Kia Seltos

For the second generation of the Seltos, Kia has chosen to NOT rewrite the formula. In my books, that’s a good thing. This SUV changed the rules of the compact SUV game when it first debuted in 2019, and the new Seltos 2026 simply pushes things up a notch. 

Prices for the Seltos have been announced and it ranges from Rs 10.99 lakh to Rs 19.99 lakh (check full price list here). If you want to consider bringing one home, you would be happy to know that bookings are already underway. The new Seltos has also started arriving at dealerships and deliveries are now underway. Now, let’s take a deep dive into what has changed and what hasn’t, and why the final result is an SUV we’d recommend without thinking twice. 

Kia has stretched the boundaries of the segment, literally and figuratively. The new Seltos is 95mm longer, 30mm wider and has a wheelbase that’s stretched by 80mm too. Out in the real world, it ups the Seltos’ road presence quotient while giving you the ‘big SUV’ feel. Check this article to see how the Seltos stacks up against its rivals in terms of size.

Design is very likely to split opinions however. Viewed from the front, there’s an obvious influence from the Kia Telluride in the way the lighting elements are split. I prefer the older generations’ clean, almost Euro-car like styling, but there’s no denying that this new Seltos design is sure to get people noticing and talking. 

It’s dominated by a large ‘digital tiger face’, which is Kia code for a large gloss-black grille. The squared-off tail lamps look refreshingly retro and have two horizontal LED projectors for the low and high beam and vertical strips of light that act as the daytime running lamps. There’s another separate lighting element towards the side that functions both as the DRL as well as the turn indicator. With the Seltos new generation, Kia has also added a welcome animation for the front lamps when you unlock. The design is the Seltos has evolved significantly compared to the previous version.

The large bumper is dominated by gloss black cladding and a faux-skid plate. In the GT Line versions (pictured here), the bumpers get some sporty body coloured trims to help it stand out. The LED fog lamps are pushed out to the edges and have a bright white light output. 

You’d notice that the bonnet is now raised and looks a lot more muscular and powerful than before. I also particularly like the minimal use of chrome on the front. It keeps the Seltos 2026 from looking gaudy. 

Viewed from the side, the Seltos’ larger length (and slightly lower height) is visible. The design inspiration from the flagship EV9 SUV is very apparent, especially in the rake of the A-pillar and the floating roof effect achieved with the C-pillar glass. There are little details to admire here too, such as the motorised flush-fitting door handles and the mirror that rests on an extended stalk. 

The Seltos 18-inch alloy wheels (finished in a dual-tone/black depending on the trim), has an interesting design too. If you’re keen-eyed, there’s a geometry lesson hiding here in the form of various interesting shapes. Lower variants of the Seltos get 16- or 17-inch tyres. That said, the 19-inch wheels from the global model should have been considered for the Indian version. It not only suits the vehicle's size better, but also gives it a better stance. 

Seltos has smaller but significant details include the roof rails, the applique on the doors (sadly finished in scratch-prone gloss black plastic) and the trim above the windows. These little touches make the Seltos look a lot more premium. You can check out the Seltos’ design from every angle in this detailed gallery here.

From the rear, the Seltos takes the ‘family look’ a little too seriously. There’s nothing that’s unique in the Seltos’ connected lighting setup. It’s something we’ve observed in the old Seltos, Sonet, Clavis, and Clavis EV too. I like how the wide high-mount stop lamp is neatly integrated into the spoiler and how the wiper has been hidden away underneath it. A functional issue, however, is the position of the reversing lamps. It’s placed centrally on the lowest part of the bumper, making it hard to spot if you’re tailing the car in a tight mall parking, for example. 

Colour options for the Seltos include some really interesting shades (check them all out in this detailed story). These include:

• Morning Haze 

• Magma Red 

• Ivory Silver Gloss

• Pewter Olive

• Imperial Blue 

• Gravity Gray

• Aurora Black Pearl

• Glacier White Pearl

The Morning Haze shade is fun and quirky, and the rich tones of the Imperial Blue looks classy. If you want a dual-tone finish from the factory, than Seltos is available with the white and red body shades and a black roof. 

Additionally, for that stealth look, you can opt for the 2026 Seltos X Line variant, available in an exclusive Matte Graphite paint shade alongside the Aurora Black Pearl.

Design and Quality

Much like the exterior, the interior borrows heavily from the EV9. Kia has been clever in packaging the new Seltos, ensuring it’s a more practical and family friendly SUV than before. To begin with, you see an upright and compact dashboard that’s split into multiple layers. 

