Sitting at the top of the range is the new Kia Seltos 1.5 CRDi X-Line for R614 995. The Korean firm is now officially the fastest-growing non-Chinese brand in the country. And it is the Indian-built Seltos that’s currently the most valuable nameplate in its vast compact SUV range.

Fitting for a flagship, the Kia Seltos 1.5 CRDi X-Line comes wrapped in an exclusive matte Dark Gun Metal Grey finish over black alloy wheels. And with the new design language, it is a truly handsome, head-turning beast …

KIA SELTOS 1.5 CDRI X-LINE We really approve of this interior, both intuitive and styled with a touch of flair. Image: Ray Leathern

Built on Kia’s K3 platform and borrowing styling cues from the larger Telluride, it follows the marque’s ‘opposites unite’ philosophy. Therefore, square and tough on the outside, smooth and inviting once you’re in. Flush-fitting door handles clean up the profile nicely, and the twin dashboard screens now merge into a single seamless display spanning driver and passenger. Boot space grows to 563 litres, a genuinely useful 103-litre jump over the outgoing model.

Under the bonnet of this test unit is the 1.5-litre turbodiesel, which produces 85 kW and 250 Nm. It’s an engine that trades outright revs for easy, low-down pull. However, when asked to pick up its skirt off the line or for an urgent overtake, it is found wanting. As a result, the zero to 100 km/h time of 12 seconds sounds about right. On the fuel economy front, Kia claims 5.3 l/100 km mixed. However, during our daily use we returned 6.5 l/100 km. The smaller unit has to work pretty hard, especially up hills, so a more powerful oil burner would be more economical.

WHERE IT EARNS ITS PRICE TAG Borrows a lot of its styling inspiration from the big Telluride sold in the USA … USA! Image: Ray Leathern

However, the standout is how well its semi-autonomous systems are calibrated. Beyond the expected six airbags, traction control and ABS with EBD, the X-Line’s active driver aids are genuinely impressive for a (relatively) affordable family SUV. Adaptive cruise control paces you smoothly against traffic ahead, active steering holds you confidently within your lane, and blind-spot monitoring paired with rear cross-traffic alert keeps you aware of what’s happening behind you.

And what sets these systems apart isn’t just that they exist, it’s how well they’re tuned. They intervene smoothly rather than nervously, and they behave with a level of polish you’d expect from cars costing several times more. We’ve said it before about Kia’s approach to driver assistance tech, and the new Seltos only reinforces it. The Koreans truly have mastered the intuitive usability of this tech, more so than the others.

THE VERDICT Square stance, matte paint finish and extra attention to the C pillar make it a standout in the compact SUV segment. Image: Ray Leathern

As mentioned, the Kia Seltos 1.5 CRDi X-Line tops the diesel range at R614 995. This pushes it well clear of the equivalent GT-Line CRDi at R544 995B. But don’t forget that petrol-powered LS derivatives open the range from as little as R389 995. For that money, distinctive styling, a genuinely spacious cabin, and a well-mannered drive are guaranteed. But you will lose out on the brilliant semi-autonomous tech.

Unfortunately, for the diesel hypermilers out there, we would have loved to test the range of the CRDi to the full. But for whatever reason, our test unit arrived with less than half a tank of diesel. Perhaps recent record fuel price hikes are to blame !? Nevertheless, it’s a real shame, because everything about the way the easy-going CRDi carries itself suggests it would have been a great loping road-tripper. But that’s an evaluation we’ll have to circle back to one day, perhaps when the fuel price returns to normal …

THE FIGURES
  • Kia Seltos 1.5 CRDi X-Line
  • Engine: 1.5-litre turbodiesel
  • Transmission: 6-speed automatic
  • Power: 85 kW
  • Torque: 250 Nm
  • 0-100 km/h: 12 seconds (estimated)
  • Fuel consumption: 5.3 l/100 km (claimed/combined) and 6.5 l/100 km (tested)
  • Price: R614 995