I’m not young and tech savvy, and i made a decision before watching your vlog, but i still bought a 2020 Kia Seltos EX (the middle of three variants) here in the Philippines. I also considered a Hyundai Kona and Ssangyong Tivoli. All three were similar in size and looked nice, but choosing the Kia Seltos - my first SUV - was an easy decision for me based on what i wanted from my new vehicle. I am happy with it.
F**k me john I hope you never retire cos your reviews are epic and I find myself smiling while learning so much. Many thanks from a cousin across the pound
Kia should test suspension setup here in Sheepshagistan (Scotland) but i guess they dont want to break the car. In Fife where i live the roads are the worst in the country including the rest of the UK. The saying around these parts is "In England you drive on the left of the road, in Scotland you drive on whats left of the road" Just an anecdotal line for people to smile at.
Exactly, NZ is proud home of the original Sheepshagger according to the Aussies anyway, though in recent decades cows have probably become more popular, and a better fit. Also our roads in many places are worse than anything you'll likely find in Scotland - I've also found plenty of horrific roads in Australia that match or are even worse than anything in NZ, you just have to get a bit more off the beaten track than you do over here. If you are just driving from major city to major city nothing I've seen in the first world is as bad as NZ - as the only slightly hyperbolic saying goes, we have some of the most challenging roads in the world, and that's just driving direct between Auckland and Wellington.
Would i regret to switch from Sorento 2015 ...i am beginning my seventies. First time i listen to you and i am very happy of your tone and analysis ...refreshing from all those testers hiding a sale agenda.Thanks for sharing , Salute from Canada ...minus 22 C now.
Hey John, really appreciate your channel and I was in the “considering a Seltos” camp. I very much took your advice to heart and added the Cerato to my shortlist. The only thing that missed for me was the headroom. I was touching the roof liner and knocked me noggin’ on the side of the roof over the door while sitting in driving position. On paper the Cerato is great (IMHO), and the discount is not insubstantial over the Seltos. I’d definitely check both if you’re looking at a car purchase. My experience was just that, my experience. The actual feeling of sitting behind the wheel, the Seltos worked for me. I am very much not on the SUV kick, I’ve been driving an Astra TS for 17 years, and sadly it’s about to go to God (rather whichever deity deals with the automobile afterlife). We need a bit more space for ever growing teenagers and I don’t want to inflict a cramped ride on them. Again, that’s my personal experience and again, I say check both. It won’t cost you anything to sit in both and hey if you’ve got the time and a willing dealer test drive them both.
Loved this review. Well organized, good information, and very helpful. Subscribed! If you haven't already, please do more of these. Cheers from the east coast, U.S.
Hi John, Wow you must be psychic or maybe I am! I was going to wait for the Seltos, but remembering your advice regarding the lack of discounts on a new model. I decided to buy the Cerato GT in Runway Red, the same as the one pictured in your video. I do suffer from some back pain, and the ride is firmer then the Sportage, which I drove but gave to my better half. I also make the obligatory "old man" grunts and groans when getting up form chairs or bending, but it's so fun to drive and I always have a smile of my face when I am driving the Cerato GT. We spat two kids out sometime ago (18 & 20,) and didn't want a four wheel drive. My family said it's my mid life crisis, to which I replied, I passed "mid life" a long time ago. I'm more grey nomad age. Seltos and trailer or Cerato GT? No contest! While it's not as much fun as a hot tub full of cheer leaders, It's the most fun my better half will allow! 😂
Very similar here Anthony, kids now 20 and 23, but no bad back and only occasional groans. No mid life crisis here, more a redundancy present and a welcome to retirement gift to myself to buy a new car, and we’re intending doing some travelling when Covid restrictions eventually lift. Very much looking at the Cerato GT hatch, can fit plenty in and would like to drive a car again after years of SUVs. The long trips would be much more fun in a driver’s car and the fuel consumption on the GT is very impressive. Weighing it all up. The red looks good, but I like the horizon blue too.
When Kia Seltos was presented in Russia. One car blogger took it for a soft off-road and CVT died. Literally. Once he stopped he was unable to engage neither reverse nor drive. That Seltos had only 4k km. Ouch
@@craigdonovan4277 yeah. Some blogger with only half a million subs. Here is the video th-cam.com/video/lDnRPwV_2qQ/w-d-xo.html Variator fail at around 24-25 minutes.
Skoda Karoq is a beautiful car, but these days it’s a VW, and has the awful VW DSG transmission. When talking with the salesman about it, even he admitted it was a bit if an engineering mistake. I would have loved to get one, such clever design, a small SUV with a mid size SUV interior, but it’s a VW, so there’s that!
@@Andrew-vs2wd I had different Skodas with DSG and never had any issue, also with this last one in my Karoq, it is nicely smooth and punchy, very fast. My wife has a Japanese car Suzuki and they put there CVT, not bad however no competition to DSG, I am European and do not believe what the moto journalists writing about the DSG I am long term user and never had any problem with it. If you care for your car and do the right thing than you will drive 1000s Kms without any issue. This is my experience.
@@godnnat Totally wrong mate, my last Octavia Wagon 110 TSI DSG before I bought Karoq was sold within 3 weeks for the price I wanted and I had even interstate buyers who would come from SA and take the car without negotiation as many people told me there are not many used Octavias on the market and this gave them no chance to negotiate as always demand and supply and many people relized that Skodas are even better than VW.
Thank you for well researched content, John. It affected our decision to buy a new Seltos Sport + FIrst new car, for this midldle-aged couple, so the self-imposed pressure to 'Get it right' was significant. Replacing our trusty T30 Nissan X-Trail, after 13 years and 230.000km. Quietly confident, this car will be long-lasting, as well. Kia seems to make all the right noises, regarding service and support, unlike some other brands here in Shitsville.
Interesting that you asked "Do you need an SUV ? ". I would suggest that for most people the answer is no. You don't see many on the roads when we get significant snowfall here in the UK. They are mostly used for the daily school run, when their owners get as close to the school gates as possible. Then for the supermarket run.
