Kia Seltos 2026 Review — Second Generation Changes Everything
When Kia launched the first-generation Seltos in India in 2019, it changed the rules of the compact SUV game completely. A Korean brand that nobody in India had heard of arrived with a product so feature-loaded, so well-designed, and so competitively priced that it immediately challenged the Hyundai Creta’s segment dominance. Seven years later, Kia has launched the second generation — and the new Seltos is bigger, bolder, and more ambitious than ever.
The second-generation Seltos moves from the K2 platform to Kia’s new K3 platform, bringing in new tech and allowing the SUV to grow substantially. Length has increased by 95mm to 4,460mm, making it the longest in its class, while the wheelbase is up by 80mm to 2,690mm. Team-BHP
The all-new Kia Seltos price starts at ₹10,99,000 ex-showroom. Here is the complete honest review of everything that has changed — and whether it is worth your money. Tata Motors
What’s New — The Complete Second Generation Update
The 2026 Seltos is not a facelift. It is a ground-up redesign on a new platform with new dimensions, new technology, and a completely new interior. Almost nothing carries over from the previous generation except the engine options.
The new Seltos 2026 is 95mm longer at 4,460mm, 30mm wider at 1,830mm, and has an 80mm bigger wheelbase at 2,690mm. The dual 12.3-inch infotainment displays are housed in a single panoramic panel. CarWale
These are not minor changes. A 95mm length increase is the equivalent of adding the width of an adult hand to the car’s overall footprint. The wheelbase extension translates directly into meaningful rear legroom improvement — making the 2026 Seltos noticeably more spacious for rear passengers than its predecessor.
Design — Bold and Polarising
The new Seltos brings in new Kia design traits and while it isn’t as quirky as its sibling the Syros, the new design will not find universal appeal. The new Seltos does look better in real life than in photographs, with its size helping it carry off some of the stronger design elements such as the vertical DRLs at the edges that wrap right over to the bonnet and fender. Team-BHP
The front face is genuinely striking — the Digital Tiger Face grille, the Star Map LED DRLs, and the Ice Cube LED projection headlamps create a lighting signature that is instantly recognisable. At night, the front of the new Seltos is genuinely spectacular.
At the side there is chunky gloss-black cladding around the wheels and on the doors with body-coloured inserts. Flush door handles are available from the lower-spec HTE(O) onwards. Team-BHP
The flush door handles are a premium touch that makes the Seltos stand out from rivals — they are motorised, extending outward when you approach with the key and retracting flush with the body when not in use. This was previously a feature of premium European cars only.
The rear gets Star Map LED connected tail lamps that illuminate in a constellation-inspired pattern — one of the most attractive rear lamp signatures available in any Indian car under ₹20 lakh.
The X-Line variant adds an exclusive Matte Graphite paint shade and blacked-out exterior elements — creating the most visually aggressive Seltos ever made.
Engine Options — Proven Powertrains on New Platform
Despite the new platform, Kia has retained the proven engine lineup from the previous generation — a sensible decision given how well-regarded these units are.
1.5L Naturally Aspirated Petrol (115 PS, 144 Nm): Available with 6-speed manual or IVT (Intelligent Variable Transmission — Kia’s CVT). The entry powertrain for city buyers who prioritise smoothness and fuel efficiency over performance. The IVT’s seamless acceleration makes city driving genuinely relaxed.
1.5L Turbo Petrol (158 PS, 253 Nm): Experience reliable, strong, and efficiently engineered performance with 117.5 kW and 253 Nm, redefining every journey with smooth power and superior refinement. Available with 6-speed iMT or 7-speed DCT automatic. This is the engine that makes the Seltos genuinely exciting — 158 PS in a compact SUV gives it real performance credentials. The 7-speed DCT is the recommended pairing — fast, precise, and perfectly matched to the turbo engine’s character. Tata Motors
1.5L Turbo Diesel (113 PS, 250 Nm): Available with 6-speed manual or 6-speed torque converter automatic. The diesel automatic combination is one of the most refined in the segment — smooth, quiet, and genuinely relaxed on long highway drives. Recommended for buyers covering 2,000 km or more monthly.
Interior — The Trinity Panoramic Display
The interior is where the 2026 Seltos makes its most dramatic statement.
The all-new Seltos redefines the game with the Command-Centric Trinity Panoramic Display, blending seamless tech for a smooth and smart driving experience. Tata Motors
The Trinity Display houses three screens in one seamless panel — a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, a 12.3-inch central touchscreen, and a 5-inch HVAC control screen between them. The combined display stretches nearly the entire width of the dashboard creating an immersive, cockpit-like experience that genuinely impresses every person who sits in it.
The fit and finish is very good — panel gaps are minimal, and though more soft-touch materials would be appreciated, you cannot call the cabin plasticky thanks to high-quality materials and good texturing on the surfaces. Team-BHP
Premium features on higher variants include:
- Dual pane panoramic sunroof that elevates the interior offering passengers a sense of openness and luxury Tata Motors
- 64 colour ambient mood lighting on door trims and full crash pad Tata Motors
- Bose Premium Sound System with 8 speakers delivering crystal-clear audio Tata Motors
- Ventilated front seats
- Powered driver seat with memory function
- Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
- Wireless charging
- Digital key
One honest criticism: Odd misses are an air purifier — something present on the previous car — and rear cooled seats that Kia provides on the smaller Syros. For a car at this price, the absence of rear ventilated seats is a genuine omission that competitors like the Hyundai Creta address. Team-BHP
Boot space is 447 litres — improved over the previous generation and competitive in the segment.
