The 2027 Kia Seltos Just Leveled Up - Inside And Out

Kia has pulled the wraps off the next-generation Seltos, and the small SUV you thought you knew has grown up. The design is bolder, the cabin is far more polished, and the whole vehicle feels like it’s climbed a segment without technically leaving its class.

The front end now leans into a more modern, upright look with stacked lighting elements and a wider grille that blends into a Satin Silver skid plate.

Along the sides, flush door handles and chunkier cladding give it a tougher stance, while a diagonal crease through the rear doors adds some personality. Out back, a full-width light bar and a stretched roof spoiler give it more presence than the outgoing model ever had.

Kia also added three new paints: Iceberg Green, Gravity Gray, and a matte Magma Red that makes the little SUV look surprisingly premium. Buyers will again get to choose between the sport-leaning GT-Line and the more adventurous X-Line. The designs are the same, but the finishes aren’t - the GT-Line keeps things body-color, while the X-Line goes darker with gunmetal trim. 

The new Kia Seltos has also grown in all the right places. It’s longer, wider, and rides on a stretched wheelbase that pushes it closer to the European Sportage in size. That extra length shows up inside, where Kia focused on making the cabin more family-friendly. Cargo space jumps to 536 liters, helped by a new dual-level floor.

The interior takes the biggest leap. A pair of 12.3-inch screens handle instrumentation and infotainment, with a clean climate panel and slimmer vents below. Over-the-air updates, an AI assistant, ambient lighting, a head-up display, a panoramic roof, and premium audio options from Harman Kardon or Bose help the Seltos feel a lot more expensive than it is. 

Underneath, the Seltos now rides on Kia’s K3 platform. According to Kia, the new architecture improves stiffness, reduces cabin noise, and gives the suspension better balance.

Depending on the market, the new Seltos will be offered with a 2.0-liter engine or a 1.6-liter turbo that can make up to 190 hp. Transmission choices include a manual, a dual-clutch automatic, or an eight-speed auto. All-wheel drive is available and comes with terrain modes for mud, sand, and snow.

A hybrid version is also on the way for 2026. Kia hasn’t revealed numbers yet but says it will offer better efficiency, V2L capability, and improved regenerative braking. Production starts before the end of the year, beginning in India and expanding to Korea, North America, Europe, and China throughout 2026. For the U.S., the redesigned Seltos will land as a 2027 model.