If its any consolation to the 'young and tech-savvy' target market of Kia.... We have just ordered a Seltos for my 27-yr old wife, who is actually pretty tech-savvy... It'll be her car, so doesn't need to clip apexes, and the ride quality was what helped to sell me on the car, compared with other similar models. Perhaps we're bean-counters, or perhaps you are somewhat disconnected from the reality of the cost of cars, but the base model S is really what made sense to us. The jump from the S to the Sport is a pretty significant $4k for essentially just some alloys & a bigger screen. That's a pretty big % of the overall cost of the car. Then the jump to your recommended Sport+ with 1.6T engine is effectively a 50% increase in price over the base model S. That's huge for a 'normal' consumer... At least, to someone who is under 30yrs old & tech-savvy, as the marketing literature would have you believe is the target market...
I my gosh....laughed so much when John said....make no mistake, this car is aimed at the 50+ woman. I’m 46 and definitely looking at this as my next purchase 😂
My wife is a 60yo lady who is “young and tech savvy”. The reason she is choosing an SUV is because She wants to see 2 or 3 cars ahead in the traffic and not just the boot of the car in front. 😃
Haha John... I'm a 45-year-old female who's about to buy the GT-Line even though I don't need an SUV. I'm definitely young and tech-savvy...guess they saw me coming 😁
BULLSHAT has now become part of my 25 year radio announcer, so quite large, vocabulary! Agree with others - new model should be shown with 'new models'!! Yesssss!
Yesterday I got to test drive 2 Kia Seltos. One was the Sport+ 2.0L and the other was the GT 1.6L turbo. The 1.6L is definitely the way to go for me, and even my wife agreed she preferred that over the more sluggish and harsh 2.0. I also sat in the Cerato, but didn't even bother test driving. I totally disagree that the Cerato is just as good as the Seltos for a new family. I'm 5'11 and had to bend over quite uncomfortably to reach into the back of the Cerato where a kids seat would be located. With the Seltos, it was so much easier to just reach in while remaining upright. I preferred the Seltos GT due to the HUD, better sound system, LED headlights, seat heating and cooling, and rear vents for kids in the back (seriously, why isn't this standard in all SUVs???).
See the cost cutting there, el cheapo Electric park brake and el cheapo push button stop/start, cunning sods those bean counters, tell the customer that these things are an improvement the more they can hang on the computer the more they can cut production cost. all the more electronic crap to cause a problem down the line.
Another great review, John. Kudos. As far as automotive names are concerned, the most important thing to a car manufacturer when naming a new model is that the name can be copyrighted. That's why they tend to go for made up nonsense words. In 1965 Ford renamed the Mustang the T5 for the German market because Mustang was a registered trademark of Krupp over there and the blue oval was too cheapskate to stump up the $10,000 asking price to buy it from them. My personal all-time favourite car name has to be the Bongo Friendy, a surf wagon by Mazda which was never officially available in Brexitland but came in as a "grey import" along with the Nissan Figaro and Nissan Cube. I also have great admiration for whoever at Hyundai decided to rename the Atos to the Atoz (get it?) for English-speaking markets. Also, may I ask if it's particularly cold in your neck of the woods right now (or if you have the air con in the Fat Cave turned to a temperature beginning with a minus)? I'm just being an inquisitive so-and-so because I'm wondering why your nose has turned blue. If it's neither of those things it might be wise to go to the quack to get your heart checked out.
we have the 1.6 turbo DCT - its (theoretically) the same power train that was in our Cerato GT - but they have really improved the low down torque in the Seltos - makes for effortless passing without having to change down a couple of gears like one had to in the Cerato. It also handles well and corners well - and we are already getting 40mpg on the open road . Quite impressed !....oh and for those that get mislead by some yank testers calling the DCT clunky and jerky ( have they got gearboxes made in mexico ? ) the DCT in ours is smooth, fast changing and works perfectly well. - update 'er indoors got 6.3 on a trip yesterday = 44mpg
Me too, I have tired of the poor interior packaging of Mazdas (due to their "sexy" swoopy styling) and have jumped ship to a Kia Cerato. Dependable (if low tech) mechanicals, great warranty, quality, value, long service intervals (for non-turbo) and sensible packaging!
You are a crack up, but seriously this was a really helpful video. Thank you! Currently have an awesome Mazda CX3, but need a bigger boot. Kamiq, Juke & Seltos are in the running.
We need a Sales Ultimate Vehicle. No problem, we'll just pop this model on stilts and make the windows a bit taller raising the roof line. Job done, ultimate sales success, off to the Pub.
I love your comments about SUVs and agree most buyers don't need them however it always seems to be the blind leading the blind. Joe/Jo Blow bought one so they need one whatever other advice they are given. Personally I'd take a Cerato GT over a Seltos GT-Line anyday.
Took an ASX for a drive last Friday morning and the Seltos in the afternoon. The Seltos felt terrible at take off and going up hill...couldn't work out why. The sales chap in the back lifts his eyes from his phone as we are nearly back at the dealer and says.." why don't you try sports mode, I think it's in eco " So we did for about 100 metres in a 50 zone lol. Anyway that afternoon we bought an ASX.
Great episode, as always mate. One of my kids, who is really tall, and her even taller boyfriend, chose a Seltos over a Cerato. Purely because they’re tall and the Seltos has a more upright seating position. It’s worth the extra dough to save your lower back in the long term. As you said, the ergonomics should be considered 👌
I bought an Optima GT six months ago and am so impressed by not only the car but the overall sales and service we went back yesterday and bought a Cerato as well. The Seltos is a nice looking car but these SUV type things don’t impress me at all.
Gotta agree with the “crap roads” statement, which could easily be another reason people buy SUVs. Having just spent a grand on suspension repairs to a Honda Jazz, I’ve recognised the bashing that poor road surfaces dish out to light vehicles with small wheels.
