Just got this car on Saturday. Same model as shown on video and OMG love this car! My first SUV and I keep getting people coming up to me at the car wash asking me what this is lol. Defiantly a game changer for KIA
it seems hyundai, kia, and mazda seem to be getting better while honda, toyota, and nissan just seem to not put in as much effort in their cars like they used to.
That's what happens when you become successful like them Japanese brands - you start to lose interest in innovation, and start to focus on cost-cutting. I mean..just look at the 4runner, lexus RX, GX, landcruiser, sequoia, tacoma...etc. I know they are great and reliable cars, but I mean come on, they don't even want to improve the MPGs on their engines/obsolete tech...but why fix it when it ain't broke right lol edit: toyota literally just update their headlights every year, and make their grillz unnecessarily gigantic.
Agreed, if you watch savagegeese you will come to realize toyota uses ancient technology compared to its rivals. Mazda usually has the best fit and finish but is not as comfortable and kia/hyundai are great at value. And then there is subaru, which is all around decent but is slow as all get out.
The Seltos has AWD lock, I navigated a mild Jeep trail in it with ease that the Mazda CX-30 I tested couldn't due without damaging the front. What did you base your comment on? Or just talking out your a ss?
I just bought a 2021 Kia Seltos SX with this exact white/black trim plus some additional options and I love absolutely everything about it. The looks are fabulous both inside and out. The cabin is incredibly spacious and the tech is awesome. The Bose audio might not impress a hardcore audiophile, but the full sound is very nice for a factory installed audio system. I enjoyed this video review for the most part, but the off-road test was not real-world. Let's be honest, none of the vehicles in this compact crossover class are meant for any serious off-roading. They'll do nicely in winter and on rough surfaces, but that's about it. In any event, the 2021 Kia Seltos is a fantastic vehicle. For about $30K, you can get a fully loaded SX. I got 5-year financing from Kia Motors with an 0.9 interest rate. (Tip: you'll save more money over the life of the loan by skipping the rebate and taking the lower interest rate instead.) I have to give a shoutout to Arapahoe Kia in Denver for making my car-buying experience a positive one. I had to travel to the dealership from out of state and they got me the exact model, color and trim I was looking for at a competitive price with excellent financing terms.
Rodney these computers don’t know to not slip the clutch too much and let the tyres do the spinning! Obviously the traction system should also be able to do atleast 25x4!
I will never own a dry DCT for exactly this reason. It's all the drawbacks of a manual with none of the fun. But I like CVTs and own a Rogue with one so what do I know.
@@rahuldogra Belt CVTs are old technology.....CVTs uses chains these days. If you think CVT is bad go watch how the subaru eat up the trail without any problems on CVT.
I can already tell you the CVT would fare far worse. In general CVTs are notorious for being terrible off road. They quickly overheat from the mildest of off-roading and struggle to provide enough low down power when you need it most trying to maintain forward momentum when off-road.
@@yissibiiyte exactly. The seltos is a good soft roader like the Subaru crosstrek. Can’t crawl rocks but it can handle mud, dirt and snow perfectly fine. If it had the regular 6 speed from the sportage it could go farther
The small turbo engine and dual clutch. We are missing direct injection only (without port injection) for a perfect storm. This will be endless money pit and a future star of Scott's channel ;)
It will only be a money pit if you're stupid enough to think this is actually for off roading. If you use it as intended, you'll have no problems at all.
Not a surprise to anyone who saw the Kona AWD tests on various outlets. Same exact powertrain. I'd suggest testing the 2.0/IVT/AWD version first because it hasn't been tested all over TH-cam like the 1.6T/DCT/AWD variant. It may or may not fair any better being that CVTs have similar protection strategies employed to protect from damage. Dry clutch DCTs aren't made for any type of off road situation where you aren't taking advantage of momentum. A conventional manual with an obvious 'dry clutch' can manually be 'slip controlled' by the user to gain traction without roasting the clutch. Torque converter automatics have that obvious torque converter to absorb slippage. The Magna Dynamax AWD system is actually fairly decent. The Seltos is let down by its DCT (and maybe it's IVT) selection. Don't blame Dynamax.
I test drove the 2.0/IVT/AWD version ( highway/town only ) and the IVT was actually not bad - the car handles well ( 17's not 18's which is overkill on a vehicle this size ) and rode decently - if the AWD lock functions like the one in my 2012 Tucson it would do just fine here in Northern Ont - with snow tires of course...I don't do off road but we get lots of snow ...
In India completely another and different dashboard design and premium interior, but really don't know about long term performance got it only before 8month, suspension in stiffer and it really help in the high way drive gives adequate bodyroll,and from my side this car is mind-blowing and loaded with featears also nice performance I loved it
I’ve taken my Seltos off-road a bunch of times and had no drama, I know it’s not a proper 4wd but, I am about 97.3 % sure where I went was steeper and rockier and it didn’t overheat so watching this was weird for me seeing it struggle........however I know Kia adjusts the suspensions for roads of Australia so whether that helps or not who knows....I will have to make a video of it
You probably have the 2.0 liter CVT transmission which is the base Seltos that is a non-dual clutch transmission. Dry dual-clutch transmissions like this version of Seltos, typically suffer overheating problems offroad. If you do a lot of offroading, then get the CVT transmission base Seltos.
This is the first time I like a Korean crossover and thinking of replacing mine only to find out it has a shitty AWD...I will stick to my Tiguan for now,it kept me safe during icy winter this Seltos would get me stuck !
Thank you for this real-world review!! I WAS considering this, along with the 2021 Crosstrek (once it becomes available with the 2.5 L engine), Forester and a RAV4 Prime (although doubtful they'll be readily available to buy in the next 12 months based on the production numbers I have read). I absolutely need something that will handle forest and mountain roads, and although there is much to like about the Seltos, it doesn't do what I need it to do. Thanks again!!
i live in a northern region where we get a lot of snow. You won't go wrong with Crosstrek or Forester. Rav4 is good too, but with Prime, you'll lose range in cold weather (electric range is a prob for where I live)
Subaru's CVT has issues, long-term, as well. I think if I were looking *to buy* something in this segment I would opt for the RAV4. The RAV4's Dynamic Force engine is relatively new to the market so that could be viewed as a drawback by some. To me it seems pointless to carry the extra weight of an awd system + extra complexity if it cannot handle the simple terrain seen in this video.
