2027 Kia Seltos Turbo Tested: What a Glow-UpKiaWhat a change Kia hath wrought on the all-new second-generation 2027 Kia Seltos. What used to look like a fairly anonymous entry-level subcompact SUV now comes across as a neat-looking shrunken two-row Telluride. But there's more here than sharp new looks, because the Seltos also steps up to the plate with a much-needed increase in overall refinement and a full slate of new features. The result is a dramatic reconstitution.It starts with the usual slight increase in size, as the new Seltos is 1.8 inches longer, barely more than an inch wider, and more than three-quarters of an inch taller. The footprint is also bigger, as the wheelbase has been stretched by 2.4 inches. Why is this important? Interior space is more generous, and rear legroom has improved to a class-leading 39 inches, a full inch more than before. Also, the forward cabin is about an inch broader across the shoulders, and cargo space is more generous by a cubic foot. In other words, there's more room to spread out.KiaThe wheelbase stretch does wonders for ride comfort, which also benefits from an excellent suspension tune by Kia engineers. Even though the front struts and rear multilink suspension have passive dampers all around, you might think it has computer-controlled damping. Body motion is smooth, and impacts are nicely damped. The whole experience has a kind of suppleness that feels a class or two higher, with the nicely muted interior noise levels adding to that impression. Handling is solid, as the chassis reacts in sync with steering inputs. That said, this car doesn't exactly relish attacking corners. It's absolutely fine, but it does feel a little less eager than the last one. Then again, it rides far better than before, so we think Kia moved the ball forward here.KiaThe one shortcoming centers on the part of the car that Kia did not improve: the two powertrains, which are purely carryover. (The third is an all-new hybrid that will come six months later and won't be available to review until later this year.) The base pairing remains a 2.0-liter inline-four that makes 147 horsepower and is backed by a CVT, while our test car had the turbocharged 1.6-liter inline-four that makes 190 horsepower and has an eight-speed automatic. It's the same as before, with one exception: The final-drive ratio has been altered from 3.51 to 3.65:1, but that mostly offsets the switch in tire size from 235/45R-18 to 235/45R-19. In other words, it's a wash.AdvertisementAdvertisementWhat is the specific problem? Our test car weighed 3668 pounds, a full 336 pounds more than the last Seltos we tested. This roughly 10 percent increase in weight with no increase in power means the 2027 Kia Seltos is inevitably slower than before. After all, each horsepower is hauling around 19.3 pounds instead of 17.3 pounds. Sure enough, the new Seltos got to 60 mph in 8.2 seconds, whereas the old one did so in 7.1 seconds. The quarter-mile took 16.4 seconds at 86 mph, whereas the old car did it in 15.5 seconds at 91 mph. That isn't great, but the Chevy Trax, which won the last comparison test in this field, did 60 mph in 8.5 seconds and a 16.5-second quarter-mile. So this performance is not a dealbreaker in the context of this segment.That's not the only way the weight weighs on things. The previous-gen Seltos managed 0.83 g on the skidpad, whereas this one did 0.78 g. Sure, the tire size is marginally taller, but they are the same tires, namely Kumho Majesty 9 Solus TA91 in both cases. The same width and aspect ratio, in other words, but less stick because of that 10 percent weight gain. A tragedy? No. But a difference to be noted. The same goes for 70-mph stopping distance, although 181 feet compared to 162 feet is a little harder to take. The brakes feel outstanding in regular use, however.What do those extra 340 or so pounds get you, apart from more metal all around you? For one, our X-Line SX all-wheel-drive model came with some pretty nice accoutrements. For example, there's a feature you couldn't get before—a full panoramic sunroof with a power sunshade. Our test car also had ventilated front seats and a Harman/Kardon eight-speaker audio system with an external amp and a subwoofer as part of the Prestige package; that also gets you the 12.3-inch touchscreen navigation system (with the already standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), as well as the surround-view monitor.KiaAnother impressive aspect is the fuel economy. How Kia managed to improve highway fuel economy by 3 mpg even after adding 336 pounds of wider, taller bodywork is a mystery to us. The EPA city figure is unchanged, so the new rating is 24/30 mpg. This one will be interesting to put through our 75-mph highway fuel-economy test. Of course, the hybrid should do even better, but EPA numbers for that version are not yet available.AdvertisementAdvertisementNonhybrid versions of the 2027 Kia Seltos are available right now. The fully loaded X-Line SX AWD we tested goes for $34,285, with the Prestige package adding $2500. We also tacked on $465 worth of minor extras for a total price of $37,250. But there are four more trim levels below that, starting with the LX FWD that goes for $26,485. So, the Seltos remains accessible even as it's become aspirational.Kia➡️ Skip the lot. Let Car and Driver help you find your next car.Shop New Cars Shop Used CarsYou Might Also LikeGift Guide: Best Ride-On Electric Cars for KidsFuture Cars Worth Waiting For: 2025–2029
