drive away in a Soul Red Crystal for $36,000! Much less than the GT Line Seltos (and a very arrogant dealer) with less features. My only concern is the aging design of the Mazda come selling time. But as they say ‘happy wife, happy life’ and she says every time she gets in it she feels spoilt. Couldn’t get that feeling in the .... yet. Keep up the great work and look forward to your review of the next MX-5

[@chasingcars]

The CX-3 Akari has aged well, I reckon -- understand the interior tech is dating now but the Apple CarPlay upgrade helps a lot. Glad you're enjoying it!

[@indetailcarcaresolutions3770]

Chasing Cars, it has and it hasn’t. Many features of the CX-3 interior first came to light in the Mazda2. Not only are they also in the CX-3, but also in the MX-5!! A big reason that after 20 years of Saab cabriolets, I couldn’t buy an MX-5 and we bought CX-3/CX-5 twins at the same time instead. I’m forever hopeful that my last new car purchase can be the next gen MX-5.

[@stopycheapydogs9590]

Great review! Please do that for Skoda Kodiaq Non RS version

[@chasingcars]

I’ve put in a request - they don’t have a non-RS Kodiaq on fleet currently but expect to get one before the end of 2020

[@stopycheapydogs9590]

Chasing Cars Thanks so much!

[@mrheyfuckoff1]

Considering getting one of these for my mother. She wanted a Kona but Im talking her round to this. Far nicer.

[@chasingcars]

This is definitely nicer than a Kona, but there are some odd omissions for the relatively high price … I'd try and stretch to a GT-Line but bargain hard

[@JimboJones99]

Have a look at the Mazda CX-30. A bit less space but alot more premium.

[@Clove_Parma]

Kailem Jones I’d love to get the CX30 if it had the lovely centre touchscreen like the seltos. Very frustrating that Mazda imposed their vision and didn’t give choice on how to operate infotainment like they used to in the previous generation

[@rahul20061982]

I have just booked seltos sports plus 2wd. And I am worried how bad will it be behind without the air vent. To be honest have had hatchback before and didn't need rear vents in those cars. Dealer told me that seltos is pretty compact too and actually doesn't require rear vents. I live in Melbourne. Have a 2 year old son. Confused as hell. I do not wanna shell out another 9k to buy GT model just for rear vents as I am not so fancy on roof and bose. Feel more gimmik than car. So point is. That not having rear vents is that bad. Should I look for something else. What do I do. Help 🤔

[@vishnudootlahiri]

@@rahul20061982 Put your front AC in Low. Whole cabin is ice. Problem solved. TML.

[@gordonclark7632]

Positive - spare wheel, negative - no rear air at the price point, something expected. Good informative review with honest comments about the drive experience.

[@chasingcars]

Thanks, Gordon. There are certainly pros and cons to the Seltos.

[@JJ-wi2uw]

This is the model I would buy. Wish the engine had a tad more power; which it has in some other Kia/Hyundai models.

[@chasingcars]

Yeah, would be nice if they kicked it up to the 150kW output we know it's capable of, perhaps for the top grade.

[@transformationofthebride2295]

I do not like the fact that you hear and feel the bumpy roads. Other than that I would buy this car.

[@JimboJones99]

Great review. I am the rose 🌹 on Tom's blazer.

[@chasingcars]

Oh, Kailem!

[@carloestrada1504]

Hi Tom, just wondering would you recommend Kia Seltos over Mazda CX-30?

[@chasingcars]

I think both are very worthy of consideration, but for me the CX-30's shape is just more pleasing. Design is subjective!

[@DOUGALUS]

If you want space and practicality this one you should consider.

[@jameswoodside1978]

DOUGALUS 8o

[@rahul20061982]

I hate the fact it doesn't jave rear vents. Wish they change this soon. Or atleast give an option of factory fitting done

[@chasingcars]

Yeah, they should be standard at this price. No excuse.

[@gary162]

Thanks for repeatedly giving us the facts.Thie Seltos looks like a good renter!

[@chasingcars]

My pleasure!

[@bennyboost]

This would almost be the perfect pick of the bunch were it not for the fact that all its lights are still halogen!!!

[@silo_fx3182]

Real shame they don't put that 1.6 Turbo in a 2WD version. Not interested in the AWD.

[@RJC6]

It has an interesting value proposition - more utilities than a CX30, but Mazda fans probably won't be suaded.

[@chasingcars]

The Seltos just seems so different visually - both outside and in - to the CX-30. I think you’ll like one or the other.

[@123antknee]

So why does the front end look like 2 different front ends put together... like one set of headlights and grille is sitting atop another set of headlights and grille from another vehicle... like they just combined 2 different vehicles front ends and set one on top of the other one... a 2 Tier Front End... lol

[@S13WA14]

I want that car now 😂

[@chasingcars]

They're pretty good!

