Kia Seltos vs Forthing Taikon 5

What's the difference?

Kia’s updated Seltos is more expensive than the previous version but it's better as well.

The entry grade no longer has hubcaps and gets alloy wheels, all grades have directional air vents in the second row, the jerky dual-clutch auto is gone and an excellent regular eight-speed auto has arrived, plus there’s more safety tech and modern displays screens.

What hasn’t changed is the Seltos’s size. It’s a big, small SUV, that’s easy to park in tight spaces but roomy inside even for tall, awkward humans like me. 

The sweet spot in the range is the Sport+ with the 1.6-litre engine, if only it had the LED headlights that only come on the GT-Line.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with meals provided.

Forthing remains something of an unknown quantity in Australia, but this first look at the Taikon 5 on local roads is promising.

It’s a modest mid-size SUV that’s priced accordingly and if you’re not a car person this will likely be enough to get people into a showroom.

Compared to most of its rivals it’s surprisingly pleasant and nice to drive, which is not something you can say about many first attempts.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer with travel and meals provided.