SEOUL, South Korea – The second generation of Kia’s subcompact SUV, the Seltos, was unveiled via an online world premiere held on December 10. Now built dimensionally larger than its predecessor, the new Seltos will be made available in distinguishable variants, namely the rugged X-Line with dark gun metal finishes and the sportier GT-Line with body-colored accents. New standout colors include Iceberg Green and a bold matte Magma Red.
The interior has been re-engineered for openness and connectivity. A low, horizontal dashboard improves forward visibility, while optimized packaging ensures generous headroom and legroom. The adoption of a column-type Shift-by-Wire (SBW) system also frees up center console space. Convenience-centered features include a wide panoramic sunroof, customizable 64-color mood lighting, second-row reclining seats, luggage capacity of 536 liters plus an AddGear accessory system, a panoramic display combining two 12.3-inch screens, an AI Assistant, and Over-the-Air (OTA) software update capability.
Built on Kia’s latest K3 platform, powertrain options include a 1.6liter T-GDI turbocharged petrol engine offering up to 193PS and 265Nm of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. A 2.0liter petrol engine with 149PS and 179Nm is also available. Optional all-wheel drive models come with a multi-link rear suspension and Terrain Mode settings for Snow, Mud, and Sand. Furthermore, a hybrid variant with Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality and Smart Regenerative Braking System 3.0 is scheduled to join the lineup in 2026.
Enhanced body rigidity is promised by Kia, along with their latest driver-assistance suite, which includes Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA 2), Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 2 (FCA 2), a Surround View Monitor (SVM), and the Digital Key 2 program for smartphone-based access.
Global production is scheduled to begin in December 2025, starting in India, followed by rollouts across major international markets in 2026.