[@ashalim79]

i just asked some dealers...there's a 3 months wait for delivery!

[@johncleaver4245]

I think you’ve made a judgment on the FWD 2Lt CVT ( IVT) without driving it ? ( spec sheet review) I think you need to drive both before making a judgment...two completely different cars in the way they drive, handle and ride...you’ve gone and lumped them together with this test.

[@silo_fx3182]

I come here to say this. Just test drove a 2021 Seltos 2Ltr IVT and it was really quiet, smooth and responsive. Hopefully Tom and the team do a review of the 2ltr '21 model soon.

[@meownmazda1]

I just drove the 2ltr and agree it’s very quiet for normal driving and only really makes some noise under really hard acceleration

[@lukelawrence6007]

Rival for toyota yaris cross ??

[@chasingcars]

Bit bigger than that car - Kia will probably do an even smaller SUV in Australia to compete with the likes of the Venue, Yaris Cross, CX-3…

[@magicalwonton4806]

1:06 someone forgot to put the gear in park :p

[@chasingcars]

Ooooops!

[@abhishekgiri1201]

Should have reviewed the Top model!! Cuz this does not truely reflect all the features it has to offer!!

[@Ausfailia]

I think the seltos is overpriced

[@chasingcars]

I think you'd want to negotiate strongly on this model or on the GT-Line to get the best possible deal

[@_Pet_Tech]

I think pretty much every Asian car is overpriced when compared to a European car. From the moment you step inside and start driving, you start realising that it's all makeup.

[@craigthacker]

It would seem that a low spec Sportage has far greater features and lower price than the higher spec Seltos. e.g. It has a larger boot and rear air events. That would be my pick.

[@rahul20061982]

Same here mate. I have been going crazy and now I am thinking of buying sportage SX which is for 32k if u bargain and has both rear vents and bigger boot. Just wanted to know if it has enough punch for a regular family . I have a 2 year old😃

[@chasingcars]

The lower-spec Sportages are really quite well set up.

[@rahul20061982]

Is it worth buying Skoda karoq base over kia seltos sports plus. I have a small child. I am just interested in rear vents and I don't like all the jing bang with active safety these days as I would not use them anyway. Help

[@scratchyratface]

Much nicer than the Hyundai version, that looks a bit weird

[@chasingcars]

The Kona?

[@scratchyratface]

Venue

[@chasingcars]

The Venue’s actually a lot smaller! They look similar in photos though.

[@goran2009]

For 39k, VW Tiguan comes with rear vents and digital cockpit.... 😎

[@chasingcars]

I couldn't find a Tiguan spec with digital cockpit for less than $42,690! That said, the VW Tiguan is an altogether more sophisticated car to drive.

[@pasimmonds1]

@@chasingcars Did look at the Tiguan but bought a Seltos 1.6. In 7 years I thought I'd be happy with the Seltos. VW reliability is a question.

[@manglam-bhakti]

if you see this car in India then that is more good looking than this one

[@bigchief2331]

I am sure you could get a Peugeot 3008 GT-Line, with leather and panoramic roof, under 40k with negotiation and it is a far superior car in every way

[@chasingcars]

$15k discount on DA … ambitious, but worth a shot

[@bigchief2331]

@@chasingcars I got a price around 45k driveaway on the diesel GT, with pano roof and leather. It took some work and visiting multiple dealerships. But did not buy as it's not quite right, feel the 3008 is a little too small and 5008 is ugly. But if they add AWD to either of them, will revisit as an option. No other SUV appeals in this price range. It just needs AWD, and should have had this from release if you ask me.

[@CanYouDigIt34]

37K? And you could get VW T-Cross for 30K. Yeah nah. I know what I'd pick.

[@tesla-taxi-millinqld-hq-br7462]

I think you will find the Tesla Y will cost you much less over 5-years...

[@chasingcars]

Not sure it'd cost less, but it would certainly be a different and better experience justifying the substantially higher purchase price

[@tesla-taxi-millinqld-hq-br7462]

Chasing Cars if you rent out your Y a few days per week &/or let it work as a robo taxi 🚖 you will have a FREE car!

[@bigchief2331]

Where did you film this, looks nice. As for the car, looks cheap and nasty, never liked Korean cars and wouldn't buy one now that they are priced similar to other, better brands.

[@kianhercule]

Mazda cx30 looks much better inside and out

[@chasingcars]

The CX-30 certainly an interesting counterpoint to the Seltos’ design.

[@brodieb5066]

Enjoy the extreme plastic cladding around the wheel base on the cx30.

[@cozzacoz]

Biggy Smalls... nice one :) That engine sounds awful!

[@chasingcars]

It’s a weird fizzing sound!

[@tirathsinghc]

This looks the same as a SsangYong Tievely

[@hsk8787]

Mazda 6? Wtf are u on about

[@chasingcars]

Turn up the speakers... I said CX-30