Kia is boosting its model lineup in the United States with another SUV. This model is making its debut in the US as an entry-level SUV aimed at attracting budget-conscious customers to the brand. To this end, the 2021 Kia Seltos has just been unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
Slotted between the Kia Soul and the Sportage, the Seltos actually had its global debut in India in June with sales starting in September. Nevertheless, Kia sees the Seltos as a model important enough to be sold in the US. Essentially, the US and global versions of the Seltos are twins, except for a number of tweaks.
In terms of looks, the US-spec Kia Seltos is influenced by the design theme of the Kia Telluride SUV. Parading a confident stance thanks to a tall front end and high ground clearance (7.2 inches), the Seltos features a look defined by Kia’s signature tiger nose grille, assertive lower front bumper design, black wheel arch cladding, front and rear skid plates, as well as sculpted dual exhaust outlets.
Riding on 17-inch or 18-inch alloy wheels (with red wheel center caps), the new Kia Seltos boasts a sleek greenhouse and a profile marked by chiseled surfaces and well-drawn lines. These are complemented by a long hood up front.
Inside, the new 2021 Kia Seltos features an upscale cabin with a lot of space and comfort. It offers generous hip and shoulder room as well as ample leg and head room -- not only in the front row, but also in the second row.
As per Kia, the new Seltos’ already spacious cargo space may be expanded by folding the rear seat down and lifting the luggage board, paving the way for a flat loading space.
Kia will be offering the new Seltos in five trims - LX, EX, S 2.0L, S 1.6T and SX - when it arrives in the US in the first quarter of 2020. Each of these trims has its own personality, so it's really up to the customer to decide which trim suits them best.
The LX, S and EX trims are powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder MPI engine that delivers 146 hp of max output and 132 lb.-ft. of peak torque, sent to wheels via an Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT).
Meanwhile, the S trim can also be powered by a 1.6-liter Turbo GDI mill providing up to 175 hp of output and 195 lb.-ft. of torque. Sending power to the wheels through a 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT), this 1.6-liter engine is also found on the SX trim.
As per Kia, the starting prices for the Seltos LX AWD and the Seltos S FWD are just under $22,000. The carmaker will release more pricing details near the upcoming sales date.
(Via Kia)