2023 Kia Seltos grey front view

2023 Kia Seltos Levels Guide

While the 2023 Kia Seltos may seem unnecessary in light of the company’s present lineup, it has successfully filled a gap. The Seltos is on the larger end of the subcompact SUV market, giving it more passenger space than vehicles like the Hyundai Venue and the Nissan Kicks.

The Seltos, which debuted as a completely redesigned vehicle in 2021, will look exactly the same in 2023. It has two engine options and front-wheel or all-wheel drive, depending on which of the five model levels you choose.

Credit: MotorTrend, CarBuzz, Kia

Summary

All trims are offered with all-wheel drive while the base LX model is available with an optional front-wheel drive configuration.  A 2.0L four-cylinder engine producing 146 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque is paired with a CVT in the all-wheel drive trims.

The Seltos may be smaller on the outside, but it has greater head and legroom for its passengers than its competitors. Heated front seats, smartphone integration, blind-spot and cross-traffic alert, tyre pressure monitoring, and a rearview camera are standard across all trims.

How is the 2023 Kia Seltos On the Road?

The top SX trim is expensive, but it has a turbocharged engine and a lot of extras, making it a smart pick. The transmission makes quick and easy shifts. This small SUV is a bit hesitant to get going from a stop, but it picks up speed rather quickly. It has one of the best accelerations in its class and can reach highway speeds in no time.

When the road curves, the Seltos becomes less striking. While the Seltos has fast steering and precise suspension settings, it nevertheless seems unduly nose-heavy and ill-suited to the task when driven with any degree of passion. Although well-made overall, the interior is devoid of any real substance and feels overly cheap due to the abundance of plastic used throughout.

Compare the Trims & Specs

LX FWD

LX

EX

EX Premium

SX Turbo

MSRP Pricing

$23,695
$25,695
$28,295
$31,595
$33,695

Seat Features
LX FWD
LX
EX
EX Premium
SX Turbo

Seat Type

Cloth seats

Cloth seats

SOFINO leather seats (synthetic)

SOFINO leather seats (synthetic)

SOFINO leather seats (synthetic)

Number of Seats

5

5

5

5

5

Heated Seats

Front Only

Front Only

Front Only

Front and Rear

Front and Rear

Power Driver Seat

✖

✖

✖

Power Driver Seat

Power Driver Seat

Power Passenger Seat

✖

✖

✖

Power Passenger Seat

Power Passenger Seat

Ventilated Front Seats

✖

✖

✖

✔

✔

Driver Seat Memory System

✖

✖

✖

✖

✖

Other Notable Features

Interior
LX FWD
LX
EX
EX Premium
SX Turbo

Dashboard Info Display

3.5" Supervision LCD/TFT instrument cluster

3.5" Supervision LCD/TFT instrument cluster

3.5" Supervision LCD/TFT instrument cluster

7" Supervision LCD/TFT instrument cluster

7" Supervision LCD/TFT instrument cluster

Steering Wheel Features

✖

✖

Heated, Leather Wrapped

Heated, Leather Wrapped

Heated, Leather Wrapped, Sport steering wheel (D-shaped)

Head-Up Display

✖

✖

✖

✖

✔

Rear View Mirror Features

✖

✖

Auto-dimming

Auto-dimming

Auto-dimming

Automatic Climate Control

Air conditioning

Air conditioning

Automatic climate control

Automatic climate control

Automatic climate control

Smart Key System w/ Push-to-Start

✖

✖

✔

✔

✔

Integrated Garage Door Opener

Other Notable Features

Infotainment
LX FWD
LX
EX
EX Premium
SX Turbo

Touch Screen Display

8” Display audio

8” Display audio

8” Display audio

10.25" multimedia interface

10.25" multimedia interface

Audio System

6-speaker audio

6-speaker audio

6-speaker audio

6-speaker audio

6-speaker Bose premium sound system

Apple CarPlay

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

Android Auto

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

USB Charging Ports

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

Integrated Remote Engine Start

✖

✖

✔

✔

✔

Embedded Navigation System

✖

✖

✖

✔

✔

Wireless Charging

✖

✖

✖

✖

✔

Other Notable Features

Power
LX FWD
LX
EX
EX Premium
SX Turbo

Engine

2.0L MPI (Multi Point Injection)