@@muyaho420 We have two Crosstreks (2.0L & 2.5L). They’re perfect for city dwellers who venture to the mountains regularly. I had a Forester too, but just prefer the aesthetic external proportions of the Crosstrek.
Just leased this car for 4 years, good to know the AWD has its limitations, this should be fine for so s city winter driving but it's interesting to see people living Suburb so much
Just like the Nissan Sentra AWD it is useless if it just overheats. Honestly I'm so excited for the 2021 Crosstrek Sport with 2.5 I cannot wait to trade in my 2017 Impreza Sport.
As someone who has been heavily wheeling his 2014 Forester XT for 3+ years now, get ready to be HIGHLY disappointed by the POS CVT. Check my channel for some clips.
I find it hilarious that the Mazda CX-30 with trail mode killed this trail, yet Kia practically markets the Seltos as a Jeep and the transmission overheats after 50 feet.
The Rav4 which have the all grip 4wd system from Suzuki by the way, is a good perfomer for a soft roader. In Europe, Suzuki is releasing a model called A-Cross in September/October, which is a rebadged Toyota Rav4
I've seen the Crosstrek Sport that was reviewed recently which you purchased for your wife. That says something, especially when you are testing everything out there. Within this class. How do you feel about the 142 HP base engine. Most reviews are on the turbo. I mean they complained and complained about the 148 HP and the 152hp engine of the Crosstrek. So, how good or bad is the terribly weak engine 142hp? I think it's over priced at the SX turbo. Many have said that the 7 speed dual clutch around town is jerky. Love your videos! I've made up my mind. Subaru Sport! That's if they don't keep flooding the market with more in this class. Great looking SUV. Kia a great company. I'll save over $5000 going with the Crosstrek Sport. Watch his fantastic video on the Sport.
Thank you for taking my car somewhere I would NEVER take it. Now I know what a couple of the buttons are for. I love my car and feel so much safer in it for my daily commute. I've driven in the snow and gotten to work without fear. Good to know that if by some unfortunate happenstance I encounter rough terrain, I need to give it a minute to cool down when it beeps at me.
I knew this was coming as soon as I saw you reviewing it. Really, the SX trim of the Seltos is not meant to be an offroad beast. The dry clutch DCT is just not designed for it. It can and will overheat with too much slippage because it has to slip the clutch too much to do it. It will do great in most urban scenarios, including moderate snow and ice, providing you have proper tires for the job. Oh, and also, please don't mistake the slow start from 0-60 for turbo lag. Peak torque for the Seltos actually comes in at around 1500-2000 RPM, the delay when taking off is, again, a limitation of the transmission. It's actively trying not to fry itself by slipping the clutch too much at low speeds.
You’ll notice that the transmission keeps peak revs between 4-6k on the 0-60 run, hence the assumption it was turbo lag - it drove like it was turbo lag.
I kind of hoped it wouldn’t be quite as bad off-road as people were making out. 😂 They need to stop marketing it as a rugged forest vehicle. I wonder how many times it overheated while filming those commercials.
MY friend in all youtube your videos are the best. You know your business and definitely this review was not disappointing. I heard a lot of reviewers saying Seltos is the best car, better than a Subaru Crosstrek, bla bla bla and saying, but I have never drove it. You do your job, I remember when you reviewed Subaru you mentioned that you have successfully overheated other brands AWD except Subaru, now I know how it is. Seltos if for parking lots and city traffic, nothing else!
Small AWD SUVs from 20 years ago are much more capable than these new ones. The technology is cool but when you put them in the wrong cars it's kinda useless. These videos are nice to see the limitations of new vehicles 👍
Excellent review. Yes. A great little car. But you are one of the few reviewers to point out the limitations of this vehicle off-road. Nice job given all that Kia off roading marketing thrown at folks. But this is a great car with a great purpose, utility and fun to support some mild trails and with good tires, pretty decent in the snow.
Awesome video man. very highly informative and detailed. it's very sad though that the transmission started acting up. which is odd because I own the 2016 Optima SXL and I can push it all day. I guess this proves that the Seltos is mainly meant to be driven lightly. anyway, awesome video man. I always enjoy them.
Ugh I was getting ready to trade my Buick Encore for the Seltos. I've taken my car on drastically worse trails and it did awesome. So glad I saw this video before I made a huge mistake.
/When was the last time a dual-clutch vehicle was the best in offroading. Even range rovers were not dual-clutch. The had make an entirely new system to incorporate dct to one of their systems. DCT is good mainly for softroaders and on-road cars..lol
For the record this is NOT the AWD system's fault. It's that HORRIBLE DCT or "dual clutch" transmission that's causing all the problems here. My 2020 Sorento with it's 290 V6 and normal 8 speed auto would have made it up this terrain even with stock OEM tires on it. It's a VERY competent AWD system because of the lock button it has. And of course a good set of all weather tires or Falken Wildpeak A/T trail tires. Why in god's name did Hyundai and Kia ruin such great AWD systems pairing it with such a horrible transmission. I thought they would have learned there lesson from a few years ago putting a DCT in the Kia Sportage. Just stick with normal auto transmissions folks and these vehicles are VERY solid in light off roading or snowy conditions.
Other reviwer recommend to Not locked the AWD system unless stuck and you're telling me to lock it even you were not stuck at the beginning. So got me confused
One point that most of your videos do not address is proper tires for the driving conditions. I have experience with true 4X4 vehicles & I own a 2019 Honda CR-V. The one thing that can increase your traction is the right tire for the conditions. My Honda came with stock Hancock all terrain tires- terrible off road & icy conditions. This video acknowledges the KIA’s transmission issue off road. Another issue is that vehicle’s under body clearance off road is crucial. Most crossovers need 2-3 inches higher clearance. True 4X4’s transmissions are geared transmissions. Crossovers have CVTs. Apples vs oranges. I feel that these points are not addressed in your video. To most experienced off road drivers this point is known. But to new drivers or city folk, it is not understood. Just thought I would convey this point of view. I really enjoy your videos. Please keep posting them.
Great review! The TFL guys had the same issue with off-road transmission overheating in their Seltos and other Hyundai/Kia's. It's shame about because everything else about the Seltos seems like a great blend of on-road handling with light trail capability. Hyundai Motor Group does have new 8 speed DCT coming in the new Sorento and Veloster N, which is supposed to offer better cooling. Hopefully that'll fix things.
