Those that need a vehicle that offers a compelling blend of style, comfort, and practicality for everyday city driving, should look no further than the Kia Seltos. Updated earlier this year, Kia let us drive the new Seltos out of town drive back in February. On that drive I experienced the Seltos’ road manners on the highway and fast B-roads and came out impressed. 

This time, however, we’re testing it in a more challenging environment - the streets of Metro Manila. Over the course of a few days, I had the opportunity to test drive the 2024 Seltos SX in and around Metro Manila, and it quickly became evident why this crossover is a strong contender in its segment.

But first, a quick overview and recap of the 2024 Seltos SX. Its façade features a two-tiered approach to its lighting design that gives the impression of one, massive headlamp. The new facelift has made it a lot sleeker compared to its predecessor. New elements such as the expanded DRL’s coming into the grill or the continuous rear lamp cluster, help to tighten up the shape. The SX comes with an exclusive Pluton Blue color that is just beautiful to look at. The Seltos' refresh gives it a look that is both restrained and handsome, exuding a sense of modernity and sophistication.

The new Seltos has dropped its old 2.0-liter engine and is now powered by a 1.4-liter turbocharged inline-four engine that produces 140-PS at 6,000 rpm and 242-Nm of torque between 1,500 and 3,200 rpm. This is paired with a smooth-shifting seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) sans paddles or a manu-matic mode. Equipped with four drive modes, namely: Normal, Eco, Sport, and Smart, the turbocharged engine provides ample power for city driving, allowing for quick acceleration and confident overtaking maneuvers, especially in Sport. The dual-clutch transmission enhances the driving experience, providing seamless gear changes and mode-appropriate performance. As our city streets are basically a battle-zone, I opted to keep the vehicle in Sport most of the time to enjoy the quicker response.

The interior of the Seltos SX is a display of Kia’s charge to create an upmarket experience in all their vehicles. The use of soft-touch materials, gloss black accents, and high-quality fabric and leather upholstery makes one feel that they got more for what they paid for. Since we’re getting the SP2c, or China version, we are blessed with the longer wheelbase. This translates to a cabin that is spacious, offering comfortable seating for up to five passengers, especially in the back. The front seats are well-bolstered and supportive (Dare I say sporty?), making long or spirited drives more enjoyable. The rear seats provide ample legroom and headroom, giving rear passengers a comfortable ride.

The Seltos SX strikes a perfect balance between compact dimensions and interior space. Its compact size allows for easy maneuverability in tight traffic and crowded parking lots. Its rear-facing camera offer two views, which I found to be very useful when backing into the tight, weird spaces that the metro offers. Despite its smaller footprint, the Seltos offers generous cargo space, which can be expanded further by folding down the rear seats. 

Riding on stylish 17-inch alloy wheels shod in 215/60/17 tires, the Seltos SX maintains a poised and composed stance on the road. And even though a lot of its competition has gone up to 18-inch wheels and tires, I found that the balance between performance, comfort, and looks on this Kia was perfect. The suspension setup provides a comfortable ride, effectively absorbing bumps and rough surfaces commonly encountered in the city. There’s a noticeable but confident thud, but nothing that screams “future repair bills.” The Seltos SX’s on-road manners are commendable, offering a smooth and controlled driving experience. Overall, it delivers a refined ride quality that enhances the driving experience. 

One of the standout features of the Seltos SX is its impressive fuel economy. During my test drive, it achieved around 9-km/L in aggressive city driving (in Sport mode) and approximately 15 to 17-km/L on the highway (in Normal mode). This efficiency is directly proportional to how you manage the throttle, and for the featherweight-feet out there, the Seltos is an economical choice for daily commuting.

There’s a host of user-friendly features that just add to the convenience of the vehicle. The infotainment system includes a 10.25-inch touchscreen display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing seamless smartphone integration. The digital instrument cluster, which also measures 10.25 inches, provides a clear and customizable display of all the relevant information to the driver. The six-speaker audio system delivers excellent audio quality, with controls that are a good mix of physical and capacitive switches, mapped out in a way that makes it a breeze to use.

Another notable feature is the Smart Cruise Control with Stop and Go, which proved to be particularly useful in Metro Manila’s stop-and-go traffic. This feature maintains a set distance from the vehicle ahead and can bring the car to a complete stop if necessary. It then resumes driving when traffic moves again, reducing the stress of dealing with heavy traffic. My only gripe would be that leaving a one-car distance between you and the vehicle in front does invite a lot of people to just swoop into your lane.

So in the few days that I had it, I found the 2024 Kia Seltos SX to be an excellent urban runabout. Its turbocharged engine, user-friendly features, and impressive fuel economy make it a perfect companion for navigating the bustling streets of Metro Manila. The upmarket interior and restrained yet handsome exterior design further enhance its appeal.