Everything You Need to Know About the Kia Seltos (2026 Model)

Hey car lovers! The Kia Seltos has been one of the best-selling compact SUVs ever since it went in sales in India back in 2019. In India, it has sold over 5 lakh units, and played a big part in Kia’s success in the market. Now along comes the all-new second-generation 2026 Kia Seltos, debuting on Jan. 2, 2026 and taking things up a notch. This is an all-new model, not just a tweak. It comes with a new design, bigger size, premium interior, and advanced features.

The cost begins from ₹10.99 lakh (ex-showroom) and goes as much up to ₹19.99 lakh. It rides on the new global K3 platform from Kia, which endows it with improved strength, electronic safety and a modern look. Now, the SUV is bigger, bolder and laden with more tech than ever before — all without straying from the use of reliable powertrains.

Family, working professional or performance lover – there is something for everyone in the 2026 Seltos. It competes directly with the Hyundai Creta, Tata Sierra, Maruti Grand Vitara, Toyota Hyryder, and other SUVs in this segment.

So let’s dive into all of that – design, specifications, versions you can get, safety tech and why this particular SUV may just be right for you.

What’s new for the 2026 Kia Seltos?

This is not just a facelift. Seltos 2026 is a true second generation with significant differences:

Dimensions:

The SUV is 95 mm longer (at 4,460 mm), 30 mm wider (1,830mm) and comes with a wheelbase of 2,690 mm (+80mm). The height is almost the same, but ground clearance is improved, which helps on bad roads and gives a stronger road presence.

Platform:
It is developed on the new K3 platform which enhances body strength, safety, ride and refinement.

Design: 

The design is larger and more bold and muscular, taking cues from larger Kia SUVs such as the Telluride. It’s boxy with sharp lines, and it looks big and strong like a true SUV. 

Boot space: 

The boot’s 447 litres good for family excursions, suitcases or the weekly shop.

Weight:
There is now a little more car present on board, with extra features and stronger construction giving a slight heftier feel – but it still feels effortless and secure to drive.

Result:
You have extra room inside, especially in the rear, you get less highway darting and a premium feel that takes on SUVs beyond its pay grade.

Exterior Design: Bolder and More Premium

The 2026 Seltos looks modern and attractive with a fresh design:

Front:
It gets a massive tiger-nose grille, slim quad-beam LED headlamps, vertical LED DRLs that crawl over the bonnet and a muscular-looking bumper with faux skid plates.

Side:

It gets flush door handles (only on some of the higher trims), 18-inch alloys in top variants, roof rails and strong character lines that contribute to its SUV-like image.

Rear:

It’s got attached LED taillights with a revised bumper and an integrated spoiler to make the ride look clean and modern.

Colour Options:
The Seltos comes in 12 colour options, consisting of 10 single-tone paint schemes: Glacier White Pearl, Aurora Black Pearl, Imperial Blue, Gravity Grey, Pewter Olive, Frost Blue, Morning Haze, Magma, Ivory Silver Gloss, and Xclusive Matte Graphite (exclusive for X-Line). 

The premium dual-tone shades include Glacier White Pearl with Aurora Black Pearl and Magma Red with Aurora Black Pearl.

X-Line Variant:
The X-Line model has gloss black touches, gunmetal accents and a sinister motif that make it look sporty and aggressive.

Interior and Comfort: A Leap Towards Luxury

The interior is one of the biggest upgrades in the 2026 Seltos. It feels modern, spacious, and premium:

Trinity Panoramic Display:
It comes with two connected 12.3-inch screens – one for the digital instrument cluster and one for infotainment. Top variants also get a 5-inch heads-up display, giving a high-tech experience.

Seating:
Front seats are ventilated, the driver seat is 10-way power adjustable (with memory function in higher trims), and the rear seats are 60:40 split-folding with recline. Rear legroom and comfort are much better than before.

Comfort Features:
You also get dual-zone climate control, rear AC vents, a dual-pane panoramic sunroof (starting from mid-variants), 64-colour ambient lighting, wireless charging (front and back in select trims), rear sunshades as well as soft touch materials across the cabin.