To piggyback off of @wakakaka I also own 2016 optima with the 6 spd auto and have owned t 2011 optima as well and they never had tranny issues. I think its the new transmission that maybe faulty.
No matter what DCT or "dual clutch" they go with. It will never replace a normal 8 speed auto my 2020 Sorento V6 AWD has. It was the DCT's failure on this test NOT the AWD system which is VERY competent.
Perfect review, especially on trail driving. Dual-clutch is not meant working on off-road, so maybe going for CVT transmission would let people do some offroading. Still Crosstrek is a killer though.
It's not the Dynamax AWD system at fault. It's the dry clutch DCT used. A Dynamax AWD system coupled with a manual, torque converter automatic, or even a wet clutch DCT transmission would fair better. In some cases, much better.
Great review; esp. the off road demonstration. thanks. Im soon to be buying one and now I understand its limitations and the fact I will need to rest it to cool things down; I do some very mild off roading, but patience will get me there before things overheat
Honestly I'd like to see how the IVT transmission performs... Not only that I wish a test was done with actual off-road tires. I feel like the little car can perform and I felt like maybe the dual clutch system wasn't really the best decision from Kia but I feel like the IVT transmission might do better which is in the lower trims.
A pretty reasonable test. Unfortunately this Kia would not suit me for where I live in the bush, along tracks, up rough grass & gravel driveways. But not a bad vehicle for mostly road & an occasional trip to a field.
@@kibskibs498 Sometimes trucks can't make it up our steep driveway. But then that maybe weight distribution, etc. I shall looks closely at this Kia for my next car. ;-)
To be fair most of the people who will end up purchasing the vehicle are Soccer Moms that have now dumped Vans in favor of mid priced SUV's. When you think of it that way the Kia Seltos is a hit since its affordable and offers the most for the price. As an offroader its a fail but then again I don't think a Soccer Mom is going to go off roading the most they'll encounter is to get through city snow and ice which is what the Seltos is meant for.
Reviewer: This car clearly isn’t meant for this type of mountain terrain that 90% of the population won’t drive on 90% of the time. But let’s give it a shot Commenters: This car is junk!!
This car is junk. I live on a driveway like that. More people are moving rurally. Hence the demand for AWD. It’s the transmission that is garbage and blown head gaskets.
@@nhuff73 that’s the thing, not EVERYONE is living in a rural area. Get a car that suits you, kind of simple. For the average person in the city, it’s a good SUV. Calling something junk because it doesn’t do what YOU want it to do is kind of stupid…
I can't help but think this DCT would have the same issues when you are stuck in the snow and try to power out of it. Wheel spin and then danger overheat...defeats the purpose of the AWD system when you can't use it when you need it most.
DCT simulates manual gearbox. For to avoid overheating use at manual mod. When using at auto mode, gearbox tries to choose best gear and that cause overheating.
Well, its not an off-roader/fire-roader. But if you just live in suburban areas with a need for AWD to handle heavy snow, this may be a good vehicle to consider (I will still take my Subaru though).
@@MIkegrimm2 True, but look at Kia's marketing of the Seltos. They clearly want you to believe it's a Subaru competitor, which is hilarious when it got dusted on this trail by a CX-30 FFS.
Any chance of getting an off road test with the CVT equipped version? I haven't been able to find anyone that's done a test with that transmission in this or the Kona
My mind is torn between the seltos and cx 30, but this is the 2nd video i saw showing seltos awful weakness.. we have a lot of rough road here in my place .. i might really lean towards cx 30..
Some greenhorn questions, Why DCT gets overheated on this condition, other suvs with CVT seem fine? In general, manual transmission works best for off-roading?
These cars are using a dry dual clutch. The clutches are not bathed in any fluid. At low speeds, the clutches slip as they engage creating heat. It would have been better if they used a wet clutch system so the fluid can absorb the heat and smooth out engagement.
Wonder why the dry dual clutch transmission in the KIA Seltos overheated on the moderately wet rocky surface when the same tranny in the Kona got all the way up the hill in the snow?
As soon as I saw the thumbnail I thought "That looks like Washington". Then I see the navigation that you guys are out of Redmond/Bellevue. Are you off-roading at exit 37 on i-90? Party on from Renton!!
KIA Seltos rear Aircon vent blowing warm air when Aircon temperature is set at 25 degree celsius and outside environmental temperature is above 34 degree celsius, their service work shop claimed that is normal. During the visit on 26 Apr 2021, inspection was carried out on the vehicle’s Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning System; the values such as Ambient Temperature Sensor, Evaporator Temperature Sensor, photo sensor, In-car air temperature sensor and other related values that maintain the operation of the climatic air-conditioning system. We did not find any abnormalities in the values and all sensors and actuators are functioning normally and a diagnostic scan with the manufacturer’s diagnostic scanner did not report any diagnostic trouble codes. These data was also inspected and compared to 2 other similar vehicles and the performance was found to be similar and thus the vehicle’s air-conditioning system was judged to be operating normally. That's radiculous and silly Aircon control system
Did you even use SPORT mode while off- roading? Having a sportage AWD, I go up backroads in WNC with extremely dangerous steep grades for work. But I have to put it in sport mode.
I just bought a Seltos S AWD a few months ago and it's a little GOAT. I made comment stating that off-roading in Smart is probably the worst option available as the engine is trying to run low rpms and in smart mode the system runs it as a FWD for all purposes intended.
I love watching these vehicles fail in off road tests, despite the advertisements suggesting these vehicles are suitable for fun off-pavement adventures.
Please guide.I am planning to buy a New Petrol Car, but my drive is once or twice a week should I go for automatic or manual transmission. My preference is automatic as I am driving manual from last 10 yrs now and I am planning to stick for a long term period.
Were those all season tires? If you are not getting traction due to the wrong tires for the terrain, would it not stress the drive train more? I suspect that may have been part of the problem, however I am not saying AT's or MT's will totally solve everything.
It’s kinda ironic that they put all these off-roading features like hill descent control on a vehicle with a dual-clutch that overheats within 5 minutes of going off-road. Lol! Nonetheless, nice little SUV if you don’t need or plan to go Jeeping (or have to escape the zombie apocalypse by driving through a forest haha). Overall, I really like what Kia is doing with their cars these days. Great review!
