The Kia Seltos was introduced to the South Africa in 2019, with the 1.5 turbodiesel derivatives coming at the midway point of 2020.

Expectedly, the Seltos diesel was a sales success for the Korean brand, supported by an impressive fuel return.

A 2021 Kia Seltos 1.5 CRDi EX Auto came up for sale and it could just be the vehicle you’ve been waiting on.

Priced at R429 995 over 72 months at 13%, the monthly repayment is an estimated R8 632. With a 10% deposit (R43 000) added into the equation, the figure drops to R7 769 per month.

Quick Specs

• Price: R429 995
• Engine: 1.5-litre, turbodiesel
• Power: 85kW @ 4 000 rpm
• Torque: 250Nm @ 1 500 – 2 750 rpm
• Gears: 6-speed automatic
• Drive: Front wheels
• 0-100km/h: 11.5 seconds (claimed
• Economy: 5.7-litre/100km (claimed)
• Range: 877km
• Boot: 433L
  
  Features
• Allow wheels
• Park distance control
• Power steering
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• All-round electric windows
• Air-con
• Cruise control
• Satellite nativation

Why the Seltos?

The Seltos range is an alternative choice in the market. Of course, it will be the next option against the likes of the Volkswagen T-Cross or Toyota Corolla Cross, but it is a well-specified crossover that can hold its own in its segment.

The benefit of a diesel engine makes it even more unique, given that many of its rivals are only available with petrol engines or (slightly more expensive) hybrid powertrains.

In 2020, months after the diesel derivatives’ launch, the Wild in Africa crew attempted to drive a Seltos 1.5 CRDi EX Auto from Johannesburg to Cape Town. After 1 100km, they reached Laingsburg where they refuelled, registering a fuel return of just 4.37-litres/100km.

Discussing his Jhb to CT drive, Tumelo Maketekete said: “Once in the Karoo, our quest for minimal fuel use was put to the test.

“Not only was it boiling hot, but we were battered by some proper crosswinds and headwinds for quite a while. Which is exactly why we love doing local tests such as these, because we can give our audience a much more realistic view of how cars perform on South African roads.”