Sound System: 8 speaker Bose premium is optional for upper trims.

Connectivity:
Kia Connect brings features such as OTA updates, remote engine start/stop, geofencing, valet mode, and voice commands.

Interior Theme: 

The dual tone interiors in Smoky Black and Hunter Green (X-Line) give the cabin a premium and stylish appeal.

In general, the cabin feels airy, modern and family-friendly; it’s a big step up over the last model.

Also read:

Engine Options and Performance

The 2026 Seltos continues with updated and refined engines. Hybrid options are not available yet but are expected in the future.

1.5L Naturally Aspirated Petrol
Power: 115 PS
Torque: 144 Nm
Transmission: 6-speed manual / CVT
Best For: City driving and smooth daily use
Mileage: Around 18–20 kmpl

1.5L Turbo Petrol
Power: 160 PS
Torque: 253 Nm
Transmission: 6-speed iMT / 7-speed DCT
Best For: Performance lovers and fast highway driving
Mileage: Around 15–17 kmpl

1.5L Diesel
Power: 116 PS
Torque: 250 Nm
Transmission: 6-speed manual / 6-speed automatic Best For: Highway driving, high torque mileage requirements Mileage: Approximately 20-21 kmpl 

The SUV also gets drive modes (Eco, Normal, Sport) and traction modes (Snow, Mud, Sand) which assist for different driving conditions. The turbo petrol is brisk, the diesel relaxing and the NA petrol sedate.

Safety Features: Benchmark-Setting Protection

Safety is a major strength of the 2026 Seltos:

Standard Safety Features (All Variants):
6 airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control, hill-start assist, all-disc brakes, tyre pressure monitoring system, rear camera, and ISOFIX child seat mounts.

Level 2 ADAS (Higher Variants):
Up to 21 advanced technologies, including adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, forward collision warning, blind-spot view monitor, 360-degree camera and parking collision avoidance. It’s constructed from high-strength steel, and strong crash protection should come (we’re still waiting for official crash ratings). 

Price, Variants and Value 

It is available in nearly 40 sub-variants based on the engine type and gearbox with an ex-showroom price spanning from ₹10.99 lakh to ₹19.99 lakh approximately!

Main Trim Lines:
Tech Line (HTE, HTK, HTX)
GT Line (GTX)
X-Line (top sporty variant)

HTE (Base Variant):
Basic features with strong safety package.

HTK / HTX:
Adds sunroof, more technology, and ventilated seats.

GTX / X-Line:
Gets full ADAS, premium audio, sporty design elements, and all top features.

On-road price can increase by ₹1–2.5 lakh, depending on city and state.
Bookings are open with a ₹25,000 token amount, and deliveries have already started.

Comparison with Hyundai Creta

Both SUVs are based on the same platform but have different personalities:

Seltos Advantages:
Bigger size, more aggressive design, larger 12.3-inch screens, younger appeal, and exclusive X-Line variant.

Creta Advantages:
A bit less money to start and a little more squish in the ride. They both have the same set of engines; they are sportier and more comfort-biased respectively. The Seltos is comparatively more tech-rich and has a better road presence in its top-spec versions.

Sales, Popularity, and Ownership

The earlier Seltos was a global success and helped Kia grow fast in India. The 2026 model is already so heavily booked in advance, that it’s very likely to regain leadership of the segment. 

Ownership perks comprises 3-year/unlimited km warranty, optional extended warranty, wide service outlets and strong resale value.

Final Thoughts: Is the 2026 Kia Seltos Worth It?

Yes, absolutely. The 2026 Kia Seltos with style, space, technology, safety and all-around driving fun in one package. The best value is HTX variant, with all the basic features, including sunroof. Opt for the turbo petrol if you love fast cars, or the diesel is you need better mileage and torque. And schedule a test drive to feel the difference in person. If you had to choose one, it probably would be the petrol or turbo; and certainly not the diesel. Share your thoughts!