Kia has officially revealed the Next-gen Seltos (2026 model), and early reports confirm one thing — this isn’t a facelift. It’s a full-generation upgrade designed to push the Seltos far ahead of rivals like the Hyundai Creta, Maruti Grand Vitara, Honda Elevate, MG Astor, and the upcoming Tata Sierra.
The redesign, feature enhancements, and interior changes were first detailed through CarDekho’s specifications breakdown, IndiaToday Auto’s design reveal, and CarLelo’s booking insights. All three point to the same conclusion: Kia has transformed the Seltos into a more premium, refined, and tech-rich SUV for 2026.
Here’s the complete, deep-dive breakdown.
1. A Completely New Exterior Design – Stronger, Sharper & More Upscale
The 2026 Seltos gets a huge leap in styling. Kia has redesigned almost every exterior element to reflect a more premium global design identity.
Major Design Upgrades:
- New Tiger Nose grille – wider, thicker, and more SUV-like
- Sharp LED DRLs integrated into the grille
- Redesigned LED headlamps with futuristic detailing
- Full-width connected LED light bar at the rear
- More muscular wheel arches
- New dual-tone alloy wheel designs (17–18 inch expected)
- Reworked bumper with sportier lines
According to IndiaToday Auto’s reveal article, the new Seltos looks more “global SUV” than ever before, taking inspiration from the Kia Sportage and EV5.
The Seltos now feels more expensive to look at — exactly what buyers in this segment want.
2. Interior Upgrade – Almost a Luxury Cabin Now
The interior is one of the biggest changes in the new Seltos. Kia has revamped the entire cabin layout to look more premium, minimalistic, and technologically advanced.
Interior Highlights:
- Dual 12.3-inch connected displays (instrument cluster + infotainment)
- Revised dashboard with premium layered texture
- New touch + rotary climate controls
- Ambient lighting 2.0 with more color combinations
- New-generation ventilated leather seats
- Upgraded Bose or premium audio system (expected)
- Better-quality soft-touch materials across the cabin
- Larger, more open panoramic sunroof
- Better AC ventilation for rear passengers
The SUV now looks like it belongs to a segment above.
For new SUV buyers, our New Car Owner Mistakes India Guide is extremely useful to avoid early ownership errors.
Cabin Verdict:
Modern, premium, and far more upscale than the outgoing version.
3. Bigger, Wider & More Practical – Dimension Improvements
As per CarDekho’s specifications report, the next-gen Seltos has grown in size:
- Longer body = more road presence
- Wider cabin = better shoulder room
- More legroom for second row
- Improved boot practicality
Families who found the older Seltos slightly tight at the rear will appreciate this upgrade.
Dimension Verdict:
More comfortable, more spacious, and more India-friendly.
4. Engine Options – More Refined Turbo, Strong NA & Proven Diesel
Engine performance is one area where Kia already excelled. The new model continues with the same engines but improves refinement and efficiency — especially in the turbo variants.
Expected Powertrain Lineup:
Turbo Petrol 1.5L (Upgraded)
- ~160 PS power
- Better low-end response
- Improved DCT cooling
- Faster throttle mapping
NA Petrol 1.5L
- Smooth and reliable
- Best suited for city usage
Diesel 1.5L (likely to continue for India)
- High torque for highway cruising
- Excellent mileage
As per CarLelo’s engine reveal update, Kia is refining its DCT and CVT gearboxes for seamless compatibility with Indian road and climate conditions.
Performance Verdict:
Smoother, stronger, and more reliable for long-term ownership.
5. Features – Even More Loaded Than Before
Kia has always dominated the features list, and the 2026 model takes it even further.
Exterior Features
- Full LED package
- Connected tail lamp
- Dynamic sequential indicators
- Dual-tone exteriors
- New roof rail styling
Interior Features
- 360-degree camera
- Ventilated seats
- Wireless charging
- Leather upholstery
- Digital driver information graphics
- Rotary drive mode selector
Comfort & Convenience
- Height-adjustable power seats
- Multi-zone climate control
- Keyless entry with digital key 2.0
- Rear AC vents for all variants
Safety Features (Standard in 2026 Seltos)
- 6 airbags
- ESC
- Traction Control
- Hill Assist
- ABS with EBD
- TPMS
- ISOFIX mounts
ADAS Level 2 Upgrades Expected
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane keep assist
- Lane follow assist
- Blind spot collision avoidance
- Forward collision warning
- Rear cross-traffic alert
This matches India’s shift toward safer cars explained in our article
Safety Over Mileage – Car Buying Trends
Feature Verdict:
Easily the most feature-loaded mid-size SUV in 2026.
6. Variant Lineup – HT, GT & X-Line Continue
Based on early variant leaks from CarDekho, Kia will retain its successful lineup structure:
HT Line (Comfort-Oriented)
- HTE
- HTK
- HTK+
- HTX
- HTX+
GT Line (Sporty + Premium)
- GTX
- GTX+
X-Line (Flagship)
- Matte paint
- Exclusive styling
- Highest features
Each variant will get distinct styling cues and feature combinations.
7. Price Expectations & Launch Timeline
As per CarLelo’s booking insights, Kia is preparing for an official India reveal soon.
Expected Price Range:
₹12 lakh – ₹21 lakh (ex-showroom)
Expected India Launch:
Late 2025 to early 2026
The pricing will be aggressive because:
- Creta continues to dominate
- Maruti/Toyota hybrids are strong competitors
- Tata Sierra is entering premium mid-size space
Kia wants Seltos to be the segment leader again, and pricing will reflect that ambition.
8. Competition – How the New Seltos Stands Against Rivals
The next-gen Seltos competes in the most crowded SUV segment.
Hyundai Creta
- Seltos wins in features & design
- Creta wins in brand trust & ride comfort
Maruti Grand Vitara / Toyota Hyryder
- Seltos wins in performance & interior
- Hybrids win in fuel efficiency
Honda Elevate
- Seltos wins in tech
- Elevate wins in practicality
MG Astor
- Seltos wins in resale & brand stability
- Astor wins in value-for-money
Tata Sierra (upcoming)
- Seltos wins in screen tech + engines
- Sierra wins in design + safety
Should You Wait for the Next-gen Kia Seltos? – Final Buying Advice
✔ Wait for the 2026 model if:
- You want the best-looking Seltos ever
- You want ADAS and premium tech
- You want a feature-loaded SUV
- You like powerful turbo engines
- You want future-proof design
❌ Don’t wait if:
- You need a car immediately
- You prefer hybrid-level mileage (Grand Vitara better)
- You want a lower budget (< ₹12 lakh)
Conclusion – The Next-gen Seltos Is Ready to Shake the Segment Again
The 2026 Kia Seltos is a massive upgrade in:
- Design
- Interiors
- Space
- Features
- ADAS
- Comfort
- Road presence
It is stronger, more premium, more refined, and more future-ready than the outgoing model.
With this generational update, Kia is clearly aiming to dominate the mid-size SUV segment again — and the new Seltos has everything it takes to do that.
