New-Gen Kia Seltos 2026 Spy Shots Confirm Telluride-Inspired Look

We informed you earlier that Kia has started testing the new-gen Seltos SUV with production-ready body panels. The SUV has recently been caught testing on the American roads wearing thin clothes and exposed body panels. On a closer look at the front, it is visible that the second gen Kia Seltos carries a Telluride-like front fascia. 

New Kia Seltos - Design Inspired by Telluride

The new-gen Kia Seltos has a boxy and rugged design compared to the angular profile of the outgoing model. It has a flatter bonnet and a flat nose with an aggressive bumper and two-part grille. The spy images reveal that the new Seltos gets a Telluride-like wider grille and squared-shaped headlamps with orange colour DRLs. The lower bumper houses a much-bigger air-dam divided by a thick slat, and LED fog lamps. 

The SUV has a flatter roof, straight lines and thick black cladding around wheel arches. The SUV gets larger glass areas and body-coloured B and C pillar. At the back, the new-gen Kia Seltos gets all-new tailgate design and a relatively squarish profile. The tail-lights also appears similar to those available in the Kia Telluride. It will have a roof-integrated spoiler, shark fin antenna and a rugged lower bumper with aggressive black cladding. 

Kia is testing two different versions of the Seltos, and both will carry unique face. It is expected that Kia will follow Hyundai’s strategy of launching Creta and Creta N-Line with different front styling elements. The Seltos X-Line is expected to carry a more aggressive front profile compared to the standard car. 

Key Highlights of New Seltos

The new-generation Kia Seltos will come with front parking sensors, confirmed in various spy images. Inside the cabin, the new Seltos is expected to receive significant changes. The existing model is already premium in nature, and the next-gen model will be even more premium and feature-loaded. It is likely to get a newly designed dashboard layout dominated by a 30-inch Trinity Display. 

The display will comprise of a 12.3-inch touchscreen, a 12.3-inch instrument panel and a 5-inch touch unit for climate control. In terms of features, the SUV will have a panoramic sunroof, front and rear ventilated seats, electrically adjustable driver and co-driver seats, dual-zone climate control, sliding and reclining functions for the rear seats, and others. The SUV will have LEVEL 2 ADAS, a 360-degree surround view camera, front and rear parking sensors, ESP with traction control, and hill launch and descent control.

Multiple Engine Choices

Kia has officially confirmed that the next-gen Seltos will come with a hybrid powertrain. The India-spec model is likely to get a different hybrid engine compared to the global-spec unit. In the international markets, the 2026 Kia Seltos could get a new 1.6-litre GDR hybrid unit with an e-AWD option. On the other hand, the India-spec model could get a 1.5L NA petrol engine based hybrid unit. 

The India-spec model will retain the existing engine choices, including a 1.5-litre, naturally-aspirated petrol, a 1.5-litre turbo petrol and a 1.5-litre turbo diesel. For transmission duties, the new Seltos will have a 6-speed manual, a 6-speed torque converter automatic (diesel), a CVT with 1.5L NA petrol and a 7-speed DCT with a turbo petrol. 

India Debut Likely in November 2025

If media reports are to be believed, the second-gen Kia Seltos could debut in India in November 2025. However, its sales are expected to commence in the first quarter of 2026. The hybrid version is likely to arrive at a later stage, most probably by mid next year. 

Also See - Upcoming Cars in September 2025 - Maruti Escudo to Mahindra Thar Facelift