Text and photos by Angel Rivero
HAVE YOU already tried driving the Kia Seltos? It’s one of Kia’s latest products — launched just last November, and the third of three new vehicles launched by the brand ever since its distributorship was acquired by Ayala-owned AC Industrials in early 2019. As a matter of fact, this month marks its first anniversary under Ayala management. Its latest contender for the subcompact crossover segment is, in my opinion, a strong one. There is much to discover and to love about the new Kia Seltos.
Its looks are appealing; its drive convincing. Convincing enough, in fact, for us to take it on a long sojourn to northern Luzon — all the way up to Nueva Ecija, and then east towards the surfing haven of Baler.
We drove in a tight convoy of 10 vehicles, comprised of all three variants of the Seltos: the entry-level LX, the mid-range EX, and the top-of-the-line SX. My initial vessel was the best-equipped Seltos SX, and I happily drove it out of Manila traffic and straight into the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), later penetrating into the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX), and eventually through provincial roads which were a mixture of both properly paved and uneven roads.
My strong, first impressions were that aside from the fact that the crossover looks very good with its signature tiger-nose grille, 17-inch mag wheels, and fancily contoured LED daytime running lights, the cabin was also surprisingly quiet with hardly any audible road noise — a delightful convenience, especially for this car segment which usually prioritizes economics. Speaking of things audible, the crossover is also gifted with a notably impressive six-speaker sound system, controlled via its eight-inch infotainment display screen, to which you can pair several mobile phones via Bluetooth all at once. And as the standard is these days, the system supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as offers USB ports for plugging phones in the front.
Powering all three tiers of Seltos variants is the same 2.0-liter dual-CVVT Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine mated with its Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT). I attest to feeling the difference this made in terms of extremely smooth shifting, and I admit I was surprised to experience this kind of fluidity for this segment. And although power output has never been the thrust of vehicles in this class, I could say that the Seltos is amply powered at 147hp, and that it could squeeze out some 179Nm at 4,500 rpm when the situation requires it to.
LEDs are used to power the headlamps and fog lamps of this top trim (which make it more physically attractive), while smart entry with remote start are among the other bells and whistles equipped here, controlled via the car’s smart key. Electronic stability control is only offered in this top-end variant.
Our first stop on this trip was to have lunch at the relatively new Highland Bali Resort and Spa in Nueva Ecija — a classy, Balinese-inspired resort that overlooks the beautiful Pantabangan Lake. This lake is not a natural lake but, rather, the reservoir portion of an embankment-type dam on the Pampanga River. One could also drive down to the lake from the resort in just a few minutes to enjoy unique views and windy banks.
The Seltos did not have any issue moving through the rugged earth and back. It has sufficient versatility for some out-of-town adventures; and carries other relevant niceties for out-of-town travel, such as: rear reclining seats (I love this!) from 26 to 32 degrees, a high cabin ceiling and (I should highlight) some amazing legroom in the back! Its exterior size and interior space are equivalent to that of a class above. And of course it’s always great to exceed expectations.
All variants of the Seltos are also equipped with a drive mode selection knob — which allows the driver to choose between Eco, Normal, and Sport driving. Typically this is not a feature found in the regular subcompact crossover class.
Upon leaving Nueva Ecija, we headed east towards the coastal city of Baler, the capital of Aurora province, located some 230km Northeast of Manila. Baler has become one of the most talked-about surfing destinations in the country — charming, less touristy, and perfect for learning how to surf for the first time!
A treasure of scenic views surround the municipality, and delicious eats also abound. The next time you’re there, try Kubli Restaurant which is located just a stone’s throw away from the large Costa Pacifica Hotel. Another thing you must also not miss trying in the area is the amazing, homemade peanut butter branded as “Nanay Pacing,” which is locally produced by a family there.
The Kia Seltos did not fail to impress with its commendable comfort, unbelievably smooth shifting, passenger cabin spaciousness (headroom and legroom), and undeniable good looks. At price points of P1.098 million for the LX, P1,198,000 for the EX, and P1,505,000 for the SX, it is definitely a persuasive proposition for people looking into buying a car in this popular segment.
