With so many options saturating the crossover segment, it is not always easy to choose the model based on the styling or brand. A deeper investigation has to be conducted into the overall value and sometimes more important, value retention. With that said, we took a look at the Kia Seltos range to find out which trim level retains its value best.
The Kia Seltos was first introduced locally in 2020 and positioned between the Sonet and the popular Sportage model ranges. The Seltos range offers customers a choice between three powertrains, two petrol and one diesel. Some derivatives can also be had with either an automatic or manual transmission. But we will unpack the specifications a bit more as we list the trim levels.
Related: Find new or used Kia Seltos models on AutoTrader here
EX
The Kia Seltos can be had in three trim levels, with the entry point to the range receiving an EX moniker. The Kia Seltos in EX guise is offered with either a naturally-aspirated, 1.6-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine or a 1.5-litre, turbocharged, 4-cylinder diesel motor. Both powertrains can be coupled to either a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission. While the petrol derivatives offer slightly more power, the diesel options return a better claimed fuel consumption figure and provide a lot more torque.
Value
| New price in 2020 | Current used market value | Value retained | |
| Kia Seltos 1.6 EX | R 353 995 | R 368 013 | 103.96% |
| Kia Seltos 1.6 EX Auto | R 371 995 | R 383 445 | 103.08% |
| Kia Seltos 1.5CRDi EX | R 410 995 | R 399 950 | 97.31% |
| Kia Seltos 1.5CRDi EX Auto | R 428 995 | R 419 900 | 97.88% |
*These figures were correct at the time of writing this article, however, can change at any time and without notice.
EX+
The EX+ variants represent the mid-range Seltos models for Kia. Like with the EX trim level options, the EX+ range can be had with either the 1.6-litre petrol or 1.5-litre turbodiesel engines. However, for the EX+ variants, the Korean automaker exclusively mates the engines to a 6-speed automatic transmission. As can be expected with a higher trim level, there is more refinement found on both the exterior and interior of the EX+ grade vehicles. But will more refinement mean better value retention?
Value
| New price in 2020 | Current used market value | Value retained | |
| Kia Seltos 1.6 EX+ Auto | R 389 995 | R 395 564 | 101.43% |
| Kia Seltos 1.5CRDi EX+ Auto | R 446 995 | R 444 900 | 99.53% |
*These figures were correct at the time of writing this article, however, can change at any time and without notice.
GT Line
The GT Line derivative is the flagship of the Seltos model range. Fitted under the bonnet is a 1.4-litre, turbocharged, 4-cylinder petrol engine capable of 103 kW and 242 Nm of torque. The powertrain sends propulsion to the front wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. As can be expected from a flagship model, the Kia Seltos 1.4T-GDI GT Line comes with all the bells and whistles, but does this mean it holds its value better?
Value
| New price in 2020 | Current used market value | Value retained | |
| Kia Seltos 1.4T-GDI GT Line | R 444 995 | R 444 131 | 99.81% |
*These figures were correct at the time of writing this article, however, can change at any time and without notice.
Verdict
It is not often that you find models not only retaining value but increasing in value. In fact, this characteristic is often more common with limited-edition supercars, not crossover models. However, as the figures don't lie, we can see here that it is not so much the difference in trim that influence the value retention but rather the powertrain configurations.
In the EX and EX+ grade levels, the petrol-powered units all kept their value and, on top of that, saw an increase in value. This is most likely the result of a combination of factors, but the biggest one is the chip shortages which, as a result, meant that new vehicles couldn't be built fast enough to keep up with the demand.
While it seems, for now at least, you will be paying close and in some instances over the initial purchase price for a used Kia Seltos, with the chip production back in full swing, you can expect some of these values to shrink as the new car market stabilize.
