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Old 4th December 2021, 00:00   #2116
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Re: Kia Seltos : Official Review

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Originally Posted by abhinav.s View Post
Quoting the 2 of you gentlemen as your inputs greatly influenced me in choosing the Seltos as my next car.
Ashis, your thread is a bible of sorts covering every minute detail. After reading your thread, I was almost hooked onto the Silver color but family vetoed my idea of silver as wife felt the White complements the black highlights of the wheel arches and the grille better in the HTK+ variant. Gave in and went with white and dont regret it one bit as it looks gorgeous in white (just that it is too common a color on our roads).
Thank you for the kind words, Abhinav. Did you get the diesel too? Wishing you many happy trips with your new ride!

White does look excellent on the Seltos, especially the HTK+, because of the reasons you mentioned. That was my father's choice too but wife felt white would be too common and was against it.

Good move with the HID kit too, it's an essential upgrade for the lower variants. Which kit did you go for, if I may ask?

PS: I still remember your offer to get 60/55w bulb for my Pulsar (from JC road?). This was sometime in 2012, I believe. Thanks again for your gesture!
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Old 4th December 2021, 00:57   #2117
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Re: Kia Seltos : Official Review

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Originally Posted by ashis89 View Post
Thank you for the kind words, Abhinav. Did you get the diesel too? Wishing you many happy trips with your new ride!

White does look excellent on the Seltos, especially the HTK+, because of the reasons you mentioned. That was my father's choice too but wife felt white would be too common and was against it.

Good move with the HID kit too, it's an essential upgrade for the lower variants. Which kit did you go for, if I may ask?

PS: I still remember your offer to get 60/55w bulb for my Pulsar (from JC road?). This was sometime in 2012, I believe. Thanks again for your gesture!
Thanks a lot for the wishes Ashis!! I also opted for the diesel but in the automatic guise. The HID kit i do not recall the brand but was an US import which was available at the accessories store that my friend recommended. It is 4300k temperature and there is a good difference in the illumination.

PS: Wow you recall the bulb upgrade!! Photographic memory huh!!
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Old 6th December 2021, 16:45   #2118
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Re: Kia Seltos : Official Review

Got a message today from SA that there will most probably be a price hike in Jan 2022 for the Kia Seltos.
I asked if its only a price hike, or if any features are going to be added/deleted, which he was not aware of.
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Old 6th December 2021, 17:47   #2119
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Re: Kia Seltos : Official Review

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Originally Posted by Abhishek_Nikam View Post
Got a message today from SA that there will most probably be a price hike in Jan 2022 for the Kia Seltos.
I asked if its only a price hike, or if any features are going to be added/deleted, which he was not aware of.
Isn't it a common practice by almost all manufacturers to hike prices in the new year. It is mostly to clear December stock without discount and also leverage calendar year change to justify price hike!
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Old 6th December 2021, 18:33   #2120
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Re: Kia Seltos : Official Review

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Originally Posted by Aviator_guy View Post
Isn't it a common practice by almost all manufacturers to hike prices in the new year. It is mostly to clear December stock without discount and also leverage calendar year change to justify price hike!
Earlier, in Buyer's market, they used to give hints of price hike in December to clear stocks. In present scenario, forget about discounts, when getting deliveries of cars is a challenge, I seriously believe price hike is imminent. This is true, at least, for those models which have long waiting periods and in this case, it is Seltos.

Unfortunately for us, today, it is completely Seller's market for lot of cars.

Last edited by K.grg : 6th December 2021 at 18:33. Reason: Typo
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Old 6th December 2021, 21:06   #2121
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Re: Kia Seltos : Official Review

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Originally Posted by k2max6 View Post
I would like to add something here. Autocar mentions “for a relaxed driver” .I’ve driven my IVT P for only 350 kms . Around 100kms highway drive. I now understand its power delivery and its a breeze to drive on the highways.

I’ll post my detailed review in a day or 2.
Hi k2max6,

I could not find your detailed review on the HTX IVT model.
Did you post one? Can you help me with that info.
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Old 6th December 2021, 21:09   #2122
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Re: Kia Seltos : Official Review

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Originally Posted by MasterChief View Post
Hello, Abhishek_Nikam, the fuel efficiency I get is between 12 to 13 kmpl in city and between 16 to 17 kmpl on highways.

