Striking balance

6 months 8 213 km 8,02 L/100 km

+ attention-getting looks; punchy engine

- occasionally sluggish transmission pick-up

The elderly couple cheerily waving to me as they ambled along the promenade after a lengthy chat about the Seltos made it number six for the first weekend I’d been piloting the newest addition to Kia’s crossover line-up. Before them were an affluent-looking couple who brought their vigorous morning jog to a screeching halt to fawn over the stylish Kia; a surfer who wanted to see if he could shoehorn his board into the back (folding the rear seats and front-passenger seatback could just about manage the task); and a skateboarding matriculant who brandished his cellphone for a couple of pictures before scudding along the pavement and bidding farewell with a laconic, “, !” Well, at least the Seltos felt cool after that exchange...