Kia has chosen a smooth texture for the plastic used on the dashboard. This is slightly prone to scratches and nail marks, and also makes the interior look cheaper than it actually is. A nice cross-hatch or geometric pattern (like Kia has used on the doorpads, for example), would’ve elevated the interior experience. 

A smooth leatherette finish is provided on the mid-pad, which adds a touch of premiumness. However, in our top-spec GT Line test car, the black leatherette appeared to blend into the hard plastic around it. A small contrast element, in the form of stitching or a pattern might have helped it stand out more. Other variants that have a two-tone colour scheme are sure to feel richer. 

The design has a lot of shared elements with the EV9. The ‘panoramic’ screen, the new steering-wheel, the horizontal AC vents are clean and minimal. In fact, my opinion is that it’s among the most functional interior designs in this segment. 

Front Seats

Getting in and out of the Seltos is quite easy. The doors open wide and the seats are set at a neutral height. Even the elders in the family won’t have an issue. 

If you opt for the top-spec GTX trims, you get a 10-way powered driver’s seat with two memory functions. The HTX variant gets an 8-way powered driver’s seat with a ‘relaxation’ function. Manual seat height adjustment is offered in all other trims. There’s ample travel range in the driver’s seat, and the steering wheel can be adjusted for rake and reach (available from the HTK variant onwards), making it quite convenient to find a suitable driving position. 

Much like other SUVs in this category, the ‘default’ seating position is tall. From the driver’s seat, it’s very easy to spot the edge of the bonnet. All round visibility too is uncompromised. 

The front seats themselves have a gaming chair-like design. The mesh on the headrests are comfier than they appear, and the support for the head and neck is satisfactory too. With tall seats, even those around 6 feet tall will have ample support for the shoulder, upper- and lower back. Bolstering too isn’t aggressive, meaning those who have a hefty build will feel comfortable here. 

I like that the seat cushioning is on the firmer side, making it more comfortable for longer stints behind the wheel. An interesting detail is that the rear of the seat has a plastic panel, just like luxury cars. While this makes it very convenient to clean (in case you have kids that like kicking the front seats!) it also causes discomfort for the rear occupants if their knees brush against it. 

Rear Seats

Earlier, we’d recommend the Seltos if rear seat space wasn’t a priority. With the new generation, we can very confidently say that the new model is a better family SUV. The stretch in the wheelbase has helped carve out some extra bit of kneeroom. 

With the driver’s seat set for my 5’11” height (which is all the way down and ~80% back), I had a fist-worth of kneeroom to spare. I had enough footroom and headroom, and underthigh support felt satisfactory too. 

Cabin width is also marginally better than before thanks to Kia making the door pads slimmer than before. Seating three abreast is possible for average-sized adults. The middle occupant gets a proper headrest and three-point seatbelt as well. Should you choose to use the Seltos as a four-seater, you can put down the wide central armrest. Amenities for the rear seat occupants include a recline function, sun shades and rear AC vents. 

Surprisingly, the smaller and cheaper Kia Syros features rear seat ventilation that the new Seltos skips out on. 

You can also enhance your Kia Seltos’s interior by opting for official accessories provided by the brand itself. 

Storage and Practicality

The Seltos is a supremely practical SUV. The front door pads can easily accommodate large (upto 1.5-litre) water bottles and have some space to spare. There’s more storage space in the central glovebox, and under the front armrest. For your wallet and keys, the flat tray under the climate control switches serve the purpose. Twin cupholders are provided behind the gear console. 

Rear door pads are smaller in comparison, able to accommodate only small (~750ml) bottles. There are seatback pockets and a small cubby hole under the rear AC vents to park your phone. 

Charging Options

There are a total of 5 USB type-C ports available. Three are provided for the front occupants, and there’s a port each on the shoulder of the front seats for the rear occupants. Additionally, the front occupants also get a wireless charger.

Boot Space

Bootspace of the new Kia Seltos stands at 447-litres (measured up to the roof), which is a minor 14-litre improvement compared to the previous model. The boot is wide, but shallow which limits the usage of large bags. To make the best use of the available space, I’d recommend you pack in multiple cabin-sized trolley bags. The boot can accommodate 3-4 of these bags and some space for a few soft bags to spare. 

The rear seat can be folded in a 60:40 split ration, or folded away entirely for extra luggage space.