You quoted mine one and a half year post means you are really combing the forum for any information on IVT

Ciao
Yes, I searched the forum, but don't have a detailed ownership report about the HTX IVT Seltos. There are many for the DCT version, but none for HTX IVT.
That is why, I then searched for the IVT string and reading all comments related to it on the Kia Seltos official review.

The video was informative. Thanks for that.
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Old 7th December 2021, 14:36   #2123
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Re: Kia Seltos : Official Review

Today came across the initial sketches of Kia Carens.
Looks fabulous.
Asked SA about India launch, and he said most probably end of Jan 2022.

Informed him, that I might be interested in the Carens also if its launch date is near my HTX IVT delivery. I know I might have to wait for a month more, but looking at the initial sketches, I am ready to wait
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Old 8th December 2021, 21:50   #2124
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Re: Kia Seltos : Official Review

Can someone confirm what is the latest version of the infotainment? Also, does the offline maps get updated with the system, or is that manually done?
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Old 9th December 2021, 10:24   #2125
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Re: Kia Seltos : Official Review

Is there any news / intel on facelift expected in 2022? I have not seen any article on test mule being spotted, etc. Maybe Kia is right now focusing on Carens and after its launch, we will hear more on Kia facelift.

Changes expected / hope to get:
1) Better structural safety!! + improvement in safety ratings
2) Carryover of improvements that Kia Carens may bring in:
- ADAS
- Panoramic sunroof
- Digital cockpit (similar to one in Alcazar)
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Old 11th December 2021, 21:43   #2126
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Re: Kia Seltos : Official Review

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Originally Posted by manpreetsj View Post
Is there any news / intel on facelift expected in 2022? I have not seen any article on test mule being spotted, etc. Maybe Kia is right now focusing on Carens and after its launch, we will hear more on Kia facelift.

Changes expected / hope to get:
1) Better structural safety!! + improvement in safety ratings
2) Carryover of improvements that Kia Carens may bring in:
- ADAS
- Panoramic sunroof
- Digital cockpit (similar to one in Alcazar)
Even I too expecting the same in new version of Seltos. If they really come up with better structural integrity and improvement in safety ratings, then I'd consider the Seltos Diesel AT. Since XUV700 scored 5 stars in GNCAP recently, I feel Kia should wake up and improve the structural integrity of the Seltos in order to get better safety rating.

I hope they'll be adding safety features like ESP, TC, VSM in lower variants like HTK+, HTK and HTE since these features are already available in HTX as well as HTX+ and GTX+ and add extra 4 airbags in HTX and HTX+ versions.
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Old 14th December 2021, 16:00   #2127
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Re: Kia Seltos : Official Review

Facelift of Kia Seltos on the cards?

Looks like Kia is planning to finally add panoramic sunroof and some other new features to Seltos in early 2022. Unfortunately, still no change on the build quality front :(

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Old 15th December 2021, 19:47   #2128
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Re: Kia Seltos : Official Review

While I was out driving, I noticed a faint sound while turning the steering which was not there before today. There is no tightness in the steering feel while turning but the sound is similar to what you hear when you tighten something on rubber.

What could be the reason? Worth checking it out at the ASS?
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Old 16th December 2021, 07:43   #2129
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Hello guys ,
This is my first post and I would like to thank Team-Bhp moderators/admins for approving my membership. Just completed a month ownership of my new car Kia Seltos HTK plus IMT (Intense Red colour) and loving the drive. I couldn’t find any ownership review for IMT variant of Kia Seltos during my research period, so thought it would be apt to pen down one after owning. Currently the odometer reads 1280km.

Why Kia Seltos?



