MSRP: Starts at $24,990; As tested: $35,755 (plus delivery) for the X-Line SX all-wheel-drive model, including a long list of optional equipment.
Under the hood: choice of 147-hp base engine, 190-hp turbocharged engine or a new hybrid powertrain coming soon.
Manufacturing site: Korea.
What's new: Kia took its popular family-sized Telluride and shrunk it for more price-conscious buyers.
Besides the similar styling cues, lots of other features trickle down from Telluride, including more tech features, with optional streaming services, and extra crash-avoidance technologies.
Premium features include larger touchscreens, an available panoramic sunroof and surround-view cameras.
What I loved: The baby Telluride, with its chiseled, boxy design, seems very of-the-moment. Inside, the interior is just as modern, lending a distinct upscale feel to what is basically a small, entry-level SUV.
What I didn't love: The only way to get the more powerful turbocharged engine is to buy the high-end X-Line SX trim, which sends the attractive starting price quite a bit higher.
The bottom line: $35,000 seems like a lot to pay for a small SUV, but when you consider all that Kia has packed into the Seltos, it's a pretty good value.
I test-drive vehicles in my role as a juror for the North American Car and Truck of the Year awards. Opinions are my own.
