The Second-Generation Seltos Debuts
The Kia Seltos has been part of the North American small SUV conversation since the first-generation model arrived for the 2021 model year. Now, Kia is ready to move the nameplate forward – the second-generation Kia Seltos has made its global debut ahead of a wider market rollout next year, and it’s clear this isn’t just a light refresh.
Kia is positioning the new Seltos as a more confident and more expressive entry in its lineup, borrowing visual cues and attitude from the bigger and recently redesigned 2027 Telluride. The idea is simple enough: keep the Seltos approachable and city-friendly, but give it the presence and polish buyers increasingly expect, even at the lower end of the SUV spectrum.
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Bigger Proportions, Louder Design
The new Seltos is now built on the K3 platform, shared with the Hyundai Kona and Elantra. Compared to the outgoing Seltos, which measures 172.8 inches long on a 103.5-inch wheelbase, the new model takes a clear step up in footprint. Kia says the new Seltos stretches to about 174.4 inches long, rides on a longer 105.9-inch wheelbase, and grows wider to roughly 72.0 inches. Height remains right around 63.0 inches, maintaining a compact stance while freeing up interior space.
The exterior design leans into Kia’s newer “Opposites United” philosophy, with a wider grille, vertical lighting elements, and sharper body surfacing. Flush door handles appear for the first time on Seltos, while available X-Line and GT-Line trims push either a rugged or sportier look. Overall, the new proportions help the Seltos look less delicate and more like a scaled-down Telluride rather than an overgrown hatchback.
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Interior Upgrades That Matter
Inside, Kia has clearly aimed to modernize the cabin without overcomplicating it. A new horizontal dashboard layout helps open up the space, while dual 12.3-inch displays dominate the driver’s view. A column-mounted shift-by-wire setup frees up the center console, which should make daily usability better rather than just looking slick.
Tech features include over-the-air updates, a next-generation Kia AI assistant powered by ChatGPT, and available premium audio systems. On the safety front, the new Seltos brings an expanded suite of driver-assistance tech, including Highway Driving Assist 2, upgraded forward collision avoidance, and surround-view monitoring on higher trims.
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Expect US Arrival in Time For the 2027 Model Year
The second-generation Kia Seltos will be offered with multiple gasoline powertrain options across global markets. The range is led by a high-output 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. A standard-output version of the 1.6-liter turbo delivers 177 hp with 195 lb-ft of torque, available with a 6-speed manual or dual-clutch automatic transmission, depending on market.
A 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder remains part of the global lineup, rated at 146 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque, and paired primarily with a CVT automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, with all-wheel drive offered on select trims, bringing a multi-link rear suspension and selectable drive modes. A hybrid version will be introduced next year, though information about the electrified model is scarce at this point.
Like the redesigned Telluride, the new Seltos will go on sale as a 2027 model-year vehicle in North America. With the 2026 Seltos already announced for the US, launch timing is expected in the second half of next year.
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