Our previous ride TATA Zest was more than 6 years old and started showing typical TATA ageing signs(rusting & rattles). So the need and itch to replace the car started from the beginning of this year. We wanted an upgrade from the compact sedan so the natural option was to look for crossovers and CSUVs. Since I was out of country, asked my wife to look around for CSUV in 10-15 lakhs budget. Within few hours my wife informed me about her interest in Kia Seltos. I knew this was coming as Seltos was one best looking car around in our budget. Told her to check out other cars as well but nothing could change her decision. I found HTK plus variant to be most VFM and our driving did not merit a diesel engine(Just 24k in 6.5 years in my previous car along with wife's permanent WFH setup). Also my wife wanted an automatic(hates to use clutch/do gear changes and if needed can drive the whole city in 2nd and 3rd gear) and I was against AMT and CVT. Wanted to get TC petrol(if automatic) or manual but the offerings were not pulling the strings of the heart. Asked the wife to take test drive of the IMT variant. She took 2 test drives from different dealers, loved the car and told me that she can manage with the IMT. So IMT ticked both our requirements. I just had apprehension regarding the safety/crash ratings but was convinced by my wife saying we hardly do 1-2 road trips in a year plus in city even reaching speed of 60km/hr is hardly possible. I knew I would not be able to change her decision since she was the one paying for it. So Kia Seltos HTK plus IMT was finalised.

Buying Experience :



The whole experience was just below average. My wife booked the car in July’21 in her name with SPL Kia, Kolkata as I was out of country and there was waiting period of 19-20 weeks as quoted by the dealer as well as mentioned in booking docket. Came back in August end, went to see the car in the showroom to get the feel and told the SA for test drive in coming weeks along with my other requirements. The showroom was bustling with customers taking delivery, checking out the cars and the experience was definitely a notch above from my previous experiences of TML. I called SA next week to arrange the test drive for the particular variant but couldn’t get one as the showroom was closed on the particular day owing to local elections. This happened again for 2 times and I was given some reason or the other with the last being that the test drive car has met with major accident and the repairs would take time. Called up other dealers in the city. Either they were reluctant to provide me a test drive (may be they knew we had already booked the car) or told me the same story of car meeting an accident. Frustrated asked my SA to give me a test drive of whichever variant is available and took the test drive of HTX diesel MT next day. Instantly felt comfortable in the car and liked the handling of the car. Around Oct end got a call from my loan bank( I had already done the loan papers) that the car has been allotted. Aghast, called up my SA to confirm the same and provide me with VIN & engine no. The SA confirmed that the car has been allotted to us and gave me lame excuse of he himself getting the news now but refused to provide me with the VIN before the PDI. Meanwhile got a email from the dealer on the same day to clear payment within 4 working days otherwise the car will be allotted to someone else. I had known about this email thing from the FB groups and replied back that the payment will only be done after PDI. Did the PDI using Team-Bhp checklist, found everything perfect and noted down the VIN and engine no. Next day made the full payment(including extended warranty) except the accessories and insurance amount as I had taken the insurance from outside. Also sent mail to dealer and Kia about payment done with respect to the car with VIN and engine no. that I had done PDI but received no reply. Called the SA for confirming the VIN and engine no. so that I can have it through the official channel and I needed it for my insurance work. The VIN and engine number were provided after 2 days and on the same day got an sms from RTO that the payment has been made for registration and reg. No. will be allotted in next day. Called the SA and lambasted him. Asked him how can the car be registered without insurance details. The next day got the SMS from RTO with reg. No. and I immediately checked the VAHAN site to find wrong insurance details and error in name in RC adding more woes to the misery . The SA apologised and told me that the error will be corrected once the number plate is installed. I did not want my new car to stay with them for a single day and took the delivery in the next available opportunity on 11 NOV(exactly 4 months from date of booking). The delivery was normal affair. Wife did the paperworks, checked the documents, clicked key-handing over pic and asked for warranty cards for tire and battery to which the SA replied that they do not come with separate warranty cards and have the same warranty as the car. I knew this was completely BS but did not want to create a scene over there as it was my wife 1st car in her name and she along with my in-laws were very excited. Took the delivery of the car without number plates( they say its common in Kolkata) but booked a date from the service centre for installation as I had planned a short road trip. The SA even told me that I can drive out of the city with the registration number written on paper affixed to windshield without number plates and temp. Reg No. I was taken aback with such statement but did not wanted to argue further. Took the car straight to temple and did the customary puja.

Total Amount = 12,29,000 (ex-showroom) +12,290 (TCS) + 69,635 (registration) + 19,102(extended warranty) + 9,965 (accessory) + 500 (fast tag) + 32,430 (Insurance - TATA AIG Saphire plus with RTI addon) = Rs 13,72,922

The current market is certainly a seller’s market and the car companies are making hay while the sun shines. There was no discount provided and no free accessories. I even had to be firm when I was told that I cannot take insurance from outside. Asked this thing in official writing and then the dealer obliged.

