Kelley Blue Book: The 2024 Kia Seltos review: A great SUV gets even better

The Kia Seltos was already a class leader in subcompact SUVs, and it gets even better with a 2024 update that includes visual refinements, more technology, and extra power from the turbocharged engine. The Seltos boasts a roomy interior for such a small SUV, the best warranty in its class, and affordable pricing to keep it within reach for a wide range of drivers. Similar SUVs include the Honda HR-V
HMC,
+1.96%
 and Subaru
FUJHY,
+1.69%
Crosstrek. The Seltos is a reigning Best Buy Award champion and we’re glad to see a great SUV get even better.

Also see: 10 of the best new luxury compact and subcompact SUVs

2024 Kia Seltos pricing

The 2024 Kia Seltos starts at $24,390. The entry price for turbo power is $28,690 via the X-Line trim, and the top SX model starts at $29,990. It’s priced similarly to rivals like the Subaru Crosstrek, which starts at about $25K, and the Mazda
MZDAY,
+0.99%
CX-30, starting at around $23K.

(Compare trims side by side)

These are the manufacturer’s suggested retail prices and don’t include the $1,325 factory-to-dealer delivery fee (destination charge).

Before buying a Seltos, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. Kia Seltos resale value is above average for the segment.

Check out: The cars, trucks and SUVs with the best resale value

What’s new for 2024?

The Seltos gets a rather comprehensive glow-up for 2024, with changes outside, inside, and under the hood.

The grille is larger, there’s more expansive lighting front and rear, and there’s a new Seltos X-Line, a slightly more rugged-looking Seltos with black wheels and fewer shiny bits.

Interior updates are highlighted by a newly available panoramic screen setup, incorporating a pair of big, beautiful 10.25-inch displays.

And the optional turbocharged engine now makes 195 horsepower — up from 175 — and gets paired with a much more refined transmission. The powertrain it replaces could be rough at times, a trait we noted over our year-long test of the Seltos when it debuted. We found the new setup as good as advertised. The additional power is nice, of course, but greater responsiveness and smoother shifts are the transformative improvements.

Also see: The 2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid offers great fuel economy with plenty of safety features and lively performance

Driving the 2024 Kia Seltos

With its 146-horsepower 4-cylinder engine, the 2024 Kia Seltos is capable of hitting 60 mph in 9.6 seconds. That’s rather leisurely, but very typical of the segment. Still, we’ve found it responsive around town and count it among the more lively and engaging subcompact SUVs. It’s a standout on the highway, too, with ride comfort and noise levels that belie its tidy dimensions.

We’re happy to report that turbocharged Seltos models got the improvement they needed: A new transmission, along with more horsepower. The former fixed the one quibble we had with the prior Seltos, and the latter is icing on the cake. The 2024 Kia Seltos X-Line and SX models now use a traditional 8-speed automatic transmission to go with their 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, which now makes 20 more horsepower for a total of 195.

The new 8-speed transmission improves the character of the turbo Seltos models, making them smoother and better everyday drivers. It replaces a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic that could feel rough at times, a trait we noted over thousands of miles and a year of testing a former Seltos SX turbo. This new one has no such issues, and along with being smoother brings the added verve of more power and torque. Most Seltos buyers will stick with the more affordable, more efficient powertrain, but the turbo models are easily the most fun of the bunch.

Plus: Kia jumps into electric car price wars by bringing back the EV6 Light

Spacious interior

The interior of the Seltos is updated for 2024 with a cleaner and more premium design. The big addition is the newly available dual 10.25-inch panoramic displays connecting the digital gauge cluster with the infotainment screen. It comes on all but the base LX trim, which still features an 8-inch touchscreen

Interior space and comfort are strong suits of the Seltos. The front seats are comfortable, and we were impressed with the space in the rear seats when we climbed back there and found plenty of legroom for average adults.

The cargo space is above average for a subcompact SUV. It’s so roomy that one of our editors even found the Seltos helpful while moving, on top of being a pleasant and practical daily commuter.

Other new and appreciated amenities include ventilated front seats and a power tailgate, both part of the Sunroof Package on SX models.

Plus: The redesigned 2024 Chevy Trax: a roomy, affordable crossover SUV with zippy driving dynamics

Modern rugged look

The updated 2024 Kia Seltos adopts what Kia
000270,
+0.12%
 calls the “digital tiger” design language. It’s a more high-tech iteration of the outgoing aesthetic with a redesigned LED light signature. It has a light bar in the back and a sharper look up front with a bigger grille.

You might like: Mazda gets all burly and outdoorsy with its rugged new CX-50

A new X-Line model joins the lineup for 2024. This is essentially an appearance package suggesting off-road ambitions, with gloss black and gunmetal accents with skid plates.

Interesting and attractive paint colors are available, including the sea-green Pluton Blue, plus a variety of 2-tone options with a contrasting roof color.

Our favorite features and tech

Panoramic display
Dual 10.25-inch displays — a setup included on all but the base model — give the Seltos passenger cabin a class-above look and feel.

Transferrable digital key

With your smartphone and the Kia Connect app, you can lock the Seltos or start the engine from the other side of the country (or from inside the house, more likely). You can even “send” a key to a friend or family member.

Spacious interior
The Seltos has one of the roomiest interiors in its class, making it one of the most practical SUVs in its segment.

Turbo engine
The optional 195-horsepower turbocharged engine is one of the most powerful available in this segment.

Bose audio with mood lighting
Most SUVs are available with a premium audio system, but the one in the Seltos adds mood lighting for a more fun and high-tech interior atmosphere.

Rugged X-Line trim
The new X-Line trim adds a more outdoorsy personality to the Seltos with gloss black trim, a gunmetal gray grille and skid plates, high-utility roof rails, and all-wheel drive with Lock Mode.

Engine and transmission

The base engine in the Seltos is a dutiful 4-cylinder mated to an automatic transmission (of the continuously variable variety). Its performance is adequate, and it’s good on gas, especially with front-wheel drive (FWD). All-wheel drive (AWD) is optional and still pretty fuel-efficient.

The turbocharged engine in the Seltos X-Line and SX trims adds more excitement to this SUV. It’s re-tuned for 2024 with an extra 20 horsepower. Gone is the quick-shifting but imperfect 7-speed dual-clutch automatic, replaced with a smoother-shifting traditional 8-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is standard with the turbo engine.

2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine
146 horsepower @ 6,200 rpm
132 lb-ft of torque @ 4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 28/34 mpg (FWD), 27/31 mpg (AWD)

1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine
195 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
195 lb-ft of torque @ 1,600-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 25/27 mpg

More Seltos fuel economy information is available on the EPA’s website.

5-year/60,000-mile warranty

You won’t find a subcompact SUV with a better warranty. The 2024 Kia Seltos is covered by a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage. The powertrain warranty reverts to 5/60 coverage for second owners.

Also see: It looks like fun, and it is: Subaru has redesigned the Crosstrek for 2024

Safety ratings

The Kia Seltos has earned a 4-Star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Top Safety Pick honors from the Insurance Insitute for Highway Safety.

KBB’s car review methodology.

This story originally ran on KBB.com.