Rent Kia Seltos 2022 in Dubai

If most of your week is school runs, mall trips and the odd dash to the airport, the Kia Seltos 2022 covers it without costing much to run. We rent it in Dubai from age 18, where a lot of the market still starts at 21, and hand it over at your door inside two hours. It's a compact crossover, so you get a higher seat, a usable boot and 190 mm of clearance for speed bumps, without the bulk or the fuel bill of a full-size SUV. The decision this page helps with is straightforward: which engine to take, and whether this is enough car for your trip.

The running-cost case

This is the Seltos at its best. A 50-litre tank and real-world economy in the low double digits per litre means a normal week of city driving goes by on roughly one fill, and our extra-distance charge of 1 AED per kilometre is among the gentler ones if you do clock up the miles. For anyone driving a lot inside the city, it's a cheap car to keep moving.

It also feels a class above its running cost from the driver's seat. The cabin is quiet for the money, the touchscreen is easy to live with, and the raised ride height gives you the commanding view that makes Dubai's wide junctions less stressful.

Which engine to take

We rent the Seltos in two forms, and they suit different drivers. The 1.4 turbo with 138 hp and the seven-speed dual-clutch box is the one to take if you spend time on Sheikh Zayed Road, because it has the muscle for confident overtakes. Its only quirk is the occasional hesitation from a standstill in heavy traffic, which is normal for this type of gearbox.

The 1.6 with 121 hp and a conventional six-speed automatic is smoother at crawling pace and a little slower overall. If your driving is almost entirely city errands, it's the easier companion. Highway commuters should pick the turbo; pure city drivers are well served by the 1.6.

Space, boot and speed bumps

Four adults fit without complaint, and the boot takes two large suitcases plus a soft bag, which covers an airport run for a small family. The middle rear seat is a short-trip perch rather than a full-time spot, as it is in most cars this size.

The 190 mm of ground clearance is the quiet hero of daily Dubai driving. It clears aggressive speed bumps, sandy kerbs and steep parking ramps that have low sedans wincing, without making the car feel tall or tippy.

Cooling, Salik and parking

The air conditioning is modern and strong, with rear vents and quick cool-down, and the compact cabin chills fast even after a spell in direct sun. Higher trims add ventilated front seats, which are a genuine treat in July. Being small and easy to place, the Seltos slots into tight bays and handles U-turns without drama. As with any rental, Salik tolls and any RTA fines during your trip are yours to settle.

The verdict

Rent the Seltos if you're one to four people wanting a comfortable, cheap-to-run crossover for city life with the occasional road trip thrown in. It's the sensible middle ground: more space and clearance than a hatchback, far less cost and bulk than a big SUV.

It's not the car for everything. If you're heading into real desert or carrying six or more people and their luggage, size up to a proper 4x4 or a full-size SUV. For the daily reality of Dubai driving, though, the Seltos is hard to argue with.