Seltos is a sub-compact crossover, as are the Crosstrek and Rogue Sport. The Sportage is the compact. “A little 1.6L engine” isn’t an excuse anymore. Honda’s 1.5L moves a heavier, larger CR-V faster while getting better MPGs.
Fred Nance I drove a Seltos. For its size in the Subcompact segment it has the most space. Driving was fine. For its price point it's not bad, lots of great tech too.
Most cars in this segment with AWD aren't really meant for rock climbing or heavy duty off-roading duties. Those are for vehicles like the Jeep Wrangler or new Ford Bronco. The Seltos will probably handle dirt and gravel roads or light camping duties just fine.
@@drivingsports I figured it wouldn't do well in trailheads. Most cars in the segment wont. I'm guessing the transmission will overheat since it's a DCT.
@@JohnnyUkeOfficial That's true,. most in the segment can't pass this off road test. Look at his review of the new Crosstrek Sport. It handles the trail with ease. So much fun to watch! Plus he ended up buying it for his wife and using it on the trail. Haha. It says a lot when a reviewer that does this for a living buys a Crosstrek. Also it's the least depreciation of any in its class. KBB values it 50.4% even after 5yrs of ownership. Also least cost of ownership over a 5 yr period. Seltos looks awesome, but looks alone ain't gonna cut it.
Thanks for the great review! So when is KIA going to offer the lift kit that they said will be an option in the future, because IMO this is needed badly. Otherwise to me is a pretty cool awd which I actually like, but as Daniel Normandeau states at the moment the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Sport is a better option for me, or the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport or the Bronco 2 door if the prices and features are in my price range. I really need higher ground clearance for my cold snowy winters in northern Canada where snow removal isn't very well done, my 2017 Hyundai awd frequently gets hung-up because of this....
we drive our car which has 160 mm ground clearance even worst than this type of road ! and actually my car model is 2011 honda city ! till now its perfect and fine !
@@drivingsports Thanks...you'd take the CX-5 over the sorento as well? The infotainment and folded cargo space on the kias are tempting me..not sure if they can be leased cheaper than a cx-5.
Pretty limited on that fairly tame course. Only step up now is a Rav4 Adventure. Beyond that, you're where my neighbor is headed, to a Jeep. Not my first choice, but you have to choose the right vehicle for the right purpose. The Rav4 TRD off road was very impressive in a face-off against the venerable Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, and that was a wicked off road course.
my wife wanted the SX because of the Highway Driving Assist (HDA, which is semi-autonomous driving) that only comes in that trim. Why wouldn't they offer HDA in the EX?
Just got this car on Saturday. Same model as shown on video and OMG love this car! My first SUV and I keep getting people coming up to me at the car wash asking me what this is lol. Defiantly a game changer for KIA
Is not a suv its a crossover
it seems hyundai, kia, and mazda seem to be getting better while honda, toyota, and nissan just seem to not put in as much effort in their cars like they used to.
yeah. i am on the hunt for a new suv and i tried the crv and rav4 and their digital interface suck ass. crv drives great tho.
That's what happens when you become successful like them Japanese brands - you start to lose interest in innovation, and start to focus on cost-cutting. I mean..just look at the 4runner, lexus RX, GX, landcruiser, sequoia, tacoma...etc. I know they are great and reliable cars, but I mean come on, they don't even want to improve the MPGs on their engines/obsolete tech...but why fix it when it ain't broke right lol edit: toyota literally just update their headlights every year, and make their grillz unnecessarily gigantic.
Agreed, if you watch savagegeese you will come to realize toyota uses ancient technology compared to its rivals. Mazda usually has the best fit and finish but is not as comfortable and kia/hyundai are great at value. And then there is subaru, which is all around decent but is slow as all get out.
Yeah because big corporations preffer to exploit their brand image by offering less features
Yea but 4runner and Tacoma are still kings
The "foot on brake" warning light is to warn people that crawling or using the gas pedal to hold the car on a hill is burning up the clutch.
AWD in Seltos is just for better traction in wet/snow conditions not for off-roading.
The Seltos has AWD lock, I navigated a mild Jeep trail in it with ease that the Mazda CX-30 I tested couldn't due without damaging the front. What did you base your comment on? Or just talking out your a ss?
I just bought a 2021 Kia Seltos SX with this exact white/black trim plus some additional options and I love absolutely everything about it. The looks are fabulous both inside and out. The cabin is incredibly spacious and the tech is awesome. The Bose audio might not impress a hardcore audiophile, but the full sound is very nice for a factory installed audio system.
I enjoyed this video review for the most part, but the off-road test was not real-world. Let's be honest, none of the vehicles in this compact crossover class are meant for any serious off-roading. They'll do nicely in winter and on rough surfaces, but that's about it.
In any event, the 2021 Kia Seltos is a fantastic vehicle. For about $30K, you can get a fully loaded SX. I got 5-year financing from Kia Motors with an 0.9 interest rate. (Tip: you'll save more money over the life of the loan by skipping the rebate and taking the lower interest rate instead.)
I have to give a shoutout to Arapahoe Kia in Denver for making my car-buying experience a positive one. I had to travel to the dealership from out of state and they got me the exact model, color and trim I was looking for at a competitive price with excellent financing terms.
⁰
@@RRr-yl8zr I agree. The Kia Seltos is not meant for off-road driving. The AWD just gives you some extra traction and that's it.
Hill: exists
Hyundai/Kia DCT: ight imma head out
James Russo no kidding 😂
Rodney these computers don’t know to not slip the clutch too much and let the tyres do the spinning! Obviously the traction system should also be able to do atleast 25x4!
I will never own a dry DCT for exactly this reason. It's all the drawbacks of a manual with none of the fun. But I like CVTs and own a Rogue with one so what do I know.
FantomLightning CVT are also bad! 😬 Rubber band effect and belt wear! Manuals are best and Torques too ! Wet DCT IS bes
@@rahuldogra Belt CVTs are old technology.....CVTs uses chains these days. If you think CVT is bad go watch how the subaru eat up the trail without any problems on CVT.
Man. I wished you tested the EX AWD variant to see how if the CVT would fare better than the SX's DCT.
