Kia Seltos unveiled: Exterior Design Highlights

Kia will kick start their Indian venture with the all-new Seltos, the global SUV based on the SP Concept showcased at the 2018 Auto Expo. It was also previewed in near-production guise as the Signature Concept in March this year. To be launched in a few months’ time, the Seltos remains faithful to both the concepts in terms of design and styling. So let us have a detailed look at the exterior design highlights of the all-new Kia Seltos.

Intricate headlights 

In the SP Concept, Kia gave us a glimpse of a radical design for the headlights which looked very futuristic. With the Seltos, the Korean carmaker has managed to retain the same shape of the headlamps while adding even more intricate details. Called the ‘Crown Jewel LED headlamps, the LED strips in the main cluster are joined by C-shaped strips below. But that’s not the most interesting element still. That honour goes to the sleek LED strip integrated into the chrome surround of the grille which extends almost to the centre of the grille. 

A new take on the Tiger-nose grille

Which brings us to the grille. Kia’s characteristic grille has been tweaked. It still has the Tiger Nose shape, but now the chrome surround gets a diamond knurling finish. Usually, the knurled surfaces are used on places which require a good grip to hold on. So it is interesting to see this finish on the grille. Also, it does add a bit of a unique factor to a rather simple chrome surrounds. 

Finishing off the fascia is the minimalistic bumper design with simple silver-finished surrounding the lower air dam which is also connected to the faux skid plate. The nicely designed fog lamps, meanwhile, are LED with three-point vertical illumination which Kia likes to call ‘ice cube’ design. 

True-blue crossover silhouette:

In profile, the Seltos’ black body cladding around the squared-off wheel arches and the rather straight shoulder line aren’t very dramatic. But the sweeping window line which meets directly at the floating D-pillar makes up for it and adds to Seltos handsome and muscular appeal. 

The roof, on the other hand, can also be had with a contrasting paint finish which further accentuates Seltos’ style quotient. And the silver finished roof rails are present as well contributing to the crossover demeanour. The SUV rides on 18-inches alloy wheels which too are intricately designed and are wrapped in 235/45 profile tyres. 

Radical rear with faux muffler:

The wraparound taillights look better when seen from the rear with its busy LED lighting signature. The chrome bar on the tailgate is the highlight at the back which also houses the Kia logo and bridges both the taillights. The petite roof-mounted spoiler sports the brake light but what catches the attention the most are those sculpted recessed on either side of the tailgate. They are decorated with reflector lights but they add so much character to the rather simple rear. 

We are not particularly a fan of the faux exhaust muffler integrated into the rear bumper. What's more, the contrasting strip joining them are placed above the silver finished skid plate. The Seltos can be had in eight colour options with five dual-tone options as well.