2020 Kia Seltos officially previewed in Malaysia – B-seg SUV with 1.6L NA, 123 PS/151 Nm; EX & GT-Line

2020 Kia Seltos officially previewed in Malaysia – B-seg SUV with 1.6L NA, 123 PS/151 Nm; EX & GT-Line

Several months after making its appearance online, the Kia Seltos has finally been unveiled as part of an official preview by Naza Kia Malaysia. No prices have been released yet, but the B-segment SUV is available in two flavours – the entry-level 1.6 EX and 1.6 GT-Line. It’s also currently open for booking, in case you missed the news.

We’ll start with what’s under the bonnet. Powering the Seltos is the sole 1.6 litre Gamma MPI naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine. It makes 123 PS at 6,300 rpm and 151 Nm of torque at 4,850 rpm, with drive sent to the front wheels through a six-speed automatic. There is no all-wheel drive option, by the way, but you do get three drive modes – Eco, Normal and Sport, as well as three additional “Traction” modes, which are Snow, Mud or Sand.

Size-wise, the SUV measures 4,315 mm long, 1,800 mm wide, 1,645 mm tall, and has a wheelbase length of 2,610 mm. To put that into perspective, that’s about 19 mm shorter than the Honda HR-V (wheelbase are identical, though), but the Kia is 28 mm wider and 40 mm taller. Boot space for the Seltos is 433 litres, which is expandable up to 900 litres with the seats down.

For equipment, the EX gets halogen projector headlights, halogen fog lamps, massive Tiger Nose grille with satin silver surrounds, bulb-type tail lights, satin silver tailgate trim, and dark grey twin-five spoke 17-inch wheels shod with 215/60 profile Goodyear Assurance tyres.

The GT Line, on the other hand, gets upgraded with full LED headlights with LED DRLs that extend into the grille, vertical LED fog lamps, chromed grille surrounds with diamond-textured finish, chromed door hanldes (body-coloured on the EX), red body inserts (front bumper, side moulding, wheel caps and rear bumper), and LED combination tail lights.

There’s also a sportier rear bumper with a plastic insert to mimic a dual exhaust setup, chromed tailgate trim, GT-Line badges on the grille and tailgate, as well as a set of 17-inch dual-tone Y-spoke wheels. Quite the visual difference compared to the EX, really.

Inside, both variants get leather seats as standard. On the Seltos EX, the seats get a nice quilted design, whereas the GT-Line gets a more elegant design with red contrast stitching. The GT-Line is also the only variant here to get three levels of ventilated seat function, and this is only for the two front seats. The EX gets manual air con controls, while the GT-Line gets a dual-zone automatic system.

Besides that, both cars get an eight-inch touchscreen info display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (works via a wired USB connection) functionalities, a leather-wrapped, multi-function flat-bottomed steering wheel (GT-Line gets red stitching and a GT-Line badge), keyless entry with push-start button, as well as a six-speaker sound system with Sound Mood (six theme, eight-colour LED lighting system).

There’s a 3.5-inch digital info display built into the middle of the analogue instrumentation, as well as gloss dash inserts, while the GT-Line gets a larger seven-inch display and a leatherette dash trim. The latter also adds an eight-way power adjustable driver seat with lumbar adjustment, Qi wireless smartphone charging tray, and alloy foot pedals (rubber on the EX).

For safety, both cars get six airbags as standard, Isofix child seat anchors, ABS with EBD, vehicle stability management, electronic stability control, traction control system, and hill-start assist. There’s also passive cruise control and reverse camera, but autonomous emergency braking is not part of the kit list. The GT-Line does get front parking sensors and a head-up display, though.

Again, no prices have been released thus far. The 2020 Kia Seltos can be viewed at selected showrooms, and if you’re interested, there are four colours to choose from – Glacier White Pearl, Gravity Grey, Intense Red (EX only), and Intelligency Blue (GT-Line only). So, what do you think of the Seltos? Would you pick this over the Hyundai Kona, or are you set on buying the Proton X50?

GALLERY: 2020 Kia Seltos 1.6 GT-Line

GALLERY: 2020 Kia Seltos 1.6 EX

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Matthew H Tong

An ardent believer that fun cars need not be fast and fast cars may not always be fun. Matt advocates the purity and simplicity of manually swapping cogs while coping in silence of its impending doom. Matt's not hot. Never hot.

 

Comments

  • romance on Sep 11, 2020 at 4:46 pm

    (Like) Kia Seltos and X50
    (Dislike) HRV

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 28 Thumb down 5
    • Bye bye x70 and Havel on Sep 12, 2020 at 9:32 am

      Suv is now getting so popular here, this sub will capture most of x 70 market kau kau

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 6
      • Nope! All suvs will capture most of HRV market soon.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
      • Celup King on Sep 12, 2020 at 10:47 pm

        Proton X50 says hello and bai bai to Seltos

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
      • Lorenzo Kassim Chan on Sep 13, 2020 at 9:22 am

        X70 needs to lower down the price by at least 15% for not getting impact from this suv.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 3
        • Lets See on Sep 13, 2020 at 12:52 pm

          X70 isn’t even within the same segment laa. The one that will kill this sheltox is this baby
          https://paultan.org/2020/09/12/2020-proton-x50-officially-revealed-with-two-tone-red-black-exterior-and-interior-infinite-weave-grille/

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 1
  • M & B on Sep 11, 2020 at 4:47 pm

    Nice!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
  • Open booking but no indicative prices? Who really that stupid?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 38 Thumb down 1
    • Honda has the same stupid idea. Getting people to book the City but haven’t even announced the price. Like seriously?? Who wanna book without knowing the price

