New Kia Seltos Coming Soon: Specs, price and release info

Lost in the Kia showroom or online configurator and not sure which mid-size SUV to pick out of the existing Sportage, EV3, XCeed, Niro or EV5? The arrival of this new Seltos probably won’t help, given it adds yet another option, and has much of the same look about it. No bad thing there, given Kia’s EV9-inspired aesthetic has translated well to the rest of the range and given them a smart and distinctive look. But trying to figure out exactly where the new Seltos fits into the line-up looks complicated. Let’s try and work it out…
• While it’s a new name to European drivers the existing Seltos is one of Kia’s most important cars in markets in which it operates – this second-generation version seeks to share the love further • EV9-inspired design language means blocky, chunky styling with Kia’s distinctive modern looks • Not sure where it fits into Kia’s existing SUV line-up? Nor us, but by the tape measure the Seltos is smaller, narrower and lower than a Sportage but a fraction taller, longer and wider than a Niro • A hybrid will follow but, for now, the Seltos offers three levels of petrol-engined power, with all-wheel drive optional • A truly global model, production of the new Seltos starts immediately in India before rolling out across other markets – Europe included – later in 2026 • No word on pricing as yet but someone at Kia will be getting busy with a calculator to try and figure out where it fits in among existing models like the Sportage, Niro and Xceed.

So far we’ve had the global reveal for the Seltos, and confirmation it will be available in two distinct trim levels each with a different vibe. Whether this will carry over to when the car arrives here in the UK remains to be seen but, for now, Kia says there will be an X-Line version with contrasting grey panels and a more rugged look alongside a GT-Line with body-coloured trim panels. An additional ‘base’ trim is also promised. In essence, though, the Seltos very conforms to the popular mid-size SUV template, Kia’s distinctive design language with the vertical lights, square-cut shape and subtly flared side panels working just as well as it does on the rest of the range. We endured the lifestyle-themed launch promo so you don’t have to and, from that, it seems Kia is very keen to emphasise the Seltos’ size, practicality and versatility as a tool to support busy lives, the interior featuring the modular AddGear system from the new PV5 van to help you configure it to your particular needs.

As is the modern way screens feature heavily, with a digital instrument cluster and central touch-screen combined into a single sweep across the top of the dash. The tech powering it will be familiar from other Kias – no bad thing there – while access to firm’s in-house app store opens up possibilities for integrating favoured third-party infotainment accounts and suchlike. We’re reassured at the sight of some physical switchgear beneath the screen as well. It’s not clear what will be standard and what will be on the options list but nice-to-haves like a big panoramic roof, multi-position and reclining rear seats and various choices of upgraded hi-fi will feature. In the promo vid Kia even showed off the ability to fold the rear seats flat into a bed, much like the Sleep Pack Catherine added to her Duster long-term test car, which is interesting given the Duster is likely a key competitor.

With the EV3 and EV5 covering off the electric options and Niro and Sportage offering hybrids the Seltos will – at least to start with – focus more on conventional petrol engines, suggesting it’s positioning itself as the value offering in Kia’s extensive mid-size crossover family. Two versions of the 1.6 T-GDi turbocharged petrol engine are core, these offered in Standard Output with the choice of a manual or seven-speed automatic gearbox or High Output with (you guessed it!) a bit more grunt and a slicker eight-speed automatic. There’s also a non-turbo 2.0-litre, though this is actually less powerful than either 1.6 and, we’d speculate, more expensive on fuel and tax. Details of the hybrid version will be announced in due course.

See above but it will take some nifty number crunching to find a pricing point into which the Seltos can fit among the wider Kia SUV line-up. But we’d anticipate value for money being a top priority.

Given we’re at the end of the year and the Seltos has been unveiled just ahead of the festive season we’ll say that’s probably it for Kia this year, and after the successful launches of everything from the EV4 hatch to the PV5 van the various teams will be looking forward to a well-earned break.

Demand for mid-size SUVs of this type seemingly remains insatiable, the popularity of the format with the incoming Chinese brands likely informing Kia’s choice to make the latest Seltos a global model pitched at a competitive price point.