Published: December 10, 2025 5:52 PM IST 
The second-generation Kia Seltos has gone global and revealed in all its glory, sporting a fresh avatar that promises to take it to a completely different league in terms of design, comfort, features, and safety. The manufacturer has announced that bookings for the facelift Seltos will open from December 11 2025 (₹25,000 booking token) while the on-road prices for the Indian market will be announced on January 2, 2026.
Design & Dimensions: Bigger, Bolder, Sharper
The 2026 Kia Seltos is built on Kia’s global K3 platform and is larger than its predecessor. It now measures 4,460 mm in length, 1,830 mm in width and has a 2,690 mm wheelbase. The new Seltos is one of the largest SUVs in its segment, which means more cabin space and a longer footprint than competitors.
Visually, it sports a sharper and more upright SUV silhouette. The “Digital Tiger Face” grille up front is flanked by “Ice Cube” LED headlamps and Star-Map DRLs and comes together with a big bumper for an aggressive road presence. The rear sports connected Star-Map LED taillamps and higher trims also come with flush door handles and 18-inch crystal-cut alloys.
Interior & Comfort: Premium Meets Practical
The interior too gets a makeover with a completely redesigned cabin. The 30-inch “Trinity” panoramic digital instrument cluster, which seamlessly integrates the digital instrument cluster, infotainment and AC controls into one unit, is the highlight of the cabin and takes it firmly towards the premium end of the in-car experience scale.
Materials and comfort have been much improved too: dual-tone leatherette upholstery, leather-wrapped steering wheel, ventilated front seats, power-adjustable driver seat with memory and ORVM sync, ventilated rear seats (select trims) and more. Rear-seat occupants will also appreciate recline-adjustable seats, USB-C charging ports, 60:40 split configuration, and sunshade curtains. A dual-pane panoramic sunroof, 8-speaker Bose audio system and customizable ambient lighting (64 colours) round off the package.
Tech & Safety: Modern Connectivity, Serious Protection
The new Seltos is also brimming with tech. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, over-the-air software updates (with Kia Connect 2.0), smart key proximity unlock and remote monitoring / predictive alerts are some of the impressive features that one wouldn’t necessarily expect to see at this price point in this segment.
Safety too has been made a priority. The SUV is constructed using high-strength steel and hot-stamped components for improved crash protection. Its standard safety kit includes six airbags, ABS with EBD, ESC, hill-start assist control, rollover sensor, rear-occupant alert with audible reminder and more. Higher variants will also get a comprehensive Level-2 ADAS suite that will cover forward-collision warning with city emergency braking, collision avoidance assist with pedestrian safety detection, lane-keeping assist with lane-following assist, smart cruise control with stop-&-go, blind-view monitor, 360° cameras, parking sensors and more.
Engine & Transmission Line-up
Kia carries forward most of its tried-and-tested powertrain options, with:
Transmission choices will include 6-speed manual (MT), 6-speed iMT, IVT (CVT-like), 7-DCT automatic, and 6-speed torque converter automatic.
A hybrid powertrain (unconfirmed) and future all-wheel-drive / electric variants are also being talked about (more likely for global markets only).
Pricing & market positioning
Early speculation pegs the ex-showroom starting price in India in the region of ₹ 11,00,000 with a broad range expected to be between ₹ 11.0 lakh and ₹ 20.0 lakh, depending on the variant and optional packages.
In India, the 2026 Seltos will take on rivals such as Hyundai Creta, Tata Sierra, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Skoda Kushaq, Volkswagen Taigun and MG Astor. This makes the mid-size SUV space one of the most competitive in the country.
Final Verdict: A valiant attempt at a comeback?
The 2026 Kia Seltos is a valiant effort from Kia at making a strong comeback in the hotly contested mid-size SUV segment. Its combination of increased dimensions, more premium cabin, up-to-date tech and a serious approach to safety give it an edge over most competitors in its class – if priced right.
If you are in the market for a feature-rich, spacious and modern SUV at under ₹20 lakh, the new Seltos is likely to be one of the most well-rounded options available.
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