- the 2021 kia seltos is kia's entry into the subcompact crossover segment for the entry-level suv shopper.
- the seltos slots in between kia's soul and sportage.
- the seltos is on sale now and starts at just over $23,000.
what's the connection between a brightly colored subcompact crossover from kia and an nfl rookie? kia stretches the point but ultimately gets there in a commercial with the theme #giveiteverything, which is paired with a short documentary. the subject, besides the kia seltos crossover, is nfl rookie josh jacobs of the las vegas raiders.
the kia ads tell a harrowing but ultimately heartwarming story about jacobs's difficult path to the nfl, which included periods of struggling with family difficulties and homelessness that saw him and his father sleeping in a chevrolet suburban occasionally. "life is full of decisions; you have choices to make," says his former middle-school coach in the documentary. "every decision that you make can change your life forever."
the seltos is only one of two new entries from kia in the crossover category: the other is the 2020 telluride, a well-received new suv and a c/d 10best winner. the seltos slots in between the soul and the sportage with 26.6 cubic feet of cargo space compared with 24.2 cubic feet for the soul and 30.7 for the sportage.
the subcompact crossover segment has enjoyed a growing popularity similar to that of suvs as a whole. from 2015 to 2018, sales grew from just over 410,000 to nearly 785,000 in the united states. the seltos is kia's entrance into this specific segment, and it rounds out the smaller and mid-size offerings from the korean manufacturer.
compact and subcompact crossovers are a growing segment. subaru first came out with the crosstrek for 2013, jeep introduced the renegade for 2015, and mazda just recently unveiled the cx-30 for 2020.
it goes without saying that if the people want it, the manufacturer will be sure to get it in their hands.