Really enjoyed your presenting style. Makes researching a new car fun. I'm having the problem you described, don't "need" an SUV but after driving a Yaris for 10 years and the number of bigger and bigger cars on the road I'm feeling too small, unsafe, and unable to see around everyone else. I'd consider a Cerato but I really want to sit higher on the road. Is it crazy to buy a small SUV just to get the higher driving position?
Not crazy myfavouritescar. It is one of the big advantages of an SUV. I’ve been driving them for about 18 years and always loved that, but as every second car is a bigger SUV than my mid-size, it really doesn’t confer any advantage these days. Was looking the other day and saw the Cerato hatch and seriously considering it. $7K extra just to sit higher and have poorer handling seems crazy to me now. I need the space for golf clubs, surfboards and bags when I go away, but the Cerato hatch has as much space as the Sportage, so I’m asking myself why do I want an SUV, and the main answer was there was no mid size station wagons. Cerato hatch might just fit the bill, and can get top of the line GT for close to entry level for the Seltos.
lol I'm 65 and seriously looking at the S with AWD.. Don't need all that safety crap, as an ex truck driver, I pay way more attention to the road than most.. It's a nice looking unit. Thanks
If you live in the city and will almost never go onto an unsealed road, get a Cerato. I have an Optima, love it.....but I have ventured on dirt roads in Kakadu and Altunga (central Australia) and Coffin Bay National Park and something like Sportage or Outlander would have been a wiser choice.....it's just I really love medium and large sedans. So back to Seltos v Cerato....(or Rav4 v Corolla)...work out what you are driving on and what you are planning over the next couple of years. BTW....back to the Optima I've had for about three years. I have driven to Darwin and Port Lincoln from Central Oz several times. A fantastic highway cruiser, fuel consumption has been very good and around town with flowing traffic it has been good, too.
Haha, friggin hilarious, educational and entertaining!. Yeah, my wife and I are young and tech savvy at 50+ yrs old. Looking at test driving a GT tomorrow!😂👍🍻
Hey John, Excellent review and I think this will help me in my decision as I am looking to upgrade from my Mazda 3. Also love your sense of humour. Keep it up! Very informative and knowledgeable review. Thumbs up for you!
Great review John, thank you. We are considering small SUV’s (for personal physical reasons) and had Honda HR-V, Kia Seltos and Mazda CX-30 on our final list (up until recent Honda announcements and commentary). Would you be up for doing a comparo? Thanks in advance.
Since it's launch in India in August 2019,KIA Seltos has been averaging 15000 units per month most of the sales in my opinion have come at the cost of its sister product Hyundai Creta the previous market leader. Kia makes Seltos in India at their new factory in Southern India
I loathe CVTs. A great concept, but most iterations are just bad. DCTs have had their issues in the early years, but they are really fun to drive as they are pretty much like a manual (i.e. no liquid couple aka torque converter). I did have to readjust my driving going from a conventional auto to a DCT. Driving up a hill is very much like a manual as it is important to give it enough gas in order for the clutch pack to engage. If you don't you roll backwards just like in a manual and once the clutch does engage you get a rather undignified jerk and jump which can be dicy if there are other cars parked closely in front and back. I had to learn this the hard way.
Had my heart and wallet set on a new MY22 Cerato GT, but while I was waiting, I considered the Seltos GT Line. I’d ideally be driving away in a Sportage, but my wallet isn’t quite large enough. There’s a very fine line between the Cerato GT and the Seltos GT Line, but you make a few good points. I just feel the Cerato GT is better value for money and fun. The Hatch will even fit a full sized spare if you want to buy one. Maybe the MY22 Seltos will have an edge, but the cost jump may be too much to bear.
Fleet managers are generally accountants. However, at some point, we have to remarket those vehicles or send them to an auction. To get our money back, we need to make sure that the vehicles have all of the stuff that people want in a used vehicle. So yes to leather seats and a premium sound system; no to overpriced allow wheels and the like.
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 sily.
What I guess is Seltos was pushed in the Kia lineup to compete with 3rd korean brand ssangyong, korando or xlv, to which Seltos seems quite similar for me. By the way, solid review of xlv is what I've been waiting for...
" It displays this noticeable re-engagement lag, getting on the gas when you clip an apex and want to start feeding the power on smoothly." John this is exactly why I purchased a mazda SP25 with a 'conventional auto'. Mazda has a lock-up clutch that kicks in almost always and especially when you clip an apex, and when that happens and you hit the throttle, there is a noticeable re-engagement lag that is so annoying. Mazda told me this is the characteristic of the vehicle. I cannot believe they engineered a vehicle with a conventional auto that behaves like a CVT!
I'm from the US. It's sucks that if you choose the 2.0L CVT in Australia, you don't get AWD as an option. Whereas in the US, it is available on every trim. So I can have a 2.0L CVT with AWD. I personally have a 2022 Seltos EX trim (2.0L CVT with AWD). Only 2 things I miss, the advanced cruise control and the LED headlamps and fog lamps. The advanced cruise control (let's me use it with lane keep assist and semi-autonomous steering) that has the car auto drive and follow another car in 10 second intervals. This would be great for my heavy traffic commutes. Ultimately I did not want to deal with a DCT and the potential aging issues with a turbo engine. DCT would require me changing my driving habits unless I want to burn the clutch and ruin the transmission. Down the road if the turbo goes out, it is a much more costly repair compared to a naturally aspirated engine.
As a 6 month owner of Cerato GT It's terrific. I wish they had included HUD Like in the GT line Seltos. Not that Important. Little Aussie Follower ....
Daryl Nicklen also had my cerato GT since launch and done 12k kms. Very happy with it! Only thing missing for me is auto wipers. But damn it’s fun on the windy roads!!
