2022 Kia Seltos gets more standard safety kit and new Nightfall trim

By Alvin Reyes/May 31, 2021 10:21 am EST

The 2022 Kia Seltos is getting the Nightfall treatment similar to its larger Telluride sibling. With base prices starting at $27,865, 2022 Seltos Nightfall Edition AWD slots below the top-of-the-line Seltos SX AWD, priced at $29,165. All prices are inclusive of $1,175 destination fees.

Both the Nightfall Edition and SX AWD have a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, sending power to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

Meanwhile, Seltos Nightfall Edition has custom 18-inch matte black alloy wheels, a blacked-out front grille, roof rails, and more rugged side sills. On the other hand, Seltos SX AWD has a flat-bottom steering wheel and an optional Plum interior.

Standard on all trim models of the 2022 Kia Seltos is a comprehensive list of advanced safety features like forward collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, lane departure warning, lane following assist, high beam assist, and a driver attention warning system.

The base 2022 Seltos LX AWD starts at $23,665 and is $500 more than last year's model, while the Seltos S begins at $23,865 (FWD) and $25,365 (AWD), respectively. Standard features in the S FWD and AWD include navigation with a 10.25-inch infotainment display, automatic climate control, UVO link connectivity, and remote start.

The 2022 Kia Seltos EX AWD starts at $26,965. The Seltos LX, S, and EX all get a standard 2.0-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine with 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. Kia's innovative Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) is also common with the 2.0-liter engine.

Also, last year's Turbo trim gets the ax in favor of the all-new Nightfall Edition. Editor-in-chief Vincent Nguyen drove the Kia Seltos the previous year, and it proved to be a worthy competitor to the Honda HR-V and Toyota CH-R. "It's a competitive segment, but at the end of the day, the Seltos manages to give the impression of getting a lot more car for just a little more money," said Nguyen.

However, what held the Seltos back is the lack of advanced safety kit in the lower-trim models, but not anymore. The 2022 Kia Seltos continues to make a compelling argument for a sharp-looking and nice-driving small crossover.