The new Kia Seltos is more than a routine facelift. The second-generation SUV brought a new K3 platform, a completely redesigned exterior and interior, more technology and a larger footprint, while retaining the three-engine strategy that has been central to the Seltos in India. Kia also made India the global debut market for the new-generation SUV, underlining how important the Seltos remains to the company here.
The transformation is especially noticeable in the cabin and safety package. The latest Seltos can be equipped with a panoramic display setup, ventilated seats, Bose audio, a panoramic sunroof, 360-degree camera and Level 2 ADAS with 21 autonomous safety features. Kia has also increased the SUV’s dimensions, with the new model measuring 4,460mm in length.
And there is an important detail that is easy to miss when looking at the new Seltos: Kia has not introduced a hybrid powertrain in the current Indian lineup. Instead, buyers get naturally aspirated petrol, turbo-petrol and diesel engines, with different gearbox combinations depending on the engine and variant.
New Kia Seltos Price in India
The new Kia Seltos is currently priced from ₹10.999 lakh to ₹21.569 lakh ex-showroom, depending on the variant. Kia offers a broad range of trims, allowing the Seltos to cover everything from relatively straightforward family-SUV configurations to heavily equipped versions with advanced driver assistance and premium cabin technology.
The range includes HTE, HTE(O), HTK, HTK(O), HTX, HTX(A), GTX, X-Line, GTX(A), X-Line(A), GTX(O) and X-Line(O). The top-end GTX(O) and X-Line(O) versions currently sit at ₹21.569 lakh ex-showroom.
That broad pricing structure is important because the Seltos is no longer trying to win buyers purely through its entry price. Kia is clearly pushing the upper variants toward buyers who want premium features, more sophisticated safety technology and a more upmarket cabin without moving into the larger SUV segment.
The New Seltos Has a Much Bolder Face
The biggest visual change is at the front. Kia has evolved its familiar Tiger Nose design into a wider, more integrated face, with the grille flowing into the bonnet treatment and a new lighting signature that gives the SUV a considerably more imposing appearance than the outgoing model.
The lighting arrangement is particularly distinctive, with Ice Cube LED projection headlamps and Star Map LED daytime running lights. Higher variants also bring larger 18-inch alloy wheels and additional exterior detailing that gives the Seltos a more premium and muscular stance.
Kia has also increased the overall dimensions. At 4,460mm long, the new Seltos is 95mm longer than its predecessor, while the new platform and larger body are intended to improve cabin space and overall road presence.
At the rear, the connected Star Map LED tail lamps continue the more technical design theme. The result is a Seltos that looks less like an evolution of the previous SUV and more like a genuine second-generation model.
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The Cabin Is Where the Seltos Really Moves Forward
Inside, Kia has taken a much bigger step toward the premium end of the segment. Depending on the variant, the dashboard can feature a large panoramic display arrangement combining the driver’s information display and infotainment functions, while higher versions receive additional equipment such as a head-up display and digital key.
The equipment list is extensive. Available features include a panoramic sunroof, 64-colour ambient lighting, ventilated front seats, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, dual-zone automatic climate control and an eight-speaker Bose premium sound system.
Kia has also concentrated on everyday usability rather than relying only on headline technology. The second row gets a 60:40 split and recline function, while the boot offers a claimed 447-litre capacity. Wireless smartphone charging, rain-sensing wipers, an electric parking brake with Auto Hold and paddle shifters are also available depending on the variant.
That combination matters because the Seltos is fundamentally a family SUV. A large screen may attract attention in a showroom, but features such as rear-seat flexibility, ventilated seats, useful storage and a reasonably sized boot are the things owners will appreciate after months of everyday use.
New Kia Seltos Engine Options
Unlike some recent SUV launches, Kia has not completely reinvented the Seltos’ powertrain lineup. The new-generation model continues with three engine choices: a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol, 1.5-litre turbo-petrol and 1.5-litre diesel.
The naturally aspirated petrol produces 84.4kW and 143.8Nm, while the turbo-petrol develops 117.5kW and 253Nm. The 1.5-litre CRDi diesel produces 85kW and 250Nm, giving buyers a familiar mix of petrol refinement, turbocharged performance and diesel efficiency.
Transmission choices vary by engine. The naturally aspirated petrol is available with a six-speed manual and CVT, while the diesel gets a six-speed manual and six-speed automatic. The turbo-petrol is paired with a six-speed iMT or seven-speed DCT.
This is also where the original article needs an important correction. There is currently no strong-hybrid Seltos on Kia India’s official lineup, and the new Indian Seltos should not be described as a hybrid SUV. The K3 platform is compatible with hybrid applications, but that is different from Kia actually selling a hybrid Seltos in India today.
Safety Is Now One of the Seltos’ Biggest Strengths
Safety has become a major part of the new Seltos’ positioning. Kia lists six airbags as standard, along with electronic stability control, all-wheel disc brakes and a 360-degree camera on higher variants.
The SUV also comes with a Level 2 ADAS package offering 21 autonomous safety features on applicable variants. These systems include functions designed to assist with areas such as adaptive cruise control, lane keeping and collision avoidance, although drivers still remain responsible for controlling the vehicle.
Kia has also highlighted the new Seltos’ 5-star Bharat NCAP safety rating, giving the latest generation an important credibility boost in a segment where crash-test performance is becoming increasingly important to buyers.
