At the moment, the next-gen Kia Seltos is preparing for its big India entry, and what latest spy pictures and industry scuttlebutt are telling us, this trendy midsize SUV is going to witness its most comprehensive update yet. With its fresh looks, all-new powertrain hybrid offering, and tech-fueled cabin on the horizon, it seems like the Seltos is bent on being ahead of the pack in the increasingly heated SUV market.
What’s New and Why It Matters
Kia’s Seltos has been a game-changer for the company in India, contributing almost half of Kia’s total sales since its debut in 2019. Although an updated version of the current-generation model was given a mid-cycle refresh for 2023, the new Seltos is going to be a full-on redesign, inside and out. The big news? The Korean carmaker seems to be responding to a growing demand for cleaner, more fuel-efficient SUVs in India and even globally, with a majority of international markets now being more environmentally conscious about the cars they use versus even a year back.
Kia Seltos Hybrid Design
The next-gen Seltos will come with Kia’s newest design language ‘Opposites United’ which is heavily inspired by the marque’s high-riding EVs such as the EV9 and Syros. Look out for a fresh fascia including thin, vertically stacked LED DRLs surrounding restyled head lamps, and a sunken grille large as well as new sportier-looking bumper. In the back, integrated LED taillights and a more sculpted tailgate will lend it a more contemporary and up-market look.
Top-end trims should roll on freshly designed 18-inch alloy wheels, and the overall outline will be familiar but little more aerodynamic for 2020.
Kia Seltos Hybrid Inside
Inside, the Seltos promises to take a step forward in design, features and technology. The cabin’s likely to take some inspiration from larger Kia models, with a wide, linked screen layout, which includes a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment screen, a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display and a 5-inch climate control screen. Look for a significant leap in material quality and fit-finish, more soft-touch surfaces and ambient lighting.
As for features, the upcoming Seltos is expected to get Level 2 ADAS, a panoramic sunroof, rear and front parking sensors, ventilated seats, wireless charging and more. Standard safety package will be six airbags, ESC, hill-start assist, and potentially a 360-degree camera.
Kia Seltos Hybrid Powertrain
The talking point is the new hybrid powertrain that should combine Kia’s naturally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor to produce a more efficient and cleaner driving experience. The Seltos will retain its 1.5-litre turbo-petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engines but is expected to come with a range of manual and automatic transmission options. Hybrid option is an astute one – especially when you consider more restrictive emission norms and diesel’s decline.
Kia Seltos Hybrid Platform
The new Seltos will be based on a revised iteration of the existing platform (used in conjunction with the Hyundai Creta). The architecture is flexible enough to cater to petrol, diesel and hybrid powertrains which means Kia is well equipped to cater to a broad spectrum of buyers.
Kia Seltos Hybrid Expected Launch and Price
Earlier, the word on the street was that the new Kia Seltos would start reaching Indian dealerships in the latter part of 2025, but now it is believed that the new model will be launched in the country in early 2026, potentially in January. Prices will likely begin at a premium over the existing model, which is priced from ₹11.13 lakh to ₹20.55 lakh (ex-showroom). The hybrid version, given its advanced tech, will probably be at the upper end of the price range.
Quick Highlights
Expected Launch Date: Early 2026 (likely) February (likely) January 2026 (unlikely)
Price Expectation: Expected to begin from over ₹12 lakh (ex-showroom)
Design: ‘Opposites United’ styling, LED DRLs, linked tail-lamps
Interior: Two 12.3-inch screens, 5-inch climate display, Level 2 ADAS, panoramic sunroof
Powertrains:
- 1.5L petrol-hybrid (new, India debut)
- 1.5L turbo-petrol
- 1.5L diesel
Transmission Options: Manual, iMT, CVT, DCT, automatic (depends on the engine)
Platform: Revised version of existing Seltos/Creta underpinning
Rivals: Hyundai Creta, Maruti Grand Vitara, Toyota Hyryder, Tata Curvv, Honda Elevate
The new Seltos will be interesting to watch and interesting to get behind the wheel – so stay tuned for more as we get closer to it launching!