Korean manufacturer Kia launched the Seltos as its first product in India on August 22, 2019. And in just two years of its launch, the SUV has crossed two lakh sales milestone in the country. In fact, the Kia has also become the fastest-growing carmakers in the country by clocking over the three-lakh sales mark in a very short span of time. With this, the company is also leading the connected car revolution, with over 1.5 lakh connected cars sold till date.
Currently, Kia India has three products in its lineup – Sonet (sub-compact SUV), Seltos (compact SUV), and Carnival (premium MPV).
Currently, the Kia Seltos contributes 66% of the brand's total sales, out of which 58% of the sales come from its top variants, while the automatic trims add to more than 35%. Moreover, the diesel variants of the Seltos account for more than 45% of the total sales. Besides, the recently launched iMT variants are also receiving positive responses from customers.
Speaking on the milestones, Mr. Tae-Jin Park, Executive Director, and Chief Sales & Business Strategy Officer, Kia India said –
Success milestones are always a huge boost to motivation as it enhances our passion for serving customers better. These back-to-back milestones are a testament to our commitment to bringing a revolution in the auto industry and catering to the new age, young-at-heart dynamic buyers with class-leading premium products. The Indian PV market is transforming due to changing customer trends, increased desire for the latest features, and cutting-edge connected-car technology. We have made a conscious decision to launch game-changing products in popular segments introducing customers to a whole new experience of owning a Kia. Witnessing such immense love and trust for brand Kia in just two years is truly humbling for us.
One of the many reasons for the Kia Seltos’ success is its extensive features list and wide range of powertrain options. It comes with three engines and five transmission options. Here's a look at its specifications: –
| 1.5-litre NA Petrol | 1.5-litre Diesel | 1.4-litre Turbo-Petrol | |
| No of Cylinders | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Max Power | 115PS | 115PS | 140PS |
| Max Torque | 144Nm | 250Nm | 242Nm |
| Transmission Options | 6-speed manual / 6-speed iMT / CVT | 6-speed manual / 6-speed torque converter AT | 6-speed manual / 7-speed DCT |
| Claimed Mileage | 16.5kmpl (manual), 16.8kmpl (CVT) | 21kmpl (manual), 18kmpl (AT) | 16.1kmpl (manual), 16.5kmpl (DCT) |
In terms of features, the Seltos comes with a slew of premium equipment like a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, UVO connected car technology with remote functionality and smartwatch connectivity, Apple Carplay and Android Auto smartphone integration support, wireless mobile charger, an air purifier, an 8-inch head-up display (HUD), automatic climate control, ventilated front seats, rear AC vents, ambient lighting, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, leatherette upholstery, a 7-inch multi-information display, an 8-speaker Bose sound system, electric sunroof, smart key remote-engine start, etc.
For passenger safety, it gets up to six airbags, ABS with EBD, brake assist, emergency stop signal, vehicle stability management (VSM), electronic stability control (ESC), hill assist control (HAC), a 360-degree parking camera, front & rear parking sensors, blind-view monitoring and much more.
Currently, the Kia Seltos retails in the range of Rs 9.95 lakh to Rs 17.65 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), rivaling the likes of Hyundai Creta, Skoda Kushaq Maruti Suzuki S-Cross, Nissan Kicks, Renault Duster, Tata Harrier, MG Hector, and the upcoming Volkswagen Taigun and Mahindra XUV700.
In the other news, Kia India will soon launch the sporty-looking X-Line Edition of the Seltos SUV in the Indian market. The brand also has plans to introduce a new mid-spec Limousine trim for its flagship offering, the Carnival MPV.