Kia hasn’t really pushed the segment to a new level in terms of features. The older Seltos is partly to blame here as it had practically every imaginable feature, even by today’s standards. However, there are seven new interesting features, which you can check out in this detailed article.

For now, here's a quick look at the basics  

• Keyless Entry

• Push-button Start/Stop

• Automatic Headlamps

• Auto-dimming IRVM

• Dual-zone Climate Control

• 64-colour Ambient Lighting

• Panoramic Sunroof

While the Seltos is really well loaded, check out these 7 features that are missing compared to the international model.

Now let’s deep dive into the highlights: 

Front Seat Ventilation: Has three fan speed settings. Buttons are conveniently placed on the door pad. Blower isn’t particularly noisy — super useful on a warm sunny day. 

12.3-inch Digital Driver’s Display: Large screen with sharp graphics, interesting animations and configurable themes. Displays feed of the side camera when indicating. 

5-inch Climate Control Display: Not the most convenient/intuitive to use. Can select blower direction and turn front/rear defogger on. I prefer using the manual controls under the AC vents instead. 

12.3-inch Touchscreen Infotainment: High resolution screen that runs Kia’s ‘ccNC’ (connected car navigation cockpit) architecture. It supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The interface is smooth and very easy to get used to. It is also capable of receiving over-the-air (OTA) updates, which can unlock new features just like a smartphone! 

8-speaker Bose Sound System: Includes a small subwoofer in the boot. Above average output, well suited for everyday listening.

360° Camera: Crisp video feed. Functions well even in low light conditions. Dependable for parking in and out of tight spots, and driving in narrow lanes.

The Seltos is now based on Hyundai-Kia’s K3 platform, which is shared with other cars such as the Hyundai Elantra (global model) and the Hyundai Verna. Kia claims to have used high levels of advanced high strength and high strength steel to improve the safety of the Seltos. 

There’s a huge list of standard safety features too, which includes:

• 6 Airbags

• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)

• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

• Hill-start Assist Control (HAC)

• Tyre Pressure Monitoring System

• ISOFIX Child Seat Mounts

• Rear View Camera

• Reverse Parking Sensors

Higher variants get more features such as front parking sensors, and a 360° camera. 

Level 2 ADAS is available in the HTX and GTX versions. Features include adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, forward collision warning which are helpful and function as intended for highway drives. There are more helpful features such as rear cross traffic alert and safe exit warning that makes everyday driving and parking more convenient. Kia’s ADAS calibration is apt for Indian conditions, and can be relied upon for long highway drives. 

All of this has helped the Kia Seltos to achieve a perfect 5-star safety rating from Bharat NCAP. And even better is that it has got a full 5 out of 5 for both Adult and Child Occupant Protection. 

Seltos Engine Options And Performance

Kia has carried over its tried-and-tested engine options for the Seltos. 

Expectedly, not all engine-gearbox combinations are available in all Seltos variants. Check this to see if the engine option you want is available in the variant you like.

Kia Seltos 1.5 Petrol 

While I did not experience this engine on the media drive, I’ve spent enough time behind the wheel of a Creta and the older Seltos to tell you what to expect. This engine is known for its refinement and ease of driving. The engine barely makes a sound and it’s only when you push the engine hard will you hear it inside the cabin. 

The manual is known to have a light clutch, making it easy and convenient for city drives. However, for heavy city use, we’d recommend the Seltos IVT for convenience. Acceleration is smooth, if not quick. It has no problems maintaining 80-120kmph on the highway, making it suitable for relaxed highway cruises too. It is only on steep inclines and full-load conditions where performance might feel inadequate. 

If you foresee majorly city usage and occasional highway trips, the 1.5-litre petrol engine is the one to pick. You can expect between 11-13kmpl inside the city, and 15kmpl+ on the highway with sedate driving.

Kia Seltos 1.5 Turbo Petrol

The Seltos 1.5 Turbo Petrol engine is the one to pick for those who want some fun and excitement in their drives. If you enjoy picking gaps on the highway and driving enthusiastically, you will enjoy the acceleration the Seltos turbo has to offer. It zooms into triple digit speeds without any effort, and has no issues maintaining high speeds too. Even if you prod the throttle to get an overtake in at these speeds, there’s enough torque in the bank to get the job done. 

In terms of refinement too, the engine is impressive. You’d barely hear it at idle and vibrations are very well contained too. When you push it past 3000rpm, you can hear a rather enjoyable, raspy engine note. 

