Kia India is all set to introduce the next-generation Seltos, marking a major milestone for one of the country’s most loved compact SUVs. The new model is expected to make its global debut right here in India, continuing Kia’s strategy of unveiling key global models on Indian soil before announcing prices a few weeks later.
Bold New Design
The upcoming 2026 Kia Seltos will sport a completely refreshed design while retaining its familiar, muscular stance. Expect a bold new look featuring redesigned headlamps, taillamps, a larger grille, and updated body panels. The lighting setup is likely to draw inspiration from Kia’s latest design philosophy, as seen on the new Carnival, Carens Clavis, and Syros.
Spy shots hint at new alloy wheel designs and reworked ORVMs, giving the SUV a more premium and futuristic appeal. Though the overall silhouette remains similar, the attention to detail ensures that the new Seltos stands out as both stylish and sophisticated.
Revamped Interior and Features
While Kia has managed to keep the interior under wraps, expectations are high. The next-gen Seltos is likely to come with a completely redesigned cabin, including a new dashboard, seats, door panels, and centre console.
The current Seltos already features a twin-screen setup, but the new version may upgrade to larger 12.3-inch screens, similar to the ones found in the Syros and Carens Clavis. Kia is also expected to refine comfort and tech features, including ventilated front seats, dual-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, and powered driver seat adjustment.
Given the Seltos’s reputation for offering class-leading features, the new version will likely push that benchmark even further.
Safety Upgrades Expected
Safety remains a top priority for Kia. The new Seltos is expected to continue offering six airbags, electronic stability control, a 360-degree camera, electronic parking brake, and Level 2 ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems).
Currently rated three stars by Global NCAP, enthusiasts are hoping for an upgraded five-star safety rating in the new generation, especially with growing consumer demand for safer cars in India.
Powertrain and Performance
Under the hood, the next-gen Seltos is expected to retain the current engine options: a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol, a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol, and a 1.5-litre diesel. These will continue to be paired with a wide range of gearbox options, including a 6-speed manual, CVT, iMT, torque converter automatic, and a 7-speed DCT.
Globally, there’s speculation that Kia might introduce a hybrid variant, which, if launched in India, could make the Seltos one of the most efficient SUVs in its class.
Expected Price and Rivals
The new Seltos is likely to come with a slight price increase, ranging between ₹11.3 lakh and ₹22 lakh (ex-showroom). Once launched, it will continue to compete with the Hyundai Creta, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Honda Elevate, Skoda Kushaq, Volkswagen Taigun, and the upcoming Maruti Suzuki Victori.
Launch Timeline
Following Kia’s recent trend with the Sonet facelift and Syros, the new Seltos is expected to make its global debut towards the end of this year, with pricing and variant details revealed shortly after.
With a refreshed design, updated features, and the promise of improved safety, the 2026 Kia Seltos is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated SUV launches of the year, and a strong contender to redefine the compact SUV segment once again.