The 2021 Kia Seltos is making its way to the U.S., adding another crossover in the brand’s lineup. With its arrival, we’ll have — from smallest to largest — the Soul, Niro, Seltos, Sportage, Sorento and Telluride. This one splits the difference between the Soul and Sportage, offering the funky looks with actual all-wheel drive capability. Before it goes on sale in early 2020, Kia has it on display at the 2019 LA Auto Show.
When you’re actually able to buy one, the 2021 Kia Seltos will come in five trim levels. It will launch with the same two engines that are available in the Soul: either a naturally-aspirated 2.0-liter unit or a 1.6-liter turbo at the higher end. The 2.0-liter engine on LX, S and EX models manages 146 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, and comes mated exclusively to Kia’s Intelligent Variable Transmission.
If you don’t want a continuously variable transmission, you’ll have to step up to a different S trim or get the SX. The smaller, turbocharged unit makes 175 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, and comes mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
The available all-wheel drive system and 7.2 inches of ground clearance should translate to better capability than the Soul, while also offering a more rugged, adventurous look to the Soul’s city vibe.
Options and technology
Apart from the engine choices and all-wheel drive, the 2021 Kia Seltos also has a wide array of available technology on board. You can get a 10.25-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, as well as an eight-speaker Bose audio system. The system also features multi-Bluetooth connectivity, allowing more than one person to connect at a time.
Kia’s advanced driver assistance systems are also available on the Seltos. That system includes blind spot warning and collision avoidance assist, driver attention warning, lane keep assist and smart cruise control. The 2021 Kia Seltos also has a rear occupant alert system as well as Safe Exit Assist, which alerts passengers not to exit the car when traffic is approaching.
Kia hasn’t announced specific pricing yet, but did say an LX AWD model would start under $22,000. Since the Soul starts at $17,000 and all-wheel drive will be an extra-cost option on the Seltos, we expect the model to start somewhere around the $20,000 mark. Stay tuned to TFLcar.com for more updates from the 2019 LA Auto Show!