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 20 Thumb down 1
    • Gotcha on Dec 25, 2020 at 1:05 pm

      X50 got 20k without releasing the price.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Chow Wei Zhen on Sep 11, 2020 at 4:55 pm

    Beautiful SUV and very awesome

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 1
  • LIKE: X50, Seltos, Kona
    DISLIKE: HRV

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 3
  • The powertrain seems kinda underwhelming especially compared to the competition. Will wait for the test drive review.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 1
  • AliAhKauRamasamy on Sep 11, 2020 at 5:11 pm

    (Like) Proton X50
    (Dislike) Kia Seltos

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 24 Thumb down 7
  • autodriver (Member) on Sep 11, 2020 at 5:13 pm

    Although I got a Forte 1.6 but this Seltos really a piece of junk to me. A car weight more than 1350kg but comes with 123ps / 151nm, cant imagine how slow it can be. This power output is not acceptable in current market at all. Those who complain Almera 1.0T is underpowered will find this Seltos even worst. And it still lack of active safety features which makes this Seltos weaker than new Almera by far. Unless this Seltos price below 80k for top spec, otherwise it is just a car leaving at showroom for display purpose. Old engine old gearbox but weight up. Naza did not response according to market demand.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 48 Thumb down 6
    • Dong gor on Sep 11, 2020 at 6:46 pm

      Well, they need some cars to keep the showroom occupied. It’s not really for sale

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 2
    • 1.0T direct injection turbo + 3-cylinders + CVT Almera will make u cry 2-3 years later…NA + 4-cylinders + 6-speed auto will be peace of mind for long term family suv

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 19
      • granny on Sep 12, 2020 at 8:49 am

        cannot simply assume all SUV are reliable

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
      • Olapex on Sep 12, 2020 at 12:32 pm

        Depends on manufacturers for using NA Engine. Even though using Honda City NA Engine with Earth Dreams Gearbox can be problem too

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
      • autodriver (Member) on Sep 14, 2020 at 7:38 am

        Almera 1.0T is port injection turbo. Why cry on 3 cylinders, haven’t you seen Viva, Kenari and Kelisa on the road for more than 15 years? Latest BMW X1 i18 and upcoming X50 is also 3 cylinders turbo.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Autodriver suck on Sep 12, 2020 at 9:36 am

      Another protong sales man that try hard to make silly comment. Korean car is much superior than china car. See the stability and technology. Potong R and D team only design grill and logo

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 5
    • Maybe Naza really want to kill the brand kaw2 before selling it to berjaya

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
      • Celup King on Sep 14, 2020 at 11:32 am

        Naza and Berjaya already one family, why they wanna kill their own heir?

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • Camel on Sep 11, 2020 at 5:15 pm

    Handsome design

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
  • maria on Sep 11, 2020 at 5:39 pm

    sorry to say but if the price is almost same like his cousin kona, then kona is the best buy after all. Turbo engine instead NA and full suite of safety feature is much valuable than bare bone seltos

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 23 Thumb down 1
  • Datuk on Sep 11, 2020 at 6:01 pm

    Gone were the days Hyundai Matrix B-SUV 1.6L RM…?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
  • vivizurianti on Sep 11, 2020 at 7:11 pm

    I would buy any SUV make except from Honda.
    Dowan GB, fuel pump, poor QC problem from Honda. Donwan power of Nightmare from Honda.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 24 Thumb down 8
  • corgee on Sep 11, 2020 at 8:42 pm

    No aeb??? a disgrace.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 1
  • Ben Yap on Sep 11, 2020 at 9:05 pm

    Honda HRV is a better buy. more performance even though it’s an older model. Kia is not moving with the trend. For this car to sell, it needs at least a turbo engine.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 33
    • Nice but on Sep 14, 2020 at 4:01 pm

      HRV is practical with its ultra or magic seat.
      I used to stroll in HRV owner page bcos i was planning to buy. I read so many issues the regarding the infamous suspension problem. The last time i heard, there was a guy who complained alot in social media about his HRV. Honda Malaysia lawyer sent him a LOD to make him quite. The HRV owner fb page gone after that.
      Instead of fixing the issues, they silenced the customers.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • ThePolygon on Sep 11, 2020 at 9:30 pm

    Congratulations on bringing in the NA engine Seltos, now there is nothing interesting about the car that sets it apart from the rest.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 2
  • Rm120k on Sep 12, 2020 at 12:01 am

    Handsome design. Almost premium interior..But…. if the price above 120k, it MUST have electronic brake, adaptive cruise control (0kmh onwards and not from 30kmh), 360 camera, front parking sensor, 1.6l turbo engine. If not, price should match x50.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 1
    • Sportage gone? on Sep 14, 2020 at 4:03 pm

      Heard rumours Sportage will be gone n replace by this (different segments). Price same as Sportage.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • The look is ok. Now, left only price. No 360camera, LDW…..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Semi-Value (Member) on Sep 16, 2020 at 12:46 am

    like the hyundai kona, this is dead before arrival

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • Old Tucson driver on Sep 17, 2020 at 8:11 am

    Interior design trying to mimic the new Sorento just didn’t work here with that small size display and that analog speedometer.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Nightsoldier on Oct 16, 2020 at 5:43 pm

    Don’t bother booking anything from Kia now. I believe they are in the midst of a major cash crush and “transition”. They can’t even pay the customs for AP to release my car (I just bought last month). My purchase is unfortunately stuck in limbo. Save yourselves the headache and wait for the new ownership or get another vehicle. My personal views.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Maidin on Nov 18, 2020 at 1:21 pm

    If sell this car at RM60k, many will buy it

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Rm 115k r u kidding me? Too expensive

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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