The Kia Seltos is Kia’s entry into the subcompact crossover segment in the Philippines. It features a sleek fascia with several sporty accents to go along with the crossover’s outdoor-focused appeal. The name Seltos is derived from the name Celtos, who was the son of Hercules in Greek mythology.
The Seltos slots below the Sorento and above the Stonic in terms of size, providing a more compact alternative to the seven-seater Sorento. Powering this crossover is a selection of two powertrains. First is the 1.5-liter naturally-aspirated Smartstream engine that makes 114 hp at 6,300 rpm and 144 Nm of torque at 4,500 rpm. It is then paired with an Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT). Moving on, there's the 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with direct injection. This engine delivers 138 hp at 6,000 rpm and an ample 242 Nm of torque within the range of 1,500 to 3,200 rpm. This is paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission with a different drive modes.
Launch
Globally, the Seltos made its debut in India in June 2019. A few months later, the Kia Seltos was launched in the Philippines on November 6, 2019, with three variants to choose from: the base LX, the mid-level EX, and the top-trim SX.
In July 2023, Kia updated the Seltos to match the brand’s new design philosophy. This facelift was not restricted to the exterior as Kia also brought in major changes to the interior as well as additional features. The Philippines received this facelifted Seltos several months later, formally making its debut on November 30, 2023. The updated Seltos has three variants and a more accessible price tag. The range starts with the LX priced at P1,198,000 followed by the EX at P1,288,000, and ends with the range-topping SX priced at P1,688,000
Platform, Chassis and Powertrain
The Kia Seltos is a five-seater, five-door subcompact crossover that has a front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout. It has a MacPherson strut and coil-spring suspension setup up front while the rear end gets a coupled torsion beam axle with coil spring. It’s equipped with disc brakes on all four wheels.
Two powertrain options are available for the Seltos line here in the Philippines. The first option includes a 1.5-liter naturally-aspirated Smartstream engine, producing 114 hp at 6,300 rpm and 144 Nm of torque at 4,500 rpm. This engine is coupled with an Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT). This same powertrain option can be found inside its cousin, the Hyundai Creta. The second option is a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with direct injection. Despite its smaller displacement, this specific engine delivers 138 hp at 6,000 rpm and an ample 242 Nm of torque within the 1,500 to 3,200 rpm range. Unlike the front-wheel-driven IVT configuration, the 1.4-liter turbo is coupled with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission featuring selectable drive modes.
Chassis
Class
Subcompact crossover SUV
Body Style
5-door SUV
Platform
Layout
Front-engine, front-wheel-drive
Platform
Hyundai-Kia B-SUV
Powertrain
Engine
1.5 liter four cylinders gasoline engine(LX & EX variant)
1.4 liter four cylinders gasoline engine(SX variant)
All Kia Seltos variants are equipped with a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The number of convenient features varies per variant, but the top-level SX comes with keyless entry, cruise control with Stop and Go, automatic climate control, a full LED lighting affair, reverse camera, rear parking sensors, and front proximity sensors.
Excluding the SX, all variants of the Kia Seltos get an 8-inch floating infotainment system to crown its tech features inside the car. Meanwhile, the SX receives a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster seamlessly integrating the multi-info display.
Exterior
As with the rest of the Kia lineup, the Seltos has a huge tiger-nose grille that flanks both side-swept headlights, highlighted by a pair of sharp daytime running lights. The subcompact crossover also comes with faux-silver accents on the front bumper while the top-spec Seltos gets LED fog lamps to complete the set.
The Seltos sits on 17-inch wheels, which is standard across the range. The sporty appeal of the crossover comes from the array of black undercladdings that outline the shape of the vehicle. At the rear, the Seltos come with wraparound LED taillights, garnished with a skid plate and blacked-out chrome exhaust finishers.
Interior
Inside, the Seltos is as clean and sleek as its exterior design. The materials used are easy on the eyes plus the controls are clustered nicely for easy familiarization. The floating infotainment system is highlighted to contrast the cabin’s dark gray theme while piano black plastics are used to underline some parts of the interior layout.
The rear cabin of the Seltos is enough to accommodate the average-sized person. The trunk, however, is vast even with the backrests upright and doubles in capacity when folded down.
