Engine Types

Returning to 2021 with much of the same foundations, the 2021 Kia Seltos comes with five trims – LX, S, EX, S Turbo, and SX Turbo. The first three trims come with a 2.0-liter DOHC I-4 engine, able to produce 146 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. It’s been optimized with multi-port gasoline injection for quicker fuel injection into the combustion chamber. Don’t let the numbers fool you though, because the S Turbo and SX Turbo come with a turbocharged 1.6-liter DOHC I-4 engine, capable of generating up to 175 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. Optimized with gasoline direct injection, this engine delivers the supreme performance of a Kia Motors vehicle.

Engineeringing

The 2021 Kia Seltos comes with the same two transmission systems, an intelligent variable transmission (IVT) system on the, whereas the S Turbo and SX Turbo come with the powerful 7-speed quick-shift dual-clutch transmission (DCT) automatic. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is only the standard on the S trim, capable of upgrading to the Dynamax all-wheel drive (AWD) with lock mode system. The 2021 Kia Seltos S trim with FWD has an EPA of 29 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway, whereas all trims with the IVT and AWD have a fuel economy of 27/31 mpg city/highway. The S Turbo and SX Turbo get 25 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.

Exterior Features

The 2021 Kia Seltos comes with all kinds of good stuff – automatic headlight control, a rear wiper/washer and heated rear glass with a timer for visibility, rear privacy glass, power-adjustable mirrors and a rear spoiler for flair. Past the base trim (LX), consumers will get heated exterior mirrors with LED turn-signal indicators, LED daytime running lights, and roof rails. The EX trim comes with a power sunroof with a sunshade, an optional add-on for the SX Turbo. Both trims get solar control glass standard. The LX, S, and EX trims run on 17-inch alloy wheels, whereas the S Turbo and SX Turbo ride on 18-inch alloy wheels.

Interior Features

The interior of the 2021 Kia Seltos mixes things up a bit with available features. Cloth upholstery covers the cabin of the base (LX) trim, but a Cloth and SOFINO leatherette blend trims the interior of the S and S Turbo trims. The EX and SX Turbo come with solo SOFINO throughout the cabin. All trims come with a 60/40 split-folding rear seat with 2-step recline, a under-rear-cargo-floor-storage compartment, and a 4-way adjustable passenger’s seat. A 6-way adjustable driver’s seat can be found in the LX, S, and S Turbo trims, whereas a 10-way adjustable driver’s seat is in the EX and SX Turbo. All trims past the base trim come with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and heated front seats (optional add-on for LX). Automatic temperature control with auto-defog, rear ventilation, and Smart Key with push-button start and immobilizer, and LED interior lighting can only be found on the EX and SX Turbo trims.

Entertainment

To start off, all trims but the SX Turbo come with an 8-inch touchscreen and an MP3/AM/FM radio with Bluetooth calling, voice recognition, and a six-speaker system. The SX Turbo comes with UVO Link on a 10.25-inch touchscreen with remote connectivity, voice-command navigation, SiriusXM, and a Bose premium audio system with sound-connected mood lamp. All trims come with Google Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, Siri Eye Free, a rear-camera display, and steering-wheel-mounted audio, cruise, and phone controls. A wireless phone charge comes standard with the EX and SX Turbo trims.

Safety Features and Warranty

Kia Motors knows safety, and the 2021 Kia Seltos is packed. Many basic safety features come with this vehicle, such as dual front advanced airbags, dual front seat-mounted side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, a rollover sensor, an anti-lock brake system, stability and traction control systems, a rear occupant alert system, and LATCH child-seat ready anchors. There are also a ton of advanced and automatic safety features on trims past the base (LX). These include lane keeping assist, a driver attention warning system, lane keeping and following assist, lane departure warning, and forward collision avoidance with a camera. Blind spot collision avoidance assist and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance assist can only be found on the EX, S Turbo, and SX Turbo trims. Only the SX Turbo trim comes with safe exit assist, forward collision avoidance assist fusion to detect pedestrians, cyclicts, etc., and smart cruise control with stop & go.

All Kia models are backed by an industry leading warranty. The Kia Soul is backed by a 10-year or 100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, a 5-year or 60,000-mile limited basic warranty, and a 5-year or 100,000-mile limited anti-perforation warranty.