Image Credit: Kia India
Kia Seltos 2026 : The 2026 Kia Seltos arrives with a bold design refresh, a more premium cabin, and enhanced technology, reinforcing its position as one of India’s most popular midsize SUVs. With increased dimensions, advanced features, and familiar yet proven powertrains, the new Seltos aims to appeal to both style-conscious buyers and tech enthusiasts.
Exterior Design
Front
The 2026 Seltos adopts a far more aggressive face. The large rectangular grille dominates the front fascia, finished in a bold black mesh pattern that gives the SUV a strong road presence. LED projector headlamps, positioned at the inner edges of the grille, feature distinctive three-cube LED elements, lending the Seltos a sharp and quirky identity.
Vertical LED DRLs, inspired by Kia’s global design language seen on models like the Syros, further enhance the visual drama. The chunky front bumper, finished in gloss black, is complemented by prominent silver accents around the fog lamp housings, adding contrast and muscularity.
Side
The side profile is arguably where the new Seltos looks its best. Strong character lines and a slightly stretched stance give it a sporty yet elegant appearance. The SUV now rides on 18-inch alloy wheels on higher variants, while thick gloss-black wheel arch cladding with silver inserts over the doors adds rugged appeal.
The window line remains clean and understated, with a tasteful black outline instead of excessive chrome. A notable new addition is the flush-type motorised door handles, enhancing both aerodynamics and futuristic appeal. Black roof rails and the signature floating roof design, achieved through blacked-out pillars, complete the side profile.
Dimensionally, the Seltos has grown significantly:
- Length: +95 mm
- Width: +30 mm
- Wheelbase: +80 mm
Lower variants come with 16-inch steel wheels or 17-inch alloy wheels, while top GTX trims also feature neon-finished brake callipers for a sporty touch.
Rear
Image Credit: Kia India
At the rear, the Seltos features sleek L-shaped LED tail lamps that extend close to the centre of the tailgate, creating a connected-lighting effect without a full-width light bar. The minimalist tailgate design adopts a flat, hexagonal theme, keeping things modern and clean.
The chunky rear bumper mirrors the front with tall silver inserts, while the rear glass integrates neatly with the thick roof-mounted spoiler. The rear wiper and washer are cleverly concealed beneath the spoiler, maintaining a clutter-free look.
The new Seltos is offered in 12 exterior colour options, including four new shades.
Interior & Cabin Experience
Step inside, and the cabin feels more modern and premium than ever. The dashboard layout is clean and layered, borrowing heavily from the Kia Syros, especially with the triple-screen layout.
Key highlights include:
- A flat-bottom steering wheel with mounted controls and tactile toggle switches
- Slim, neatly integrated AC vents placed below the dashboard line
- Physical climate control buttons, which improve usability
- 64-colour ambient lighting, giving the cabin a lounge-like ambience
The front seats are well-cushioned with wide bolsters for enhanced comfort, while the door pads feature soft-touch materials and generously padded armrests.
Rear Seat Comfort
Rear-seat comfort remains a strong point. The bench offers generous knee room and a well-sized seat base that supports taller passengers comfortably. The panoramic sunroof significantly improves the sense of space, making the cabin feel airy and premium.
Rear passengers benefit from:
- Dedicated rear AC vents
- Two USB charging ports
- Rear sunshades for added privacy and comfort on long journeys
Boot Space & Practicality
The 447-litre boot is practical, though not class-leading. It is slightly shallow but sufficient for everyday needs, accommodating two cabin-sized suitcases, a backpack, and a few soft bags.
Additional practicality comes from:
- 60:40 split-folding rear seats
- A conventionally mounted spare wheel under the boot floor
Features & Technology
The 2026 Seltos takes a major leap in technology with:
Image Credit: Kia India
- Dual 12.3-inch displays (infotainment + digital driver cluster)
- 10-way power-adjustable driver seat with memory function
- 8-speaker Bose premium sound system
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- Ventilated front seats
- Wireless phone charger
- Connected car technology
- Heads-up display (HUD)
These features ensure the Seltos remains competitive and premium in its segment.
Safety
Image Credit: Kia India
Safety has been comprehensively addressed with:
- Six airbags as standard
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
- Hill Start Assist
- ISOFIX child-seat mounts
- Parking sensors on all sides
New additions include front and rear dashcams, a 360-degree camera, and a Level-2 ADAS suite, adding an extra layer of active safety for urban and highway driving.
Engine & Transmission Options
The 2026 Kia Seltos continues with its familiar and reliable engine lineup. All engines are four-cylinder units, though a hybrid option is still not on offer.
| Engine | Transmission Options | Power | Torque |
| 1.5L NA Petrol | 6-speed MT / CVT | 115 PS | 144 Nm |
| 1.5L Turbo Petrol | 6-speed iMT / 7-speed DCT | 160 PS | 253 Nm |
| 1.5L Diesel | 6-speed MT / 6-speed AT | 116 PS | 250 Nm |
Variants & Key Picks
The variant lineup remains extensive, including: HTE, HTE (O), HTK, HTK (O), HTX, HTX (A), GTX, GTX (A) and the X-Line styling package.
Kia highlights three standout variants:
- HTK (O): Well-balanced with essential features
- GTX A: Ideal for tech-savvy buyers
- X-Line: Stealthy, sporty styling with exclusive design elements
Biggest Update: Size Increase
The new Seltos now measures 4.4 metres in length, making it noticeably larger than its predecessor in almost every dimension except height. This growth translates into improved cabin space and a stronger road presence.
Expected Price & Launch Timeline
Kia is expected to launch the 2026 Seltos in India in mid-to-late 2026, with prices likely starting around ₹11.50 lakh (ex-showroom) and extending beyond ₹20 lakh for fully loaded GTX and X-Line variants. Final pricing will depend on variant-wise feature distribution and powertrain options.
For more details, bookings, and enquiries, visit the official Kia India website or contact your nearest Kia dealership.