Kia India has unveiled the new Kia Seltos 2026, the second-generation model of its popular mid-size SUV, marking yet another global premiere from India. The company will open bookings for the new Seltos from midnight on December 11, for an initial amount of Rs 25,000, with prices to be announced on January 2. Customer deliveries of the latest Seltos will begin from the middle of January.
Kia entered the Indian market with the Seltos in August 2019, selling over 2,00,000 units in two years. Till now, the Seltos has garnered sales of over 5,80,000 units, and is among the most sought after models in the mid-size SUV segment, which now accounts for around 30% of the overall SUV volumes in India.
The new Seltos moves to Kia's global K3 platform, which makes its India-first debut on this SUV and brings structural enhancements for improved safety and refinement. The second-generation Seltos now measures 4,460mm in length and 1,830mm in width, with a 2,690mm wheelbase. It has grown in all three departments. Kia said this gives the SUV the longest footprint in the segment and allows for a more spacious cabin.
The design follows Kia's 'Opposites United' philosophy and brings a visibly sharper front end with the new Digital Tiger Face, Ice Cube LED headlamps, Star Map LED DRLs and connected Star Map LED taillamps. The Seltos also gets first-in-segment automatic streamline door handles and 18-inch crystal-cut alloy wheels with neon brake calipers on higher trims. The SUV will be offered in 10 monotone colours, including two new shades -- Morning Haze and Magma Red.
The cabin of the new Seltos has been reworked to offer a more premium layout with Smoky Black and White dual-tone interiors and leatherette upholstery. A key highlight is the 30-inch Trinity panoramic display panel that combines the digital instrument cluster, air-con display and infotainment screen. The SUV also gets a dual-tone leatherette-wrapped steering wheel, ventilated front seats, a 10-way powered driver seat with power lumbar support and a relaxation function, and an integrated memory driver seat synced with the ORVM settings.
Rear passengers get recline-adjustable seats, sunshade curtains, rear Type-C charging and a 60:40 split configuration. A dual-pane panoramic sunroof is also part of the package, along with an eight-speaker Bose premium audio system and 64-colour ambient lighting.
The second-generation Kia Seltos 2026 introduces several tech upgrades, including wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Smart Key proximity unlock and an updated Kia Connect 2.0 suite with over-the-air updates for software and features. Kia Connect diagnosis is also available to provide predictive alerts and remote monitoring.
The new Seltos 2026 is built with additional high-strength steel and hot-stamped components for improved crash protection. The SUV comes with 24 standard safety features, including six airbags, ABS, ESC, hill-start assist, rollover sensor and rear occupant alert.
ADAS Level 2 with 21 autonomous features is available on higher trims. These include forward collision warning, forward collision-avoidance assist, lane keeping assist, smart cruise control with stop and go, blind view monitor, 360-degree surround camera and side parking sensors.
The powertrain line-up for the new Kia Seltos includes the same three engines as before -- Smartstream 1.5 petrol (115PS and 144Nm), Smartstream 1.5 T-GDI petrol (160PS and 253Nm) and the 1.5 CRDi VGT diesel (116PS and 250Nm). Transmission choices include 6MT, 6iMT, IVT, 7DCT and 6AT.
Kia will offer the Seltos 2026 in four base trims -- HTE, HTK, HTX and GTX -- along with four option variants -- HTE(O), HTK(O), HTX(A) and GTX(A). Higher trims also get the X-Line styling pack.
We expect the Kia Seltos 2026 price in India to be between Rs 11,00,000 and Rs 20,00,000 (ex-showroom). It will rival the likes of the new Tata Sierra, Hyundai Creta, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Maruti Suzuki Victoris, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Mahindra Thar Roxx, Tata Curvv, Honda Elevate, Skoda Kushaq, Volkswagen Taigun and MG Astor.
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