The cream of the crop, with all the bells and whistles. The 2024 Kia Seltos GT-Line AWD is a larger than normal small SUV that could be just what you’re looking for in terms of price, size and performance.
Straight out of the box, the Pluton Blue paint colour is magic. It looks incredible in the flesh, and when paired with the Fusion Black roof, it really made the exterior pop. It would be hard to ignore this two-tone option as the pick of the bunch.
Adding to its stylish design are 18-inch silver and black machined alloys, with a fifth in the boot. Inside, you’ll find sharp, crisp, and lovely looking twin 10.25-inch displays, and while the infotainment part has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, it’s not wireless.
You’ll need to plug into either the USB-A or USB-C slot in the front (there’s two in the rear as well). It’s a bit of a let down given the base model S variant has wireless connectivity, albeit with a smaller infotainment system.
Exclusive to the GT-Line, there’s a wireless charging pad that has its own space above the normal storage bay, and is big enough for Plus and Pro level phones. The premium artificial leather seats are not only comfortable, but the front ones offer heating and ventilation.
There’s 8-way electric functionality for the passenger and 10-way for the driver, with two-way lumbar support and two position memory. On exit, the driver’s seat pulls back to allow room to leave the vehicle, and it sets itself to your previous position when you get in.
The steering wheel and electric side mirrors are heated too. Slotting between the front seats is a small, yet deep centre console, with a sliding arm rest. If you’re some who rests there arm at the top of the door, you’ll find it’s too hard a surface to be comfortable.
Exclusive to the GT-Line is a colour head-up display, which can be shut off if that’s not your thing (although one wonders why you’d shut off such a feature). The 8-speaker Bose sound system is excellent. Music, the radio, your favourite podcast, are all a joy to listen to.
Even the ambient lighting can be matched to the audio for a bit of a musical mood vibe. The boot sports a powered tailgate, opening up to 433-litres of boot space, or 1,393-litres when you fold the second row seats down.
A smart key is offered as part of the package as well, and unlocks the vehicle as you approach it, and locks it when you walk away. If you thought the key was good though, wait until you are introduced to Kia Connect.
It’s a phone app you can pair with the car that gives you everything from remote start to vehicle status monitoring, and the ability to set the temperature before you sit inside. It’s free for the first seven years, but what happens beyond that is yet to be determined.
LED lighting aside, a plethora of safety tech features, including intelligent speed limit assist. The chime when you exceed is annoying enough, but it’s astoundingly inaccurate, picking up random speeds that weren’t even signposted.
You can turn it off though, although you have to do it every time you start the car. The all-wheel drive version of the GT-Line is powered by a powerful 146kW 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine, paired with a punchy 8-speed automatic transmission.
Three drive modes (Eco, Normal and Sport) feature, each with their own graphics on digital instrument cluster. To own one, you’ll need to spend $44,900 before on-roads. There are nine colours to choose from, including Clear White with a Fusion Black roof.
You can also opt for plain Pluton Blue, Steel Grey, Gravity Grey, Fusion Black, Mars Orange, Neptune Blue and Snow White Pearl. It comes with a 7-year unlimited kilometre warranty, 7-years capped price servicing and 1-year of roadside assistance.
The latter can be extended to 8-years if you get your car serviced at an authorised dealership. You can build your own on the Kia Australia website. If you’re keen on one and need finance, talk to CreditOne.
Our test vehicle was provided by Kia Australia. To find out more about the 2024 Kia Seltos GT-Line, contact your local Kia dealer.
