When people talk about the Kia Seltos, the focus often falls on its design, trims, or engine options. But these days, there’s another layer that’s drawing attention, and it’s connected car features. These include voice commands, app-based controls, remote engine start, air purifier control, and a range of safety and convenience tech that the brand has packed into the SUV.
The important question, though, is not whether these features exist. The real test is simple: are they useful when you’re driving in India every single day, or are they just nice to read about in a brochure?
Why Connected Features Matter in India?
Driving in India isn’t straightforward. Office runs in crowded cities mean endless jams, frequent diversions, and aggressive traffic behaviour. Add to that tight parking spaces in malls or residential complexes, and it becomes clear that connected features aren’t luxuries; they can genuinely save time and reduce stress.
For people juggling long commutes, late-night drives, or weekend trips, the Kia Seltos aims to take away some of those small but nagging irritations. Remote commands, navigation support, and live alerts may not make traffic move faster, but they can make the whole experience a little smoother.
Key Connected Car Features in the Kia Seltos
Below are some of the connected car features of the car:
1. Remote Access via App
Through Kia Connect, you can start the engine, pre-cool the cabin before stepping in, and even check if the doors are locked. Imagine finishing a long day at Cyberhub in Gurugram; stepping into a cool cabin instead of a car that’s been baking in the summer heat is not just comfort, it’s relief.
2. Voice Recognition
The system allows you to control music, navigation, calls, and even some in-car settings using natural speech. While some may feel it’s a gimmick, the truth is, being able to change routes or adjust climate control without taking your hands off the wheel does add safety.
3. Live Vehicle Tracking and Safety Alerts
Parents often like this feature because you can track the car’s location in real time. There are also geo-fencing alerts, applicable if you lend your car to someone and want to know if it leaves a certain zone. For city driving, these alerts add a layer of assurance.
4. Over-the-Air Updates
Instead of visiting the service centre for every small software tweak, the Seltos updates its system over the air. For a tech-savvy audience, this keeps the infotainment and safety systems current without downtime.
5. AI Voice Assistance and Alexa Integration
Kia has also added AI-based assistance and integration with Alexa. For daily use, this means you can connect your digital ecosystem at home with the car; something as simple as checking fuel levels through your smart speaker before leaving for work.
How These Features Help in Daily Life
- Traffic and Navigation: Real-time updates and voice commands make it easier to reroute without fiddling with the screen.
- Parking Stress: Remote engine start and remote AC mean you’re stepping into a more comfortable cabin even if your car’s stuck in an open lot.
- Safety Net: Live alerts, immobilisation in emergencies, and SOS functions give peace of mind during late-night drives.
- Maintenance Ease: OTA updates keep the car’s tech relevant for years without extra visits to the workshop.
Do They Really Add Value or Just Sound Fancy?
It depends on how you use your car. If your runs are short and limited to quieter towns, you may not use half of these features regularly. But in bigger cities, where jams, heat, and unpredictable conditions are part of everyday driving, these connected systems are not gimmicks. They genuinely save time and effort.
In other words, the Kia Seltos connected features feel practical for daily Indian use, especially for young professionals who want convenience layered with safety.
Other Practical Features That Support Connected Tech
- Air Purifier with Virus and Bacteria Protection: A relevant addition for Indian urban air conditions.
- Smart Pure Air and cabin quality sensors help when you’re driving through polluted areas.
- Surround Safety with ADAS features (in higher trims) adds forward collision avoidance, lane keep assist, and blind spot monitoring; all linked with connected tech.
- Multiple Drive Modes (Eco/Normal/Sport) tie in with connected car settings, giving you flexibility for different driving conditions.
Kia Seltos Specification Snapshot
| Category | Details |
| Engines | 1.5L Smartstream Petrol, 1.5L Turbo GDi Petrol, 1.5L CRDi VGT Diesel |
| Transmission | 6MT, IVT, 7DCT, 6AT, iMT options |
| Drive System | 2WD |
| Suspension | Front: McPherson strut with coil spring; Rear: Coupled torsion beam axle |
| Brakes | Disc (front and rear) |
| Tyres | R16, R17, or R18 alloy/steel wheels, depending on variant |
| Seating | 5-seater |
| Boot Space | 433 litres |
| Safety | 15 standard features, including 6 airbags, ABS, ESC, HAC, VSM, parking sensors |
| Connected Features | Remote app access, voice recognition, live tracking, OTA updates, Alexa/AI assistant |
Conclusion
Bold styling, a variety of engine options, and connected car technology that transcends gimmicks are all combined in the Kia Seltos. Some features might seem overly complicated to casual users, but for the typical city professional, they provide ease, safety, and convenience on a daily basis.
Therefore, when examining the Seltos, don’t focus solely on the mileage or trims. Examine the ways in which the linked systems can reduce minor stressors, keep your drives safer, and save you time in traffic. That practicality is precisely what makes a difference in Indian conditions.