The DCT is quick to respond and is smooth between both upshifts and downshifts. You can also choose to take control using the paddle shifters. 

The other transmission option is a 6-speed iMT — a manual transmission that has no clutch pedal. You simply change gears as you normally would in a manual car, without having to operate a clutch pedal. For those seeking convenience without wanting to spend too much, the iMT can be considered. 

A drawback of the turbo-petrol engine is the fuel efficiency, especially in bumper-to-bumper city traffic. Don’t be surprised if you see 7-10kmpl in stop-and-go traffic. On the highway, it will be more efficient, returning between 13-16kmpl. 

Kia Seltos 1.5 Diesel

This engine is the all-rounder in the range. The highlight is the refinement which is among the best in the segment, especially for a diesel engine. In fact, till you really push the engine hard, you will be hard pressed to figure out whether there’s really a diesel engine under the bonnet. 

Performance is adequate, but not exciting. There’s a lot of torque available from low rpms, making city driving and overtaking a fuss-free affair. Even on the highway, the Seltos engine can comfortably maintain triple-digit speeds all day long. 

I drove the automatic version, which offered smooth shifts. The gearbox isn’t as quick as the DCT, but it serves the intended purpose of convenience very well. 

A major reason to pick this engine will be the fuel efficiency. You can expect 12-14kmpl for city drives, and 17-20kmpl for highway driving. 

Do note that these are first impressions based on limited time. Watch this space for in-depth reports, coming soon.

Ride Quality

Kia has solved the biggest problem with the Seltos. The stiff, bumpy ride quality issue has been solved. The new Seltos feels very comfortable over a variety of surfaces. Cushioning seems to have improved, as you feel less of the surface imperfections and bumps. Even over undulated surfaces, the Seltos now exhibits lesser vertical movement and also settles quickly. Over really broken roads, the 200mm+ ground clearance comes in handy. Also, the body does not rock about with a side-to-side motion like the old model. 

Handling

This improved, more comfortable ride has come at the cost of some sharpness in handling. There’s more body roll to be felt in Seltos, but it never gets unnerving. The steering is light enough to be convenient for city drives and parking, and weighs up enough for highway drives. However, in the corners, the steering feels vague and lacks feedback.

The new Kia Seltos is available in 9 variants: HTE, HTE (O), HTK, HTK (O), HTX, HTX (A), GTX, GTX (A) and GTX (O).

The GTX, GTX (A) and GTX (O) variants can also be had in an X-Line Styling Pack, which brings an Xclusive Matte Graphite paint along with gloss black accents, black painted 18-inch alloys and Gunmetal inserts.

Check this out for an in-depth understanding of the variant-wise feature availbility. For now, let's check the highlights of each:

HTE

• Full LED lighting setup with LED headlights, LED DRLs, and LED taillights. Gets 16-inch steel wheels with covers, flush door handles and roof-mounted spoiler.

• Features dual dual-tone black and grey cabin theme with metallic door handles and LED map lighting.

• All basics covered with manual seat height adjustment, cruise control, power windows, rear AC vents, keyless entry and electrically adjustable outside mirrors.

• Packs a 10.25-inch infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a 4.2-inch TFT MID driver’s display, and a 6-speaker sound system.

• Standard safety equipment includes 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control (ESC), hill-start assist, rear parking camera with sensors, all-wheel disc brakes, ISOFIX mounts, and tyre pressure monitoring system.

HTE (O)

• Entry-level turbo-petrol variant with 6-speed clutchless manual (iMT).

• Improved look and feel with stylised wheel covers, connected LED taillights, gloss black roof rails, and semi-leatherette black and grey seats.

• Better usability with 60:40 rear seat split, rear central armrest with cupholders, adjustable rear headrests, and seat back pockets.

• Additions like electronic parking brake with auto hold, traction control modes, drive modes and paddle shifters are limited to the automatic variants.

HTK

• Slightly sportier looks with 17-inch alloy wheels, a hidden rear wiper and automatic flush door handles. The NA petrol MT variant features 16-inch steel wheels with a cover only.

• Highlight additions include rear defogger, push button start/stop, proximity lock/unlock, rear sun shades, and tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment.

HTK (O)

• Premium cabin feel with black and grey leatherette seats, leatherette wrapped steering wheel, sporty alloy pedals and panoramic sunroof.

• Front parking sensors and wireless phone charging are available with all the powertrains.

• Front ventilated seats with 8-way powered driver seat adjustment are limited to the automatic variants only.