Safety — Five Star BNCAP and Level 2 ADAS
The new Seltos has secured full five stars in Bharat NCAP crash tests, underlining the benefits of the new K3 platform. Team-BHP
Six airbags are standard across all variants. The comprehensive safety package includes ABS with EBD, Electronic Stability Control, Hill Start Assist, Downhill Brake Control, Tyre Pressure Monitoring, and ISOFIX child seat anchors.
The all-new Seltos delivers ADAS Level 2+ safety. The ADAS suite includes Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Centring, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go, Blind Spot Collision Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Collision Warning, and High Beam Assist — one of the most comprehensive ADAS packages available in the compact SUV segment. Tata Motors
The lane departure correction felt natural in testing, though with lane centring on, the inputs made the car feel like it was meandering with constant corrections on Indian roads that are not always uniformly wide or straight. The honest assessment — ADAS works better on well-marked highways than on typical Indian city roads with inconsistent lane markings. Team-BHP
Ground clearance is 200 mm — good for the segment and sufficient for Indian road conditions including speed breakers and moderate rough terrain.
Price and Variants — Complete Guide
Kia Seltos price starts from ₹10.99 lakh for the base model and goes up to ₹20.19 lakh for the top model ex-showroom as of May 2026. CarWale
| Variant | Engine | Price |
|---|---|---|
| HTE | 1.5L NA Petrol MT | ₹10.99 lakh |
| HTK | 1.5L NA Petrol MT/IVT | ₹12.99 lakh |
| HTK+ | 1.5L NA/Turbo Petrol | ₹14.99 lakh |
| HTX | 1.5L Turbo Petrol DCT | ₹16.99 lakh |
| HTX+ | 1.5L Turbo Petrol DCT | ₹18.49 lakh |
| GT Line | 1.5L Turbo Petrol DCT | ₹19.49 lakh |
| X-Line | 1.5L Turbo Petrol DCT | ₹19.99 lakh |
The sweet spot: HTX or HTX+ variants — you get the turbo petrol DCT, ADAS, ventilated seats, panoramic sunroof, and most of the Trinity Display technology without paying GT Line premium prices.
Kia Seltos 2026 vs Key Rivals
| Feature | Kia Seltos HTX+ | Hyundai Creta SX Tech | Tata Sierra |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | ₹18.49L | ₹17.99L | ₹17.99L |
| Engine | 1.5T 158 PS | 1.5T 160 PS | 1.5T 138 PS |
| Length | 4,460 mm | 4,330 mm | 4,345 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,690 mm | 2,610 mm | 2,600 mm |
| NCAP | 5-star BNCAP | Not tested (2024 gen) | 5-star BNCAP |
| ADAS | Level 2+ | Level 2 | Level 2 |
| Trinity Display | Yes | No | No |
| Boot Space | 447 L | 433 L | 468 L |
The Seltos is the longest car in its class — the 95mm length advantage directly benefits rear passenger space. The Trinity Display is unique in the segment. The 5-star BNCAP rating is confirmed and reassuring.
Who Should Buy the Kia Seltos 2026?
Buy it if:
- You want the most feature-loaded compact SUV under ₹20 lakh — the Trinity Display and ADAS Level 2+ combination is segment-leading
- Rear passenger space matters — the extended wheelbase delivers the most rear legroom in the compact SUV segment
- You want diesel automatic refinement — the 1.5 CRDi torque converter automatic is one of the smoothest diesel automatics available in this price range
- The bold X-Line or GT Line aesthetic appeals to you
- The Syros is your second choice but you want more space
Consider alternatives if:
- Safety credentials are the absolute priority — Tata Sierra and Nexon have dual NCAP ratings
- Budget is under ₹14 lakh — the Seltos base variants miss too many features
- You want maximum rear seat ventilation — the Seltos lacks rear cooled seats
- Service network in your city is limited — Kia has 650 outlets versus Hyundai’s 1,300 plus
The Honest Verdict
The 2026 Kia Seltos is a genuinely impressive second-generation product. It is bigger, more feature-loaded, more premium, and more capable than its predecessor in virtually every dimension. The Trinity Panoramic Display, the flush door handles, the Star Map LED lighting, the 5-star BNCAP rating, and the comprehensive ADAS Level 2+ suite combine to create a package that is genuinely hard to fault at its price.
For the second generation Seltos, Kia has chosen not to rewrite the formula — a good thing. This SUV changed the rules of the compact SUV game when it first debuted in 2019, and the new Seltos 2026 simply pushes things up a notch. Autocar India
The Seltos has not just kept pace with the competition — it has raised the bar. In a segment where the Creta has historically dominated, the 2026 Seltos is the most serious challenge Hyundai’s bestseller has faced.
Rating: 9/10
Also read: Hyundai Creta 2026 Full Review and Kia Syros 2026 Review.
External source: Kia India Official — Seltos
