Be Patient

As far as motivation goes, the Seltos has never been an SUV that’ll wow anyone off the line, and the 2027 Seltos won’t, either. Rated at 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque, the base, naturally aspirated 2.0-liter engine feels particularly underwhelming as a motivator. The good news is that its continuously variable transmission manages the engine’s limited output without sounding overly strained.

Patience is essential when driving a Seltos equipped with the base engine, and our test numbers confirm as much: It needed a glacial 11.0 seconds to reach 60 mph. Even on city streets with speed limits above 50 mph, acceleration is leisurely at best. Most buyers will probably find the overall performance adequate, but we’d prefer a bit more punch.

For buyers who want more power, Kia offers an available 1.6-liter turbocharged engine, which should cut the 0–60-mph time to a far more respectable 8.0 seconds. Of course, you’ll pay a premium to get it, and the EPA ratings aren’t as good. A Seltos Hybrid should also arrive on our shores soon and could be the best powertrain of the three, so stay tuned.

Look past the lack of power, and the Seltos delivers a smooth, easygoing ride. Bumps and ruts do little to disturb the cabin, and road and tire noise are kept well under control. The Seltos is tuned for comfort as opposed to sportiness, and among its subcompact SUV competitors, it’s a cut above its class as a result, with a ride that’s composed, relaxed, and impressively refined.

A New Class Leader?

Competition in the subcompact SUV segment is stronger than ever, and the growing number of choices can make it difficult to pick the right model. The 2027 Seltos, however, is a vehicle that seems to understand its audience and speak directly to it. Speaking of that audience, there’s also the matter of price. At just over $33,000 for our generously equipped, all-wheel-drive test model, it’s a number we wouldn’t call entry level, but it’s not too far from it. The least expensive, front-drive Seltos can be had for less than $27,000 to start, which is even more affordable, and you still get decent features.

In a market where the average transaction price has climbed to roughly $50,000, the Seltos should attract buyers, first-time and otherwise, looking for its combination of attractive style inside and out, comfortable, easygoing personality, and advanced technology—as long as they’re fine with taking their time to get around.

2027 Kia Seltos EX AWD Specifications
BASE PRICE	$31,585
PRICE AS TESTED	$33,505
VEHICLE LAYOUT	Front-engine, AWD, 5-pass, 4-door internal combustion SUV
POWERTRAIN	2.0L port-injected DOHC 16-valve I-4
POWER	147 hp @ 6,200 rpm
TORQUE	132 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm
TRANSMISSION	Continuously variable
CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST)	3,503 lb (57/43%)
WHEELBASE	110.2 in
LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT	174.4 x 72.0 x 62.9 in
TIRES	Kumho Solus TA51 215/55R18 95V M+S
EPA FUEL ECONOMY, CITY/HWY/COMBINED	26/30/28 mpg
EPA RANGE	370 mi
ON SALE	Now
MotorTrend Test Results
0-60 MPH	11.0 sec
QUARTER MILE	18.2 sec @ 77.1 mph
BRAKING, 60-0 MPH	131 ft
LATERAL ACCELERATION	0.75 g
FIGURE-EIGHT LAP	28.6 sec @ 0.57 g (avg)