I can already tell you the CVT would fare far worse. In general CVTs are notorious for being terrible off road. They quickly overheat from the mildest of off-roading and struggle to provide enough low down power when you need it most trying to maintain forward momentum when off-road.
@@yissibiiyte I had mine in a foot of mud lol.didn’t overheat and went through it no problem
@@andrewcostel4821 I'm not saying they're useless, I'm saying the equivalent automatic or manual would always be even better.
@@yissibiiyte exactly. The seltos is a good soft roader like the Subaru crosstrek. Can’t crawl rocks but it can handle mud, dirt and snow perfectly fine. If it had the regular 6 speed from the sportage it could go farther
Great review! I like your narrating & how you took it off road. Thank you.
The small turbo engine and dual clutch. We are missing direct injection only (without port injection) for a perfect storm.
This will be endless money pit and a future star of Scott's channel ;)
It will only be a money pit if you're stupid enough to think this is actually for off roading. If you use it as intended, you'll have no problems at all.
@RRr-yl8zr Lol! Very amusing! Try taking your HRV off road too. See how well that works out.
Not a surprise to anyone who saw the Kona AWD tests on various outlets. Same exact powertrain. I'd suggest testing the 2.0/IVT/AWD version first because it hasn't been tested all over TH-cam like the 1.6T/DCT/AWD variant. It may or may not fair any better being that CVTs have similar protection strategies employed to protect from damage.
Dry clutch DCTs aren't made for any type of off road situation where you aren't taking advantage of momentum. A conventional manual with an obvious 'dry clutch' can manually be 'slip controlled' by the user to gain traction without roasting the clutch. Torque converter automatics have that obvious torque converter to absorb slippage.
The Magna Dynamax AWD system is actually fairly decent. The Seltos is let down by its DCT (and maybe it's IVT) selection. Don't blame Dynamax.
I test drove the 2.0/IVT/AWD version ( highway/town only ) and the IVT was actually not bad - the car handles well ( 17's not 18's which is overkill on a vehicle this size ) and rode decently - if the AWD lock functions like the one in my 2012 Tucson it would do just fine here in Northern Ont - with snow tires of course...I don't do off road but we get lots of snow ...
In India completely another and different dashboard design and premium interior, but really don't know about long term performance got it only before 8month, suspension in stiffer and it really help in the high way drive gives adequate bodyroll,and from my side this car is mind-blowing and loaded with featears also nice performance I loved it
Even 4wd verient still not launch in india thats kia workers making us fool and selling duplicate seltos
Thanks! It's good to see the limitations, and it really does seem like a decent vehicle if you're mostly on streets.
The older one, was higher off the ground and seemed better.
I’ve taken my Seltos off-road a bunch of times and had no drama, I know it’s not a proper 4wd but, I am about 97.3 % sure where I went was steeper and rockier and it didn’t overheat so watching this was weird for me seeing it struggle........however I know Kia adjusts the suspensions for roads of Australia so whether that helps or not who knows....I will have to make a video of it
Is yours 2.0 NA automatic or 1.6T DCT?
You probably have the 2.0 liter CVT transmission which is the base Seltos that is a non-dual clutch transmission. Dry dual-clutch transmissions like this version of Seltos, typically suffer overheating problems offroad. If you do a lot of offroading, then get the CVT transmission base Seltos.
What variant do you have ?
@@jillthompson6110 In Australia the Seltos comes with 2WD in the 2 litre & CVT versions . To get AWD you have to get the 1.6 & DCT models.
This is the first time I like a Korean crossover and thinking of replacing mine only to find out it has a shitty AWD...I will stick to my Tiguan for now,it kept me safe during icy winter this Seltos would get me stuck !
I miss my 2013 Tiguan. Had to trade in due to camshaft error.
@@TheDivaLovely Awesome crossover, high quality, peppy, comfortable, quality built, and great AWD however it is expensive to maintain.
Check out mazda awd.
Thank you for this real-world review!! I WAS considering this, along with the 2021 Crosstrek (once it becomes available with the 2.5 L engine), Forester and a RAV4 Prime (although doubtful they'll be readily available to buy in the next 12 months based on the production numbers I have read). I absolutely need something that will handle forest and mountain roads, and although there is much to like about the Seltos, it doesn't do what I need it to do. Thanks again!!
i live in a northern region where we get a lot of snow. You won't go wrong with Crosstrek or Forester. Rav4 is good too, but with Prime, you'll lose range in cold weather (electric range is a prob for where I live)
Crosstrek and Forester are solid choice, I'd go for Forester though. Crosstrek is literally a lifted Impreza hatchback.
You should get the Telluride
Subaru's CVT has issues, long-term, as well. I think if I were looking *to buy* something in this segment I would opt for the RAV4. The RAV4's Dynamic Force engine is relatively new to the market so that could be viewed as a drawback by some. To me it seems pointless to carry the extra weight of an awd system + extra complexity if it cannot handle the simple terrain seen in this video.
@@muyaho420 We have two Crosstreks (2.0L & 2.5L). They’re perfect for city dwellers who venture to the mountains regularly. I had a Forester too, but just prefer the aesthetic external proportions of the Crosstrek.
Should test this with the 24 seltos! New transmission and seen a few videos of it doing better than the DCT off roading
Kia design is hitting it out of the park
Just leased this car for 4 years, good to know the AWD has its limitations, this should be fine for so s city winter driving but it's interesting to see people living Suburb so much
Yup. DCT will be cooler when in winter weather.
Just like the Nissan Sentra AWD it is useless if it just overheats. Honestly I'm so excited for the 2021 Crosstrek Sport with 2.5 I cannot wait to trade in my 2017 Impreza Sport.
As someone who has been heavily wheeling his 2014 Forester XT for 3+ years now, get ready to be HIGHLY disappointed by the POS CVT. Check my channel for some clips.
I find it hilarious that the Mazda CX-30 with trail mode killed this trail, yet Kia practically markets the Seltos as a Jeep and the transmission overheats after 50 feet.
