A call came through on a Saturday, disturbing my weekend escapade to Mumbai. My trip to Mumbai was supposed to be one that would let me unwind. The bosses had other plans though, as I was informed that I needed to drive the Kia Seltos back to Pune. I couldn’t help but smile – I’d heard good things about the highway manners of the Seltos and the opportunity to experience it had just presented itself. Heck, I had not even seen the facelifted Seltos that was launched just a couple of months ago and here I was, looking at the SUV, in its new trademark ‘Pewter Olive’ colour.
My typical inclination to scrutinise every detail of a new car was cast aside momentarily given the updated design, and I just wanted to hit the road. Getting out of Mumbai’s traffic was a breeze and effortless – highlighting the ability of the Seltos to soothe the driver even in the midst of a traffic jam. The low NVH levels and of course, the Bose audio system were doing their job very well. I could barely hear the diesel clatter inside too – yet another highlight, especially since the past year I’ve largely driven petrol cars!
And being a diesel, the torquey feel, especially at low speeds meant I wasn’t complaining. An hour later I hit the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and experienced what I was looking forward to, Level 2 ADAS. And I found myself instantly hooked onto the adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist. I also realised that low NVH levels aside, the diesel engine is refined enough to not feel like one. Our long term Seltos is the automatic one, equipped with a 6-speed torque converter and it seemed to work very well, offering gear changes in a swift yet smooth manner. And while the GT Line trim on test with us is equipped with a set of paddle shifters too, I didn’t feel the need to use them.
Further enhancing my driving experience were the drive modes. My recent encounter with the Kia Carens (now equipped with the 1.5-litre, 160PS turbocharged petrol engine) had me ponder about the efficiency of such modes, especially their tendency to hold on to gears in Sport mode. But the Seltos exhibited a distinct character, as Sport mode makes the engine feel more energetic, while Eco enhances frugality, with figures touching 20kmpl on open roads and a very impressive 15kmpl within city limits.
I’m particularly fond of the Pewter Olive colour – it’s one of the most beautiful shades I’ve seen in person, on a mass market product at least. Also, this may be a midlife facelift, but the Seltos looks more premium and eye-catching thanks to the exterior design changes. The larger grille and updated DRLs merge harmoniously to create an SUV that, in my opinion, ranks as one of the most handsome ones in its segment. The new 18-inch alloys fill the wheel arches well, though I am curious about the potential benefits of smaller, 17-inch wheels on Pune’s rain-battered roads. Of course, the upside to the larger wheels is the sporty handling, while the suspension helps it strike a good balance, offering comfort with a hint of firmness all round.
What’s more, the Seltos now gets an exhaustive list of features, many of which Kia claims are ‘segment-first’. I am keen on exploring them over the next few months, though I’m already liking the new panoramic sunroof. More on that feature list in the next update, only if the bosses don’t pull rank!
