Experienced by Kimatni D. Rawlins
The new 2027 Kia Seltos is one of the most confident subcompact SUVs on the market. It underwent a full metamorphosis and came out on top with sharper styling, sportier attributes, and cabin entertainment features to keep all occupants satisfied. The vehicle is the perfect size and price for college students and young adults who desires the features it offers.
During my media loaner week, I used the Seltos X-Line SX AWD trim for a road trip from D.C. to Philly and to escort my daughter and her VB teammates around Baltimore during volleyball game weekend. The girls loved the Terrain Brown hue and X-Line exterior styling, which was contrasted by black body armor, including the roof, mirror caps, radiator, lower grille, side skirts, and black aerodynamic rims. LED reflector headlights and sharp and edgy creases define the snazzy physique of the Seltos, which looks like it’s ready for battle against its rivals, the Ford Bronco Sport, Chevrolet Trailblazer, Subaru Crosstrek, and Honda HR-V.
If you are wondering, Kia says the vehicle’s naming convention is adopted from Celtos, son of Hercules in Greek mythology, yet the “S” was interchanged to represent speed and sport. That’s a heroic pedigree for a subcompact crossover, but it also matches how Kia labels its vehicles: the Sorento, Sportage, and Telluride all lean on dignity.
Back on 95 North on our way to The City of Brotherly Love for vegan hoagies and cheesesteaks, three of my adult friends and I piled into the little guy for a camaraderie-filled day trip. That’s right, we drove all the way up and back for lunch! With a full tank, the Seltos can achieve 391 miles (26 mpg combined), so we didn’t have to stop for fuel. Once we arrived, city parking was simple thanks to the vehicle’s small size and its Surround View Monitor, Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist – Reverse, and Parking Distance Warning – Side.
Yet it struggled when I needed to accelerate under pressure to escape larger SUVs, trucks, and 18-wheelers. My SX trim operated from a 1.6-liter turbocharged GDI 4-cylinder Engine, an 8-speed automatic transmission, and torque-vectoring AWD with Terrain Mode. Our X-Line featured the upgraded 19″ alloy wheels and Kumho tires, a panoramic sunroof, and a smart power liftgate that we utilized often. However, I wouldn’t call the Seltos the ideal road car for four adults, as we were a bit cramped. But for students heading back to school from their home state with luggage and a few packages from their parents, this scenario would be more situational. Young adults are still energetic and limber, and don’t require the level of relaxation, leg extension, and space as aging men and women.
Inside, the cabin duplicates the exterior’s upgraded appointments. Our Seltos had the Harman/Kardon audio system, perfect since we each went down memory lane by selecting classic R&B, reggae, and hip-hop tracks. The sporty octagonal steering wheel made me feel more like a pro driver than a consumer; the 12.3″ Instrument Display kept me engaged with the tech features, and the 12.3″ Touchscreen housed Apple CarPlay for my music playlists. SynTex seating, heated front seats, 60/40 split-folding and reclining rear seats, and dual-zone auto climate control w/ 5″ display added to the amenity depth. Kia also backs your purchase with a 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile limited basic warranty.
On the way back, we hit a rainstorm that brought traffic to a crawl. Highway Driving Assist and Blind-Spot View Monitor helped me steer through the weather and road hazards. Typically, I swap our family cars to Michelin and Bridgestone tires if the factory tire is a Kumho, which is a common OE fitment on Hyundai and Kia models. Kumho manages everyday driving competently, but when the gaps show up in more demanding moments like a hard stop on wet pavement, louder at highway speeds, or in tread-wear longevity, I prefer Michelin as the benchmark.
Overall, the 2027 Kia Seltos X-Line SX AWD sits at the upper, performance-leaning end of the class, closest to a turbo Mazda CX-30 or Bronco Sport Badlands. Starting at $32,790, the X-Line package adds $2,500 but includes a boatload of goodies from the screens to its navigation-based Smart Cruise Control-Curve. The sub-compact is smart, fun, and recalibrates expectations for the segment.
