The 2023 Kia Seltos is a stylish and well-rounded subcompact SUV that offers a compelling mix of practicality, tech features, and value. Designed to slot between the smaller Soul and the larger Sportage in Kia’s lineup, the Seltos provides ample space, a comfortable ride, and a range of engine options. For 2023, Kia has made minor updates to keep the Seltos competitive in the fast-growing subcompact SUV segment, focusing on technology enhancements and feature availability.
The 2023 Seltos stands out with its bold and modern design. Its sharp lines, upright stance, and signature tiger-nose grille give it a more aggressive look than many of its rivals. The front end is enhanced by sleek LED headlights, while the available two-tone roof and chrome accents give the Seltos a premium and youthful vibe. The sculpted sides and high ground clearance give it a rugged, SUV-like appearance that belies its subcompact classification. Overall, the Seltos manages to look both rugged and refined, appealing to a broad range of buyers.
The 2023 Kia Seltos offers two engine options, allowing buyers to choose between efficiency and performance. The base engine is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that produces 146 horsepower and is paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This setup is more focused on fuel economy and everyday driving, providing adequate power for city commuting and highway cruising. For those seeking more spirited performance, Kia offers a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which delivers a peppier 175 horsepower. This engine is paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, offering quick shifts and livelier acceleration. Both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive are available, with the AWD system coming standard on most trims. While the Seltos isn’t a performance-oriented vehicle, it handles well for its class, offering responsive steering and a composed ride that balances comfort and agility.
Fuel economy in the 2023 Seltos is competitive for its class. The base 2.0-liter engine with front-wheel drive achieves an EPA-estimated 29 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway, which is impressive for a small SUV. Adding all-wheel drive drops those numbers slightly. The turbocharged 1.6-liter engine is less efficient, returning around 25 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. While the turbocharged model offers more power, the base engine is the more efficient choice for drivers prioritizing fuel economy in daily driving.
The 2023 Seltos is equipped with a solid range of safety features, making it a reliable choice for safety-conscious buyers. Standard safety equipment includes forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and driver attention monitoring. Higher trims add features like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and safe exit assist. The Seltos has performed well in crash tests, earning high safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS. These standard and available safety features, along with its crash-test performance, make the Seltos one of the safer choices in the subcompact SUV segment.
Inside, the 2023 Kia Seltos offers an unexpectedly spacious and upscale cabin for a subcompact SUV. It comfortably seats five passengers, with generous legroom and headroom, especially in the rear seats. The interior materials are of good quality, with soft-touch surfaces on the dashboard and doors, giving the cabin a more refined feel than some competitors. The available 10.25-inch touchscreen is a standout feature, offering sharp graphics and intuitive controls. Standard features include an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while higher trims offer wireless charging, a premium Bose sound system, and ambient lighting. The Seltos also provides ample cargo space for the segment, with 26.6 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, and up to 62.8 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded down.
The 2023 Seltos is available in five main trims: LX, S, EX, Nightfall Edition, and SX. The base LX comes with a solid set of standard features, including the 8-inch touchscreen, all-wheel drive, and Kia’s full suite of driver assistance systems, starting at around $24,000. The S trim, which starts at roughly the same price, adds more tech features like the upgraded 10.25-inch touchscreen, but comes with front-wheel drive. The EX trim introduces more premium features, such as heated front seats, wireless phone charging, and a sunroof, starting around $26,000. The Nightfall Edition adds sporty touches like blacked-out wheels and exterior accents, as well as the turbocharged engine, priced around $28,000. The top-tier SX trim, priced around $29,000, offers the most features, including the turbocharged engine, LED headlights, a premium audio system, and a range of advanced safety features.
The 2023 Kia Seltos offers a well-rounded package for buyers looking for a subcompact SUV with plenty of space, modern tech, and a stylish design. Its blend of efficiency, performance, and value makes it a standout in its class. With a range of trims to suit different needs and budgets, along with its strong safety ratings and practical interior, the Seltos remains a compelling choice in the competitive small SUV market. Whether you’re looking for an affordable daily driver or a more premium-feeling small SUV, the Seltos delivers in all the key areas.
