I lean into the throttle, and this little engine responds with fury, hurtling the small SUV I’m driving forward with impressive haste.
asserted
I → lean → haste
Things get a bit noisy, but it doesn’t bother me much.
asserted
it → get → me
I’m too busy enjoying the ride.
asserted
I → ’m → ride
The vehicle I’m piloting is the all-new 2027 Kia Seltos, a compact SUV that is now in its second generation.
asserted
that → pilot → generation
My tester, a top-line X-Line Limited AWD, is equipped with a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 190 horsepower and 195 pounds-feet of torque, or motive force.
asserted
that → equip → torque
An eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive helps to keep my Terrain Brown tester stuck to the road, in both wet and dry conditions.
asserted
transmission → help → conditions
are more responsive than I was expecting.
asserted
I → expect → ?
I didn’t drive it, but the Seltos is also offered with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder which produces 147 hp and 132 lb.-ft. of torque, which is paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
asserted
which → drive → transmission
The top two trims, X-Line AWD and X-Line Limited AWD get the 1.6 turbo.
asserted
trims → get → turbo
These engines and transmissions were offered with the prior Seltos.
asserted
engines → offer → Seltos
And, later this year, the Seltos will be sold as a hybrid for the first time.
asserted
Seltos → sell → time
Available in five trims, the Seltos hybrid is powered by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, electric motor and battery pack.
asserted
hybrid → power → engine
Power output is rated 154 horsepower for front-wheel drive trims, and 178 horsepower for all-wheel drive models.
asserted
output → rat → models
Despite the use of existing gas engines and transmissions, the new Seltos departs significantly from the outgoing model.
asserted
Seltos → exist → model
Its appearance, which has a more upright, blockier look that is in line with its other SUVs, such as the three-row Telluride, which is also all-new for 2027.
asserted
which → have → 2027
Cues from Kia’s “Opposites United” design language that really stand out include a wide front grille, amber daytime running lights and turn signals, and a full-width LED tail light signature.
asserted
that → stand → grille
Shiny bits in the grille, bumper and other pieces of bodywork are mostly gone.
asserted
bits → go → bodywork
Lower trims have a little less black, such as in the front fascia and wheels, but the second-gen Seltos has a lot less bright-work overall.
asserted
Seltos → have → work
To these eyes, the Seltos’ squarer proportions and increased amount of black trim gives it a more rugged SUV look that belies its compact stature.
asserted
that → increase → stature
It is 4.5 centimetres longer, three cm longer, two cm taller, and rides on a wheelbase that is six cm longer.
asserted
that → rid → wheelbase
As a result, the Seltos has more space inside, with an extra 2.5 cm of rear seat legroom, and 2.6 cm of front seat shoulder room.
asserted
Seltos → have → room
Cargo volume has grown by 39 litres and has a maximum rating of 1,817 litres with the rear seatbacks folded down.
asserted
seatbacks → grow → litres
Inside, the Seltos sports a redesigned cabin that draws inspiration from its EVs, such as the EV4 compact sedan, and EV5 mid-size SUV.
asserted
that → sport → sedan
A perfect example are the digital displays, which include a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 4.2-inch digital instrument cluster.
asserted
which → include → touchscreen
Upper-level X-Line trims also receive a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, plus a five-inch touchscreen for climate functions.
asserted
trims → receive → functions
The latter screen can be expanded to fill the entire infotainment display.
asserted
screen → expand → display
The infotainment screen also comes with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto.
asserted
screen → come → CarPlay
Other notable tech features include two USB-C charge ports up front, and two at the rear, which are standard on all grades.
asserted
which → include → grades
A wireless cellphone charge pad is also standard on all trims beginning with the EX AWD.
asserted
pad → begin → AWD
Given that my tester is a range-topping model, the Seltos feels luxurious.
asserted
Seltos → give → ?
The synthetic leather seats have X-Line monogrammed into the seatbacks, and the fronts are heated and cooled.
asserted
fronts → have → seatbacks
The driver’s seat also has four-way power controls, and two-position memory settings.
asserted
seat → have → controls
Despite a futuristic, EV-centric design, the Seltos’ cabin functions very much like a conventional car.
asserted
cabin → function → car
Kia, to their credit, has kept most functions on physical buttons and switches, including fan speed and temperature.
asserted
Kia → keep → speed
I was especially pleased to see a conventional gear shift lever mounted to the console, which is still the most user-friendly option.
asserted
which → see → console
As for the materials, they’re good overall, but there is some cheaper plastic in the dashboard and door panels which is a bit disappointing.
asserted
which → ’re → dashboard
But most touch points feel good to the touch and are handsomely designed.
asserted
points → feel → touch
In the end, the numerous changes come together nicely.
asserted
changes → come → end
The new Seltos has a fresh, handsome design, more space, and lots of tech and safety features — many of which are available on lower grades — for a competitive price.
asserted
many → have → price
And with a hybrid on the way, its appeal should continue to grow.
asserted
appeal → continue → way
The Aporia
