KIA SELTOS : New Feature Update 2020 | Not a Facelift.

KIA SELTOS 2020 

Kia Seltos was firstly unveiled on June 2019 in India. Since it's launch on August 22nd 2019, Seltos has dominated the compact SUV segment in India defeating the conqueror Creta. It's not even a year since it's launch and here we see updates in the Kia Seltos. No it's not the next generation of Kia Seltos nor it is a facelift. Than what is it ?

So it is just basically feature update in order to maintain the car much competitive in the market. What I'm trying to say is that Kia  has given a lot of new features in the new Seltos. The reason of giving the new features is the facelifted new Hyundai Creta. In the Auto Expo 2020, Hyundai unveiled new facelift Creta.

As we all know that the parent company of Kia motors is Hyundai. In other words Hyundai owns Kia, that's the reason the new Creta and Seltos shares a lot of components. For example, Seltos and the new Creta are made on the same platform, not only that both the cars uses the same engines but also uses same internal components. Due to this both the cars are getting two similar on paper and I think  that's the reason to add more features in the Seltos in order to showcase it as a slightly higher level car.

So let's see what are the new features :-

Emergency Stop Signal

The Kia Seltos now gets Emergency Stop Signal which means that , if the car is been driven over 55 kmph and suddenly the brakes are applied hardly than the Emergency Stop Signal detects emergency braking and flashes rear lights frequently to alert vehicles coming from behind.

Sunroof in HTX and GTX variant

Earlier the HTX and GTX variants where not offered with sunroof. But now these two variants also gets sunroof. And now 4 variants gets sunroof HTX , HTX+ , GTX and GTX+ variant.

Remote Engine Start in all AMT ( AT, DCT and IVT)

Earlier the car got a remote key but it didn't had the option to start the car from outside the car with just pressing a button in the key fob. But now Kia has added this feature in the car by adding a new button on the key fob. As this is a premium feature, Kia has just offered it with the automatic transmission variants only , which mean the feature would be available in HTK+, HTX, HTX+ and GTX+ variants.

UVO app with Smartwatch connectivity

Now the UVO app supports Smartwatch connectivity. This app basically helps to controll various aspects of the infotainment screen and others. It's the app for connected car features. And now the UVO app comes with Smartwatch connectivity.

Dual Muffler Design in HTK+ variant

One thing that makes Kia Seltos a much aggressive car is it's rear bumper's dual Muffler design. But unfortunately, it was not available in lower variants. But with this new update Kia has given the HTK+ variant a minor visual change. The Seltos HTK+ variant now comes with dual Muffler design with chrome finish as well as the interior also features a glossy black panel on the dashboard.

Other Changes in Features

Earlier the base variants of HT and GT line didn't get USB port for charging. This problem is solved now, with the update Kia has give USB port for charging in front and rear across all variants, which means it's standard now.
There are new interior changes too , such as the voice commands has been upgraded and now you can give commands by saying "Hello Kia". The HTX and HTX+ variants now come with brush metal finish on the A/C vents and new metal scuff plates with the branding of Seltos.
The GTX+ variant now gets all black interior which was earlier available in GTX variant.
There are some paint scheme changes too. Earlier Dual tone colour scheme was only offered in HTK, GTK and GTX variants, but now it is available in top variant which are HTX+ and GTX+.

Price and Variant Changes.

The updates in Seltos are not just limited to features, there are changes in variant as well as pricing too.
Earlier Kia Seltos was available in 8 variants which were HTE, HTK,HTK+, HTX, HTX+, GTK, GTX+ and a GTX with 7 speed DCT. But now Kia has discontinued the GTK and GTX with 7 speed DCT.
Not only that there is a price hike in all the variants but still the car starts from same price which is Rs 9.89 lakhs - 16.89 lakhs. But there are price hike of about Rs 10,000 to 30,000 depending on various Variants and models.

READ ABOUT KIA SELTOS DETAILS AND SPECIFICATIONS

Conclusion

According to me, considering the price hike the Seltos has become much value for money, with the added features the car is ready to compete in the market again. What are your thoughts ? Should the Hyundai Creta fear these feature updates?