Refreshed Kia Seltos arrives in PH with updated styling, new engines, Php 1.198M starting price

With more and more competition from other automakers in the hotly-contested subcompact crossover segment, Kia Philippines does not want to get left behind.

The Korean automaker, under the distributorship of AC Motors has finally launched the refreshed version of the Seltos, four years after the nameplate first entered the market in November 2019. It gets updated styling as well as new engines under the hood.

Kia Philippines has slightly revamped the local Seltos lineup starting with the 1.5 LX IVT variant, followed by the 1.5 EX IVT, and tops-out with the 1.4 Turbo SX DCT. 

Given that this is just a refresh, the 2024 Seltos looks identical to the outgoing version, continuing to wear Kia’s Opposites United design language. While the headlight shape remains the same, there are new LED daytime running lights which are similar to those on the Carnival minivan, and a new front grille. It also rides on new alloy wheel designs, and gets new wraparound taillights at the rear.

Standard equipment starting from the base 1.5 LX are projector-type halogen headlights, bulb-type daytime running lights, halogen fog lights, 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlight function, and a rear spoiler. The 1.5 EX variant adds multi-reflector LED headlights and LED daytime running lights, power-fold side mirrors, and gloss black and silver front grille. The top-spec 1.4 Turbo SX gives you LED fog lights, roof rails, a panoramic sunroof, chrome door handles, and LED taillights.

Exterior color choices for the 1.5 LX and 1.5 EX are Snow White Pearl or Gravity Gray. Exclusive to the 1.4 Turbo SX are Pluton Blue, as well as Snow White Pearl with Black Roof.

Interior-wise, the 2024 Kia Seltos gets quite a revamp. While the overall layout and design is still similar, Kia has given it a new set of screens, making use of a single housing like many other new vehicles these days. 

Standard equipment starting from the 1.5 LX and EX are fabric seats, digital instrument cluster with 4.2-inch display, 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6-speaker audio system, single zone climate control, and rear aircon vents. The 1.4 Turbo SX adds leather seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system also with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual zone climate control, and auto up/down driver’s window function.

Changes are not limited to aesthetics as the 2024 Kia Seltos also gets a new set of powertrains under the hood. Lower variants will get a new 1.5-liter Smartstream-G Inline 4-cylinder MPI engine that produces 115 horsepower and 253 Nm of torque, mated to an Intelligent Variable Transmission or IVT, Kia-speak for CVT. 

Meanwhile, the top-spec variant will get a 1.4-liter Smartstream-G turbocharged Inline 4-cylinder gasoline engine that produces 140 horsepower and 242 Nm of torque, mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The pre-refresh version’s 2.0-liter engine is no longer available.

Safety has also been improved as the top-spec 1.4 Turbo SX variant gets a suite of advanced driver-assistance technology composed of smart cruise control with stop-and-go function, lane keep assist, lane following assist, and forward collision avoidance assist. Other standard safety features are dual front airbags, anti-lock braking system with electronic brakeforce distribution, and hill-start assist. Only the 1.4 Turbo SX gets six airbags.

Pricing for the 2024 Kia Seltos now starts at a more affordable Php 1,198,000 for the 1.5 LX IVT, while the 1.5 EX IVT is priced at Php 1,288,000. The range-topping 1.4 Turbo SX is priced at Php 1,688,000.

The 2024 Kia Seltos is now available for reservation at all authorized Kia dealerships nationwide with unit releasing to begin within the month of December.