New-Gen Kia Seltos 2026: Top 5 Things You Should Know

The second-generation Kia Seltos will make its global debut on December 10, 2025. The SUV will be revealed in South Korea as well as in India on the same day. If Korean media reports are to be believed, the SUV will be offered with a hybrid powertrain. However, the India-spec model will only come with the ICE version. Let’s talk about the top 5 things you should know about the upcoming new-gen Kia Seltos - 

1. Radical Design Changes

In the spy images, the second gen Kia Seltos appears bigger than the outgoing model. Its design seems inspired by the new Telluride, which is set to make public debut on November 20, 2025. The SUV gets a boxy styling, which could be the reason behind its bigger appearance. 

The SUV will have a squarish front fascia, featuring a wider grille flanked by squared-shaped LED headlamps and uniquely styled LED DRLs. The new SUV has a flatter roofline, while the side body panels likely to have smoother lines and less curves. The SUV will have thick cladding around the wheel arches, and prominent cladding all-around the body. The rear has squarish shape with all-new tailgate and Telluride-like LED tail-lamps. Other design highlights will include shark fin antenna and roof-integrated spoiler.

2. Interior Changes

The existing Kia Seltos is already one of the most premium and feature-loaded SUVs in its category, and the second-gen model is likely to offer more features and premium cabin experience. The cabin design is likely to be inspired by the bigger Kia models, including Carnival and EV9. 

The new-gen Kia Seltos is expected to get Syros-like connected screen that houses a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display, a 5-inch climate control display and a 12.3-inch infotainment unit. The SUV is expected to offer more space in the second-row. It could get a Syros-like second-row seats with reclining and sliding functions. 

In terms of features, the SUV is likely to have a dual-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, electrically adjustable front seats, ventilated front seats, auto-dimming IRVM and others. The new Seltos could also get ventilated function for the second-row seats. It will also get LEVEL 2 ADAS, and front and rear parking sensors.

3. Launch Timeline, Estimated Price and Competition

Kia officials have confirmed that the new-gen Seltos will make its global debut in India on December 10, 2025. The company is likely to announce its prices by the end of December or early next year, while its sales are expected to begin in January-February 2026. 

The current Seltos is priced between Rs 10.79 lakh and 19.81 lakh. We expect the next-gen model to cost somewhere between Rs 11 lakh and Rs 20 lakh. It will directly rival the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Maruti Grand Vitara, Maruti Victoris and the Tata Sierra.

4. Petrol and Diesel Versions

The new generation Kia Seltos will initially come with petrol and diesel fuel options. It is likely to retain the existing powertrains, including a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder, NA petrol, a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder, turbo petrol and a 1.5-litre, turbo diesel. Both manual and automatic gearbox options will be on offer. 

5. Hybrid Launch in 2027

Our sources reveal that the next-gen Hyundai Creta will receive hybrid engine before the new Seltos. We expect the Kia Seltos hybrid for India will arrive sometime in 2027. 

Also See - 2025 Tata Sierra Unveiled - Full Design and Features Breakdown