2.0L MPI (Multi Point Injection)

2.0L MPI (Multi Point Injection)

2.0L MPI (Multi Point Injection)

1.6L Turbo GDI (Gas Direct Injection)

Transmission

IVT (Intelligent Variable Transmission)

IVT (Intelligent Variable Transmission)

IVT (Intelligent Variable Transmission)

IVT (Intelligent Variable Transmission)

7-speed Dual-Clutch Automatic Transmission

Drivetrain

FWD

AWD

AWD

AWD

AWD

Horsepower

146

146

146

146

175

Towing Capacity

Not Recommended

Not Recommended

Not Recommended

Not Recommended

Not Recommended

Fuel Economy (city/hwy/combined)

8.2/7.1/7.7 L/100km Regular

8.2/7.1/7.7 L/100km Regular

8.2/7.1/7.7 L/100km Regular

8.2/7.1/7.7 L/100km Regular

9.4/7.9/8.7 L/100km Regular

Special Drive Modes

✖

✖

✖

✖

✖

Other Notable Features

Safety Features
LX FWD
LX
EX
EX Premium
SX Turbo

Backup Camera

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

Anti-Collision System w/ Auto-Braking Capability

✖

✖

✔

✔

✔

Lane Departure Alert

✖

✖

✔

✔

✔

Dynamic Radar Cruise Control

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

Automatic High Beam

✖

✖

✖

✖

✖

Tire Pressure Monitoring System

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

Blind Spot Monitor System w/ Rear Cross Traffic Alert

✔

✔

w/ Blind-spot Collision Avoidance Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist

w/ Blind-spot Collision Avoidance Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist

w/ Blind-spot Collision Avoidance Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist

Parking Clearance System w/ Sonar Detection

Advanced forward collision-avoidance assist

Advanced forward collision-avoidance assist

Other Notable Features

Exterior
LX FWD
LX
EX
EX Premium
SX Turbo

Wheel Size

16" alloy wheels

17" alloy wheels

17" alloy wheels

17" alloy wheels

18" alloy wheels

Power Sunroof

✔

✔

✔

Power Backdoor Open/Close

✖

✖

✖

✖

✖

Side Mirrors Features

Heated, Power Adjustable

Heated, Power Adjustable

Heated, Power Adjustable

Heated, Power Adjustable

Heated, Power Adjustable

Window Wiper Features

✖

✖

✖

✖

Rain sensing wipers

Roof Rail

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

Temporary Spare Tire

✖

✖

✖

✖

✖

Other Notable Features

Light System
LX FWD
LX
EX
EX Premium
SX Turbo

Headlights

Halogen bi-function projection headlights

Halogen bi-function projection headlights

Halogen bi-function projection headlights

LED headlights

LED headlights

Core Light systems

LED Daytime Running Lights, Projection Fog Lights

LED Daytime Running Lights, Projection Fog Lights

LED Daytime Running Lights, Projection Fog Lights

LED Daytime Running Lights, LED Fog Lights

LED Daytime Running Lights, LED Fog Lights

Other Notable Features

LED high mount stop lamp

LED high mount stop lamp

LED high mount stop lamp, LED taillights

LED high mount stop lamp, LED taillights

LED high mount stop lamp, LED taillights

Dimensions
LX FWD
LX
EX
EX Premium
SX Turbo

Length

4,370 mm (172 in.)

4,370 mm (172 in.)

4,370 mm (172 in.)

4,370 mm (172 in.)

4,370 mm (172 in.)

Width

1,800 mm (70.9 in.)

1,800 mm (70.9 in.)

1,800 mm (70.9 in.)

1,800 mm (70.9 in.)

1,800 mm (70.9 in.)

Height

1,625 mm (63.9 in.)

1,630 mm (64.1 in.)

1,630 mm (64.1 in.)

1,630 mm (64.1 in.)

1,630 mm (64.1 in.)

Ground Clearance

180 mm (7 in.)

185 mm (7.3 in.)

185 mm (7.3 in.)

185 mm (7.3 in.)

185 mm (7.3 in.)

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