2027 Kia SeltosKiaKia dramatically redesigned the Seltos for 2027, taking a solid but unspectacular small crossover and refashioning it into a winning product for the company and the consumers who buy it. I tested a 2027 Kia Seltos X-Line SX for a week and was impressed with its style and value. But it's not cheap. Is a $37,000 subcompact Kia worth it? Let's break it down.2027 Kia Seltos X-Line SX: Premium Styling FTW2027 Kia SeltosWithout a doubt, the 2027 Kia Seltos is one of the best-looking crossovers in any segment. Kia is using the midsize Telluride as a template for its SUV design language, and it's working. I tested the 2027 Kia Telluride Turbo Hybrid this summer, and people kept asking me if it was a Land Rover.The Seltos is near that level. Kia's use of colors—this Seltos wears a shade called Terrain Brown—is elevating. Kia adds cool design tricks like flush door handles to create a clean look, while the angles and proportions make for a vehicle that looks larger than it actually is. The X-Line SX adds 19-inch black alloy wheels, and LEDS all around, including for the projector headlights. At the curb and on the road, the Seltos has a presence. There's a fair amount of parallels between contemporary Kia and Chevrolet styling. Both brands have aggressively remade their mainstream products with angles, lighting and trim. The Chevy Trax, a Seltos competitor, is another good example of uplevel styling in a commodity product. That said, designs like these tend to have a shelflife, so I imagine we may soon see a return to more minimalistic looks.2027 Kia Seltos X-Line SX: Driving DynamicsThe 2027 Kia Seltos on the road.The X-Line SX is the top trim, which gets you the 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine rated at 190 hp and 195 pound-feet of torque that teams with an eight-speed automatic and torque-vectoring all-wheel drive. It's a spunky step up from the 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder (147 hp and 132 lb-ft) engine offered in lower trims. A hybrid powertrain also joined the fold for 2027. TheX-Line SX times gets a slightly higher ground clearance (8.1 inches) as it is nominally an adventure-themed model.The Seltos is a solid around-town runner, which as a small crossover, it should be. It's comfortable enough, has adequate pep and the interior feels a class above. It's fine for a small family and the cargo area is respectable. I threw two bags of golf clubs back there with camping chairs stacked on top, and the hold also swallowed groceries with ease. With the panoramic moonroof open and seat heaters on, the Seltos has a premium feel. The mesh headrests are a clever feature that provide comfort and support for your head and neck. These are great seats. Attractive, supportive, comfortable, yet I wasn't afraid to set huge mum plants on them. It's fall in Michigan, and most HOAs require a minimum of three mum plants per house.2027 Kia Seltos X-Line SX: A Value Proposition?The 2027 Kia Seltos interior.This is where I'd caution against the X-Line SX trim. My tester came in at $37,250, with destination charges. That's near the base price of a Telluride. This Seltos included lots of creature comforts, near luxury design cues, the upper-level engine and all-wheel drive. It also looks the part of a premium crossover, which some Kias do very well these days.That said, the real value is in the lower trims. Unless you live in a severe area with tons of snow and ice, you can probably get by with the front-wheel models. The hybrid is also intriguing, and though we don't have fuel economy figures yet.My Verdict on the 2027 Kia Seltos X-Line SXThe rizz factor is high. So is the price. If you are looking for a small crossover, the 2027 Kia Seltos is one of the best. Still, I'd look at a lower trim, like the EX or X-Line S, to save some money or perhaps consider moving up to a Sorento or Telluride. There is a segment for people who want small vehicles and everything on them, in which case this 2027 Kia Seltos X-Line SX is the choice for them.
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