The Rav4 which have the all grip 4wd system from Suzuki by the way, is a good perfomer for a soft roader. In Europe, Suzuki is releasing a model called A-Cross in September/October, which is a rebadged Toyota Rav4
I've seen the Crosstrek Sport that was reviewed recently which you purchased for your wife. That says something, especially when you are testing everything out there. Within this class. How do you feel about the 142 HP base engine. Most reviews are on the turbo. I mean they complained and complained about the 148 HP and the 152hp engine of the Crosstrek. So, how good or bad is the terribly weak engine 142hp? I think it's over priced at the SX turbo. Many have said that the 7 speed dual clutch around town is jerky. Love your videos! I've made up my mind. Subaru Sport! That's if they don't keep flooding the market with more in this class. Great looking SUV. Kia a great company. I'll save over $5000 going with the Crosstrek Sport. Watch his fantastic video on the Sport.
@@CertifiedAIMusician I am highly motivated by the CVT in the 2021 Crosstrek Limited I bought. And no, I won't check you rbiased channel.
Good review, nice job of highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of the Seltos.
You know what will be perfect.. this body with renegade capability
What type of renegade the dance or the car 😂
With either standard or automatic, not DCT.
@@muyaho420 obviously
@@carsunang9962 fortunately I only know about the car
sumit chauhan 😂
the IG influencer shade is hilarious 😂 great review
Haha I did not expect it that why its so funny..
never saw this kind of warning of transmission over heating before.
Thank you for taking my car somewhere I would NEVER take it. Now I know what a couple of the buttons are for. I love my car and feel so much safer in it for my daily commute. I've driven in the snow and gotten to work without fear. Good to know that if by some unfortunate happenstance I encounter rough terrain, I need to give it a minute to cool down when it beeps at me.
I was surprised how quickly the DCT overheated. Does it not have a transmission cooler?
I knew this was coming as soon as I saw you reviewing it. Really, the SX trim of the Seltos is not meant to be an offroad beast. The dry clutch DCT is just not designed for it. It can and will overheat with too much slippage because it has to slip the clutch too much to do it. It will do great in most urban scenarios, including moderate snow and ice, providing you have proper tires for the job.
Oh, and also, please don't mistake the slow start from 0-60 for turbo lag. Peak torque for the Seltos actually comes in at around 1500-2000 RPM, the delay when taking off is, again, a limitation of the transmission. It's actively trying not to fry itself by slipping the clutch too much at low speeds.
You’ll notice that the transmission keeps peak revs between 4-6k on the 0-60 run, hence the assumption it was turbo lag - it drove like it was turbo lag.
I kind of hoped it wouldn’t be quite as bad off-road as people were making out. 😂 They need to stop marketing it as a rugged forest vehicle. I wonder how many times it overheated while filming those commercials.
MY friend in all youtube your videos are the best. You know your business and definitely this review was not disappointing. I heard a lot of reviewers saying Seltos is the best car, better than a Subaru Crosstrek, bla bla bla and saying, but I have never drove it. You do your job, I remember when you reviewed Subaru you mentioned that you have successfully overheated other brands AWD except Subaru, now I know how it is. Seltos if for parking lots and city traffic, nothing else!
Small AWD SUVs from 20 years ago are much more capable than these new ones. The technology is cool but when you put them in the wrong cars it's kinda useless. These videos are nice to see the limitations of new vehicles 👍
Excellent review. Yes. A great little car. But you are one of the few reviewers to point out the limitations of this vehicle off-road. Nice job given all that Kia off roading marketing thrown at folks. But this is a great car with a great purpose, utility and fun to support some mild trails and with good tires, pretty decent in the snow.
Kia said it’s not designed for off-road… derp. You’re not bright.
Awesome video man. very highly informative and detailed. it's very sad though that the transmission started acting up. which is odd because I own the 2016 Optima SXL and I can push it all day. I guess this proves that the Seltos is mainly meant to be driven lightly. anyway, awesome video man. I always enjoy them.
Perfect review 😎
Ugh I was getting ready to trade my Buick Encore for the Seltos. I've taken my car on drastically worse trails and it did awesome. So glad I saw this video before I made a huge mistake.
Its time I come clean. I've been watching these videos for months without subscribing like a filthy freeloader. Today I am a subscriber!
How would the EX AWD non-turbo engine and CVT setup handle the same offroad test you did?🤔🤔 Great review.
/When was the last time a dual-clutch vehicle was the best in offroading. Even range rovers were not dual-clutch. The had make an entirely new system to incorporate dct to one of their systems. DCT is good mainly for softroaders and on-road cars..lol
For the record this is NOT the AWD system's fault. It's that HORRIBLE DCT or "dual clutch" transmission that's causing all the problems here. My 2020 Sorento with it's 290 V6 and normal 8 speed auto would have made it up this terrain even with stock OEM tires on it. It's a VERY competent AWD system because of the lock button it has. And of course a good set of all weather tires or Falken Wildpeak A/T trail tires. Why in god's name did Hyundai and Kia ruin such great AWD systems pairing it with such a horrible transmission. I thought they would have learned there lesson from a few years ago putting a DCT in the Kia Sportage. Just stick with normal auto transmissions folks and these vehicles are VERY solid in light off roading or snowy conditions.
Thanks for this video! I was about to go get one. My roads are worse than that just to get to my house. 4wd truck for me
Your videos are the Best!!
You know your transmission is weak when the CVT is the better option for off road.
Id go for the old torque converter..
th-cam.com/video/_aNf6JAgoUo/w-d-xo.html
so a subcompact SUV that makes 175 hp and 195lbs ft of torque is 'weak' ?
Other reviwer recommend to Not locked the AWD system unless stuck and you're telling me to lock it even you were not stuck at the beginning. So got me confused
You tell us as it is... NOT FOR OFF ROAD :).
One point that most of your videos do not address is proper tires for the driving conditions. I have experience with true 4X4 vehicles & I own a 2019 Honda CR-V. The one thing that can increase your traction is the right tire for the conditions. My Honda came with stock Hancock all terrain tires- terrible off road & icy conditions. This video acknowledges the KIA’s transmission issue off road. Another issue is that vehicle’s under body clearance off road is crucial. Most crossovers need 2-3 inches higher clearance. True 4X4’s transmissions are geared transmissions. Crossovers have CVTs. Apples vs oranges. I feel that these points are not addressed in your video. To most experienced off road drivers this point is known. But to new drivers or city folk, it is not understood. Just thought I would convey this point of view. I really enjoy your videos. Please keep posting them.
