The $42,000-plus asking price looks steep, but Kia puts up a strong argument in favour of the Seltos GT-Line
What is the 2022 Kia Seltos GT-Line all about?
It’s been just over two years since the Kia Seltos arrived in Australia, slotting in above the light-size Kia Stonic and below the mid-size Kia Sportage as the South Korean brand’s contender in the fast-growing small SUV class.
It has since been joined by the electrified Kia Niro in the same segment, but the Seltos is well and truly holding its own as the volume seller, racking up almost 9000 sales last year to become the top-selling SUV across Kia’s entire stable in 2021.
That’s due in part to model changeovers and supply restrictions, but the Seltos remains a beacon in the incredibly popular category that includes such rivals as the related Hyundai Kona – named carsales’ 2021 Best Small SUV – as well as the Mazda CX-30, Nissan QASHQAI, Toyota C-HR, Volkswagen T-Roc and MG ZS.
Smart styling, class-leading space and amenity and an excellent seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty also add weight to the convincing argument posed by Kia with the Seltos, which is tested here in top-shelf GT-Line guise.
How much does the 2022 Kia Seltos GT-Line cost?
Priced from $42,200 plus on-road costs, the 2022 Kia Seltos GT-Line is not cheap. It is, however, a product worthy of its price point, sitting at the top of the Seltos’ five-variant line-up that starts below $27,000 at the entry level.
The value equation is strong with the fully-loaded GT-Line, and savvy buyers with a tick-box mentality will find it hard to look away.
Under the bonnet, the Seltos GT-Line features a 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that produces 130kW of power and 265Nm of torque. It’s paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that sends power to all four wheels.
The same powerplant is used by the more affordable all-wheel drive Kia Seltos Sport+ (from $36,790), while lower-tiered models use a 110kW/180Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol engine that drives the front wheels through a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
Equipment headlines on the flagship Seltos model tested here include a 10-way electric-adjust heated and ventilated driver’s seat with lumbar support, and eight-way adjust for the front passenger.
There’s a heated steering wheel too, along with faux leather seat upholstery, dual-zone climate control and mood lighting.
The 10.25-inch colour touch-screen is your go-to for controlling the digital radio, eight-speaker Bose surround sound, satellite navigation, Bluetooth connectivity and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Wireless smartphone charging is included too.
A 7.0-inch instrument cluster is front and centre, as is your 8.0-inch colour head-up display.
A glass tilt-and-slide sunroof is fitted standard, unless you option the two-tone exterior.
Safety equipment is extensive at this top-rung level of the Seltos range, including LED headlights, blind spot monitoring, lane change/lane keep assist, rear cross traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with car, pedestrian and cyclist detection, a rear-view camera and front and rear parking sensors.
Airbags? There’s six of them. And a five-star ANCAP safety rating was achieved in 2019.
Eighteen-inch alloys, auto-folding mirrors, a shark fin antenna and snappy colours accentuate the fresh-looking exterior.
Why should/shouldn’t I buy the 2022 Kia Seltos GT-Line?
If you’re chasing a small SUV that’s not only well-equipped but also drives well, pay attention.
The turbocharged petrol engine in the 2022 Kia Seltos GT-Line is no powerhouse, but it does a fine job both around the speed-sensitive suburbs and when punting along on the freeway – yes, it’s got the punch to overtake without fuss.
And let’s not forget all-wheel drive grip at this GT-Line specification.
The car weighs in at 1470kg and feels its weight, but it’s solid and planted on the road. A hot hatch on stilts? No. But fun to drive? You bet.
Explore the Normal, Sport and Eco driving modes for a small but noticeable change in feel at the wheel.
Local suspension tuning means the Seltos will also ride Australia’s less-than-perfect road surfaces with little fuss.
You can also check out Luke Youlden’s review of the Kia Seltos GT-Line for some additional behind-the-wheel and family-focused drive impressions.
Who will the 2022 Kia Seltos GT-Line appeal to?
A range of exterior colour choices such as Mars Orange and Neptune Blue, as well as two-tone combinations like Star Bright Yellow with a Cherry Black roof as seen on our test vehicle tell a story of a funky city car ripe for young fun-seekers. And it is.
But the appeal of the 2022 Kia Seltos GT-Line extends well beyond this – the young, young families and even the young-at-heart will appreciate the well-equipped and surprisingly mature character of this practical small SUV.
The lengthy equipment list bolsters the Kia Seltos’ strong value proposition – even at the higher GT-Line price point.
Furthermore, a capped-price service schedule based on 12-month or 10,000km intervals ensures you won’t pay more than $3214 over the first seven years (or 70,000km) of ownership, which should suit city dwellers.
Your hip pocket will also welcome topping up with regular unleaded petrol, while the official combined-cycle fuel consumption figure is 7.6L/100km. In short, it’s pretty economical to run.
Elsewhere, the five-seat Seltos is comfortable for all occupants – second row included. The stadium-style rear seats provide good outward visibility and dual air vents, an arm rest with cup holders and rear seatback pockets for extra incidental storage.
Two ISOFIX positions and three top tether anchor points for child seats have the family buyer in mind.
A 433-litre boot (also home to a full-size spare wheel) grows to 1393 litres with the 60/40-split folding rear seat folded flat.
So, what do we think of the 2022 Kia Seltos GT-Line?
A thoughtful, practical and thoroughly modern approach to design and technology sees the 2022 Kia Seltos GT-Line tick a lot of boxes.
The accomplished small SUV is indicative of just how far this Korean brand has come.
It also makes this writer excited about the future of Kia products. They just keep getting better.
How much does the 2022 Kia Seltos GT-Line cost?Price: $42,200 (plus on-road costs)Available: NowEngine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrolOutput: 130kW/265NmTransmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automaticFuel: 7.6L/100km (ADR Combined)CO2: 175g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2019)
Keyword: Kia Seltos GT-Line 2022 Review