Kia Seltos review, road test

Based on an all-new platform, the 4,315mm-long Seltos fits smack in the middle of the midsize SUV segment and strikes a good balance of being not too small and not too big. It feels a class up on cars like the Duster and Kicks, and isn’t as big as the Tata Harrier, MG Hector and Mahindra XUV500. In fact, as a 5-seater, it’s got the right proportions, offers a strong stance, and yet is compact enough for the city commute.

The Seltos’ body structure boasts 73 percent high-strength steel, which adds the necessary rigidity, yet saves weight. For its size and the amount of equipment packed in, it’s a fairly light SUV.

What the Seltos establishes is Kia’s family look and the Korean brand’s signature ‘Tiger Nose’ grille with tasteful chrome detailing that grabs your attention. The sweptback LED headlamps and vertically stacked fog lamps stand out, as do the red accents on the GT Line variant. The 17-inch alloy wheels fill the wheel arches nicely, while the high bonnet, upright stance, downward-sloping roofline, and rising window line give it a sophisticated appearance. At the rear, the LED tail-lamps and chrome tailgate applique make the Seltos easily identifiable even from afar.

Overall, its styling isn’t as conservative as the Duster’s or the Creta’s; it looks fresh and wears a rather contemporary design language.