2026 Kia Seltos 1.5 NA Petrol IVT review - The Seltos auto to buy? | Autocar India

Summary

The Kia Seltos IVT pairs a 1.5L naturally aspirated petrol engine with a CVT gearbox, offering a smooth, comfortable driving experience, especially suited for city driving. With features like connected screens, a Bose sound system, and ADAS functions, it’s well-equipped for tech-savvy buyers. Performance is adequate for urban commutes, though it lags behind turbocharged versions in acceleration. While the IVT offers excellent fuel efficiency, its performance may not satisfy those seeking more dynamic driving. Priced competitively, it’s an ideal choice for those prioritizing comfort and ease in congested traffic, but less suited for those craving sporty performance.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Kia Seltos IVT features a 1.5L naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with a CVT gearbox, offering a smooth and efficient driving experience.
• 😀 Unlike previous models, the IVT is now available in nine trims across three styling packages: Techline, GT Line, and X-Line.
• 😀 The exterior of the Seltos IVT maintains a strong and sleek design, featuring 18-inch rims and a modern side and rear profile.
• 😀 The interior is tech-forward with connected screens and physical buttons for key functions, alongside a premium fit and finish.
• 😀 The front seats are stylish but may feel narrow for larger passengers, while the rear seats provide excellent legroom and enough shoulder space for three adults.
• 😀 The GTXA variant comes equipped with advanced features like a 12.3-inch digital display, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, a 360° camera, and a Bose sound system.
• 😀 While the IVT model offers a smooth driving experience with minimal engine noise, it is not as quick as the turbo DCT variant, with a 0-100 km/h time of 13.07 seconds.
• 😀 The CVT gearbox helps achieve better fuel economy, with figures of 10.3 KPL in city driving and 14.2 KPL on highways, superior to the turbo DCT variant.
• 😀 The ride comfort in the second-gen Seltos has significantly improved, with better handling of potholes and bumps, making for a more refined driving experience.
• 😀 The steering is light at low speeds, making it easy to park, but feels less connected at higher speeds unless switched to Sport mode, which adds more weight and responsiveness.

Q & A

What makes the Kia Seltos IVT stand out compared to previous generations?

The Kia Seltos IVT stands out due to its new pairing of a 1.5L naturally aspirated petrol engine with a CVT gearbox, offering a smoother driving experience compared to previous turbo and diesel variants. It also offers a wider range of trims and a more refined ride comfort.

How does the 1.5L naturally aspirated engine in the Seltos IVT perform?

The 1.5L engine produces 115 horsepower and 144 Nm of torque. While it’s not the most powerful option in the Seltos lineup, it provides smooth power delivery and is ideal for relaxed driving. It's particularly efficient in urban settings, where it maintains low revs for a calm and quiet ride.

What is the driving experience like with the Seltos IVT's CVT gearbox?

The CVT gearbox in the Seltos IVT provides a seamless and smooth driving experience, especially at low speeds. It mimics a torque converter automatic, offering more natural power delivery than typical CVTs. However, hard acceleration does bring out the rubber band effect, although it's less pronounced than in other CVT vehicles.

How does the Seltos IVT handle in different driving modes?

The Seltos IVT offers three driving modes: Eco, Normal, and Sport. In Eco mode, the engine runs at low RPMs, enhancing fuel efficiency. In Sport mode, the engine revs higher, providing more responsive acceleration for overtakes. Normal mode strikes a balance between performance and efficiency.

What is the fuel efficiency of the Seltos IVT?

The Seltos IVT achieves a fuel economy of 10.3 km/l in city driving and 14.2 km/l on the highway. These figures are competitive for its class, offering better efficiency than the turbo DCT variant.

How does the ride comfort of the Seltos IVT compare to the first-generation model?

The ride comfort of the Seltos IVT has improved significantly over the first-generation model. It now handles potholes and bumps with a much more polished ride, providing a more comfortable experience even on rougher roads.

What are the notable interior features of the Seltos IVT GTXA trim?

The GTXA trim includes a 12.3-inch digital display, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, a 360° camera, a Bose sound system, dual-zone climate control, ventilated front seats, a powered driver’s seat with memory, a panoramic sunroof, and rear sunshades. However, features like the air purifier and head-up display from the previous model are missing.

How does the Seltos IVT perform in terms of safety features?

The Seltos IVT comes with a comprehensive safety suite, including six airbags, stability control, front and rear disc brakes, a tire pressure monitor, and ISOFIX child seat mounts. The ADAS system includes auto emergency braking, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and rear cross-traffic alert, all of which work smoothly in Indian conditions.

What are the pricing and value proposition of the Kia Seltos IVT?

The Kia Seltos IVT is priced between 13.39 lakh and 19.49 lakh INR (ex-showroom). While it’s cheaper than the turbo DCT variants by 50,000 to 80,000 rupees, the performance gap may make the higher-priced turbo DCT variant more appealing to driving enthusiasts.

What is the performance comparison between the Seltos IVT and the turbo DCT variants?

The Seltos IVT is not as fast as the turbo DCT variants. It recorded a 0-100 kph time of 13.07 seconds, which is significantly slower than the sub-10 second time of the turbo DCT. However, the IVT excels in fuel economy and is more suited for urban driving and relaxed commuting.