My wife named the car "ZESTY" in the loving memory of our previous car Tata Zest. It was our 1st car, gave fuss free 6.5 years of ownership and was sold on the same day of the purchase to CARS24.


Driving Experience :



A lot has already been shared in the Team-Bhp official review and other owners' excellent ownership reports, so I will just concentrate on the IMT driving experience part.

The additions in IMT variant from the regular HTK plus petrol variant are ACC, Electric Sunroof, Premium Beige Fabric Seats & LED cabin lamps. A 40k ex-showroom difference between the 2 variants is clearly justified. The Smartstream G1.5 L NA engine is purely meant for sedate driving. Period. Coming from turbo 1.2L Revotron engine of TATA Zest , the first few kms of driving was little underwhelming along with first time experience of using IMT (remember no test drive of IMT) was something new in my 10 years of driving experience. But soon after, got accustomed to the engine characteristics and the transmission. The power delivery is linear and the driving is pure bliss in city traffic. But gone are the days of sprinting from the traffic signals, looking back at the trailing traffic even though if these instances were few. You win some, You lose some. IMT is a boon in city and my left leg is thanking me mercilessly after the purchase. The engine will only start with gear in neutral and brake pressed. If not, one gets a warning in MID. Slot in the 1st gear and one can easily crawl at around 7-10 km/h. One can also start moving from 2nd gear itself in stop and go traffic. The IMT gives a low sound and notification alarm in MID to shift to lower gears if engine is not in the higher gear. I have usually experienced this when the car is in 3rd gear and I have to reduce my speed for taking turns or when the car is in higher gear and I stop at traffic signals. Apart from these two situations, never faced the alarm. During taking turns when the alarm comes, the engines doesn’t stall but there is no power delivered and I feel its better to shift down than to increase the rpm in the same gear which can also remove the alarm but cannot fully confirm(I tried it once but did not like engine sound during the procedure). The IMT is basically a manual without the clutch. Till now have I haven't experienced any problem with gear shifts and shifts are quite smooth compared to my previous ride. The manual says that there could be a sense of obstruction when accelerating and changing gear for the IMT variant but I haven't experienced any such condition. My only problem with IMT in this particular variant is that it doesn’t come with Hill Hold Assist. I believe the Sonet IMT comes with one( I may be wrong) and KIA should have provided it in the elder sibling as well. But for experienced drivers that's not much of a problem. One can use the handbrake technique and prevent the roll back on inclines. I have experienced that on relatively small inclines, a mere more pressing the accelerator after releasing brake does the job and the car doesn't roll back but the distance from the front car has to be kept in mind. On higher/steep inclines, the car does roll about half a meter back when not using the hand brake technique and relying on the acceleration method. The engine is refined and NVH levels are satisfying. My car was delivered with Goodyear tires with 43 psi but I purposely did not lower them as wanted to get a feel of the suspension at higher tire pressure. Changed it to recommended pressure during the first visit to filling station after a fortnight. The change in the driving experience can be felt. The suspension became softer and the potholes and undulation of the road are now less felt. It is still not perfect but certainly not bone charring and the car is comfortable to drive. I had planned for a road trip once i got the news of the car being allotted. Did a 3 day Shantiniketan/Bolpur 400km round trip to experience the car in highways and the car performed flawlessly. Highway manners were commendable and overtakes were easily carried out. The cruise control on the highway and IMT in the city areas really helped in the driving. The ACC chills the car pretty fast but during hot days one has to keep the temperature setting at 22 deg or below for rear vents to blow cool air. This causes problem to front car dwellers if they are little cold intolerant (like me). This is a commonly reported problem in Seltos. Rear comfort was good for the trip. The whole trip with 5 people on board and 3 day luggage returned a surprisingly good figure of 18km/l (shown in MID) including a Sunday of heavy traffic in Shantiniketan. I am getting around 13km/l (again MID figure) in the city(though not in B2B traffic) which I am ok with . I am yet to calculate the mileage using the full tank method.

Service Experience :



- I went to SPL Kia SC(https://g.page/spl-kia-service-center-kolkata?share) for getting the number plate installed on 19-Nov as booked. The approach road(if it may be called so) to this SC is horrible and potholes are comparable to the craters on the moon. I was attended to immediately and SA was allotted. Told him about the reason for the visit and enquired about underbody anti rust coating. Liked the option and price that was quoted and advised him to proceed with the job. The status of the job could be checked using the link provided through sms when job card is opened. It took around 3 hrs and car was decently cleaned inside out. The SA did try to upsell the body anti-rust coating but I politely refused.

