2026 Kia Seltos Launch Timeline, New Design, Interiors and Engine Choices

It is no secret that Kia is testing the new-gen Seltos in India and on foreign soil. The SUV will come with an all-new design and interior along with a longer list of features. Moreover, the platform will be modified to achieve higher safety standards compared to the current model, which scored only 3 stars in the crash test. 

Next-gen Kia Seltos Launch Details

If reports are to be believed, the new-gen Kia Seltos will make its global debut in the first quarter of 2026, most probably in January. The SUV will first launch in India, followed by a global debut in the second quarter 2026. 

The SUV will initially come in petrol and diesel avatars, while a hybrid version is also under development. The Seltos hybrid won’t launch with the regular ICE model in India. Kia officials reveal that the hybrid version will arrive in 2027. Our sources reveal that the next-gen Hyundai Creta will first receive the new hybrid engine. 

Engine Choices

The India-spec new-gen Kia Seltos will come with the existing engine choices, including a 1.5L NA petrol, a 1.5L turbo petrol and a 1.5L turbo diesel. All three engine choices are likely to be offered with manual and automatic gearbox choices. The 1.5L NA petrol and 1.5L turbo petrol are likely to get a CVT and a 7-speed DCT, respectively. Its diesel engine could be offered with a torque converter automatic unit. 

The global-spec model is reportedly to get a 141hp, 1.6-litre hybrid engine that also powers the Hyundai Kona Hybrid and Kia Niro. It is likely to get a dedicated electronic all-time four-wheel (E-AWD) system, which will target the European and the American market. In fact, the spy images reveal that the 2026 Kia Seltos will have a multi-link rear suspension set-up. 

The India-spec model is likely to receive a different hybrid engine, which is likely to be based on a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder, naturally-aspirated petrol engine. The hybrid engine is expected to feature a 1.5L petrol engine, a small battery pack and an electric motor. 

Design and Interior Changes

The new-gen Kia Seltos comes with an all-new exterior, featuring a boxy and muscular profile. Its spy images reveal that the new Seltos has a flatter bonnet, and a flat front profile with a two-part grille. On a closer look, it is visible that the SUV has a Telluride-like wider grille and squared-shaped headlamps with orange colour DRLs (Daytime Running Lights). 

The SUV has a relatively flatter roof, straight lines instead of sharp creases and thick cladding around the wheel arches. There are large glass areas and body-coloured B and C-pillars. At the back, the 2026 Kia Seltos will have an all-new tailgate design and a relatively squarish profile. The spy images reveal that the SUV will have Telluride-like LED tail-lights. It comes a roof-integrated spoiler, shark fin antenna and a newly designed lower bumper with aggressive black cladding.

Interior details of the new Kia Seltos are still under the wraps. It is expected to come with an all-new premium and feature-loaded interior with inspiration from new Kia Syros and bigger Kia models, including Carnival and EV9. The new-gen Seltos could get a bigger connected screen that houses a 12.3-inch digital instrument console, a 12.3-inch infotainment unit and a 5-inch climate control display. 

Other features could include dual-zone climate control, panoramic sunroof, powered driver’s seat, ventilated front seats, LEVEL 2 ADAS, front parking sensors and others. Similar to the Syros, the next Seltos could get rear ventilated seats, and a recline and slide function for the second-row seats.

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