Wednesday, December 10, 2025
By Kamal Swami
Kia Unveils Seltos Globally: Official Launch on January 2, 2026
The Korean carmaker Kia has officially pulled the curtain on the upcoming 2026 Seltos SUV. The new Seltos was unveiled globally during the event held in Hyderabad. In its new avatar, the Seltos not only receives cosmetic updates but also undergoes mechanical changes in the form of updated engine options. The company will start receiving the bookings from midnight of December 12, 2025, and launch the SUV officially on January 2, 2026.
Speaking about the cosmetic changes, the new Seltos is larger than its outgoing version. It now receives a wider front grille, vertically stacked LED DRLs, reprofiled LED headlamps, flush door handles, and refreshed front and rear bumpers. At the rear, the SUV carries a connected LED taillamp unit, a hidden rear wiper, a revised roof spoiler, and a shark fin antenna. During the event, the carmaker also showcased a striking matte red exterior with a contrasting black roof, further enhancing its sporty stance. The 2026 Kia Seltos will be manufactured at the company’s Anantapur facility with major design inputs from the India R&D team.
| Engine Type | Power | Torque | Transmission System |
| 1.5-litre N.A Petrol | 113 bhp | 144 Nm | Manual, iVT |
| 1.5-litre Turbo-Petrol | 158 bhp | 253 Nm | iMT, DCT |
| 1.5-litre Diesel | 114 bhp | 250 Nm | Manual, TC |
Inside the cabin, the 2026 Seltos gets a completely changed look. The interiors of Seltos receive a modern floating dual-screen layout integrating the infotainment system and digital instrument cluster, now supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Additional upgrades include a new steering wheel, redesigned switchgear, heads-up display, dual-zone climate control, ambient lighting, and a dual-pane panoramic sunroof. The SUV also offers 447 litres of boot space thanks to flat-folding rear seats.
Mechanically, the new Seltos will come equipped with a 1.5-litre NA petrol, 1.5-litre turbo-petrol, and 1.5-litre turbo-diesel engine options paired with manual, iMT, iVT, DCT, and 6-speed torque converter gearboxes. It also receives three driving modes, including Snow, Mud, and Sand, introduced to offer an improved driving experience on varied terrains.
It should be remembered that the first generation of Seltos was launched six years back and played a vital role in establishing Kia’s routes on Indian soil. The 2026 model arrives with a bold design evolution and a feature-loaded interior. Detailed variant-wise features and pricing will be announced closer to its market launch.
