2023 Kia Seltos

Engine Types

The new lineup for the 2023 Kia Seltos is five trims – LX, S, EX, Nightfall, and SX. Powertrains are the same, with the LX, S, and EX being powered by the 2.0-liter DOHC I-4 engine, optimized with multi-port gasoline injection, and able to produce 146 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. The Nightfall and SX trims are equipped with a turbocharged 1.6-liter DOHC I-4 engine, optimized with gasoline direct injection, and capable of generating up to 175 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque.

Driving and Handling

Trims powered by the 2.0-liter engine come with an intelligent variable transmission (IVT) system, whereas the others come with the powerful 7-speed quick-shift dual-clutch transmission (DCT) automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is only standard on the S trim, with the option to upgrade to all-wheel drive (AWD), standard on the rest of the lineup. With FWD, the Seltos offers a fuel economy of 29 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. If equipped with AWD, the fuel economy is 27/31 mpg city/highway.

Exterior Features

Many standard features can be found on the 2023 Kia Seltos model, including automatic headlight control, a rear wiper/washer and heated rear glass with a timer for visibility, rear privacy glass F(plus solar control on the S trim), power-adjustable mirrors, and sound-absorbing windshield glass. Past the LX trim, models come with heated exterior mirrors with LED turn-signal indicators and LED tail lights. The S comes with a sunroof – optional on the Nightfall Edition. LED headlights are only found on the Nightfall Edition. 17-inch alloy wheels are the standard, but the Nightfall Edition and SX trim ride on 18-inch alloy wheels.

Interior Features

Cloth upholstery is the standard for the LX, with a cloth and Syntex combination on the S and Nightfall Edition, and full SynTex on the EX and SX trims. Standard across the lineup are a 60/40 split-folding rear seat with 2-step recline, an under-rear-cargo-floor-storage compartment, and a 4-way adjustable passenger’s seat. The EX and SX trims replace the driver’s seat with a 10-way adjustable driver’s seat. Past the LX base trim, the lineup also comes with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, heated front seats (optional add-on for S), automatic temperature control with auto-defog, rear ventilation, LED interior lighting, and Smart Key with push-button start and immobilizer. Heated front seats are optional for the S, standard for the rest of the lineup (not the base).

Entertainment

The LX and S trim come with an 8-inch touchscreen and an MP3/AM/FM radio with Bluetooth calling, voice recognition, and a six-speaker system. All trims come with steering wheel-mounted audio controls, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. The rest of the lineup 10.25-inch touchscreen with remote connectivity, voice-command navigation, and SiriusXM (optional for S trim). A Bose premium audio system (eight speakers) with sound-connected mood lamp can only be found on the SX trim.

Safety Features and Warranty

Kia vehicles come with many basic safety features, including 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. Advanced safety features have become a little more standard, with all 2023 Kia Seltos trims equipped with forward collision avoidance-assist with pedestrian detection, lane following assist, lane keeping assist, lane departure warning, drive attention warning, and a rear-view monitor. Only the SX gets forward collision avoidance-assist with cyclist detection, highway driving assist, safe exit warning, and smart cruise control with stop & go. Past the LX trim, the 2023 Kia Seltos comes with blind-spot collision-avoidance assist-rear, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance assist.

All Kia models are backed by an industry leading warranty. The Kia Seltos 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.