Great review! The TFL guys had the same issue with off-road transmission overheating in their Seltos and other Hyundai/Kia's. It's shame about because everything else about the Seltos seems like a great blend of on-road handling with light trail capability. Hyundai Motor Group does have new 8 speed DCT coming in the new Sorento and Veloster N, which is supposed to offer better cooling. Hopefully that'll fix things.
@@Traumatree nope, hyundai venue also have same problem.
Wakakaka I believe the Kona transmission also overheated in their test
To piggyback off of @wakakaka I also own 2016 optima with the 6 spd auto and have owned t 2011 optima as well and they never had tranny issues. I think its the new transmission that maybe faulty.
@@Traumatree see my mention above? Hyundai venue !
No matter what DCT or "dual clutch" they go with. It will never replace a normal 8 speed auto my 2020 Sorento V6 AWD has. It was the DCT's failure on this test NOT the AWD system which is VERY competent.
Perfect review, especially on trail driving. Dual-clutch is not meant working on off-road, so maybe going for CVT transmission would let people do some offroading.
Still Crosstrek is a killer though.
What a pointless awd system. I realize this is off road but don’t kid yourself, a little wheel spin in snow and ice and it will do the same thing.
It's not the Dynamax AWD system at fault. It's the dry clutch DCT used. A Dynamax AWD system coupled with a manual, torque converter automatic, or even a wet clutch DCT transmission would fair better. In some cases, much better.
Love your reviews. When you do the 0-60 on other cars, can you do the same camera angle where you show the speedometer in action?
I like that this channel covers things other channels don't. I've rung the notification bell.
No one does infotainment systems better than Hyundai/KIA. That alone is a huge selling point.
What a great demo of this car's limitations. Definitely a case of false advertising with all the marketing photos they are pushing.
Great review; esp. the off road demonstration. thanks. Im soon to be buying one and now I understand its limitations and the fact I will need to rest it to cool things down; I do some very mild off roading, but patience will get me there before things overheat
Honestly I'd like to see how the IVT transmission performs... Not only that I wish a test was done with actual off-road tires. I feel like the little car can perform and I felt like maybe the dual clutch system wasn't really the best decision from Kia but I feel like the IVT transmission might do better which is in the lower trims.
Best review. Everything I was curious about. Thank you so much!
A pretty reasonable test. Unfortunately this Kia would not suit me for where I live in the bush, along tracks, up rough grass & gravel driveways. But not a bad vehicle for mostly road & an occasional trip to a field.
Nah, it's perfectly fine on grass and gravel roads and paths. Only time it gets tough if there is too steep of an incline.
@@kibskibs498 Sometimes trucks can't make it up our steep driveway. But then that maybe weight distribution, etc. I shall looks closely at this Kia for my next car. ;-)
Jeep would do!
To be fair most of the people who will end up purchasing the vehicle are Soccer Moms that have now dumped Vans in favor of mid priced SUV's. When you think of it that way the Kia Seltos is a hit since its affordable and offers the most for the price. As an offroader its a fail but then again I don't think a Soccer Mom is going to go off roading the most they'll encounter is to get through city snow and ice which is what the Seltos is meant for.
I love that they put AWD lock on their cars but those DCTs makes it completely useless!
Holy crap ! This thing beats the Honda CRV into the dirt !!
Is this car your guys opinion good for snow. I'm debating whether I want this or a Forester? I live in Chicago
Greetings from Prince Edward Island Canada!!..came across your channel and instantly subscribed!!..great reviews...love the off road content!!
Reviewer: This car clearly isn’t meant for this type of mountain terrain that 90% of the population won’t drive on 90% of the time. But let’s give it a shot
Commenters: This car is junk!!
This car is junk. I live on a driveway like that. More people are moving rurally. Hence the demand for AWD. It’s the transmission that is garbage and blown head gaskets.
@@nhuff73 that’s the thing, not EVERYONE is living in a rural area. Get a car that suits you, kind of simple. For the average person in the city, it’s a good SUV. Calling something junk because it doesn’t do what YOU want it to do is kind of stupid…
I can't help but think this DCT would have the same issues when you are stuck in the snow and try to power out of it. Wheel spin and then danger overheat...defeats the purpose of the AWD system when you can't use it when you need it most.
DCT simulates manual gearbox. For to avoid overheating use at manual mod. When using at auto mode, gearbox tries to choose best gear and that cause overheating.
Car was a disappointment when it needed to be counted on.
Well, its not an off-roader/fire-roader. But if you just live in suburban areas with a need for AWD to handle heavy snow, this may be a good vehicle to consider (I will still take my Subaru though).
@@MIkegrimm2 True, but look at Kia's marketing of the Seltos. They clearly want you to believe it's a Subaru competitor, which is hilarious when it got dusted on this trail by a CX-30 FFS.
ezekiel1hen don’t get the DCT !
@@panzer_TZ Kia's DCT will overheat, Subaru will consume a bunch of oil and have a failed wheel bearing as it makes it up.
I have the 2021 and yes the road noise...I am going to sound proof it...it will require some tearing apart to do that.
Any chance of getting an off road test with the CVT equipped version? I haven't been able to find anyone that's done a test with that transmission in this or the Kona
Just put in a request.
Driving Sports TV did Kia have a response for why this happened? This was ridiculous.
I wonder if the CVT version would do better 🤔
From reviews if you unlock the transfer I believe DCT won't over heat as fast.
My mind is torn between the seltos and cx 30, but this is the 2nd video i saw showing seltos awful weakness.. we have a lot of rough road here in my place .. i might really lean towards cx 30..
Some greenhorn questions, Why DCT gets overheated on this condition, other suvs with CVT seem fine? In general, manual transmission works best for off-roading?
These cars are using a dry dual clutch. The clutches are not bathed in any fluid. At low speeds, the clutches slip as they engage creating heat. It would have been better if they used a wet clutch system so the fluid can absorb the heat and smooth out engagement.
A CVT + Torque Converter would do much better.
Can you test off road a kia seltos 2023 to see if they change that problem of warming?
Kia is getting a little better. We'll see where they stand in 5 years
Wonder why the dry dual clutch transmission in the KIA Seltos overheated on the moderately wet rocky surface when the same tranny in the Kona got all the way up the hill in the snow?
As soon as I saw the thumbnail I thought "That looks like Washington". Then I see the navigation that you guys are out of Redmond/Bellevue. Are you off-roading at exit 37 on i-90? Party on from Renton!!
