2021 Kia Seltos Review

The 2021 Kia Seltos is the newest addition to Kia's rapidly growing small crossover lineup. "But wait," you might be thinking, "doesn't Kia already make the Soul, Niro and Sportage?" Well, yes. But given high customer demand, automakers' current thinking is that you can never have too many small crossovers. So, by extension, Kia believes there's room for the Seltos.

The Seltos combines the maneuverable size of the subcompact Soul with a slightly longer body to add more practicality. We especially like its expressive styling, upscale interior and available turbocharged engine.

The Seltos faces a wide range of competitors in the subcompact crossover class. You could start by checking out the Hyundai Kona. These two models have some mechanical similarities. The choice between the two largely comes down to deciding which car's styling and design you like better.

Other top models in the extra-small crossover SUV class include the Honda HR-V, which has one of the most cargo-friendly cabins in the segment, and the fun-to-drive Mazda CX-3. Another option is Subaru Crosstrek. Its high ground clearance and standard all-wheel drive bolster its ability to take on adverse weather and road conditions.

The Seltos continues Kia's long tradition of exceptional bang for the buck. Two engines are available: a standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 146 horsepower and a sportier turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder making 175 hp. The 2.0-liter is matched with a continuously variable automatic transmission, while the turbo engine pairs with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. The base Seltos offers front-wheel drive, while all other models come standard with all-wheel drive.

The Seltos will offer a generous array of tech features, ranging from an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display (or an optional 10.25-inch screen with navigation on the SX Turbo trim), Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless charging pad, and an eight-speaker Bose sound system. Several driver assist features — such as blind-spot warning, lane keeping assist and adaptive cruise control — are also available as standard or optional features.

Rear passengers are also treated right, with reclining seatbacks and, in EX and SX Turbo trims, rear climate vents and a USB charge port.

The 2021 Seltos is the more practical of Kia's subcompacts, and it brims with personality. The interior is surprisingly upscale, and the simulated leather upholstery feels like the real thing. And as in the Soul, the Seltos has optional ambient light strips around the cabin that pulsate with your music.

The Seltos is spacious enough for at least four adults and all their luggage. Behind the rear seat, it has 26.6 cubic feet of cargo space, which is above average for this type of SUV. And when you fold the rear seats flat, the Seltos has a whopping 62.8 cubic feet of cargo space. Rivals have to make do with much less space. For instance, the Jeep Renegade has 50.8 cubes and the Hyundai Kona only has 45.8 cubes.

Like most Kias, the Seltos goes all in on the tech front. Most of today's advanced driving systems, from forward collision warning to blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control, are available. It also borrows the three-row Kia Telluride's Lane Following Assist feature, which helps keep the Seltos in the center of its lane. Overall, these systems work pretty well, and Kia has also made it easy to disable the systems one by one or all together if you don't like them.

Our drive was limited to the top trim SX with the optional turbocharged engine. The engine provides plenty of smooth acceleration for this small crossover. Kia says it put extensive work into softening the shift shock from the dual-clutch transmission; slow and jerky shifting is something we've noticed in the related Hyundai Kona.

The ride is another story. While the body felt perfectly fine on the glassy highways, impacts from bumps at lower speeds were more pronounced than we anticipated and sent a shimmy through the cabin. There's also quite a bit of tire noise over rough surfaces.

Steering and handling in the Seltos are also mildly disappointing. While rivals such as the Crosstrek and CX-3 are entertaining to drive around corners, the Seltos feels numb and disconnected. The steering wheel is poorly weighted, and there isn't any real feedback for the driver. What's more, body lean as you go around a turn is more pronounced in the Seltos than it is in the Soul. The Seltos' indifferent handling won't likely be a deal-breaker for most shoppers, but it's worth paying attention to if you take one out for a test drive.

In the top trim levels, the Seltos comes across as rather luxurious compared to others in the class. Simulated leather upholstery, soft-touch plastics and piano black trim are abundant in the front of the cabin.

An available power-adjustable front seat with height and seat-bottom angle adjustment, plus a sliding center armrest, helps ensure that drivers of all sizes find a comfortable position. Though the touchscreen is set high on top of the dash, it's within easy reach of the driver. A few conveniently placed physical buttons also help you navigate through the interface.

The Seltos might be a subcompact crossover, but its passenger and cargo areas are both quite spacious. There's enough room for tall occupants in both front seats, and the rear is similarly accommodating. The rear seatbacks have two reclining positions, and even in the more upright angle, passengers more than 6 feet tall should have plenty of headroom.

Buyers who worry that a subcompact won't offer enough cargo room have not met the Seltos. The load area is square and starts below the rear seatbacks, so even carry-on luggage standing upright likely won't impede rear visibility. A false cargo floor can be repositioned to allow for a nearly flat load surface with the rear seats folded.