Newfoundland Winter Ahead: How to Get an All-Wheel-Drive 2027 Kia Seltos Ready for Snow
October 30 2026,
Snow season has a way of arriving all at once. One week the roads are clear, and the next you are brushing off the windshield before sunrise. If you drive an all-wheel-drive 2027 Kia Seltos, you already have a strong start. A little preparation now makes the first big storm a lot easier.
This guide walks you through a simple prep plan for your AWD Seltos: tires, visibility, cabin comfort and the AWD features that help when the snow piles up. Most of it takes less than an afternoon.
Know Which Seltos You Have
The 2027 Seltos lineup has six configurations, and five of them are all-wheel drive. The LX comes in FWD and AWD versions. The EX, EX Premium, X-Line and X-Line Limited are AWD only.
The EX and EX Premium use a 2.0 L 4-cylinder engine with 147 hp and 132 lb-ft, paired with Kia’s Intelligent Variable Transmission. The X-Line and X-Line Limited use a 1.6 L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with 190 hp and 195 lb-ft, paired with an 8-speed automatic. Every AWD Seltos includes a locking differential and Drive Mode Select.
Step 1: Get the Right Winter Tires On
Tires are the most important part of any snow plan. Your AWD Seltos can send power to all four wheels, but braking and steering depend on grip. Winter tires stay softer in the cold and use tread designed for snow and slush.
Match your winter set to your trim’s wheels:
|
Trim |
Wheels |
Factory Tire Size |
|
LX AWD |
16-inch alloy |
Check your tire placard |
|
EX and EX Premium |
18-inch alloy |
215/55R18 |
|
X-Line and X-Line Limited |
19-inch alloy |
235/45R19 |
Kia’s guidance for its AWD models is to run four tires of the same size and type, since AWD performance depends on tire condition. Kia also recommends rotating tires every 10,000 km and checking pressure monthly when the tires are cold.
Step 2: Check Your Visibility Gear
Clear glass and working lights matter more when daylight is short. Every 2027 Seltos already has helpful equipment for this:
- Heated back glass with a timer clears the rear window without leaving it on all trip.
- Heated side-view mirrors help keep frost and ice off your view of the lanes beside you.
- Heated washer nozzles help keep washer spray flowing on cold mornings.
- Automatic headlights and High Beam Assist handle the lights so you can focus on the road.
Before the snow arrives, replace worn wiper blades and fill up with a winter-rated washer fluid. The X-Line Limited adds rain-sensing wipers, and both X-Line trims add LED fog lights.
Step 3: Set Up Your Cold-Morning Comfort
Every Seltos comes with heated front seats and a remote car starter, so you can start warming the cabin before you leave the house. The EX and above add a heated steering wheel and automatic dual-zone climate control with a rear auto window defogger. The EX Premium and both X-Line trims add heated second-row seats, which your back-seat passengers will appreciate.
Kia Connect is standard as well. Set up the app now, so remote features are ready on the first cold morning.
Step 4: Get to Know Your AWD Features
The AWD system sends power where it is needed when wheels start to slip. That helps when you pull away from a snowy curb or climb a slick hill.
The locking differential is a tool for low-speed moments, like working free of a snowbank at the end of the driveway. Your owner’s manual explains exactly how and when it works on your Seltos. Hill-assist Control helps hold the vehicle when you start on an incline, and Downhill Brake Control helps manage your speed on steep, slippery descents.
With 160 mm of minimum ground clearance on EX and X-Line models, the Seltos is well suited to snowy side streets and parking lots.
Step 5: Pack a Small Winter Kit
Keep a few basics in the cargo area: a snow brush, a small shovel, gloves, a blanket and a phone charger. AWD Seltos models carry a temporary spare tire, so check its pressure along with the other four.
Key Takeaways
|
Prep Item |
What to Do |
|
Winter tires |
Four matching tires sized to your trim |
|
Tire care |
Check pressure monthly when cold, rotate every 10,000 km |
|
Visibility |
New wipers, winter washer fluid, check lights |
|
Comfort |
Set up Kia Connect and the remote car starter |
|
AWD features |
Learn the locking differential and Drive Mode Select |
|
Winter kit |
Brush, shovel, blanket, gloves, charger |
Get Winter-Ready at Gander Kia
A bit of prep now saves stress when the first storm hits. The service team at Gander Kia in Gander can help you pick the right winter tires for your Seltos trim, check your wipers and lights, and answer questions about your AWD system. Book a visit before the snow settles in, and start the season with your Seltos ready to go.
To learn more about the 2027 Kia Seltos, visit Kia.ca