I'm in a seltos now. We can do 35 on the flat and nearly 60 down hill. The transmission seems to have failed. Less than 6 months old. Seems to be a common occurance with this vehicle. Will be interesting to see how Kia deals with it. Lots of people saying long repair time and terrible customer service.
@@Tangra_ my guess a cvt - if it was a dct it would either be stuck in a gear or have a failed clutch ...our seltos has dct and its excellent....i totally distrust cvt's
Buying a SUV when/after having a kid is not only about the space, but SUV's are higher than hatchback, hence easier to put in the wiggly monsters in and out of the car seat. I am one of those who has followed the 11th commandment :-)
@@moeanthony9308 - IMO the Venue is in no way a competitor for the Seltos. It is a much smaller vehicle. I know people consider the Kona a sister/cousin to the Seltos due to a shared chassis but again the size and space of the Seltos is significantly different. And @Jolene I’m guessing you already know but the Seltos is now selling into the US.
It’s really annoying how every Australian (car) news outlet, when they went to Korea for a big reveal/test drive, reported that the confirmed(!) drive away price for the GT line will be A$ 39,990. Couple of months later, it’s A$41,990. That gets you a Tucson Elite, bigger car and with dual zone AC. Very disappointed with the price. Hopefully will go down when the next EOFY sales hit.
11:48 also it reduces torque by a huge amount. I think mild-hybrids/hybrids/plug-in hybrids or just diesels are better than Atkinson cycle engines (just my opinion)
The ‘ SUV’ tag needs a bit of a review. My wife’s ( excellent) 2012 Kia Sorrento , turbo diesel 2.2 is truly a great car , in every aspect. But me being a bit of a hoon and enjoying the occasional track day , can’t get the most out of it because when you are up it , it doesn’t allow left foot braking whilst on the gas. Goes straight to idle , upsets the cornering balance. Bugger.
Hi John...in your opinion...with a current 'drive away offer' of $43,225 for the GTLine...what kind of discount do you think I could barter with the Kia car dealer? Looking to 'shop' from mid-May for 'EOFY sale'.
Spitting out kids often leads to bend-over-itis when trying to fit the little tackers into the rear fitted cocoon or child seat. I haven’t tried that in a Cerato, but I do know it’s easier to do in an SUV than a sedan. So there’s that. Then again I’m vertically unchallenged, and that might make a taller vehicle a better proposition for me than it would for, I don’t know, an auto expert. Many SUVs are purchased with only 2 wheel drive, suggesting that some people don’t buy them to go bush, perhaps they do so because they’re a more practical shape.
Nice review John. Have you reviewed the Cerato GT? Why do you think they detuned the engine by 20kW and any chance it may be reinstated in a future update? Keep up the great work.
Peter Panousis Hyundai/Kia state the kW output of the 1.6T lower in SUVs as it is a ‘SUV tune’. I drove an i30SR and a kona back to back with the same 1.6T and the engines feel the same. The output feels completely the same until the last 500 rpm there the suv will short shift. In 99% of driving you would not even notice this as turbo engines are all about low and mid range torque.
Apparently, if you want a cherry black roof (which I think looks cool), you can't have a sunroof. Bit silly yeah? Also all colours are metallic except for the Starbright Yellow.
I’m not young and tech savvy, and i made a decision before watching your vlog, but i still bought a 2020 Kia Seltos EX (the middle of three variants) here in the Philippines. I also considered a Hyundai Kona and Ssangyong Tivoli. All three were similar in size and looked nice, but choosing the Kia Seltos - my first SUV - was an easy decision for me based on what i wanted from my new vehicle. I am happy with it.
F**k me john I hope you never retire cos your reviews are epic and I find myself smiling while learning so much. Many thanks from a cousin across the pound
Thank you! I've been looking for an honest, down-to-earth Australian review on the Seltos...and this is the first and only one I've found!
Good, honest, realistic, knowledgeable reviews with great sense of humour. Always enjoyable and informative.
Almost gave this a thumbs down for not being porn. It actually is refreshing to hear an honest review with technical info and solid advice given.
Thanks John for your honest reviews. I almost purchased a Jeep compass but will now definitely be buying the Seltos- GT line 😁
Excellent! A thoroughly enjoyable mix of oratory flair and old fashioned Aussie colloquialism. I could watch you all day regardless of the content.
Thank you John. Loved the review.
Great humour and fun.
Kia should test suspension setup here in Sheepshagistan (Scotland) but i guess they dont want to break the car. In Fife where i live the roads are the worst in the country including the rest of the UK. The saying around these parts is "In England you drive on the left of the road, in Scotland you drive on whats left of the road" Just an anecdotal line for people to smile at.
Sorry. Sheepshagistan is already taken by New Zealand. Please choose another name.
There can only be one Sheepshagislander...you see what I did there.
Exactly, NZ is proud home of the original Sheepshagger according to the Aussies anyway, though in recent decades cows have probably become more popular, and a better fit. Also our roads in many places are worse than anything you'll likely find in Scotland - I've also found plenty of horrific roads in Australia that match or are even worse than anything in NZ, you just have to get a bit more off the beaten track than you do over here. If you are just driving from major city to major city nothing I've seen in the first world is as bad as NZ - as the only slightly hyperbolic saying goes, we have some of the most challenging roads in the world, and that's just driving direct between Auckland and Wellington.
@@Beer_Dad1975 Why is it NZ has such poor roads considering it has one of the highest living standards in the world?
@@tk9839 The roads here are not that bad. For those drivers who complain I say go to Asia and then judge.
Would i regret to switch from Sorento 2015 ...i am beginning my seventies. First time i listen to you and i am very happy of your tone and analysis ...refreshing from all those testers hiding a sale agenda.Thanks for sharing , Salute from Canada ...minus 22 C now.
Thanks for a really honest review of the Seltos car..we have watched other ,"reviews", none as honest as yours.
Can't speak highly enough of our new Cerato GT. Just a great car.
