Kia Seltos

The Kia Seltos is a compact mid-size SUV designed for the Indian market with keen attention to style, space, and technology. Its 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines come with manual, iMT, CVT, or 7-speed DCT transmissions, offering a blend of performance and efficiency. The 2025 update brings sharper exterior styling with a bigger grille, vertical LED DRLs, and fresh alloy wheels, enhancing road presence. The revised cabin features premium materials, improved dashboard layout, a larger infotainment touchscreen, and better ergonomics. Rear AC vents and comfortable seating add to passenger comfort. Safety is comprehensive with multiple airbags and advanced driver assistance systems available in higher trims. The Seltos competes strongly against rivals like the Hyundai Creta and MG Astor by delivering strong package balance—modern design, technology, and driving refinement suited to Indian roads and buyer expectations.

The Kia Seltos is a mid-size SUV that has carved a significant niche in the Indian automotive market since its introduction, and I view it as one of the segment's most complete offerings. The vehicle combines an attractive contemporary design with a spacious five-seat cabin that prioritizes comfort and practicality for Indian road conditions. Engine options include a 1.5-litre petrol, 1.5-litre turbo-petrol, and 1.5-litre diesel, each paired with manual or automatic transmission choices, catering to diverse buyer preferences. What makes the Seltos particularly noteworthy is its comprehensive feature set including a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, panoramic sunroof, dual-zone climate control, and advanced ADAS technology with multiple cameras and radars. The recent facelift has further elevated its appeal with refreshed styling cues and an even more premium cabin ambiance. I find the Seltos to be exceptionally versatile for Indian buyers—whether you're navigating bumper-to-bumper city traffic or cruising highways, it handles both scenarios with aplomb. The strong build quality, refined powertrains, and comprehensive warranty support from Kia's expanding service network make it a compelling choice for families seeking a reliable, feature-packed, and driving-focused mid-size SUV that doesn't compromise on any crucial aspect.

The Kia Seltos stands out in the mid-size SUV segment with its appealing design, a feature-packed cabin, and refined powertrains. The 2025 model’s updated styling with sharper lines and a more upright stance gives it a fresh, premium look. Inside, the cabin is spacious and comfortable with user-friendly technology and quality materials that elevate the overall experience. On the road, the turbo-petrol engine paired with a 7-speed DCT delivers smooth, linear power and responsive driving suited for both city commute and highway cruising. The suspension manages Indian road conditions well, providing a comfortable ride without harshness. Safety features including multiple airbags and advanced driver assistance systems add to the package’s appeal. However, the expansive variant lineup can be confusing, and higher trims come at a premium price point. Overall, the Seltos is a confident and stylish SUV that balances performance, comfort, and technology effectively, making it a strong contender for buyers looking for a versatile, well-rounded vehicle in the Indian market.

The Kia Seltos stands out as one of the most compelling mid-size SUV offerings in India today, and I find it to be a remarkably well-rounded package that justifies its strong market position. What impresses me most is how Kia has managed to pack segment-leading features without compromising on driving dynamics or refinement. The turbo-petrol engine paired with the seven-speed DCT is genuinely impressive, delivering linear power with smooth gearbox responses that make highway driving a pleasure. The ride quality consistently impresses me—it absorbs bumps effectively while maintaining composure, and the cabin remains relatively quiet even at highway speeds. Where I particularly appreciate the Seltos is in its safety and technology offerings, including level-2 ADAS systems that are becoming increasingly important for modern buyers. The spacious interior with a premium cabin feel, combined with features like a panoramic sunroof and Bose sound system in higher trims, creates an experience that punches above its segment weight. However, I must note that the extensive variant lineup can be confusing for buyers, and top-end models do command premium pricing. Overall, for someone seeking a feature-rich, refined, and reliable mid-size SUV with strong driving credentials, the Seltos remains a vehicle I would confidently recommend.

The 2026 Kia Seltos marks a significant generational leap for India's compact SUV segment. Having spent time with the new generation, I found it to be a more mature and refined offering compared to its predecessor. The second-gen model now stretches to 4,460mm in length, making it the longest in its class, with a wheelbase extended to 2,690mm that rivals even the Tata Sierra. The design is notably bolder with Kia's new digital tiger-nose grille and distinctive vertical daytime running lamps that wrap across the bonnet, though this aggressive styling may divide opinion among traditional SUV buyers. Under the hood, the Seltos continues with three engine options: a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol producing 113 bhp, a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol with 158 bhp, and a 1.5-litre diesel with 114 bhp. The cabin feels noticeably more premium with improved interior quality and a comprehensive feature set including a 12.3-inch touchscreen, ADAS Level 2+ with 21 autonomous features, and a dual-pane panoramic sunroof across higher variants. While the firm ride quality persists, overall refinement and feature richness make it a compelling choice in the mid-size SUV segment, starting at Rs 10.99 lakh.

The new 2026 Kia Seltos marks a significant generational leap for one of India's most successful compact SUVs. I recently spent time with this second-generation model, and I must say Kia has delivered a compelling package that addresses many of the previous generation's shortcomings. The design language is notably bolder, drawing inspiration from Kia's global lineup with its striking digital tiger-nose grille and sharp, futuristic styling that commands attention on Indian roads. Dimensionally, the new Seltos is the longest in its class at 4,460mm with an impressive wheelbase of 2,690mm, translating to genuinely spacious interiors. The powertrain lineup carries over the familiar 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol, 1.5-litre turbo-petrol, and 1.5-litre diesel engines paired with various transmission options including CVT and DCT automatics. What particularly impressed me is the comprehensive feature set including Level 2 ADAS with 21 autonomous functions, a 360-degree camera, dual-pane panoramic sunroof, and innovative 64-colour ambient lighting. The boot space of 447 litres remains practical for daily use. Starting at Rs 10.99 lakhs, the Seltos continues to offer exceptional value in the compact SUV segment, positioning itself strongly against competitors like the Creta and Sierra.

