r/KIASeltos

1300 km done, 2.5 weeks in. GTX A iVT (the lassi engine as described by some questionably literate YouTubers)
Daily running \~160km, 4 days a week.

Route is 70% city with bumper to bumper traffic, 30% open highway based on distance, 90% city and 10% highway based on travel time 😅

I was hoping I would enjoy buttermilk everyday on my way to office, but unfortunately the engine is not lassi unlike the common sentiment. 🥲

Have driven a City CVT for 8 years, so I’m familiar with the driving dynamics of an NA CVT engine, and how to make it more responsive. Also have a 2018 Elantra SXO 2.0L NA AT for more enthusiastic outings.

Few niggles:

Right side mirror camera has excessive lena flare. Becomes unusable at night with even a street light image scattering like a supernova explosion.

Left door has a noticeable vibration sound when high bass music is playing. Not sure whether to pursue and put efforts into this because most probably the technicians are just gonna say they can’t hear it.

Edit: Claimed replacement of side mirror camera under warranty. ETA unknown 🤷🏻‍♂️. Kia did not approve replacement of the entire side mirror unit, so just the camera module will be replaced.

Just wrapped up an epic 1800 km cross-country run from Pune all the way up to Chandigarh, and hit the 5000 km mark on the odo!

I’ve done my fair share of road trips, but doing this stretch in the Seltos GTX+ 1.5 Turbo DCT (Petrol) was an absolute revelation. Here are some real-world thoughts from behind the wheel:

1. That 1.5 Turbo + DCT Combo is Addictive

Out on open corridors like the Trans-Haryana (NH 152D) and NH 48, this powertrain is pure bliss. With 160 PS on tap, overtakes don’t need planning, you just tap the throttle, the DCT drops a cog instantly, and you shoot past long truck convoys with zero drama. High-speed cruising at triple digits feels effortless, planted, and remarkably quiet.

2. High-Speed Stability & Comfort

The facelift suspension setup has matured significantly. The car glides over highway expansion joints and uneven tarmac without tossing you around. The cabin insulation is top-notch, and the ventilated seats were a lifesaver across hot daytime stretches. Doing 9 to 10 hours in the saddle every day and stepping out without a sore back or fatigued legs speaks volumes about the seat ergonomics.

3. The Mind-Blowing Mileage (Yes, on a Turbo Petrol!)

People always warn you that turbo-petrol automatics will murder your fuel economy the second you look at the gas pedal. Well, the instrument cluster tells a whole different story. With disciplined cruising, smooth throttle modulation, and letting the car stay in its high-gear sweet spot, I managed an unbelievable 16.5+ km/l over long highway stints! For a 160 hp crossover loaded with luggage, getting that kind of range out of a tank blew me away.

4. Cruising Ease

Between the responsive steering feel, and effortless lane manners, the sheer ease of munching miles in this car is unmatched. It never felt like a chore or an endurance test; it just shrinks distances.

Couldn’t have picked a better machine for cross-country touring.

Happy to answer any questions about real-world highway driving, DCT manners, or highway efficiency!

Took it for a long drive from mumbai to Bengaluru. Highway ride is too smooth ❤️.

I have been living in eu for the past two years, I went home last month and surprised my family with this new 2027 seltos (2026 here) Its a base model diesel manual and would be the first car i bought with my dime.

So below are some things I find different to other global variants

- The headlight design are different. where blinkers are always seems to be integrated, here its separate and unless its a top model you get it integrated (but by default the drl will be white in color) and there are no yellow border inside the headlight. which i miss :(

- the grill design is different compared to other models and its matte not glossy, but when paired with silver front bumper its not that bad.

- We don't get the terrain brown color but we do get all available colors right from base model (although the waiting times may differ)

- Theres no hybrid option here nor AWD drive trains, the base model dont get any lane assist stuff, but we do get spare tyres and completely foldable rear seat in base (not 60/40) but no seperate head rest on the back :(

- and also no start stop button, Has flippable physical key and a lever handbrakes instead of parking button (which was something I like, because my parents seems to be used to the old car models where these were present already)

- plus Fabric seats instead of leather, leather seems to get hot although i bet more comfortable, but fabric is far too breathable. and there is no hard plastic behind front seats.

- and the display is one continuous display, unlike the north american ones where there is a smaller display for driver side and in the base model the inside screen is bit smaller (has edges, although not that much noticeable)

- and the AC controls are all physical in base (again something i like, instead of cramping them in the display)

- no alloy wheels on base, but the new design of the wheel cups is not even bad honestly and blends in nicely and the tyres seems to be MRF Wanderer ones instead of Ceat or other brands in other trims. but this has really good grip, so I cant complain.

- but the engine is a bit underpowered compared to the Global spec, but 1.5 crdi seems to be good for our indian market and so far, driving was great and has a good torque especially in 2 or 3rd gears

All in all costed me around 15.50 Lakhs INR (15,000 euros which is a FANTASTIC value for the amount of car we get)