Discover the Kia Seltos, a compact SUV that stands out with its stylish look, spacious cabin, and fun-to-drive edge. Positioned between the smaller Soul and the larger Sportage, the Seltos offers a slightly larger footprint than its subcompact counterparts, providing more cargo space than rivals like the Hyundai Kona and the Nissan Kicks. A fresh styling update for 2024 enhances its appeal, and the interior now boasts improved infotainment technology, making the Seltos a compelling choice in the small SUV segment.

The Seltos is available with two four-cylinder engines: a 2.0-liter that generates 146 horsepower or a turbocharged 1.6-liter that delivers 195 horsepower. The latter option, tested by Car and Driver, demonstrated impressive performance, accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.9 seconds. Most models come standard with all-wheel drive, enhancing the vehicle's versatility and performance across various conditions. The Seltos offers a firm yet mostly smooth ride, with handling that's sharper than many of its competitors, making it a more entertaining and composed choice for those who enjoy spirited driving.

Safety and driver-assistance features are a strong point for the Seltos, with a standard suite of technologies including automated emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist, and available adaptive cruise control with a lane-centering feature. These features contribute to the Seltos's reputation as a safe and reliable option in the compact SUV category.

The Seltos's infotainment setup has been significantly upgraded for 2024, featuring a new seamless panel that spans two-thirds of the dashboard, serving as both a digital gauge display and an infotainment touchscreen. This layout is optional, with a smaller display and an analog gauge cluster being standard. Every model comes equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with SiriusXM satellite radio and an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot available as options.

The 2024 Kia Seltos SX Turbo AWD, for example, starts at $31,315 and offers a turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4 engine with 195 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. It features a struts/multilink suspension setup, 12.0-in vented disc brakes in the front and 11.0-in disc brakes in the rear, and Kumho Majesty 9 Solus TA91 tires. The Seltos boasts a wheelbase of 103.5 inches, a length of 172.6 inches, and a width of 70.9 inches, with a height of 64.0 inches. It offers a passenger volume of 99 ft³, with cargo volumes behind the front and rear seats measuring 36 ft³ and 13 ft³, respectively. The curb weight is 3294 lbs, and it achieves an observed fuel economy of 25 mpg, with a 75-mph highway driving range of 420 miles.

In summary, the Kia Seltos is a versatile and feature-rich compact SUV that offers a blend of practicality, performance, and safety. Its contemporary styling, spacious interior, and comprehensive list of features make it a strong contender in the small SUV segment, appealing to a wide range of buyers looking for a vehicle that combines style, utility, and value.