The 2026 Kia Seltos represents a significant leap forward for India's compact SUV segment, and I've had the opportunity to experience this second-generation model firsthand. Built on Kia's advanced K3 platform, the new Seltos impresses with its commanding presence, stretching to 4,460mm in length, making it the longest in its class, while the wheelbase has grown to 2,690mm for enhanced interior space. The design language is bold and contemporary, drawing inspiration from Kia's global design philosophy with its distinctive digital tiger-nose grille and striking daytime running lights. Inside, the cabin feels substantially more premium than before, featuring a 12.3-inch HD display instrument cluster and advanced ADAS Level 2 technology with 21 autonomous safety features. The powertrain options cater to diverse buyer preferences, with a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine producing 115 horsepower, a 1.5-litre turbo petrol variant delivering more spirited performance, and a reliable 1.5-litre diesel unit generating 114 horsepower and impressive 250Nm torque. Transmission choices include manual, iMT, and CVT options across variants. Starting at Rs 10.99 lakh, the Seltos offers exceptional value without compromising on features or capability, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a modern, well-equipped compact SUV.

The 2026 Kia Seltos arrives as a significant evolution in India's midsize SUV segment, marking the brand's shift from being merely a Creta alternative to establishing itself as a confident standalone product. Having tested the new generation, I find the redesign compelling, with the bold digital tiger-nose grille and squared LED headlamps drawing clear inspiration from the Telluride, lending the SUV a more premium and planted stance. The dimensional upgrades are substantial—at 4,460mm in length with a 2,690mm wheelbase, it's now the longest in its class, translating to noticeably improved cabin space and practicality. The aerodynamics have been refined, reducing drag coefficient from 0.34 to 0.31, contributing to better efficiency. What impressed me most is the reworked interior featuring a 12.3-inch HD display instrument cluster, advanced ADAS Level 2 with 21 autonomous features, and a 360-degree camera system across the range. Powertrain options remain familiar—1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol producing 115PS, 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol delivering 160PS, and a 1.5-litre diesel pushing 116PS—though the continued absence of new engine options feels slightly conservative given the competition. Pricing starts at Rs 10.99 lakh, positioning it competitively against rivals like the Maruti Suzuki Victoris and Tata Sierra.

Kia has commenced public road tests of the new-gen Seltos, with spy shots revealing a heavily camouflaged test mule. The new model is expected to be slightly longer and feature significant changes to the front and rear ends, including squared LED headlights and new L-shaped LED taillamps. I think these changes will give the Seltos a more modern and aggressive look.

The Kia Seltos is priced competitively in India, with ex-showroom prices starting at around ₹12.5 lakh for the base petrol manual variant and going up to approximately ₹23.3 lakh for the top-end diesel automatic variants depending on the city. On-road prices typically add ₹40,000 to ₹50,000 or more over ex-showroom prices depending on state taxes, insurance and registration costs. For example, in Delhi, the petrol manual variant’s on-road price crosses ₹14.5 lakh. The premium variants with advanced features like turbo-petrol engines, dual-tone paint, and ADAS features command a significant price premium, but offer a comprehensive package that justifies the cost for discerning buyers. While these figures place the Seltos at a higher price bracket than some rivals, its feature list, refinement, and overall build quality offer good value in this competitive segment. It’s important to consider the variant and engine configuration carefully to balance budget with desired features and performance.

In India, the Kia Seltos pricing ranges from approximately ₹12.5 lakh for the base petrol-manual variant up to ₹23.3 lakh for the diesel-automatic top-end variant, with on-road prices varying by location. From my perspective as an automotive reviewer, this pricing strategy is quite intelligent—it allows Kia to capture buyers across different budget segments while maintaining strong value proposition at each tier. The entry-level pricing is competitive and makes the Seltos accessible to first-time mid-size SUV buyers, while the jump to higher variants is justified by the addition of premium features like the larger infotainment system, panoramic roof, and advanced safety systems. What I find particularly valuable is that even the mid-range variants offer excellent feature content without stretching the budget excessively, making them the sweet spot for buyers seeking balance between affordability and equipment. The ex-showroom pricing typically falls around ₹14.07 lakh for the base petrol variant in Delhi, with on-road prices adding registration, insurance, and taxes. While top-end variants are undeniably expensive, I believe buyers get genuine value through segment-first features and build quality, making the overall ownership proposition reasonable for those who can afford it.

The Kia Seltos delivers mileage figures around 17 km/l for petrol variants and slightly better for diesel versions. While not the segment’s best in fuel efficiency, its real-world running costs are reasonable considering the power and refinement on offer. For buyers focused heavily on mileage and low running costs, diesel variants might be more suitable, but petrol turbo engines provide a spirited yet smooth drive with acceptable fuel economy for city and highway usage.

The Kia Seltos delivers mileage between 17 to 20 kmpl depending on the powertrain and driving conditions, which I find to be decent for a mid-size SUV of this caliber. The petrol-manual variant typically achieves around 17 kmpl, while diesel options and automatic transmissions may vary slightly based on driving patterns. From a running cost perspective, the petrol variants tend to offer lower fuel expenses compared to diesels despite slightly lower efficiency, given current fuel price differentials in India. The CVT transmission on some variants provides marginally better efficiency through its stepless operation, though real-world differences are often negligible.