Around there... can’t be specific. ;)
KIA Seltos rear Aircon vent blowing warm air when Aircon temperature is set at 25 degree celsius and outside environmental temperature is above 34 degree celsius, their service work shop claimed that is normal.
During the visit on 26 Apr 2021, inspection was carried out on the vehicle’s Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning System; the values such as Ambient Temperature Sensor, Evaporator Temperature Sensor, photo sensor, In-car air temperature sensor and other related values that maintain the operation of the climatic air-conditioning system. We did not find any abnormalities in the values and all sensors and actuators are functioning normally and a diagnostic scan with the manufacturer’s diagnostic scanner did not report any diagnostic trouble codes. These data was also inspected and compared to 2 other similar vehicles and the performance was found to be similar and thus the vehicle’s air-conditioning system was judged to be operating normally.
That's radiculous and silly Aircon control system
Great Narration
What if you were in manual mode with the trans? Help from overheating?
Did you even use SPORT mode while off- roading? Having a sportage AWD, I go up backroads in WNC with extremely dangerous steep grades for work. But I have to put it in sport mode.
I just bought a Seltos S AWD a few months ago and it's a little GOAT. I made comment stating that off-roading in Smart is probably the worst option available as the engine is trying to run low rpms and in smart mode the system runs it as a FWD for all purposes intended.
How does it do in terms of snow? Tnx
Thank you..awesome content
Have you done a review on the Kona? If so, which do you like better?
You missed the slightly reclining rear seats which are rare in these little suvs. Nice review.
Just me or that engine bay empty? Lol anyway great vid man as always legit the only car reviews i watch are yours oh and passport... nuff said 😂
Have you taken the 2020 escape off road?
Nope. Ford had it scheduled a while back, but then with COVID-19 they froze the fleet.
@@drivingsports i hope you drive it soon, stay safe and healthy my friend
I love watching these vehicles fail in off road tests, despite the advertisements suggesting these vehicles are suitable for fun off-pavement adventures.
on a climbing 'trail', like this with a 30 th chainring and a 46 back cog, I don't even overheat on my 2 , 3-inch tires
Thoughts between this and the Subaru crosstrek? I don’t intend to go off road
I think Crosstrek is a better value. That's why I personally bought a Crosstrek Sport last year.
Please guide.I am planning to buy a New Petrol Car, but my drive is once or twice a week should I go for automatic or manual transmission. My preference is automatic as I am driving manual from last 10 yrs now and I am planning to stick for a long term period.
Were those all season tires? If you are not getting traction due to the wrong tires for the terrain, would it not stress the drive train more? I suspect that may have been part of the problem, however I am not saying AT's or MT's will totally solve everything.
It’s kinda ironic that they put all these off-roading features like hill descent control on a vehicle with a dual-clutch that overheats within 5 minutes of going off-road. Lol! Nonetheless, nice little SUV if you don’t need or plan to go Jeeping (or have to escape the zombie apocalypse by driving through a forest haha). Overall, I really like what Kia is doing with their cars these days. Great review!
Seltos is a sub-compact crossover, as are the Crosstrek and Rogue Sport. The Sportage is the compact.
“A little 1.6L engine” isn’t an excuse anymore. Honda’s 1.5L moves a heavier, larger CR-V faster while getting better MPGs.
And is slower.
Matthew Gaines What is slower? The CR-V’s 0-60 time is 7.5 seconds.
I don't go off-road anyway. But, i'm interested in the Seltos. I know it's like the Hyundai Kona. Haven'ts trided the Kona yet
Fred Nance I drove a Seltos. For its size in the Subcompact segment it has the most space. Driving was fine. For its price point it's not bad, lots of great tech too.
Most cars in this segment with AWD aren't really meant for rock climbing or heavy duty off-roading duties. Those are for vehicles like the Jeep Wrangler or new Ford Bronco. The Seltos will probably handle dirt and gravel roads or light camping duties just fine.
Many of the roads we test on lead to commonly used trailheads. So, at least in terms of the PNW trailhead roads... the Seltos won’t handle them.
@@drivingsports I figured it wouldn't do well in trailheads. Most cars in the segment wont. I'm guessing the transmission will overheat since it's a DCT.
@@JohnnyUkeOfficial That's true,. most in the segment can't pass this off road test. Look at his review of the new Crosstrek Sport. It handles the trail with ease. So much fun to watch! Plus he ended up buying it for his wife and using it on the trail. Haha. It says a lot when a reviewer that does this for a living buys a Crosstrek. Also it's the least depreciation of any in its class. KBB values it 50.4% even after 5yrs of ownership. Also least cost of ownership over a 5 yr period. Seltos looks awesome, but looks alone ain't gonna cut it.
Thanks for the great review! So when is KIA going to offer the lift kit that they said will be an option in the future, because IMO this is needed badly. Otherwise to me is a pretty cool awd which I actually like, but as Daniel Normandeau states at the moment the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Sport is a better option for me, or the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport or the Bronco 2 door if the prices and features are in my price range. I really need higher ground clearance for my cold snowy winters in northern Canada where snow removal isn't very well done, my 2017 Hyundai awd frequently gets hung-up because of this....
I'll keep my Crosstrek.......at least it doesn't overheat!
we drive our car which has 160 mm ground clearance even worst than this type of road ! and actually my car model is 2011 honda city ! till now its perfect and fine !
how would you compare this to the cx-5 turbo awd for snowy driving, getting around town in a mountain town, highway driving, comfort? thanks
I’d go with the CX5.
@@drivingsports Thanks...you'd take the CX-5 over the sorento as well? The infotainment and folded cargo space on the kias are tempting me..not sure if they can be leased cheaper than a cx-5.
Pretty limited on that fairly tame course. Only step up now is a Rav4 Adventure. Beyond that, you're where my neighbor is headed, to a Jeep. Not my first choice, but you have to choose the right vehicle for the right purpose. The Rav4 TRD off road was very impressive in a face-off against the venerable Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, and that was a wicked off road course.
my wife wanted the SX because of the Highway Driving Assist (HDA, which is semi-autonomous driving) that only comes in that trim. Why wouldn't they offer HDA in the EX?
Is off-roading as bad with the Seltos EX and the CVT?
Could you try it whit the ivt transmission? 😊
Why you didn't try it in Sport Mode? This would have giving more torque to the wheels?