The Kia Seltos didn’t simply enter the mid-size SUV market when it originally came out in India; it set the standard for it. It delivered a fresh, youthful energy, premium features, and a driving experience that rapidly made it a benchmark. Four years later, Kia has released the new-generation Seltos, and it’s evident that they didn’t simply give it a modest facelift; they completely redesigned it from top to bottom, putting it in a whole new class of SUVs. Kia has shown off the next-generation 2026 Seltos in India. Not only does it have a new design inside and out, but it also gets new features to keep it competitive in the lucrative compact SUV market. You can now make reservations, and rates will be revealed on January 2, 2026.
Bolder and Stronger Look of Kia Seltos
This 2025 second-gen Seltos receives a fully new face with the latest Kia’s tiger nose grille and a completely new bumper, while on the side there are pop-out door handles and new aero-oriented wheels fairly similar to what’s there on the Carens and Carens Clavis EV. The back gets connected vertical tail lamps, giving the automobile quite a striking design. Let’s discuss these exterior features of Kia Seltos in detail.
Exterior Features Updates
The Digital Tiger Face: The famous “Tiger Nose” grille has been completely changed. It is wider, has sharp vertical gunmetal accents, and works perfectly with the new lighting.
Star Map LED Signature: The lights are quite modern. Sharp, vertical LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) now make a unique C-shaped signature that flows into a full-width connected LED light bar at the back. This is a nice touch that makes the car look like bigger, more costly SUVs.
New Stance and Dimensions: The SUV is bigger now. It is longer, wider, and now stands out more on the road. The bigger size, especially the longer wheelbase, makes the cabin more spacious and comfortable, which fixes one of the small problems with the old model.
Flush-Fitting Door Handles: Flush-fitting door handles that come out on their own are a surprise and a very high-end feature. This feature immediately makes the Seltos more upscale, improving both its looks and its aerodynamics.
Cabin Transformation of Kia Seltos
As expected, this new Seltos has a lot in common with the Carens Clavis’s cabin and has the same color schemes and layout as the MPV. The revised center console, huge 12.3-inch dual displays, new three-spoke Kia steering wheel, and panoramic sunroof are the best things about the front seats. Let’s discuss the key features in detail.
Panoramic sunroof: This feature has been asked for for a long time. The new Seltos has a big panoramic sunroof that lets in a lot of light and makes the cabin feel bigger.
Powered and Ventilated Seats: The best versions now come with 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seats with memory capabilities and the very popular ventilated front seats.
Auto Hold on the Electric Parking Brake (EPB): This makes things a lot easier and safer, especially in city traffic.
64-Color Ambient Lighting: Owners can change the mood of their cabin with customizable ambient lighting that runs along the dashboard and door pads.
Safety Feature: The new Seltos’s Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are probably the most important thing that sets it apart from other cars. Across the board, the safety package includes six airbags, ABS with EBD, a stability program, and hill-start aid.
Engine the Powerhouse
The biggest difference between the 2026 Seltos for India and the one for the rest of the world is probably what’s under the hood. The European version comes with a hybrid powertrain. The India-spec Seltos, on the other hand, still has the same 1.5-liter petrol and diesel engines. Considering the Maruti Victoria’s popularity in the class, Kia shouldn’t hold this back for long, as it might give the SUV a far higher appeal over many of its rivals.
As the pricing is still not out. On January 2, 2026, Kia will tell us how much the second-generation Seltos will cost. We think it will be between Rs. 12 lakh and Rs. 20 lakh.
Also tread other new launches: Tata Sierra 2025-Design, Features & Price Details
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