Used Kia Seltos 2019 - 2023: Should You Consider Buying One?

The Kia Seltos was launched in 2019, marking the Korean brand’s entry into the Indian market. The Seltos aimed to rival the immensely popular Hyundai Creta, Mahindra XUV500, Renault Captur and MG Hector.

The Kia Seltos garnered positive reviews from customers, and it quickly established Kia as the fourth highest selling car maker in India at the time. The overall aesthetics, features and performance of the Seltos were traits that made it popular. In fact, the Seltos continues to be a great second hand SUV in India. We highlight reasons why you should consider a used Kia Seltos from 2019 - 2023.

Kia Seltos Generations and Facelifts

Kia launched the Seltos with three engine options; a 1.5 litre petrol engine, a 1.4 litre turbocharged petrol engine and a 1.5 litre diesel engine, all paired with a 6 speed manual gearbox as standard. 

Automatic transmission options were available across all engine choices. The 1.5-litre petrol engine was paired with a CVT, while the turbocharged petrol engine was equipped with a 7-speed DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission). Meanwhile, the diesel engine could be opted with a 6-speed automatic gearbox.

Along with a comprehensive powertrain list, the 2019 Seltos also featured crisp styling. The exterior had an SUV-like stance, along with an intricately designed front- and rear-ends, which resonated with Indian buyers. Furthermore, the Seltos packed in premium features and the cabin was well designed too, all of which made the Seltos highly desirable.

The Seltos was also split into two distinct variant lineups; Tech Line and GT Line. The Tech Line was available in HTE, HTK, HTK+, HTX and HTX+ variants. The GT Line was divided into the GTK, GTX and GTX+ variants.

In 2020, Kia revised the rear-end styling of the Seltos along with the introduction of a new dual tone exterior colour option. A year later, the Korean car maker introduced the iMT transmission with the petrol engine offering a clutch free driving experience.

In the same year, Kia also introduced the X-Line variant of the Seltos, which became the new top variant. It featured a matte grey finish for the exterior, exclusively available with the automatic transmission variants of the turbo petrol and diesel engines.

True to its mantra of yearly updates, Kia made 6 airbags standard on the Seltos in 2022, along with new exterior colour options. 

Used Kia Seltos 2019 - 2023: Should You Consider Buying One?

At its launch in 2019, the Kia Seltos was priced between ₹ 9.69 lakh and ₹ 15.99 lakh (ex-showroom). Today, the price of the Seltos’ top variant has crossed ₹ 20 lakh (ex-showroom). In such a scenario, a second hand Kia Seltos from 2019 to 2023 becomes a great option for people looking to buy an SUV.

Exterior and Interior

Due to its chiselled looks and overall finish, the 2019 - 2023 Kia Seltos is known for being a handsome SUV. In fact, the looks played an important role in the Seltos becoming a crowd-puller for Kia. 

It has the stance of an SUV, and coupled with the LED lighting cues and trims such as the front grille and rear chrome strip, the Seltos forges an identity of its own. Furthermore, while lower variants miss out on some visual elements such as the LED lighting, their overall design continues to look upmarket.

The interior of the 2019 - 2023 Kia Seltos is well laid out. The lower Tech Line variants (HTE, HTK and HTK+) are available in a single tone (black) interior. The HTX and HTX+ variants feature a two-tone (black and beige) interior and honeycomb pattern on the seats. 

The GT Line variants also feature different colour schemes. The GTK and GTX variants feature a single tone black interior with premium ‘GT Line’ badging. Additionally, the top of the line GTX+ variant features a dual tone (black and beige) interior. Furthermore, the X Line variant gets a blacked out interior with Indigo upholstery.

Key Features

The 2019 - 2023 Kia Seltos is a handsomely equipped car. Projector headlamps, rear AC vents, a music system with 4 speakers and a height adjustable driver seat are standard features. Higher variants get a 10.25 inch touchscreen infotainment system and a premium BOSE sound system of 8 speakers. Other useful features include a 360 degree camera, ventilated front seats, wireless smartphone charging and UV cut glasses that help keep the cabin cool.

Safety and Reliability

Dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors and rear disc brakes (diesel only) are standard on all variants of the 2019 - 2023 Kia Seltos. 

Higher variants get additional safety features like six airbags, ESP, traction control, hill hold control, brake assist and a tyre pressure monitoring system. The top spec variant also gets a 360 degree camera and front parking sensors, which help in better gauging the surrounding areas of the SUV.

The Kia Seltos uses the same powertrains as the Hyundai Creta, along with other parts, and over time they have proven to be highly reliable. The naturally aspirated petrol engine and diesel engine are both capable of delivering repeated performances in harsh driving conditions. 

However, the DCT equipped with the turbocharged petrol engine has been known to overheat under load. These problems were more prevalent in the 2019 and 2020 models. While Kia has made improvements in newer models, DCT overheating can still occur in extreme stop-and-go traffic conditions.

Used Kia Seltos 2019 - 2023: Engine, Transmission and Other Specifications

Why a Used Kia Seltos 2019 - 2023 is a Great Investment

The Kia Seltos is a great asset as it holds on to its value well. A used Kia Seltos from 2019 to 2023 (pre facelift model) is typically priced between ₹ 8 lakh and ₹ 16 lakh in the used car market.

Great Design

The Kia Seltos is a good looking car, and is revered for its handsomeness by all types of car enthusiasts. It commands better road presence compared to its fellow SUVs. Furthermore, it is instantly recognisable as a Seltos, a trait that is nowadays becoming less and less common among new cars. Therefore, getting the entire family to sign off on buying a used Kia Seltos from 2019 - 2023 becomes that much easier. 

Feature List

A 2019 - 2023 Kia Seltos is equipped with an electric sunroof, 10.25 inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 8 speaker BOSE sound system, ventilated seats and wireless smartphone charging.

Powertrain Options

The 2019-2023 Seltos offers several engine options including petrol, turbo petrol and diesel, all paired with varying gearbox choices. As a result, the Seltos is extremely versatile and suits various driving situations and budgets.

Driving Dynamics

Most compact SUVs are designed for prioritising comfort over handling, but the 2019 -2023 Kia Seltos offers a balanced approach. It offers a comfortable driving experience in urban environments, where the road surface can change every few hundred metres. Alternatively, the Seltos also feels calm and composed at triple digit speeds. Lastly, the Seltos’ chassis has a fantastic balance and it feels great to drive on a winding.

Efficient Diesel Engine

The diesel engine of the 2019-2023 Kia Seltos offers excellent fuel efficiency. In most environments, the Seltos diesel can easily return more than 20 kmpl. Some users have even reported breaching the 25 kmpl barrier with the automatic transmission. Thus, the diesel 2019 - 2023 Kia Seltos is great for those people who regularly drive long distances.

Conclusion

The 2019 - 2023 Kia Seltos is a capable SUV and is a great used car option. It’s a comfortable SUV that is rich in features and offers great performance. Due to its all around approach, it can easily become the only car in the family. The Seltos is also packed with safety features and is a great option for those who prioritise safety over any other criteria. 

The turbocharged engine of the Kia Seltos offers great performance and will appeal to those who have a need for speed. The multiple powertrain configurations also mean that most buyers will find a combination that suits their needs.

Overall, a used Kia Seltos from 2019 - 2023 is not just a great car to buy, but it is expected to hold on to its resale value better than its peers, simply because of the high demand for it.