Different Markets, Different Priorities
Car companies love to (have to?) play mix-and-match with their models, depending on the market. Take the US, for example, where we get those mandatory amber side markers. Other countries have their own quirks and wish lists – such as China, where consumers want bigger screens, more apps, and the most advanced tech.
The just-launched Chinese Kia Seltos is the best example of that. Sure, it still rocks that boxy shape we came to know stateside, but it’s a whole different story inside. Kia didn’t just slap on some local apps and call it a day. The automaker basically gutted the cabin and rebuilt it to impress, giving it an interior that could pass for a high-end EV.
Kia
A High-Tech Cabin
The biggest change? You can’t miss it. Forget the US model’s dual screens – the Chinese Seltos gets a wild 27-inch panoramic display that runs nearly the full width of the dash. Even your front passenger gets in on the action.
China’s Seltos also uses a Snapdragon 8295P chip – the kind you usually find in fancy Chinese EVs. Kia claims it’s good for buttery-smooth animations, lightning-fast touch response, and split-screen multitasking. You also get Baidu Maps and Gaode for navigation, iQiyi for streaming videos, and even a built-in KTV karaoke app and an onboard AI assistant.
The layout isn’t the same, either. Instead of the usual gear shifter hogging the center console, you get a steering-column-mounted shifter, which frees up more space for your stuff between the seats.
And it’s not just about screens and apps. The Chinese Seltos also gets Level 2 driver assists, including Remote Smart Parking Assist. That means you can park the car in a tight spot just by pressing a button on your key fob – no need to squeeze in yourself.
Kia
More Power Under the Hood
Outside, you’d be hard-pressed to spot the difference, aside from the amber DRLs on the US version. The real story is what’s hiding under the hood.
China’s top Seltos gets a 1.5-liter turbo four with 197 horsepower and 187 lb-ft of torque, hooked up to an eight-speed automatic. That’s a bit more power than the American Seltos X-Line SX, which makes 190 hp and 195 lb-ft. Both get the same 8-speed auto, so you’re not missing out on gears either way.
So, if you could actually pick, which one would you go for: the American Seltos or the tech-loaded Chinese version?
Kia
