Before I delve into my impressions of the 2024 Kia Seltos GT-Line, brandishing a new 1.5 T-GDI petrol engine, I want to talk about road safety. Because, whether you’re in a 2024 Kia Seltos GT-Line or any other car, road safety is top of mind for consumers. Nevertheless, studies the world over tell an interesting story when it comes to this particular topic. You might imagine the constant evolution of our roads is a good thing, a safe thing, the best thing. Wider, bigger and smoother roads are better. Not so?
Interestingly, reflectors and chevrons are proven to increase average speeds on roads. As does smooth, new tarmac, as does well sign-posted sections warning motorists of conditions ahead. The absolute perfect example of what these studies talk about is the newly refurbished Bainskloof Pass outside Wellington. Bainskloof Pass was originally opened to the public in 1853. It cost £50 000 to build some 170-years ago. An unthinkable cost back then, equivalent to R133 million in today’s money. Now, the pass has been refurbished yet again by the Western Cape Government at a cost R317 million.
ROAD SAFETY
Thomas Bains’ original Magna opus to road building was blown out of sheer rock-face with tons of dynamite. And reputedly took the lives of tens of Prisoners of War (POWs) who built it – it’s no wonder it has a reputation of being intimidating. However, 2024 Kia Seltos GT-Line or not, the vast majority of motorists don’t even consider it a viable thoroughfare over the mountains anymore. And, when you think about it, how safe is a road that’s reputation is so intimidating that you won’t even drive it? That’s the very definition of ‘safe’. You can’t crash off the side of Bainskloof Pass if you decided to take the Huguenot Tunnel instead.
This recent upgrade, however, means you might once again consider using it. And, if you do, you’ll be going faster on it than ever before because it’s absolutely wonderful. Very fast at the base on the Wellington side through the forest, with all its shiny, smooth bitumen. Big, new concrete crash structures halfway up the pass as you clear the tree line will massage your ego, egg you on to go that little bit faster. And by the time you reach the lookout point and start your descent you’ll be blown away by the work that’s gone into this feat of civil engineering. On the down run towards Ceres, however, you will encounter the infamous ‘Bain’s tombstones’, as they’re known. These used to be the only thing separating a motorist from the precipitous valley below. Instantly, I guarantee you’ll slow your pace down. You so, easier is faster, difficult is safer. That’s the strange dichotomy of road safety in action.
2024 KIA SELTOS GT-LINE
In practice, the new Kia Seltos GT-Line is the best possible proponent of this point. And don’t misunderstand me. I’m not saying the refreshingly sprightly 1.5-litre T-GDI is fast and easy, and therefore unsafe. Nope. Quite the opposite, in fact. I’m saying that by the same rationale, its fresh turn of speed only adds to an already stellar list of active and passive safety features. Sure, there’s the obvious stuff like six airbags, traction control and ABS brakes with EBD.
However, the active, semi-autonomous driver aids available on this relatively middling family crossover are incredible for the money. We’re talking about adaptive cruise control to pace you with the car ahead. Active steering to keep you in your lane at all times. And blindspot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert, so you’re as aware of what’s happening behind you as you are in front. Best of all, these systems are calibrated brilliantly. They work just as well as they might in a million-Rand-plus premium car.
QUICK STICKS
Then we get to the 2024 Kia Seltos GT-Line and its surprising turn of speed. The 1.5-litre T-GDI-equipped crossover gets from A to B quick enough that it doesn’t just massage your ego. Flick the drive mode rotor in the centre console into Sport and you’re all of a sudden in a world of sharp steering and darting throttle response. Zero to 100 km/h comes up in 8.9 seconds – which officially classifies it as quick. Anything faster than a 9.0-second sprint to 100 km/h earns that right.
While throttle and transmission response can be a tad jerky at town speeds, in Sport, acceleration is at least immediate and effective. This latest engine from the Korean firm powered by fossil fuels only makes an impressive 118 kW and 253 Nm of torque. Also, it must have a big fuel tank because it claims a cruising range of 800 km even as my average fuel consumption settled on 8.0 l/100 km for the trip (not the 6.2 l/100 km as claimed). I have no doubt if you leave it in Eco mode you could pull overall consumption closer to claimed. But it’s such a hoot to drive.
THE VERDICT
As the 2024 Kia Seltos GT-Line ticks itself cool at the summit of Bainskloof Pass, overlooking the picturesque town of Wellington and beyond, I return to my musings on road safety. In 1949, Du Toit’s Kloof Pass near Paarl became the new preferred route to connect the Western Cape to the interior. And again, in 1988, the Huguenot Tunnel surpassed even that. As a result, Bainskloof may seem like a relic left in the wake of modernity’s inscrutable progress.
But it’s so much more than that. It’s a road that doesn’t wrap you in kid gloves, hide you away from the action and tell you everything’s going to be okay. Much like the 2024 Kia Seltos GT-Line, it has all the latest safety gubbins, but it keeps you involved in the process. Your mind is clear and you’re not distracted by anything else. That makes it safer than all the chevrons, cat’s eyes and smooth tarmac in the world. I highly recommend taking a drive out to Wellington the next time you can to experience this wonderfully engineering piece of road.
THE FIGURES
- 2024 Kia Seltos GT-Line 1.5 T-GDI
- Engine: 1.5-litre turbo petrol
- Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto
- Power: 118 kW
- Torque: 253 Nm
- 0-100 km/h: 8.9 seconds
- Top speed: 195 km/h
- Tyres: JK Tyre 215/55 R18
- Consumption: 8.0 l/100 km (tested) / 6.2 l/100 km (claimed/combined)
- Price: R626 995
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