The 2023 Kia Seltos pushes the boundaries of versatility for a subcompact SUV. The Seltos was just introduced in 2021, and it gets few changes from the 2022 model year into the current 2023 model.

Trims for the Seltos are LX, S, EX, Nightfall Edition, and SX. Standard equipment on the LX trim includes 17-inch alloy wheels, remote keyless entry, 60/40 split-folding rear seats, a USB port, Bluetooth connectivity, and a six-speaker stereo. It also comes standard with Kia’s easy-to-use UVO infotainment system, which live in an 8-inch touchscreen and includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Moving up to the S trim adds integrated roof rails, fog lights, chrome exterior accents, and upgraded cloth-and-synthetic-leather seating. The S trim also adds push-button start, remote start, two more USB ports, and automatic climate control.

The EX trim adds heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, and synthetic leather upholstery. It also adds a sunroof and wireless device charging and upgrades the infotainment system to a 10.2-inch touchscreen with navigation.

The Nightfall Edition gains an upgraded powertrain and unique styling elements, but it loses the sunroof, power-adjustable driver’s seat, and wireless device charging from the EX trim. The range-topping SX trim adds LED headlights and an eight-speaker stereo.

The base engine in the 2023 Kia Seltos is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that makes 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. Power is routed through an eight-speed automatic transmission to standard front-wheel drive (FWD) or to available all-wheel drive (AWD). (Adding AWD to the S trim for $1,500 will also get you heated front seats.) The SX trim and Nightfall Edition come equipped with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine which puts out 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. Power is routed through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission to AWD.

The 2.0-liter engine with FWD returns fuel economy of 29 mpg city, 35 highway, and 31 combined. With AWD, this engine returns 27 mpg city, 31 highway, 29 combined. The 1.6-liter turbo engine and AWD setup returns 25 mpg city, 30 highway, and 27 combined.

Despite its small footprint, the 2023 Seltos provides two rows of spacious seating and up to 62.6 cubic feet of cargo space. With the rear seats in use, the Seltos still provides 26.6 cubic feet of cargo space.

The Seltos comes standard with an assortment of modern driver-assistance features, including forward collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, and driver-drowsiness monitoring. The S trim adds blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The SX trim adds cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, and lane-centering assist.

Base MSRP for the 2023 Kia Seltos is $23,140 for the LX. The S trim starts at $23,190, and the EX starts at $26,440. The Nightfall Edition starts at $23,340, and the range-topping SX starts at $28,640. The Kia Seltos is backed by a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.