For 2024, both the outside and inside looks of the Seltos have been changed. The outside of the SUV has been updated with a new grille, better lighting, different tire designs, and a rear light bar that links the taillights. A rotary controller has replaced the shift lever that was on the current model. The infotainment system inside has also been updated with two big screens. The available turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine in the Seltos now makes 195 horsepower, which is 20 more horsepower than it did last year. A new eight-speed unit has replaced the old seven-speed automatic transmission. The range now includes the X-Line model, which has a unique exterior style and looks tough.

Pros

• More power from the turbo engine.
• The ability to move goods well.
• Beautifully designed and detailed outside.

Cons

• It looks and feels cheap.
• Weakness in the base engine.
• The cabin quickly gets very loud.

For the Seltos, Kia offers a 2.0-liter engine with 146 horsepower and a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with 195 horsepower. We checked out the turbocharged 1.6-liter Seltos and found it to have enough speed. It took the turbocharged Seltos less than 6.9 seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph on our test track. The regular engine is paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while the turbo engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The only models that don’t have all-wheel drive are the S and EX. When compared to cars like the Jeep Compass and Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, the Seltos are a lot more fun and smoother to drive. The ride is rough at times but mostly smooth, and for an SUV, it handles very well. We’ll add acceleration test results and more driving notes to this article once we’ve had a chance to test the upgraded Seltos at home.

Kia only includes a basic set of driver-assistance technologies with the Seltos. You can, however, buy more advanced features like adaptive cruise control as an add-on. To find out more about the Seltos’ crash test scores, go to the websites of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Some important safety factors are:

• Normal automatic emergency stopping that can tell the difference between bikes and people walking.
• Stay in your lane with the regular exit alarm.
• You can get adaptive speed control to center your car.

Compared to the Hyundai Kona, the Seltos has a lot more room inside for people and their stuff. The brand’s great Telluride SUV looks great in the store next to the cabin because of the high-quality materials used all over. The more expensive SX model comes with standard interior lights that can be set to pulse to the beat of the music, which is similar to the technology in Kia’s smaller Soul SUV. We put eight carry-on bags in the trunk and twenty with the back seats folded to test the type before the facelift. The trunk room is big enough for our bags, backpacks, and picture bags.

Based on predictions from the EPA, the Seltos will get about 30 miles per gallon. Cars with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive should get up to 34 miles per gallon on the highway. At 75 miles per hour, a turbocharged 1.6-liter Seltos with all-wheel drive got 32 mpg on our highway test route.

The entertainment system in the Seltos has been completely redone for 2024. A new panel that covers two-thirds of the dashboard can be used as both a tablet for entertainment and a digital gauge display. This setup is the same as that of other new Kia cars and is not required. A smaller screen and an analog set of gauges are standard features. All types come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard features. An onboard Wi-Fi hotspot and SiriusXM satellite radio are available as extras.

The best deal is on the Seltos EX model. The SX type has almost all of the same features as the EX, but the EX is also very well-equipped and costs a lot less. Inside, there is fake leather upholstery, heated front seats, a wireless charging pad for smartphones, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and a new dual-screen entertainment system with navigation in the dash. People who need all-wheel drive can choose to have it.