The facelifted 2023 Kia Seltos has been revealed, with freshened styling and an interior more in line with that of the new Sportage.
The company hasn’t released full specifications for the updated Seltos, but a full reveal is set for the 2022 Busan motor show on July 15. Kia Australia has already confirmed the updated small SUV is due here in the second half of 2022.
Changes up front include a revised grille and bumper, as well as new LED daytime running light signatures.
The updates are more significant down back, where there are restyled, more vertically-oriented tail lights connected by a full-width light bar.
There’s also a revised bumper with more discreet exhaust outlets, while the rear fog lights appear to have been moved further down.
There’s also a new 18-inch alloy wheel design on the featured Seltos. We can likely expect a range of new wheels.
Inside, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster joins the 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and they’re situated in one assembly like in the larger Sportage for a ‘curved dash’ look.
The centre stack features a similar layout to the current car but with what appears to be new switchgear, while the traditional shifter has been swapped for an electronic shift dial like that in the new Niro.
Kia Australia has confirmed the facelifted Seltos won’t receive a hybrid option, leaving those duties to the similarly-sized Niro.
Power in the current range comes from a choice of 2.0-litre and 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engines, the latter with a turbocharger. Versions of those engines are likely to carry over for 2023.
The 2.0-litre puts out 110kW of power and 180Nm of torque and is mated with a continuously-variable transmission, while the 1.6-litre turbo produces 130kW and 265Nm and uses a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.
On the safety front, the base Seltos S and Sport are likely to gain blind-spot assist as standard for 2023, but buyers will lose the ability to add a full range of safety features as part of an optional Safety Pack.
The current Seltos S and Sport miss out on blind-spot, rear cross-traffic, and lane-following assists, along with the advanced autonomous emergency braking system with cyclist detection offered on Sport Plus and GT-Line models.
The Safety Pack currently offered brings cyclist detection for the AEB, adaptive cruise control, an electric parking brake, power-folding side mirrors, and junction assist.
The simpler range is a move to make life easier for dealers and stock controllers as the world grapples with shipping delays, semiconductor shortages, and COVID-related shutdowns.
Kia also points to the fact the Seltos range has a five-star ANCAP rating regardless of which AEB system is fitted as a reason for dropping the option.
Along with the shuffled safety suite, the 2023 Seltos range will likely gain rear air vents across the range, and base models will ride on alloy wheels instead of the steelies fitted to the current model.
It’ll also follow the new Niro in getting the option of Kia Connect.
A combination of both live services and a smartphone app, Kia Connect uses an onboard modem and Optus SIM. Kia will also make over-the-air updates available.
Using the smartphone app, you’ll be able to remotely lock/unlock and start the car, as well as adjust the climate control and seat heating and ventilation, check the vehicle’s status, and track its location.
The Seltos has become one of Australia’s best-selling small SUVs. It remains popular despite crippling supply constraints and wait times quoted at over 12 months depending on variant.
To the end of May 2022, Kia has sold 3644 Seltos crossovers. That puts it behind only its Hyundai Kona cousin (5431), as well as the Mazda CX-30 (7386), MG ZS family (8978) and Mitsubishi ASX (4950).
MORE: Everything Kia Seltos