HTX

• Better exterior look with front and rear skid plates, gloss black grille and ORVM, LED front fog lamps, and Metallic Silver accents on the door sills.

• Brown and grey dual-tone theme with a leatherette finished central dashboard and door trims adds a rich feel inside. Also gets 64 colour ambient lighting.

• Feel-good additions include ventilated seats, a 5-inch AC touchscreen panel with dual zone climate control, an Auto IRVM, and 8-speaker BOSE sound system. 

• Adds a 12.3-inch infotainment system with connected car technology for a better digital experience.

• We have exclusively sourced real-life images of the Kia Seltos HTX for you to have a better look. 

HTX (A)

• Three-screen setup with the addition of a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display.

• Improved safety kit with side parking sensors, 360-degree camera, and 21 Level-2 ADAS features including front collision avoidance, high beam assist, lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control (automatic only).

GTX

• Sportier styling with ICE Cube LED headlights with dynamic welcome and goodbye function, LED DRL integrated turn indicator, GT-lining body styling and bumper inserts, 18-inch alloy wheels with Neon brake calipers and LED reverse lamps.

• Interior gets black and white dual tone theme with leatherette seats.

• Better features with 10-way powered driver seat with lumbar support, memory function for driver seat and ORVM, and auto reverse ORVM.

• Misses out on 360-degree camera, ADAS features and 12.3-inch driver’s display.

• Go for the X-Line if you like everything the GTX (A) offers but prefer a more distinctive matte look.

GTX (A)

• Adds the same features as the HTX (A). 

• Additions include 360-degree camera, side parking sensors, ADAS suite and 12.3-inch driver’s display.

• The Seltos X-Line A gets everything the GTX (A) variant gets, but with exclusive matte paint and unique styling elements.

GTX (O)

• Adds features such as air purifier, one-touch up/down for all windows and connected car tech.
• Safety boosted with enhanced Level 2+ ADAS suite, inbuilt front and rear dashcams and rain-sensing wipers. 

CarDekho Recommends:

• The entry-level variant covers all the basics you need in a car and is a good option for someone who is on a really tight budget.

• Consider the HTK or the HTX trims if you want more feel-good features. 

If the styling sits right with you, there’s no real reason to skip the Seltos. Because, with the new generation, Kia has fixed the two major pain points of the older Seltos. It now has more space, and the ride is far more comfortable making it a better family car in the process. What it always did well, in terms of features and quality, it continues to do well. There’s a wide range of engine-gearbox options too, ensuring you’ll find a Seltos for your needs and budget. 

The new Kia Seltos becomes very easy to recommend, it’s about as good as all-rounders get in this segment.

Other Cars To Consider

Tata Sierra

Reasons to consider

• Better rear seat space

• Better boot space

Reasons to ignore 

• Petrol engines are new and yet to prove reliability

• Possibility of glitches in infotainment/lighting

For a deep dive into the differences, check out this comparison story between the Sierra and Seltos..

Maruti Victoris

Reasons To Consider

• More fuel efficient powertrain options

• CNG option available for lower running costs

Reasons To Ignore

• Not as feature loaded

• Lower rear seat kneeroom

Detailed report: Is the Seltos better than the Victoris?

Hyundai Creta

Reasons To Consider

• More neutral styling

Reasons To Ignore

• Smaller boot space

Check this detailed article that explains the differences between the new Seltos and Creta.

Maruti Grand Vitara

Reasons To Consider

• Good mileage in strong hybrid

• Good reliability

Reasons To Ignore

• Lacks some premium features

Kia Seltos vs Grand Vitara: Here’s how these two SUVs compare.

Tata Curvv

Reasons To Consider

• Unique SUV-coupe design

Reasons To Ignore

• Space is limited

• Cabin has ergonomic issues

The Kia Seltos takes on the Tata Curvv - here’s how they compare.

Volkswagen Taigun / Skoda Kushaq

Reasons To Consider

• Both are fun-to-drive

Reasons To Ignore

• Smaller size than most rivals

This is how Kia Setos fares with the Volkswagen Taigun or Skoda Kushaq.

To know how the new Seltos fares against some of its other rivals, tap on these links below:

• See how the Kia Seltos goes up against the Astor.

• Here’s a look at how the Kia Seltos compares with the Hyryder.

• Find out how the Kia Seltos fares against the Duster.

• Kia Seltos or Honda Elevate? Here’s how they stack up.