Hey John, really appreciate your channel and I was in the “considering a Seltos” camp. I very much took your advice to heart and added the Cerato to my shortlist. The only thing that missed for me was the headroom. I was touching the roof liner and knocked me noggin’ on the side of the roof over the door while sitting in driving position. On paper the Cerato is great (IMHO), and the discount is not insubstantial over the Seltos. I’d definitely check both if you’re looking at a car purchase. My experience was just that, my experience. The actual feeling of sitting behind the wheel, the Seltos worked for me. I am very much not on the SUV kick, I’ve been driving an Astra TS for 17 years, and sadly it’s about to go to God (rather whichever deity deals with the automobile afterlife). We need a bit more space for ever growing teenagers and I don’t want to inflict a cramped ride on them. Again, that’s my personal experience and again, I say check both. It won’t cost you anything to sit in both and hey if you’ve got the time and a willing dealer test drive them both.
Loved this review. Well organized, good information, and very helpful. Subscribed! If you haven't already, please do more of these. Cheers from the east coast, U.S.
Cries as a 28 year old male who is in love with the seltos.
Love your reviews and humor. Seltos is a contender as is Kona.
I like you John! Can’t hate on that subtle but dry Aussie humour.liking the video
Hi John, Wow you must be psychic or maybe I am! I was going to wait for the Seltos, but remembering your advice regarding the lack of discounts on a new model. I decided to buy the Cerato GT in Runway Red, the same as the one pictured in your video. I do suffer from some back pain, and the ride is firmer then the Sportage, which I drove but gave to my better half. I also make the obligatory "old man" grunts and groans when getting up form chairs or bending, but it's so fun to drive and I always have a smile of my face when I am driving the Cerato GT. We spat two kids out sometime ago (18 & 20,) and didn't want a four wheel drive. My family said it's my mid life crisis, to which I replied, I passed "mid life" a long time ago. I'm more grey nomad age. Seltos and trailer or Cerato GT? No contest! While it's not as much fun as a hot tub full of cheer leaders, It's the most fun my better half will allow! 😂
Very similar here Anthony, kids now 20 and 23, but no bad back and only occasional groans. No mid life crisis here, more a redundancy present and a welcome to retirement gift to myself to buy a new car, and we’re intending doing some travelling when Covid restrictions eventually lift. Very much looking at the Cerato GT hatch, can fit plenty in and would like to drive a car again after years of SUVs. The long trips would be much more fun in a driver’s car and the fuel consumption on the GT is very impressive. Weighing it all up. The red looks good, but I like the horizon blue too.
When Kia Seltos was presented in Russia. One car blogger took it for a soft off-road and CVT died. Literally. Once he stopped he was unable to engage neither reverse nor drive. That Seltos had only 4k km. Ouch
procerator cool story, needs more dragons and unicorns though. Some blogger...
@@craigdonovan4277 yeah. Some blogger with only half a million subs.
Here is the video
th-cam.com/video/lDnRPwV_2qQ/w-d-xo.html
Variator fail at around 24-25 minutes.
I have tested Kia Seltos, but at the end I bought Skoda Karoq 1.5 TSI automatic for 28.000AUD drive away and I am very happy with my decision.
you did not get your Karoq for A$28,000
Skoda Karoq is a beautiful car, but these days it’s a VW, and has the awful VW DSG transmission. When talking with the salesman about it, even he admitted it was a bit if an engineering mistake. I would have loved to get one, such clever design, a small SUV with a mid size SUV interior, but it’s a VW, so there’s that!
@@Andrew-vs2wd I had different Skodas with DSG and never had any issue, also with this last one in my Karoq, it is nicely smooth and punchy, very fast. My wife has a Japanese car Suzuki and they put there CVT, not bad however no competition to DSG, I am European and do not believe what the moto journalists writing about the DSG I am long term user and never had any problem with it. If you care for your car and do the right thing than you will drive 1000s Kms without any issue. This is my experience.
Hahaha .. good luck with that Skoda shit box.. resale will be horrendous
@@godnnat Totally wrong mate, my last Octavia Wagon 110 TSI DSG before I bought Karoq was sold within 3 weeks for the price I wanted and I had even interstate buyers who would come from SA and take the car without negotiation as many people told me there are not many used Octavias on the market and this gave them no chance to negotiate as always demand and supply and many people relized that Skodas are even better than VW.
Thank you for well researched content, John.
It affected our decision to buy a new Seltos Sport +
FIrst new car, for this midldle-aged couple, so the self-imposed pressure to 'Get it right' was significant.
Replacing our trusty T30 Nissan X-Trail, after 13 years and 230.000km. Quietly confident, this car will be long-lasting, as well.
Kia seems to make all the right noises, regarding service and support, unlike some other brands here in Shitsville.
Interesting that you asked "Do you need an SUV ? ". I would suggest that for most people the
answer is no. You don't see many on the roads when we get significant snowfall here in the UK.
They are mostly used for the daily school run, when their owners get as close to the school gates
as possible. Then for the supermarket run.
If its any consolation to the 'young and tech-savvy' target market of Kia.... We have just ordered a Seltos for my 27-yr old wife, who is actually pretty tech-savvy... It'll be her car, so doesn't need to clip apexes, and the ride quality was what helped to sell me on the car, compared with other similar models.
Perhaps we're bean-counters, or perhaps you are somewhat disconnected from the reality of the cost of cars, but the base model S is really what made sense to us. The jump from the S to the Sport is a pretty significant $4k for essentially just some alloys & a bigger screen. That's a pretty big % of the overall cost of the car. Then the jump to your recommended Sport+ with 1.6T engine is effectively a 50% increase in price over the base model S. That's huge for a 'normal' consumer... At least, to someone who is under 30yrs old & tech-savvy, as the marketing literature would have you believe is the target market...
I my gosh....laughed so much when John said....make no mistake, this car is aimed at the 50+ woman. I’m 46 and definitely looking at this as my next purchase 😂
I'm 21 and probably going to buy one! Great range that's for sure :D
haha!! Not sure how insulted I feel as I'm nearly 60 and I might buy one!!