- Got the first service done(1month/1000km) on 6th of this month from Celica Kia, Kolkata SC (https://g.page/kia-service?share)(near to where I reside) which was usual checking but was charged Rs. 615 for windshield washer fluid and some other stuff. I knew I was being taken for a ride but the service was prompt, so did not bother to enquire further. I was again promptly attended to and SA quickly assigned but this time no link through sms was provided for checking the status. No extra service/work was insisted by SA maybe because of the 1st service.

The SPL Kia SC is almost out of the city(Batanagar, Kolkata) but with a slightly larger setup area. Both the SC have proper lounges for owners along with coffee/tea refreshments. At SPL Kia SC, I was upgraded to wait in their large meeting room all to ourselves when I made an apprehension for lounges being a bit crowded and was even offered cake, sweets and patties during lunch hours(may be because my wife was accompanying me). This was clearly way better than service I had received at TMSCs for my previous car in the city.
Note : Both the SC has dedicated premium customer service section for Kia Carnival owners.

Dislikes/Problem faced :



- The barely 3 star rating received in GNCAP crash test. This doesn't install confidence in the owners and certainly makes me more conscious while driving.
- The headlight of the car is just not good enough for the highways. I did the night drive from Kolkata to Shantiniketan and had to be extra careful. This is the first modification I have in mind. Looking to upgrade to 35W 4300k HID setup but not able to find reputed resource for doing the same. The Team-Bhp directory for Kolkata is certainly not helpful in this regard as compared to other metropolitan cities. Hopefully will be able to connect fellow members from the city and get some clarity.
- The driver control switches on the door are not back-lit and it is very difficult to operate in night times. Even after a month of ownership, I am operating wrong windows and wrongly operating the car lock/unlock buttons which sometimes becomes embarrassing in front of relatives/parking attendants. One of the owner had got fluorescent stickers from Aliexpress but that avenue is closed now. So requesting other owners if they have any DIY/ solution for the same.
- Lack of auto IRVM. Though it is not much of a problem but would have been great if it was provided at this price point as the car comes with auto headlights and rain sensing wipers.


Modification/Accessories :



- Got anti-rust underbody coating as I live in Kolkata and my previous ride had started to develop rust in underbody and below the doors ( TML quality and my car cleaning guy may be the culprits) . Did Meguiars underbody and silencer anti rust coating during SPL Kia SC visit for installing number plates. Celica Kia offers 3M service for almost the same price.
- Accessories : Boot mat, Window chrome beading, Head light chrome, Door handle chrome, Fog light chrome(wife loves chrome ), mud flaps , 3d mats , Steering cover , Rear windshield cover(All from showroom).

Conclusion :


All in all, our one month ownership of "ZESTY" has been very satisfying. Hoping for same fuss-free ownership like my previous ride. I intend to keep it for as long as I can but know the 7 year itch may bite again. Ending the post with a pic of our ride taken by my better half just for posting here.

Kia Seltos : Official Review-img_2538.jpg

Apologies in advance for not posting more images as I hardly click pictures and am camera shy person myself. This is my first post and a small, humble attempt on writing an ownership review which I know is quite lacklustre in comparison to the excellent reports that I have been reading for the past 6 years. Kindly consider any errors in the post.
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Old 16th December 2021, 11:12   #2130
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Re: Kia Seltos : Official Review

Nice write up, I was looking for a post on the IMT variant of the Seltos since a while, I am currently on the (long) waitlist for a Sonet HTX Diesel automatic, and for a difference of just 70,000 and not very high running I was wondering if I should switch over to the Seltos IMT and get a (far) bigger car.

However I have had terrible experiences with after market goods in the past, and it’s these few things like the headlamps, leather wrapped steering wheel, lack of a rear arm rest, lack of hill hold that are keeping me away from changing my decision. Especially the lack of hill hold since I’m a frequent traveller on the hills of Uttrakhand.

Honestly, Still in two minds, and very very confused.

Last edited by armaan_singh : 16th December 2021 at 11:13. Reason: Spelling error
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