New Kia Seltos second-gen debuts in India with bolder design, larger cabin, premium tech and ADAS; launch on January 2, 2026. Bookings open December 11.
Kia has officially taken the wraps off the second-generation New Kia Seltos in India, ahead of its market launch on January 2, 2026. The midsize SUV that established Kia in India now enters a new chapter with a completely redesigned exterior and cabin, more tech and safety, while retaining its proven set of petrol, turbo-petrol and diesel powertrains. Prices for the new Kia Seltos will be revealed in early 2026, with bookings opening on December 11 for Rs 25,000.
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Bolder design and larger dimensions
Visually, the new Kia Seltos looks far more assertive than the outgoing SUV. The front end clearly borrows cues from Kia’s larger global SUVs, with a wider, jagged grille finished in gun metal accents stretching almost the full width of the nose. Squarish LED headlamps sit at either end, paired with a distinctive vertical DRL signature and additional lightning bolt-style LED elements on the edges for a more premium, high-tech face.
The bumper gets chunkier black cladding and neatly integrated rectangular surrounds for the fog lamps. Along the sides, sharper character lines, thicker cladding for the wheel arches and door sills, and new flush-fitting door handles further sharpen up the SUV’s stance. At the rear, the number plate moves down to the bumper, freeing up a cleaner tailgate surface. The highlight, though, is the new inverted L-shaped LED tail-lamp setup, linked across the width and reminiscent of Kia’s newer models, topped off by a prominent roof spoiler and fresh 18-inch alloy wheel designs.
Kia has also grown the Seltos in size. The wheelbase is up by 80mm, while overall length has increased by 95mm and width by 30mm; height is down by 10mm for a sportier profile. The stretched footprint should translate into noticeably better cabin space, especially for rear occupants.
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Tech-laden, premium cabin
Inside, the second-gen Kia Seltos feels like a completely new SUV. The dashboard is dominated by a panoramic display similar to what we’ve seen on the Kia Syros, combining a 12.3-inch touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a dedicated 5.0-inch panel for the HVAC controls. The centre console layout, with its mix of physical switchgear and toggles, keeps everyday usability simple even as screen real estate grows.
A new three-spoke steering wheel with integrated drive and traction mode buttons, soft-touch leatherette on the dashboard and door pads, and tasteful ambient lighting elevate the perceived quality inside the SUV. Importantly, Kia hasn’t chased an all-touch minimalism trend – you still get plenty of physical buttons, dials and knobs, which will be appreciated by buyers who drive a lot in traffic or on the highway. (Autocar India)
In top-spec guise, the new Kia Seltos packs in features such as ventilated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, wireless phone charging, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a powered driver’s seat with memory, rear sunshades, dual-tone leatherette upholstery, a 360-degree camera, 64-colour ambient lighting, an 8-speaker Bose audio system, OTA updates and connected car technology. The midsize SUV also steps up on safety with a Level 2 ADAS suite on higher variants, alongside standard six airbags, ESC, all-wheel disc brakes, hill-start assist, TPMS, ISOFIX mounts and a rear camera.
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Familiar yet proven powertrains
Under the bonnet, the new-gen Seltos sticks to a tried-and-tested engine lineup, mirroring the outgoing model. The range starts with a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine producing 115hp and 144Nm, paired with either a 6-speed manual or a CVT. Enthusiasts will gravitate towards the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol, which churns out 160hp and 253Nm and can be had with a 6-speed iMT or a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. Diesel fans are catered to by a 1.5-litre unit making 116hp and 250Nm, offered with a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque-converter automatic.
Trims, variants and rivals
The new Kia Seltos continues with the familiar Tech Line, GT Line and X-Line structure. The Tech Line portfolio comprises HTE, HTE (O), HTK, HTK (O), HTX and HTX (A), aimed at a more family-oriented audience. The sportier GT Line, with extra features and cosmetic enhancements, is available in GTX and GTX (A) trims, while the X-Line styling pack – with its darker, more aggressive look – is reserved for the GT Line range.
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