The new Seltos entered our long-term fleet two months in the past and nearly instantly proved why Kia is an organization that punches above its weight. Often seen because the underdog throughout the Hyundai Motor Group, Kia has aggressively sought to interrupt free from Hyundai’s shadow by placing that little bit additional in its cars, be it with trendy design, cabin high quality or tech. It’s merely superb how a lot Kia has packed into the facelifted Seltos, which is its bread-and-butter mannequin. We have with us the top-of-the-line GTX+ model outfitted with all of the bells and whistles, and powered by the 160hp, 1.5 turbo-petrol and a 7-speed DCT. 

Seltos’ interiors are unrivalled for feel-good issue.

So what’s it like residing with the Seltos? I like how upmarket the cabin feels, the general high quality, the match and end, the selection of supplies, which makes you’re feeling you’re getting your Rs 19.98 lakh’s (ex-showroom, India) value. Honestly, in comparison with the European manufacturers which have dumbed down cabin high quality within the Taigun and Kushaq to fulfill value targets, there’s no such stinting within the Seltos, which is now the benchmark for feel-good issue. 

The all-black inside is a bit gloomy, however splashes of chrome and distinction stitching on the seat do brighten issues up. The very first thing I do after I get into any car is discover a place to place my cellphone and the Seltos’ wi-fi charging shelf is properly situated within the centre console. 

High-quality switchgear for key capabilities.

I like the truth that there are buttons for key capabilities, and that the buttons and switches have a pleasant tactile really feel to them. You know it is a well-equipped car with a surfeit of buttons which have taken up each potential area on the high-quality steering wheel, together with the newly launched ADAS capabilities which have turn out to be the speaking level of many cars within the phase. I’ve activated the autonomous emergency braking (AEB) function, although I’ve by no means skilled it, or quite, haven’t wanted to expertise it. The level being that the signal of a superb emergency braking system is one which solely kicks in when a collision is imminent, not like the hyper-sensitive AEB programs in fashionable Mercs that are inclined to interpret minor obstacles as potential threats, which ends up in pointless and sudden braking interventions which are fairly scary.

Playing round with the ADAS menu, I unchecked the lane preserve help, which, in a rustic the place it’s arduous to stay to a lane, will be extra annoying than helpful. Besides, it’s not one thing that you would be able to actually use within the metropolis. A really helpful function, nevertheless, on crowded roads is the blind spot digicam, or what Kia calls Blind View Monitor, which exposes loopy bikers that may very well be hidden from the view of the wing mirrors. In truth, on the very first day, I rocked as much as the workplace in our spanking new long-termer and an impatient Activa proprietor shot out from behind simply as I used to be taking a left into the workplace gate, practically grazing the left facet wing mirror. Driving in Mumbai, you want as many eyes (or cameras) as potential to remain out of hassle. 

1.5 turbo and DCT are a bit jerky in stop-go site visitors.

For the primary few weeks, our Seltos lengthy termer has stayed city-bound and within the thick of the festive season, which at all times has a surge in site visitors. In these stop-and-go circumstances, the 1.5 turbo and 7-speed DCT aren’t as joyful a pair because the naturally aspirated 1.5 and CVT you get within the decrease Seltos variants. Sure, the 1.5 turbo is responsive with mild throttle inputs however if you press more durable, it doesn’t pull cleanly or seamlessly – the snatchy twin-clutch, which looks like an ‘on-off’ change at instances, not making the drive smoother both. You can see why the 1.5 naturally aspirated and CVT combo is a much bigger draw for many Seltos consumers as a result of, aside from being less expensive, it’s a lot smoother on metropolis streets. And it’s within the metropolis that car house owners spend 90 p.c of their time. Early morning drives to the airport revealed the sporty facet of the Seltos, which pulls strongly and vigorously as soon as the turbo spools up. Yes, a visit to Mahabaleshwar is lengthy overdue to benefit from the 253Nm of torque through the paddleshifters on the drive up the Wai ghat. 

Blind spot cameras are a boon in site visitors.

Niggles? The rear parcel shelf has an annoying rattle, which is sort of noticeable on bumpy roads, and the gas effectivity on the town isn’t nice both, slurping 8.1kpl for the primary 5,000km we’ve had it. In the Seltos’ defence, we’ve solely used it for brief hops in crowded South Mumbai, however we hope to present it an opportunity to redeem itself on longer drivers. Next cease, Mahabaleshwar!

Also see: 

Maruti Suzuki Fronx long run evaluate, 5,000km report

Maruti Suzuki Jimny long run evaluate, 5500km report