Hahaha that's me too... and I've just bought one
Great video! 50+ Husband an Wife... Getting ready to order Our first New Seltos Tomorrow..
My wife is a 60yo lady who is “young and tech savvy”. The reason she is choosing an SUV is because She wants to see 2 or 3 cars ahead in the traffic and not just the boot of the car in front. 😃
Great review, thanks John, it has helped make up my mind, be in touch soon.
another great review and a good laugh had as well ,,thanks for all your great work for us the buying punters,, love your channel
Haha John... I'm a 45-year-old female who's about to buy the GT-Line even though I don't need an SUV. I'm definitely young and tech-savvy...guess they saw me coming 😁
Lol... Good one Amanda😂
Are you happy with your GT or could you have been satisfied with the Sport Plus DCT?
BULLSHAT has now become part of my 25 year radio announcer, so quite large, vocabulary!
Agree with others - new model should be shown with 'new models'!!
Yesssss!
Yesterday I got to test drive 2 Kia Seltos. One was the Sport+ 2.0L and the other was the GT 1.6L turbo. The 1.6L is definitely the way to go for me, and even my wife agreed she preferred that over the more sluggish and harsh 2.0. I also sat in the Cerato, but didn't even bother test driving. I totally disagree that the Cerato is just as good as the Seltos for a new family. I'm 5'11 and had to bend over quite uncomfortably to reach into the back of the Cerato where a kids seat would be located. With the Seltos, it was so much easier to just reach in while remaining upright. I preferred the Seltos GT due to the HUD, better sound system, LED headlights, seat heating and cooling, and rear vents for kids in the back (seriously, why isn't this standard in all SUVs???).
Nice review, Johnny! The bloody thing, on the outside, looks about as dull as a wet Sunday.
Review?
See the cost cutting there, el cheapo Electric park brake and el cheapo push button stop/start, cunning sods those bean counters, tell the customer that these things are an improvement the more they can hang on the computer the more they can cut production cost. all the more electronic crap to cause a problem down the line.
Another great review, John. Kudos. As far as automotive names are concerned, the most important thing to a car manufacturer when naming a new model is that the name can be copyrighted. That's why they tend to go for made up nonsense words. In 1965 Ford renamed the Mustang the T5 for the German market because Mustang was a registered trademark of Krupp over there and the blue oval was too cheapskate to stump up the $10,000 asking price to buy it from them.
My personal all-time favourite car name has to be the Bongo Friendy, a surf wagon by Mazda which was never officially available in Brexitland but came in as a "grey import" along with the Nissan Figaro and Nissan Cube. I also have great admiration for whoever at Hyundai decided to rename the Atos to the Atoz (get it?) for English-speaking markets.
Also, may I ask if it's particularly cold in your neck of the woods right now (or if you have the air con in the Fat Cave turned to a temperature beginning with a minus)? I'm just being an inquisitive so-and-so because I'm wondering why your nose has turned blue. If it's neither of those things it might be wise to go to the quack to get your heart checked out.
we have the 1.6 turbo DCT - its (theoretically) the same power train that was in our Cerato GT - but they have really improved the low down torque in the Seltos - makes for effortless passing without having to change down a couple of gears like one had to in the Cerato. It also handles well and corners well - and we are already getting 40mpg on the open road . Quite impressed !....oh and for those that get mislead by some yank testers calling the DCT clunky and jerky ( have they got gearboxes made in mexico ? ) the DCT in ours is smooth, fast changing and works perfectly well. - update 'er indoors got 6.3 on a trip yesterday = 44mpg
A similar review of the Mazda CX30 would be great.
Kia is pretty awesome. I overlooked them for a while.
Me too, I have tired of the poor interior packaging of Mazdas (due to their "sexy" swoopy styling) and have jumped ship to a Kia Cerato.
Dependable (if low tech) mechanicals, great warranty, quality, value, long service intervals (for non-turbo) and sensible packaging!
Ben Haynes totally agree bro
You are a crack up, but seriously this was a really helpful video. Thank you! Currently have an awesome Mazda CX3, but need a bigger boot. Kamiq, Juke & Seltos are in the running.
Maybe go Subaru,l or skoda kodiak, we are looking to
We chose the Seltos as it’s easier to get in and out of and the missus prefers the driving position.
We need a Sales Ultimate Vehicle.
No problem, we'll just pop this model on stilts and make the windows a bit taller raising the roof line.
Job done, ultimate sales success, off to the Pub.
I love your comments about SUVs and agree most buyers don't need them however it always seems to be the blind leading the blind. Joe/Jo Blow bought one so they need one whatever other advice they are given. Personally I'd take a Cerato GT over a Seltos GT-Line anyday.
Took an ASX for a drive last Friday morning and the Seltos in the afternoon. The Seltos felt terrible at take off and going up hill...couldn't work out why. The sales chap in the back lifts his eyes from his phone as we are nearly back at the dealer and says.." why don't you try sports mode, I think it's in eco " So we did for about 100 metres in a 50 zone lol. Anyway that afternoon we bought an ASX.
Great video as always. Thanks John. :)
I thought they changed it from C to S because Celltoss sounds like a way of finding contraband in a prison...
Wow. Popeye is reviewing cars now.
That’s what everyone on meth says
Great video! One rec...put the time stamps in the description so that folks can skip right to that spot.
The Icvt should be released with the turbo option I believe. I’ve seen inside both gearboxes and I believe the icvt is the way to go
Hell no, the 7 speed dct is the best way to go
Great episode, as always mate.
One of my kids, who is really tall, and her even taller boyfriend, chose a Seltos over a Cerato. Purely because they’re tall and the Seltos has a more upright seating position. It’s worth the extra dough to save your lower back in the long term. As you said, the ergonomics should be considered 👌
That's crazy, my wife 49...wanted and got this vehicle.
