“For 2027, the five-door Kia Seltos is based on the new K3 platform and features a squarer, more angular look to fit in with the rest of the Kia CUV range. Notable are the signature complex lighting designs front and rear, strong lines, and a cohesive, unified design language.”
Review by Veeno Dewan
The five-door Kia Seltos CUV has been with us for a few years now and, for 2027, receives a refresh. The new K3 platform features a squarer, more angular look to fit in with the rest of the Kia CUV range. Notable are the signature complex lighting designs at the front and rear, strong lines, and a cohesive design language. The new Seltos wheelbase is stretched by 60 mm (2.4 inches), and the width increases by 30 mm (1.2 inches). The biggest news is the optional hybrid powertrain, which may arrive in Canada at some point.
“The Kia Seltos cabin design is a standout, with a choice of interesting materials, textures, and innovative design quirks. The abundance of sleek satin and silver metal trim contrasts with the drab all-black cabins usually seen in many competitors.”
Until then, the alternative powertrain options include a 2.0L four-cylinder producing 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT (continuously variable transmission) for the LX, EX, and EX Premium trims, available in FWD or AWD. The other powertrain option is a turbocharged 1.6Lfour-cylinder engine with 195 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, available on the X-Line and X-Line Limited with AWD (as tested).
The 2027 Kia Seltos includes standard features such as heated front seats, a touchscreen infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, smartphone connectivity, blind-spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert, a tire pressure monitoring system, and a high standard of safety and driver-assist equipment. Another smart feature is the cool way you can unlock, start, or share access to your Kia via a smartphone with the available Digital Key 2 Touch system.
The 2027 Kia Seltos is available in 7 trim levels, priced from a very attractive $28,495 to $41,295. Freight and PDI are $2,135.
Our 2027 Kia Seltos X-Line Limited Turbo AWD was equipped with the peppy 1.6L four-cylinder GDI engine and an 8-speed transmission. Options on our well-equipped tester included: 19-inch wheels, panoramic sunroof, auto-flush outside door handles, and LED headlights and taillights. Interior extras included: artificial leather front heated and ventilated seats, heated steering wheel, Harman Kardon audio system, dual-zone climate control, smart cruise control, around-view camera, and Kia Connected Services. The total price for our X-Line Limited tester came to $43,780.
The Kia Seltos cabin design is a standout, with a choice of interesting materials, textures, and innovative design quirks. The sleek 30-inch digital dash display comprises a 12.3-inch driver’s gauge cluster, a 12.3-inch touchscreen for infotainment commands, and a 5.0-inch display, all under a single glass pane. The abundance of sleek satin and silver metal trim around features contrasts with the drab all-black cabins usually seen in many competitors. The Seltos is surprisingly roomy inside, besting most of its competitors with more passenger legroom and headroom. Driver ergonomics are fine. It seats four in comfort and five at a squeeze. The rear cabin boasts USB ports and reclining back seats that fold 60/40. Cargo capacity increases slightly to 786 liters with the rear seats up and 1,817 liters when folded.
On the road, the SX Turbo 1.6 engine is paired with the automatic eight-speed transmission, which delivers faster, smoother up- and downshifts. The turbo is also quicker than the 2.0L engine option with the CVT. Acceleration, merging, and passing are all above par. The Seltos also exhibits good handling characteristics. Its nicely weighted steering makes the SUV feel responsive and light in turns, while the suspension setup handles bumps and potholes well. The AWD system automatically transfers power to the rear wheels when needed and can be locked into all-wheel mode to handle difficult terrain and conditions. Overall, the Seltos offers an entertaining drive that compares well with top rivals in its field. Fuel economy is rated at L/100KM: 7.8 Highway, 9.9 City, and 9.0 Combined.
To sum up, the Kia Seltos is well-equipped across its price points and offers excellent technology, versatility, spaciousness, and high safety ratings. The cons are few: a slight surplus of hard plastics and a sometimes-noisy cabin at speed. Kia provides a top-of-the-class 5-year/100,000-km comprehensive and full powertrain warranty that is hard to beat. A worthy, perfectly sized family CUV in this sector and worth considering. The X-Line Unlimited version offers a little more flair and performance and is highly recommended.
2027 Kia Seltos: X- Line Limited As tested – $43,780.
More info at www.kia.ca