There is also a smart dashcam with front and rear cameras, a head-up display and additional parking assistance technology on higher variants. Together, these features make the new Seltos considerably more technology-heavy than the earlier generation.
Technology Goes Beyond Screens
One of the more interesting developments is that Kia isn’t treating connectivity as simply an infotainment feature anymore. Higher variants offer OTA software updates with Kia Connect Diagnostics, allowing certain vehicle software and connected functions to be updated without treating every change as a traditional workshop visit.
The Seltos can also be equipped with a digital key, allowing a compatible smartphone to be used for access and vehicle operation. This is becoming increasingly common in premium vehicles, but its arrival in a mainstream SUV shows how quickly connected-car technology is moving down the price ladder.
For buyers, this is arguably more significant than another large touchscreen. A modern car increasingly behaves like a connected device, and features such as remote functions, diagnostics and OTA updates can influence ownership long after the novelty of the cabin display has disappeared.
Is the New Kia Seltos Bigger Inside?
The new Seltos’ larger exterior dimensions are not just about appearance. Kia says the new generation brings increased interior space, while the longer 4,460mm body helps the SUV establish a stronger presence in the mid-size SUV segment.
The 447-litre boot, sliding and reclining second-row functionality and improved equipment package also strengthen its family credentials. For buyers who regularly travel with luggage or use the vehicle for long-distance trips, those practical improvements could matter more than the styling changes.
This is also why the new Seltos should be viewed as a broader upgrade rather than simply a prettier version of the outgoing SUV. Kia has changed the platform, increased the dimensions and significantly expanded the available technology.
What Makes the New Seltos Different?
The most interesting part of the new Seltos is the balance between familiar mechanical choices and a substantially newer vehicle architecture. Kia hasn’t abandoned the petrol-diesel formula that has worked for the Seltos, but it has wrapped those engines in a much more modern platform, cabin and electronic architecture.
That approach could actually work in Kia’s favour. Buyers who aren’t ready to move to an EV or hybrid still have familiar internal-combustion options, while those looking for a more technologically advanced SUV get features such as Level 2 ADAS, connected services, OTA updates, digital key functionality and a much more sophisticated cabin.
The challenge is competition. The Seltos operates in one of India’s most crowded SUV segments, with established rivals and increasingly ambitious products fighting for the same family buyer. Kia therefore needs the new model to deliver not just a strong feature list but also convincing real-world refinement, comfort, efficiency and ownership experience.
New Kia Seltos: Who Should Buy It?
The new Seltos makes the most sense for buyers who want a feature-rich mid-size SUV without moving into a larger three-row vehicle. Its combination of multiple engine choices, a broad variant range, modern safety technology and premium equipment gives buyers considerable flexibility.
The turbo-petrol version should appeal more to enthusiasts who value stronger performance, while the diesel remains relevant for buyers who regularly cover long distances. Meanwhile, the naturally aspirated petrol offers a simpler option for customers who prioritise straightforward everyday driving rather than outright performance.
The top variants are a different proposition. Once the price climbs beyond ₹20 lakh ex-showroom, buyers will naturally start comparing the Seltos with more expensive and larger alternatives. That makes the equipment list important, but it also means buyers should choose the variant carefully instead of assuming the most expensive Seltos is automatically the best value.
New Kia Seltos FAQs
What is the price of the new Kia Seltos in India?
The new Kia Seltos currently starts at ₹10.999 lakh ex-showroom and goes up to ₹21.569 lakh ex-showroom for the top variants. Prices vary according to engine, transmission and trim.
Does the new Kia Seltos have a hybrid engine?
No. The current Indian Seltos lineup uses a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol, 1.5-litre turbo-petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engine. The new K3 platform is compatible with hybrid applications, but Kia is not currently selling a hybrid Seltos in India.
Does the new Kia Seltos get ADAS?
Yes. Higher variants of the new Seltos offer Level 2 ADAS with 21 autonomous safety features.
How long is the new Kia Seltos?
The new Seltos measures 4,460mm in length, making it 95mm longer than the previous-generation model.
What engines are available in the Kia Seltos?
The Indian Seltos is available with a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol, 1.5-litre turbo-petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engine.
Does the new Kia Seltos get a panoramic sunroof?
Yes. The new Seltos offers a dual-pane panoramic sunroof, depending on the variant.
Ride And Tech Verdict
The new Kia Seltos is a much more significant upgrade than the original article suggested. It retains the familiar petrol, turbo-petrol and diesel formula, but the new K3 platform, larger dimensions, substantially upgraded cabin and extensive safety technology push the SUV into a more sophisticated phase of its life.
What stands out most is the balance between familiarity and technology. Kia hasn’t forced buyers into a new powertrain strategy, but it has made the Seltos considerably more modern everywhere else, from Level 2 ADAS and connected services to digital-key functionality and OTA updates. For a buyer who wants a feature-rich mid-size SUV without immediately moving to an EV, that is a compelling combination.
The new Seltos still has to prove itself on real-world refinement, ride quality, fuel efficiency and long-term ownership, but on paper it is a far more complete SUV than the one described in the original article. This is not simply a new face for the Seltos; it is Kia using a new generation to make one of its most important Indian SUVs substantially more sophisticated.
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