I bought an Optima GT six months ago and am so impressed by not only the car but the overall sales and service we went back yesterday and bought a Cerato as well. The Seltos is a nice looking car but these SUV type things don’t impress me at all.
Those cinematic takes. Good job.
Can't wait for Hyundai and or Kia to make a 4wd that competes with a land cruiser.
felix the cat .....ROFL 🤣 not going to happen...ever !
You'd hope that at least they'd get the track on both axles the same...
You never know . Going back to the 80s would you thought they would done sporty. Or luxury cars
@@ToyBJ why not they already have a ute coming
Gotta agree with the “crap roads” statement, which could easily be another reason people buy SUVs. Having just spent a grand on suspension repairs to a Honda Jazz, I’ve recognised the bashing that poor road surfaces dish out to light vehicles with small wheels.
Really enjoyed your presenting style. Makes researching a new car fun. I'm having the problem you described, don't "need" an SUV but after driving a Yaris for 10 years and the number of bigger and bigger cars on the road I'm feeling too small, unsafe, and unable to see around everyone else. I'd consider a Cerato but I really want to sit higher on the road. Is it crazy to buy a small SUV just to get the higher driving position?
Not crazy myfavouritescar. It is one of the big advantages of an SUV. I’ve been driving them for about 18 years and always loved that, but as every second car is a bigger SUV than my mid-size, it really doesn’t confer any advantage these days. Was looking the other day and saw the Cerato hatch and seriously considering it. $7K extra just to sit higher and have poorer handling seems crazy to me now. I need the space for golf clubs, surfboards and bags when I go away, but the Cerato hatch has as much space as the Sportage, so I’m asking myself why do I want an SUV, and the main answer was there was no mid size station wagons. Cerato hatch might just fit the bill, and can get top of the line GT for close to entry level for the Seltos.
lol I'm 65 and seriously looking at the S with AWD.. Don't need all that safety crap, as an ex truck driver, I pay way more attention to the road than most.. It's a nice looking unit. Thanks
If you live in the city and will almost never go onto an unsealed road, get a Cerato.
I have an Optima, love it.....but I have ventured on dirt roads in Kakadu and Altunga (central Australia) and Coffin Bay National Park and something like Sportage or Outlander would have been a wiser choice.....it's just I really love medium and large sedans.
So back to Seltos v Cerato....(or Rav4 v Corolla)...work out what you are driving on and what you are planning over the next couple of years.
BTW....back to the Optima I've had for about three years. I have driven to Darwin and Port Lincoln from Central Oz several times. A fantastic highway cruiser, fuel consumption has been very good and around town with flowing traffic it has been good, too.
Haha, friggin hilarious, educational and entertaining!. Yeah, my wife and I are young and tech savvy at 50+ yrs old. Looking at test driving a GT tomorrow!😂👍🍻
As always a great review.God knows l miss that British/Australian sense of humor,now im here in America.
Hey John, Excellent review and I think this will help me in my decision as I am looking to upgrade from my Mazda 3. Also love your sense of humour. Keep it up! Very informative and knowledgeable review. Thumbs up for you!
Thank you very much, Megan - glad you found the review helpful. Even more glad you found it funny (because humour is the hardest part of the job).
Great review John, thank you. We are considering small SUV’s (for personal physical reasons) and had Honda HR-V, Kia Seltos and Mazda CX-30 on our final list (up until recent Honda announcements and commentary). Would you be up for doing a comparo? Thanks in advance.
Could you do a review on the Kia Cerato.
So true about people getting carried away with SUV most people would be better in cars they drive and handle so much better on the road
great job john right on m8
Since it's launch in India in August 2019,KIA Seltos has been averaging 15000 units per month most of the sales in my opinion have come at the cost of its sister product Hyundai Creta the previous market leader.
Kia makes Seltos in India at their new factory in Southern India
Best review on the seltos ever.
I loathe CVTs. A great concept, but most iterations are just bad. DCTs have had their issues in the early years, but they are really fun to drive as they are pretty much like a manual (i.e. no liquid couple aka torque converter). I did have to readjust my driving going from a conventional auto to a DCT. Driving up a hill is very much like a manual as it is important to give it enough gas in order for the clutch pack to engage. If you don't you roll backwards just like in a manual and once the clutch does engage you get a rather undignified jerk and jump which can be dicy if there are other cars parked closely in front and back. I had to learn this the hard way.
Had my heart and wallet set on a new MY22 Cerato GT, but while I was waiting, I considered the Seltos GT Line. I’d ideally be driving away in a Sportage, but my wallet isn’t quite large enough. There’s a very fine line between the Cerato GT and the Seltos GT Line, but you make a few good points. I just feel the Cerato GT is better value for money and fun. The Hatch will even fit a full sized spare if you want to buy one. Maybe the MY22 Seltos will have an edge, but the cost jump may be too much to bear.
How is cearto gt . U like it ? Enjoying
@@w.6145 I briefly had a Cerato GT until it was unfortunately written off. Now waiting for a replacement. It'll do me until I can get an EV6 GT!
Fleet managers are generally accountants. However, at some point, we have to remarket those vehicles or send them to an auction. To get our money back, we need to make sure that the vehicles have all of the stuff that people want in a used vehicle. So yes to leather seats and a premium sound system; no to overpriced allow wheels and the like.
Haha.. Great advice as always, only trumped by your delivery.
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 sily.
the Kia Seltos in the Philippines are IVT transmission (CVT)
What I guess is Seltos was pushed in the Kia lineup to compete with 3rd korean brand ssangyong, korando or xlv, to which Seltos seems quite similar for me. By the way, solid review of xlv is what I've been waiting for...
" It displays this noticeable re-engagement lag, getting on the gas when you clip an apex and want to start feeding the power on smoothly." John this is exactly why I purchased a mazda SP25 with a 'conventional auto'. Mazda has a lock-up clutch that kicks in almost always and especially when you clip an apex, and when that happens and you hit the throttle, there is a noticeable re-engagement lag that is so annoying. Mazda told me this is the characteristic of the vehicle. I cannot believe they engineered a vehicle with a conventional auto that behaves like a CVT!