Safety
The top-spec Kia Seltos SX comes with driver, front passenger, side, and curtain airbags, while the lower EX and LX get driver and front passenger airbags only. Standard across the Seltos range are ABS, four 3-point seatbelts, one lap belt, and ISOFIX child seat anchors. The top SX variant gets extra stability control, dynamic brake control, hill-start assist, automated emergency braking, and, intelligent cruise control.
The 2024 Kia Seltos got a big update in 2024, and it's more than just a new bumper and grille. Dressed from head to toe, the new subcompact crossover gets a new engine as well along with a totally revamped interior. With everything put together, did the facelift succeed in breathing new life to the Seltos, or is it a botch? Find out on this episode of Behind the Wheel.
Remember this? The 2024 Kia Seltos is now back and better than ever and now with a price tag that's even more enticing than before. The Seltos brings a new level of value to the subcompact c...
The 2020 Kia Seltos, a Korean subcompact crossover in the Philippines with a sizeable 2.0-liter engine, an interesting transmission, and a few unintended pop culture references. Let's go Beh...
Dealer satisfaction score during the first 6 months of car ownership.
Dealer Service Satisfaction
Dealer Satisfaction Score
71.7%
Ease of obtaining an appointment
3.7/5
Convenience of servicing location and hours of service
3.7/5
Cleanliness and comfort of service center
3/5
Friendliness and service quality of service center staff
3.7/5
Quality of work performed
3.7/5
Was it completed on time?
3.7/5
Were there any additional costs, which were not made transparent to you?
3.7/5
What is your overall satisfaction with your service experience?
3.7/5
Car Satisfaction
Have you encountered any major technical difficulties with your vehicle?
No
How would you rate the ownership experience of your vehicle?
4.3/5
Overall value for money
4/5
Would you recommend this car?
Yes
Recent Owner Reviews
Kia Seltos 1.5 EX AT
Kia Iligan
5/5
Ralph Louie S. · Jan 21, 2025
everything was great. except that the headlight of my unit seems to have a defect because incurs moist inside. i had to bring it back to the dealer for check up.
Have you encountered any major technical difficulties with your vehicle?
No
How would you rate the ownership experience of your vehicle?
5
Overall value for money
5
Would you recommend this car?
Yes
Dealer Service Satisfaction
Dealer Satisfaction Score
100.00%
Ease of obtaining an appointment
5
Convenience of servicing location and hours of service
5
Cleanliness and comfort of service center
5
Friendliness and service quality of service center staff
5
Quality of work performed
5
Was it completed on time?
5
Were there any additional costs, which were not made transparent to you?
5
What is your overall satisfaction with your service experience?
5
Kia Seltos 2.0 EX IVT
Kia Alabang
4.7/5
Maila M. · Nov 27, 2021
For the price of the EX, it's really value for money. Driving is so smooth even with the twist and turns. The engine is so quiet. Coming from my Chevy Spin for 7yrs, stepping into the Seltos is like going from a 3star hotel to a great 5star hotel! 😁😁
Have you encountered any major technical difficulties with your vehicle?
No
How would you rate the ownership experience of your vehicle?
4
Overall value for money
3
Would you recommend this car?
Yes
Dealer Service Satisfaction
Dealer Satisfaction Score
55.00%
Ease of obtaining an appointment
3
Convenience of servicing location and hours of service
3
Cleanliness and comfort of service center
1
Friendliness and service quality of service center staff
3
Quality of work performed
3
Was it completed on time?
3
Were there any additional costs, which were not made transparent to you?
3
What is your overall satisfaction with your service experience?
3
Kia Seltos 1.5 EX AT
Kia Iligan
5/5
Ralph Louie S. · Jan 21, 2025
everything was great. except that the headlight of my unit seems to have a defect because incurs moist inside. i had to bring it back to the dealer for check up.
For the price of the EX, it's really value for money. Driving is so smooth even with the twist and turns. The engine is so quiet. Coming from my Chevy Spin for 7yrs, stepping into the Seltos is like going from a 3star hotel to a great 5star hotel! 😁😁
It's a great crossover subcompact SUV that doesn't feel that heavy when you drive it.
Driving performance - can be shifted from ECO -> NORMAL to SPORT for that extra boost.
-BlazeSR
