[Tabolleo] The Ultimate Compact SUV "Seltos" Aims to Be the King of Fuel Efficiency

'The All-New Seltos' Test Drive
Expanded Versatility with Hybrid Power
Achieves Combined Fuel Efficiency of 19.5 km per Liter
4 cm Longer Than Previous Model for a More Spacious Interior

The Seltos, which has reigned as the undisputed leader among compact SUVs, has returned with a new look after six years. It has grown in size and boasts improved fuel efficiency, now even rivaling its larger siblings.

On January 28, I drove the Seltos 1.6 Hybrid, starting from Gangdong-gu, Seoul, and traveled approximately 77 kilometers through city streets, highways, and winding roads to a caf? in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province. For the return trip, I drove the internal combustion Seltos equipped with a 1.6 gasoline turbo engine. Both vehicles were the top-tier X-LINE trim.

Photo of the new Seltos 'The All New Seltos'. Kia

The Car Welcomes You First... Enhanced Convenience and User Experience

The new "The All-New Seltos" stands out even before you get inside. As you approach the vehicle, the door lock disengages and the flush door handles smoothly extend. With the smart key in your possession, the Seltos automatically locks itself when you walk away, thanks to the "walk-away lock" feature-eliminating the need to press the door lock button.

The X-LINE model driven that day featured, for the first time in a Seltos, the optional "Vibro Sound Seat." This technology analyzes the bass frequencies of music in real time and converts them into seat vibrations. Four vibrators located in the seat cushion under the thighs and lower back gently pulsed to the beat. As lively music played through the Harman Kardon speakers, the seat vibrated in sync. It felt like a small comfort during the frustrating and tedious rush hour commute.

Sitting in the driver's seat, the panoramic wide display immediately catches the eye. The instrument cluster and infotainment screen are seamlessly connected, creating a tidy center fascia. Frequently used controls-such as climate temperature and airflow, seat heating and ventilation, navigation, and media-are all physical buttons, making them intuitive to operate.

The All-New Seltos. Kia

Advanced Hybrid Technology Maximizing Efficiency

The Seltos 1.6 Hybrid is packed with advanced technology. As a result, it achieves a combined fuel efficiency of 19.5 kilometers per liter, which is comparable to the Niro Hybrid's 19.1 to 20.8 kilometers per liter.

During the drive from Gangdong to Chuncheon, the real-world fuel efficiency was also impressive. To test the vehicle's performance, I overtook cars in adjacent lanes at speeds exceeding 110 kilometers per hour on the highway. On the winding roads of Sandjae Hill in Chuncheon (elevation 340 meters), I focused more on extracting the car's power than on fuel efficiency. Even so, the car recorded 17 kilometers per liter. Considering the harsh driving conditions with temperatures at minus 5 degrees Celsius, this was a respectable result.

The secret to this excellent efficiency lies in the "hybrid layered predictive control" technology. When a destination is set in the vehicle's navigation system, this technology combines long-range predictive data (from navigation) and short-range predictive data (from the vehicle's radar sensors) to optimize the operation of the engine, drive motor, and hybrid battery charging plan. For example, if a congested section is expected after a smooth-flowing stretch, the system increases battery charging while driving with the engine and motor, then maximizes efficiency by using the stored battery power to run primarily on the drive motor in the congested area.

Photo of the new Seltos 'The All New Seltos'. Kia

Comprehensive Driving Assistance Features, Ideal as a Family Car

Throughout my time driving the new Seltos, one thing stood out: it is an excellent car for families.

Despite being a compact SUV, it offers outstanding forward visibility. The head-up display (HUD) assists during driving and remains clear even in bright conditions. It alerts you when you drift out of your lane and displays vehicles around you, reducing the stress of changing lanes. If you fail to keep your eyes on the road for about five to seven seconds, it immediately issues a warning. When entering a tunnel, the climate control automatically switches to internal circulation, blocking outside air-a thoughtful touch.

Additionally, the new Seltos is equipped with a wide range of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including navigation-based smart cruise control, lane keeping assist 2, and Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA 2). Highway Driving Assist 2 combines navigation-based smart cruise control and lane keeping assist, supporting speed assistance, distance control, and lane keeping functions.

Another highlight is the best-in-class second-row space and cargo capacity. Compared to the previous model, the new Seltos offers an additional 14 millimeters of headroom and 25 millimeters of legroom in the second row. The second row is equipped with reclining seats adjustable up to 24 degrees. A man 179 centimeters tall sat in the second row without adjusting the front passenger seat, and there was enough space to fit two fists between his knees and the seat in front.

Of course, the new Seltos is not without its drawbacks. The Seltos 1.6 Hybrid combines a 1.6-liter gasoline engine with a 32-kilowatt drive motor, delivering a maximum output of 141 horsepower. While this is sufficient for everyday driving, it can feel slightly underpowered when climbing hills or overtaking on the highway.

There are also some limitations with HDA 2. While driving in the second lane of the highway, when a car exited a rest area and entered about one-third of the way into the lane, the system was somewhat slow to recognize the vehicle ahead and abruptly reduced speed. A Kia representative explained that the system begins recognizing vehicles from a certain angle, but assured that there are no safety concerns.

The prices for the second-generation Seltos 1.6 gasoline turbo are as follows: Trendy at 24.77 million won, Prestige at 28.4 million won, Signature at 31.01 million won, and X-LINE at 32.17 million won. The 1.6 Hybrid is priced at 28.98 million won for Trendy, 32.08 million won for Prestige, 34.69 million won for Signature, and 35.84 million won for X-LINE.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.