Glad the 2L Cerato comes with the epicycle auto transmission then, as America gets the CVT.
I'm from the US. It's sucks that if you choose the 2.0L CVT in Australia, you don't get AWD as an option. Whereas in the US, it is available on every trim. So I can have a 2.0L CVT with AWD.
I personally have a 2022 Seltos EX trim (2.0L CVT with AWD). Only 2 things I miss, the advanced cruise control and the LED headlamps and fog lamps. The advanced cruise control (let's me use it with lane keep assist and semi-autonomous steering) that has the car auto drive and follow another car in 10 second intervals. This would be great for my heavy traffic commutes.
Ultimately I did not want to deal with a DCT and the potential aging issues with a turbo engine. DCT would require me changing my driving habits unless I want to burn the clutch and ruin the transmission. Down the road if the turbo goes out, it is a much more costly repair compared to a naturally aspirated engine.
As a 6 month owner of Cerato GT It's terrific. I wish they had included HUD Like in the GT line Seltos. Not that Important. Little Aussie Follower ....
Daryl Nicklen also had my cerato GT since launch and done 12k kms. Very happy with it! Only thing missing for me is auto wipers. But damn it’s fun on the windy roads!!
Any comments on the dual slip clutch. Considering the hatch and tossing up between the sports + and the GT.
well John you got it right again about Holden.
I bought a seltos 2021.
It's an interesting vehicle.
Excellent delivery.
As someone remarked all the Kia seltos SUVs below the Gt line are just rental cars
John think your reviews are Great looking forward to your review of the Kia Sonet HTX models looks like a mini Seltos if they release it in Straya
I'm in a seltos now. We can do 35 on the flat and nearly 60 down hill. The transmission seems to have failed. Less than 6 months old. Seems to be a common occurance with this vehicle. Will be interesting to see how Kia deals with it. Lots of people saying long repair time and terrible customer service.
Is that the cvt or dct version?
@@Tangra_ my guess a cvt - if it was a dct it would either be stuck in a gear or have a failed clutch ...our seltos has dct and its excellent....i totally distrust cvt's
Buying a SUV when/after having a kid is not only about the space, but SUV's are higher than hatchback, hence easier to put in the wiggly monsters in and out of the car seat. I am one of those who has followed the 11th commandment :-)
27 minutes, and 27 seconds of objectivity. A nice distraction from the Sunday night blues.
I hope this comes to the US!
The alternate is Hyundai Venue which is coming in 2020
@@moeanthony9308 - IMO the Venue is in no way a competitor for the Seltos. It is a much smaller vehicle. I know people consider the Kona a sister/cousin to the Seltos due to a shared chassis but again the size and space of the Seltos is significantly different. And @Jolene I’m guessing you already know but the Seltos is now selling into the US.
It’s really annoying how every Australian (car) news outlet, when they went to Korea for a big reveal/test drive, reported that the confirmed(!) drive away price for the GT line will be A$ 39,990. Couple of months later, it’s A$41,990. That gets you a Tucson Elite, bigger car and with dual zone AC. Very disappointed with the price. Hopefully will go down when the next EOFY sales hit.
I hope front and rear design should be redesign with more aggresive form..
11:48 also it reduces torque by a huge amount. I think mild-hybrids/hybrids/plug-in hybrids or just diesels are better than Atkinson cycle engines (just my opinion)
Great John! You’re awesome.
Your warning of this being a boring video to me has no ground at all because i laughed my ass off ... again ... Thanks John from The Netherlands.
The ‘ SUV’ tag needs a bit of a review. My wife’s ( excellent) 2012 Kia Sorrento , turbo diesel 2.2 is truly a great car , in every aspect. But me being a bit of a hoon and enjoying the occasional track day , can’t get the most out of it because when you are up it , it doesn’t allow left foot braking whilst on the gas. Goes straight to idle , upsets the cornering balance. Bugger.
an excellent 4wd off-road suv, except the suspension. it does a lot
Hi John...in your opinion...with a current 'drive away offer' of $43,225 for the GTLine...what kind of discount do you think I could barter with the Kia car dealer? Looking to 'shop' from mid-May for 'EOFY sale'.
Spitting out kids often leads to bend-over-itis when trying to fit the little tackers into the rear fitted cocoon or child seat. I haven’t tried that in a Cerato, but I do know it’s easier to do in an SUV than a sedan. So there’s that. Then again I’m vertically unchallenged, and that might make a taller vehicle a better proposition for me than it would for, I don’t know, an auto expert. Many SUVs are purchased with only 2 wheel drive, suggesting that some people don’t buy them to go bush, perhaps they do so because they’re a more practical shape.
Nice review John.
Have you reviewed the Cerato GT?
Why do you think they detuned the engine by 20kW and any chance it may be reinstated in a future update?
Keep up the great work.
Peter Panousis Hyundai/Kia state the kW output of the 1.6T lower in SUVs as it is a ‘SUV tune’. I drove an i30SR and a kona back to back with the same 1.6T and the engines feel the same. The output feels completely the same until the last 500 rpm there the suv will short shift. In 99% of driving you would not even notice this as turbo engines are all about low and mid range torque.
Apparently, if you want a cherry black roof (which I think looks cool), you can't have a sunroof. Bit silly yeah? Also all colours are metallic except for the Starbright Yellow.
Ask a sunroof repair specialist whether you should buy a car with a sunroof--------------you'll be ordering the cherry black 😉
great work , love your presentation, no B S
Next gen Sportage is coming and growing in size, so this fits under it.
Nice car with great infotainment screen but need to pay extra for safety pack even for Sport... not very good value for money.
When is the Kia Seltos going to get a safety rating and would you hold off buying it until it does?
thanks for the great view on the cletus!