Kia Seltos GTX Plus Diesel AT

About Kia Seltos GTX Plus Diesel AT

Hey car enthusiasts and future car owners! Buying a new car in India is a big decision, and it involves thinking about many important things. You need to consider your budget, how safe the car is for your family, the monthly maintenance costs, the latest features you get, and of course, how good the company service is. Finding a car that perfectly balances all these aspects can be tough. But what if there was an SUV that ticks most of these boxes, especially if you love the efficiency and torque of a diesel engine combined with the convenience of an automatic? Today, we are going to take a deep dive into one such strong contender: the new Kia Seltos GTX Plus Diesel AT. Let's find out if this is the SUV you have been waiting for!

Main Highlights

Engine Specifications

The Kia Seltos GTX Plus Diesel AT is powered by a robust and refined engine, perfect for both city commutes and highway cruises.

• Engine Type: 1.5L CRDi VGT Diesel Engine
• Maximum Power: 116 PS
• Peak Torque: 250 Nm
• Transmission: 6-speed Automatic Transmission (Torque Converter)

Design Overview

The Seltos has always been known for its striking design, and the GTX Plus variant takes it up a notch.

Exterior Design:

The updated Seltos looks bolder and more premium. It features a larger, more imposing 'Tiger Nose' grille, new connected LED DRLs (Daytime Running Lights) that stretch across the front, and redesigned LED headlamps. The sporty bumper with skid plates adds to its aggressive stance. At the rear, the connected LED tail lamps are a standout feature, giving it a distinct and modern look. The 18-inch crystal cut alloy wheels further enhance its road presence.

Interior Design:

Step inside, and you are greeted by a premium and tech-savvy cabin. The GTX Plus trim offers an all-black interior with red accents, giving it a sporty feel. The quality of materials is impressive, with soft-touch elements and well-finished surfaces. The dual screen setup for infotainment and the instrument cluster looks sleek and modern, creating a connected cockpit experience for the driver.

Key Features

The Kia Seltos GTX Plus Diesel AT is loaded with features designed to make every drive comfortable, convenient, and entertaining.

• Infotainment System: Dual 10.25-inch connected screens (one for infotainment, one for digital instrument cluster)
• Connectivity: Kia Connect with over 67 connected car features, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Sunroof: Panoramic Sunroof
• Camera System: 360-degree camera with Blind Spot View Monitor
• Charging: Wireless Phone Charger
• Climate Control: Dual Zone Automatic Climate Control
• Comfort: Ventilated front seats, Power adjustable driver seat
• Audio: Premium Bose 8-speaker sound system
• Convenience: Rain-sensing wipers, Heads-Up Display (HUD)

Ground Clearance

The Kia Seltos offers a practical ground clearance, making it suitable for Indian road conditions.

• Ground Clearance: 190 mm

Boot Space

Plenty of room for your luggage and shopping.

• Boot Space: 433 litres

Dimensions

Here are the key dimensions of the Kia Seltos.

• Length: 4365 mm
• Width: 1800 mm
• Height: 1645 mm (with roof rails)
• Wheelbase: 2610 mm

Powertrain Options

While we are focusing on the Diesel AT, it is good to know that the Kia Seltos also offers other strong engine choices:

• 1.5L Smartstream Naturally Aspirated Petrol (with 6-speed Manual or IVT)
• 1.5L Turbo GDi Petrol (with 6-speed iMT or 7-speed DCT)
• 1.5L CRDi VGT Diesel (with 6-speed iMT or 6-speed Automatic)

Safety Features

Safety is a top priority in the new Seltos, especially in the GTX Plus variant.

• 6 Airbags (standard across all variants)
• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
• Vehicle Stability Management (VSM)
• Hill-start Assist Control (HAC)
• All Wheel Disc Brakes
• Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
• Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Level 2: Includes Forward Collision Warning, Lane Keep Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Collision Warning, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist, and more.

NCAP Rating Table

The new Kia Seltos has significantly improved its safety ratings, especially for the India-spec model.

Rating Body	Adult Occupant Protection	Child Occupant Protection	Notes
Bharat NCAP (2023 Facelift)	5 Stars	5 Stars	Excellent rating for the updated India-spec model with 6 airbags standard.
Global NCAP (Pre-Facelift)	3 Stars	2 Stars	Rating for the older model which did not have 6 airbags as standard. The new model is significantly safer.

Rivals of Kia Seltos GTX Plus Diesel AT

The Kia Seltos operates in a highly competitive segment. Its main rivals include:

• Hyundai Creta
• Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara
• Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder
• Skoda Kushaq
• Volkswagen Taigun
• MG Astor

How is the Car? (Pros & Cons)

Let's weigh the good and the not-so-good about the Kia Seltos GTX Plus Diesel AT.

Pros:

• Powerful & Efficient Diesel Engine: The 1.5L diesel engine offers great performance, especially on highways, with decent fuel economy for an AT.
• Smooth Automatic Transmission: The 6-speed torque converter AT is refined and makes city driving effortless.
• Feature-Rich Cabin: Loaded with premium features like panoramic sunroof, ventilated seats, dual 10.25-inch screens, and Bose sound system.
• Advanced Safety: Standard 6 airbags and the comprehensive ADAS Level 2 suite make it one of the safest cars in its class. The 5-star Bharat NCAP rating is a huge plus.
• Bold & Premium Design: The facelift gives it a more aggressive and modern look, both inside and out.
• Good Road Presence: Its size and styling command attention on the road.
• Kia's Service Network: Kia has established a good service network across India.

Cons:

• Rear Seat Space: While adequate, it might feel a bit tight for three adults or very tall passengers on long journeys compared to some rivals.
• Price: The GTX Plus Diesel AT is a top-end variant, making it relatively expensive, which might stretch some budgets.
• Ride Comfort: The suspension is tuned a bit on the firmer side, which is great for handling, but might feel slightly stiff over broken roads for some passengers.
• No AWD: Unlike some international versions or rivals, it does not offer an All-Wheel Drive (AWD) option.

Conclusion

The new Kia Seltos GTX Plus Diesel AT stands out as a highly compelling package in the competitive mid-size SUV segment. It brings together a potent and fuel-efficient diesel engine with a smooth automatic gearbox, a long list of segment-leading features, a premium and sporty design, and now, a robust 5-star safety rating from Bharat NCAP. If your priorities include a powerful diesel engine, a comfortable automatic driving experience, a tech-loaded cabin, and top-notch safety features, and you are willing to pay a premium for all these benefits, the Seltos GTX Plus Diesel AT should definitely be at the top of your test-drive list. It is a well-rounded SUV that offers a lot for its price, making it an excellent choice for modern Indian families.