The refreshed 2023 Kia Seltos range will land during the fourth quarter of 2022, sporting a range of enhancements headlined by an updated design, more tech, as well as a more powerful engine option.
Kia Australia confirmed new details for the Australian market today, with the same four-variant model walk as before (S, Sport, Sport+ and GT-Line) as well as a standard 2.0-litre MPI FWD petrol and optional 1.6-litre T-GDI AWD turbo petrol powertrains.
However, the Seltos 1.6 T-GDI has been updated for the 2023 model year, and is mated to an eight-speed torque converter automatic transmission instead of the outgoing dual-clutch.
While not confirmed in the local media release, the updated version of the 1.6-litre turbo in Korea now makes 147kW and 265Nm –17kW more than the pre-update model.
Kia says the new drivetrain combination offers “a smoother overall driving experience”, and as before will be exclusively available on the up-spec Seltos Sport+ and GT-Line models.
The company has also confirmed the 110kW/180Nm 2.0-litre FWD with CVT drivetrain will be standard “across all trims”, meaning the GT-Line will permanently offer both FWD and AWD options for the first time, following the introduction of a GT-Line FWD Limited Edition as the pre-update version entered runout.
Beyond the powertrain updates, the Seltos will offer more safety features as standard for 2023. Kia Australia has confirmed even the base Seltos S will be fitted with blind-spot assist, rear cross-traffic assist, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist and Lane Following Assist as standard – the previous Safety Pack option will be dropped.
Further, all models will feature rear air vents, USB-C charge ports and a full-size spare wheel. Previously, only the top-spec GT-Line offered rear ventilation, and the base S missed out on a full-size spare.
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Overseas model shown
Analogue gauges are no more with the updated Seltos range, with the base S getting a ‘basic’ digital instrumentation with 4.2-inch LCD driver’s multifunction centre display, while Sport, Sport + and GT-Line models will pick up the dual 10.25-inch display array nicked from the Niro eco crossover.
They will also get a redesigned climate control panel, previewed by the pictured Korean-market model.
The Seltos will become the second model in the brand’s Australian market to feature Kia Connect online services, standard from the Sport grade and up.
A complimentary seven-year subscription brings “customer benefits in safety, security, convenience, connectivity, and LIVE services by using telematics systems to transfer real time data, such as weather and traffic information” – read more about Kia Connect here.
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From a design standpoint, the new Seltos will feature updated headlight graphics, a “larger and bolder” front grille as well as revised bumpers. GT-Line versions score a new LED light design with ‘star-map’ signature, as Kia describes it.
Kia Australia has made no mention of range-wide LED lighting for the updated Seltos, indicating the S, Sport and Sport+ will get the halogen projector-type headlight and incandescent tail lights shown above, with new LED daytime running lights. GT-Line versions should get the new LED projector units pictured above, as well as the LED rear light bar.
All models will feature alloy wheels as standard (new for Seltos S), with the Sport, Sport+ and GT-Line models featuring new machine-finished designs. Above shows the standard 16-inch alloy wheel for the Korean market (previously offered here as an accessory), while the machine-faced design measures 18 inches.
Seven colours will be offered across the line-up, including a new Pluton Blue finish. The outgoing model’s Starlight Yellow has been dropped, while Clear White and Pluton Blue will be available with a contrast Fusion Black roof exclusively on the Seltos GT-Line.
Full pricing and specifications for the facelifted Kia Seltos range will be announced closer to the new model’s fourth-quarter launch (October to December inclusive).
So far in 2022 (as of July 31), the Seltos has seen 5398 registrations in Australia despite supply issues, down 6.5 per cent on last year’s volume – though market share has grown by 0.4 per cent to 7.9 per cent.
The Seltos is currently sitting in fifth place in the mainstream small SUV segment, behind the MG ZS range (11,609 units), the Mazda CX-30 (9520 units), the related Hyundai Kona (7572 units), and the Mitsubishi ASX (6697 units).
Stay tuned to CarExpert for all the latest Kia Seltos news in the lead-up to its Australian launch later this year.
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