All new in 2021, the 2023 Kia Seltos rolls into showrooms essentially unchanged. Slotting into the Kia lineup between the Soul and the Niro, the Seltos is a 5-passenger crossover subcompact will big aspirations. Based on the trim level, Kia provides it with two 4-cylinder engines.
Key rivals include the Chevy Trax, Honda HR-V, Nissan Kicks, and Jeep Renegade.
Kia separates the Seltos into five grades: LX, S, EX, Nightfall, and SX Turbo. We like the Seltos for its value, array of driver aids, ample space for cargo and people, and its terrific warranty.
Except for the S grade, the Seltos comes standard with all-wheel drive (AWD). Standard on S is front-wheel drive (FWD). However, Kia makes AWD available for the S.
With the 2.0-liter engine, the FWD 2023 Kia Seltos is rated by the EPA at 29 mpg city/35 mpg highway/31 mpg combined. With AWD, that drops to 27 mpg city/31 mpg highway/29 mpg combined. The 2023 Kia Seltos with the turbo 1.6-liter engine, available exclusively with AWD, is rated by the EPA at 25 mpg city/30 mpg highway/27 mpg combined.
2023 Kia Seltos LX
(starting at $22,840)
The LX anchors the Seltos trim-level family. Along with the S and EX, it sources its thrust from a 146-horsepower 4-cylinder engine married to an automatic transmission.
Even as the base trim, the LX comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic on-off projector halogen headlights, and power accessories (windows, door locks, and outboard rearview mirrors). Also included are front/rear skid plates, a tilt-telescopic steering wheel, a 3.5-inch driver-information display, a dual-level cargo floor, and a height-adjustable driver’s seat. A 60/40 split-folding rear seat with 2-way recline, air conditioning, two 12-volt power ports, one USB port, cruise control, and remote keyless entry are also standard.
Among the infotainment features are an 8-inch touchscreen, a 6-speaker audio system, Bluetooth, and voice recognition. The technology continues with driver aids like forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection. Also standard are lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, lane-following assist, driver-alert warning, and high-beam assist.
Kia doesn’t offer any factory-installed options for the LX.
Adding the $1,295 destination fee to the LX base price brings the total to $24,135. Financing for 60 months at 3% interest with no down payment is about $434 per month. See 2023 Kia Seltos LX models for sale
2023 Kia Seltos LX includes:
Tilt-telescopic steering wheel – Allows the driver to set both the height and distance of the steering wheel.
Auto on-off headlights – Photosensors detect a reduction in daylight, automatically engaging the headlights and taillights. The system extinguishes the lights when an appropriate amount of daylight returns.
Driver aids – These advanced safety features include forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, high-beam assist, and lane-keeping assist.
2023 Kia Seltos S
(starting at $22,890)
With a price difference of only a couple of hundred dollars, you wouldn’t expect there to be much the S adds to the LX. The S loses AWD in favor of FWD. Adding AWD back tacks $1,500 to the bottom line. Consequently, S brings more extra standard features than you might think.
Upgrades Kia builds into the S grade are LED daytime running lights, fog lights, LED taillights, and heated outboard mirrors with integrated turn signals. Silver roof rails, LED cabin lighting, a rear-seat center armrest, upgraded seat coverings, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob are included. Other standard features include single-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry with push-button start, remote start, a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, and a rear USB charge port. You get Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as well.
Kia offers a 2-tone roof, roof-color outboard mirrors, and 3-level heated front seats as options for the S trim.
Adding the $1,295 destination fee to the S base price equals $24,185. Putting no money down and financing at 3% for 60 months works out to about $435 per month. See 2023 Kia Seltos S models for sale
2023 Kia Seltos S includes:
Single-zone automatic climate control – A set-it-and-forget-it system that automatically maintains the temperature once you set it.
Heated mirrors with integrated turn signals – These are heated power outboard mirrors with turn-signal repeaters installed on their outer shell.
Remote start – When within range of the key fob, you can start the vehicle from your home, office, etc. It’s handy for precooling the SUV in summer and preheating it in winter.
2023 Kia Seltos EX
(starting at $26,140)
Kia makes AWD standard again for Seltos EX and the higher two trims.
The EX adds more features to the S, including tinted glass, a power sunroof, faux-leather seating, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and wireless phone charging. Also standard are heated front seats, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.
Kia doesn’t offer any factory-installed options for the EX.
Adding the destination fee to the EX base price totals $27,435. With no money down, financing for 60 months at 3% interest works out to about $493 per month. See 2023 Kia Seltos EX models for sale
2023 Kia Seltos EX includes:
Power-adjustable driver seat – This seat provides 10-way power adjustment.
Smartphone charging – You can charge any Qi-compatible smartphone without using a cable.
Blind-spot monitoring – This radar-based system warns of traffic approaching your flanks. It also includes rear cross-traffic alert to warn of vehicles crossing behind you when in reverse.
2023 Kia Seltos Nightfall Edition
(starting at $27,040)
Kia arms the Nightfall Edition and the SX Turbo with its 175-hp 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. Pairing it with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission results in combined mileage of 27 mpg.
The Nightfall Edition builds on the S grade. In addition to the turbo-engine upgrade and AWD, it mainly adds some blacked-out elements, including 18-inch black alloy wheels. It also includes blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, which the S doesn’t.
Adding the $1,295 destination fee to the Nightfall Edition base price brings the total to $28,335. Financing for 60 months at 3% interest with no money down works out to about $509 per month. See 2023 Kia Seltos Nightfall Edition models for sale
2023 Kia Seltos SX Turbo
(starting at $28,340)
Topping off the Seltos grade lineup, the SX Turbo builds on the EX. However, it loses the EX’s sunroof (although one is available on the SX Turbo as an option). To the EX trim, it adds the turbo engine, 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, LED fog lights, a two-tone roof, a 7-inch driver-information display, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. Also included are a cargo cover, a leather-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel, an 8-speaker Bose audio system, auto hold, and adaptive cruise control. Safe Exit and Highway Driving Assist are standard, as well.
Kia offers the sunroof as a $700 option.
Adding the destination fee to the SX Turbo base price totals $29,535. At 3% interest, financing for 60 months with no money down costs about $533 per month. See 2023 Kia Seltos SX Turbo models for sale
2023 Kia Seltos SX Turbo includes:
Highway Driving Assist – This is Kia’s semi-autonomous driving system that can steer, accelerate, and brake the vehicle under certain conditions.
Adaptive cruise control – Once you have engaged the system and set the speed, the system will maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front, braking and accelerating as needed.
Bose audio system – Including a subwoofer, this 8-speaker system also features a sound-connected cabin mood lamp.
