2023 Kia Seltos SX Review

Today is a tour I’ve been looking forward to for months! The 2023 Kia Seltos SX is on deck and I cannot wait to show you all the great features on this sub-compact SUV. Despite being one of my personal favorites on the market, I’ve never walked through the features of a Seltos with you all, so I can’t wait to see just how family-friendly it is.

If you’re interested in the Kia Seltos SX, here are a few others I would consider as well.

By the end of this post, you’ll have a solid understanding of everything the 2023 Kia Seltos SX has to offer and if it’s the best choice for your next family vehicle.

Before you dive in and start car shopping, make sure you’re fully prepared to tackle today’s market with confidence. To learn everything from dealership prep to a complete negotiations strategy, check out my Car Buying Course!

Kia Seltos SX Exterior

This is Kia’s newest sub-compact SUV which is the perfect in-between from their Soul and Sporter models. It came out for the first time in 2021, but since then Kia has made lots of advancements in both the exterior and interior.

The exterior is, simply put, super fresh. The Seltos is a unique addition to the Kia line-up, with its sporty and futuristic feel. There is a lot of chrome detailing throughout the entire exterior and we can see a lot of simple features, such as the grill, showing a lot of texture to elevate the feel.

LED headlights are the new norm for 2023 models, and the KIA Seltos SX is no different. Throughout the entire walk-around of the exterior, the $30,000 price tag is getting quite a luxurious feel.

Kia Seltos SX First Row Details

To sum up the entire Kia Seltos SX experience, simple materials are elevated to make the price point affordable without compromising an elevated experience. Although we see this throughout the entire vehicle, the first row makes this especially known.

Driver Seat Door Panel

The door showcases Bose speakers, a really long-lasting option, and uses a textured covering to feel more lux. A nice cup holder side cubby and additional storage makes for an elevated experience for any driver.

Infotainment System

Kia has done an excellent job upgrading their infotainment system over the years to look incredible, all while being really user-friendly. There are both quick buttons and a touch screen available and personally, I find this is a really great sign of knowing what a driver needs from a manufacturer perspective.

Ths screen is a 10.2 wide inch display which for the size of this car, feels quite impressive. There are two USBs and heated seats available to wrap-up a really well-done infotainment system.

My favorite feature on not just the Seltos, but all Kia’s, is the Kia Drive-Wise Technology. Basically, it’s got everything you love to drive your family safely including:

• Frontal collision

• Rear cross traffic

• Lane keep assist

• Blind spot monitoring

What’s Missing In The Standard Kia Seltos SX?

Even though we were able to walk through the highest trim of the Kia Seltos SX, what’s missing are things like ventilated seats, a sunroof, and a power tailgate.

All these features are available in their sunroof package, but costs an additional $1200.

Kia Seltos SX Second Row Details

I tested my typical rear-facing car seat in the back seat and was pleasantly surprised with how well it fit. There are a few inches of clearance between the car seat and passenger seat, which is not always the case with sub-pact cars.

Doors open nice and wide for easy access in and out. As far as hardware is concerned, there are both lower anchors and tether anchors available.

As far as passenger experience in the second row, as an almost 6-foot tall woman, I felt really comfortable. There is a solid amount of leg room and head clearance available.

Something a bit weird with the Kia Seltos SX, there is only one pocket available on the back of the passenger seat. I’ll never truly understand it. Everything else in the back, from AC vents to a single USB, makes for a great passenger experience.

Kia Seltos SX Trunk Details

I won’t lie, it is a smaller trunk. My double stroller was able to fit okay in the back, but not as great as I’ve seen with other sub-compact vehicles available on the market. I’d call it just okay, nothing truly noteworthy about it.

Kia Seltos SX Wrap Up

With its 27 miles per gallon average and incredible safety awards, the Kia Seltos SX is for smaller families that prioritize a smooth ride. The exterior is stunning and feels really lux, but the price tag is still one of the more affordable subcompact SUVs on the market. The car itself is not ideal for households with three or more kids, but for smaller families or teenage drivers it’s the way to go.

To watch my complete walkthrough of the 2023 Kia Seltos SX, click here!

Do you have a personal favorite sub-compact SUV? Please let us know in the comments!