Standard on every Seltos is an easy-to-use 8-inch touchscreen packing standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. There's also plenty of user-friendly technology. The 3D geometric pattern of the speaker grilles, the metal-look passenger grab handle, the sleek silver trim piece surrounding the air vents and starter button, and optional upgrades that include handsome heather-gray upholstery and the dash trim that can be glossy black, bright blue or stitched faux leather. However, Kia's designers cleverly made up for its accountants' dictates by elevating several key areas with upgraded materials and distinctive design elements. The door sills, dash tops, center console and cargo area are the most noticeable examples. There's far more hard plastic throughout than you'll find in the slightly pricier Kia Sportage plus any number of like-priced compact crossovers. If there's one area where the Seltos betrays its relatively low price, it's the quality of its interior materials. What's the Seltos interior and in-car technology like? The Seltos is an all-new model in the Kia line-up. The Seltos' greater space likely makes it a better choice for more people, however.

Its most direct competitor is the also-new and also-handsome Mazda CX-30, which is sharper to drive and has a higher-quality cabin. Importantly, though, the Seltos is a compelling alternative to the crossovers in the two SUV size/price segments that it straddles, offering a hodgepodge of elements from each to create an appealing new whole. It's also a more competitive product than Kia's aging Sportage, which may have nicer interior materials and more powerful engines, but weaker interior packaging and design.

In that way, the Seltos is in keeping with Kia's excellent Soul below it and Telluride above it. Basically, it provides even more value beyond Kia's usual extra-long features list and warranty. Its price and exterior dimensions fall in between the subcompact and compact SUV segments, yet it boasts more interior volume than is expected and an abundance of special design details throughout that successfully counter some of the cheaper bits applied to keep the price down. The 2021 Kia Seltos proves you don't have to spend a lot of money for both function and fashion.

Kia crossover suv