Whether you're buying the brand new 2024 model or an older Seltos like the one below, will it be good for the long and endless road ahead? It gets two thumbs up from the AutoTrader team. Here's why.
Plush comfort for the driver and passengers
Long drives are all about comfort, and the Kia Seltos delivers in spades. The spacious interior offers ample legroom and headroom for all, ensuring a fatigue-free journey. Supportive and well-bolstered seats provide excellent back and neck support, which is crucial when you're spending hours behind the wheel.
Jaecoo J7 vs Kia Seltos vs Suzuki Grand Vitara - running cost comparison
Kia Seltos vs Toyota Corolla Cross vs Hyundai Creta
Quiet cabin, smooth ride
The Kia Seltos prioritises a smooth and quiet ride. The well-tuned suspension effectively absorbs bumps and road imperfections, minimising jolts and vibrations. Excellent sound insulation keeps road noise and wind noise to a minimum, creating a tranquil cabin environment. Of course, there will be some road noise at 120 km/h, but it isn't intrusive.
It's not afraid of rutted dirt roads and mountain passes
While the Seltos is essentially a soft-roader, we drove it on a variety of surfaces that you'd think would require a serious bundu-bashing vehicle. As long as you don't take it anywhere that requires differential locks and a low-range transfer case, you'll be fine.
Kia Seltos 2024 First Drive Review
Its standard safety features set your mind at ease
Safety is paramount on any road trip and especially families will be glad to hear that the Kia Seltos provides the whole nine yards of essential safety features.
Every trim comes standard with six airbags, ABS with EBD, and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) for core occupant protection and vehicle stability. Higher trims offer advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) like Lane Departure Warning and Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, further enhancing safety (Note: ADAS is only available on the GT-Line trim).
Related: Top 5 safety features in the Kia Seltos
Technology keeps you connected
The modern infotainment system is an essential companion on long drives. The Kia Seltos boasts a user-friendly touchscreen infotainment system with features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for seamless smartphone integration (see the cabin of the Seltos in LX trim below). Cruise through your playlist, listen to podcasts, or use your preferred navigation apps to stay on track, all while keeping your hands on the wheel.
Fuel efficiency for extended range
Fuel efficiency becomes a significant factor on long journeys. The Kia Seltos offers a choice of three fuel-efficient engines, allowing you to travel further between service station stops. Check out engine sizes and power figures here.
If we had to choose a model, we would choose a diesel derivative for consumption in the range of about 5.4 to a maximum of 6.4 litres per 100 km, in our personal experience.
Spacious cargo capacity for all your luggage
The Kia Seltos provides ample cargo space (443 litres, to be exact) to accommodate all your travel essentials. Whether you're packing for a weekend getaway or a longer adventure, the Seltos has room for everything you need.
When we went travelling through the Karoo in the previous Seltos, the boot swallowed 3 journalists' suitcases and backpacks with ease, with room to spare.
Verdict
The Kia Seltos is a great choice for long drives. With its focus on comfort, safety, legroom/elbowroom in row two, technology, fuel efficiency, and cargo space, the Seltos offers a winning combination for an enjoyable and stress-free road trip experience.
