Debuting in early 2020, Seltos has become one of Kia’s top sellers in a highly competitive extra-small SUV market. The Seltos fit the smaller Soul and the bigger Sportage within the Kia lineup. For 2022, the Seltos looks to keep what works while adding additional standard safety technology features and a sturdy aesthetic thanks to the all-new Turbo Nightfall Edition.
It is worth a second look if you’re in the market for an SUV with a smaller footprint, thanks to its ample cargo space, premium interior materials, and design. You’ll enjoy the unique styling elements and color choices that add personality. Here are the 2022 Kia Seltos performance and engine specifications, along with some general information about the trims offered for this model year.
Engine and Fuel Economy
The 2022 Kia Seltos features two engines, depending on which trim you choose. First is the standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder multi-point injection engine, putting out 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. The other engine offered with the upper trims is the snappier 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline direct-injection engine that can churn out 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque.
The EPA-estimated miles per gallon figures come in fairly efficiently for the 2022 Kia Seltos. If you opt for front-wheel drive with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, you can get up to 35 mpg on the highway. Even with the amped-up, turbocharged 1.6-liter engine, you still get respectable gas mileage in the range of 30 mpg for highway driving.
Performance Features
The base 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is mated to an intelligent variable transmission (IVT). The IVT continuously shifts the gears, which allows power to get to the wheels much quicker than standard automatic transmission. The IVT controls the pressure of the transmission’s pulley system and adjusts according to the driving conditions and input from the driver. This quick power transfer to the wheels results in a smooth and responsive drive, giving the driver one of the best driving experiences available.
The 2.6-liter turbocharged engine is paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT). The DCT connects directly to the engine, not through an intermediary torque converter like standard automatic engines. By having the transmission connected directly to the engine and two sets of gearboxes, one for even gears and one for odd gears, it produces short shift times, improving performance and fuel efficiency. The next gear gets preselected in the other gearbox, which logically corresponds to very rapid shift times, offering increased performance, even over the IVT.
Available Trims
Five trim levels are available for the 2022 Kia Seltos: the LX, S, EX, Nightfall Edition, and SX. The trim levels on the Seltos tend to be progressive, meaning as you go higher up the trim levels, you’ll find all the features of previous trims plus some extra or upgraded features. Trim features include:
2022 Kia Seltos LX
First, the base LX has features such as 17-inch wheels, all-wheel drive, tinted rear windows, keyless entry, an 8-inch touch screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, a six-speaker audio system, and a USB port.
In addition, the Kia Seltos has several standard safety and driver assistance features. A lane departure warning alerts the driver if the vehicle starts to depart its lane. If sensors detect an imminent collision, applying the brakes when applicable, forward collision mitigation offers an auditory warning. The lane-keeping assist helps you by guiding the car back into the current lane if the vehicle begins departing it. Automatic high beams brighten and dim automatically with oncoming traffic. The driver attention warning ensures you’re alert and your eyes are on the road.
2022 Kia Seltos S
The S trim has front-wheel drive as the standard drivetrain, but all-wheel drive is available to help navigate rugged terrain and environmental conditions. Standard features for the S include fog lights, roof rails, LED daytime running lights and taillights, heated outside mirrors, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, cloth and simulated leather upholstery, a navigation system, and satellite radio. You also get a 10.25-inch touchscreen, a rear center armrest, and automatic climate control with rear vents. A two-tone paint job is also available for the S, offering a unique look that turns heads as you pass others on the road.
2022 Kia Seltos EX
The EX features all-wheel drive as the standard drive train. It also gives you proximity keyless entry with a push-button start, a sunroof, heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, full simulated leather upholstery, and a wireless phone charger. Safety and driver-assistance features include a blind-spot monitor with a rear cross-traffic alert that provides an auditory and visual warning if it senses another vehicle in your blind spot while backing up or changing lanes.
2022 Kia Seltos Nightfall Edition
The Nightfall Edition breaks a bit from the incremental trim level pattern seen up to now because it doesn’t build off the features of the EX. It is a blacked-out version of the Seltos for a unique appearance. You get the 1.6-liter turbocharged engine with seven-speed automatic transmission, giving you peak performance for the 2022 Kia Seltos lineup.
2022 Kia Seltos SX
The SX is the top-of-the-line trim for the 2022 Kia Seltos and builds off the EX by adding the turbocharged engine and the larger wheels from the Nightfall Edition. On top of that, it has LED headlights, a Bose premium audio system, an upgraded driver information display, a cargo cover, and a sports steering wheel. You can also enjoy adaptive cruise control that adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the Seltos and the car in front and a lane-keeping system that makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane.
When you’re ready to take the 2022 Kia Seltos out for a test drive to experience the performance and engine specifications, contact the sales team at Huffines Kia McKinney. You can find us at 1201 N. Central Expressway in McKinney, Texas, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. Call us at 469-525-4400 or complete our secure online form to start today.