Another new-generation Kia Seltos: bigger and with a different interior
Kia has announced the second-generation Seltos crossover for the Chinese market. This five-door model differs from other versions in its length and interior design. In China, the model will be available with two gasoline engines to choose from.
The new, second-generation Kia Seltos crossover was unveiled back in December last year. Its debut market was India, followed by Korea, Europe, and the United States. Now the fresh Seltos has been announced for China, where pre-sales will begin on August 13. It turns out that the crossover intended for the Chinese market has its own unique features.
Externally, the “Celestial” Kia Seltos largely mirrors the cars for other regions. The main exterior design highlights include a concave radiator grille, rectangular headlight blocks merged with it, dual vertical sections of daytime running lights, flush door handles, and vertical rear taillights. As in other countries, China will also offer a slightly more rugged X-Line trim with extended black accents.
However, the Chinese Seltos is slightly larger than the crossovers intended for other markets. Its length is 4,460 mm compared to 4,430 mm for the “global” model. The wheelbase, however, is the same across all versions at 2,690 mm. Chinese sources report that the trunk volume of “their” version is 483 liters, expanding to 1,454 liters with the second-row seatbacks folded down.
The interior of the new Kia Seltos for China is styled differently. In other regions, the model features a combined digital instrument cluster and infotainment screen, each measuring 12.3 inches diagonally. In China, however, the model gets a separate, narrow 10-inch instrument display. The rest of the front panel area is occupied by a single 27-inch display. The multimedia system is based on artificial intelligence. As in Korea and the United States, transmission control is handled by a steering column-mounted shifter (in Europe and India, the crossover retains the traditional gear lever).
The equipment list for the Chinese Kia Seltos also includes a panoramic sunroof, wireless smartphone charging, heated and ventilated front seats, and a suite of driver assistance systems.
It has been officially announced that in China, the new Seltos will be offered with a naturally aspirated 1.5-liter gasoline engine and a turbocharged engine of the same displacement. According to local media, the base engine produces 115 hp and is paired with a CVT. The 1.5T delivers 200 hp and is equipped with a classic eight-speed automatic transmission. Drive is likely front-wheel only, whereas in other countries the Kia Seltos is available with all-wheel drive. The hybrid version offered in other regions has not been announced for China — at least not yet.
All details about the second-generation Kia Seltos for the Chinese market will be revealed in mid-August.
