ALL-NEW KIA SELTOS ARRIVES IN SOUTH AFRICA

Kia South Africa has confirmed local availability of the second-generation Seltos, a comprehensively redesigned compact SUV that brings bolder styling, a fully digital cabin, and a range of engines available with one of the most extensive safety packages in its class.

Built on Kia’s Opposites United design philosophy, the new Seltos is aimed squarely at buyers who want a compact SUV that looks and feels distinctive without compromising on everyday usability. The local range spans five grades — LS, LX, GT-Line, GT-Line S and X-Line — across three engine options, giving buyers a wide spread of choice from efficient city motoring to a more spirited, performance-oriented drive.

EXTERIOR DESIGN

The new Seltos makes its presence felt from every angle. At the front, Kia’s signature Star Map LED lighting is paired with an animated welcome-light sequence that activates as the driver approaches.

Flush-fitting door handles sharpen the car’s visual lines while also improving aerodynamic efficiency, and along the flanks, a strong shoulder line and floating roof design lend the Seltos a sense of movement even when stationary.

At the rear, vertical LED tail lamps stretch across the tailgate, reinforcing the SUV’s wider, more confident stance.

The X-Line derivative is further distinguished by an exclusive matte Dark Gun Metal Grey exterior finish paired with full black alloy wheels, while a broader palette of colour options is available across the rest of the range.

INTERIOR

Inside, the cabin has been reworked around the driver, with a low, horizontal dashboard that improves forward visibility and creates a greater sense of space. A console-mounted gear selector and simplified layout keep frequently used controls within easy reach.

Display technology scales with grade: LS models feature a 10.25-inch AV infotainment touchscreen, while LX and above step up to a larger 12.3-inch display. On GT-Line S and X-Line, this is paired with a fully digital 12-inch TFT instrument cluster, creating a seamless, panoramic twin-screen effect ahead of the driver.

A wide panoramic sunroof (GT-Line and above) floods the cabin with natural light, while customisable 64-colour ambient lighting — also available from GT-Line upward — allows occupants to tailor the interior mood to the drive.

Rear passengers benefit from generous legroom and split-folding seats, and the boot offers a generous 447 litres (VDA L) of load space, complemented by a dual-level cargo floor that adapts from daily shopping runs to weekend luggage duty.

COMFORT & CONVENIENCE

• Dual-zone climate control and Smart Key with push-button start are standard from LX upward.
• GT-Line models add a wireless smartphone charging pad, joined further up the range by GT-Line S and X-Line.
• GT-Line S and X-Line add ventilated front seats and a power-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support, allowing occupants to fine-tune both temperature and posture on longer journeys.
• An electric parking brake with Auto Hold is available from LX upward, with availability on LS dependent on transmission choice.

PERFORMANCE

The new Seltos is underpinned by Kia’s latest K3 platform, delivering improved rigidity, refinement and more confident handling. Three engine options are offered locally:

• 1.5-litre MPI petrol — 85 kW and 144 Nm, available with a 6-speed manual or intelligent CVT transmission. Fitted to LS, LX and GT-Line models, this unit is tuned for smooth, efficient everyday driving in both city and open-road conditions.
• 1.5-litre CRDi turbodiesel — 85 kW and a stronger 250 Nm of torque, paired exclusively with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Offered on GT-Line and X-Line models, it is aimed at buyers who prioritise pulling power and long-distance economy.
• 1.5-litre T-GDi turbopetrol — the range-topping unit, producing 119 kW and 253 Nm through a dual-clutch transmission. Available exclusively on GT-Line S models, it delivers the most spirited drive in the range.

All derivatives offer selectable Eco, Normal and Sport drive modes, allowing the Seltos to adapt its character to the driving environment.

CAPABILITY

Beyond outright performance, the Seltos has been engineered to handle a broader range of everyday South African driving conditions. Ground clearance of 200 mm gives added confidence over speed bumps, gravel and rougher surfaces, while a MacPherson-strut front and torsion-beam rear suspension set-up has been tuned for a composed yet comfortable ride.

Hill Start Assist Control helps prevent rollback when pulling away on an incline, and Downhill Brake Control maintains a steady, controlled speed on steep descents. For buyers who need to carry more than passengers and luggage, the Seltos offers a towing capacity of up to 1,100 kg braked or 550 kg unbraked — sufficient for a small trailer, bike carrier or compact caravan.

SAFETY

Kia has placed a strong emphasis on occupant protection across the Seltos range. Six airbags — covering driver, passenger, front thorax and curtain protection — are fitted as standard, supported by a body structure built with extensive use of ultra-high-strength steel.

Core safety systems fitted across the entire range include Anti-lock Braking System, Electronic Stability Control, Hill Start Assist Control, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, a rear-view camera and ISOFIX child-seat anchors, along with Data Dot micro-dot security marking to deter theft and assist recovery.

Parking assistance scales with grade: rear Parking Distance Warning is standard on LS, while front and rear warning is included from LX upward. Manual Speed Limit Assist is similarly available from LX upward.

GT-Line S and X-Line models add a full suite of advanced driver-assistance features, including:

• Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist – Rear
• Lane Keeping Assist
• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist
• Lane Following Assist
• Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go

TECHNOLOGY

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included across the entire range, alongside Bluetooth connectivity with voice recognition and steering-mounted audio controls, plus front USB and USB charging ports.

Higher grades add a Bose Premium Sound System (GT-Line S and X-Line), wireless smartphone charging and ambient mood lighting (both from GT-Line upward), rounding out a cabin experience that scales meaningfully as buyers move up the range.

SOUTH AFRICAN MODEL RANGE

Kia Seltos LS Available with manual or CVT petrol, the entry point to the range comes generously equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, six airbags, Electronic Stability Control, rear Park Distance Control, LED lighting and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The Kia Seltos LX, available in CVT petrol, builds on the LS specification with front Park Distance Control, a larger 12.3-inch infotainment display, dual-zone climate control, and Smart Key with push-button start.

Kia Seltos GT-Line – Offered in both CVT petrol and automatic diesel – add unique exterior and interior design accents, 18-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, ambient mood lighting, wireless smartphone charging, an ECM rear-view mirror and rain-sensing wipers.

Kia Seltos GT-Line S and X-Line The range’s halo derivatives — GT-Line S with the 1.5 T-GDi turbopetrol, and X-Line with the 1.5 CRDi diesel automatic — add dynamic welcome lighting, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, ventilated front seats, a Bose sound system, Smart Cruise Control and the full ADAS safety suite. The X-Line is further distinguished by its exclusive matte Dark Gun Metal Grey finish, black alloy wheels and a two-tone Hunter Green and Dark Grey interior.

PRICING AND AVAILABILITY

The Kia Seltos range is priced as follows:

The all-new Seltos is available now at Kia dealerships nationwide.