Glow Up: This is the all-new 2026 Kia Seltos
Kia has taken the covers off the second-generation Seltos
After teasing its latest B-SUV last week, Kia has officially taken the covers off its new subcompact crossover.
Say hello to the all-new 2026 Kia Seltos, and boy, was the automaker busy giving it a glow-up. Now on its second generation, the Kia Seltos brings with it a bold evolution of the brand's design language and will serve as one of the automaker's significant global products.
According to the automaker, the all-new Seltos embodies the brand's vision of a confident and versatile subcompact crossover SUV, and it shows. Like the rest of Kia's lineup, the latest Seltos now features the “Opposites United” design language, resulting in a bolder and more SUV-like appearance of the Seltos.
The result is a prominent grille that's accompanied by new LED headlights and signature Star Map LED daytime running lights. Like the current generation, the all-new Seltos also comes with generous black body cladding to highlight its rugged looks. Also receiving a significant makeover is the rear, thanks to the new LED taillights and redesigned tailgate. The result is a Seltos that looks like the brand's new line of hybrid (HEV) and electric vehicles (EVs).
Other key features present in the new Seltos include flush door handles, diagonal character lines, a floating roof design, distinct two-tone alloy wheels, and a dynamic welcome light sequence. Size-wise, the all-new Seltos measures 4430mm long, 1830mm wide, 1600mm tall, and has a 2690mm wheelbase.
Hop inside, and the 2026 Kia Seltos welcomes you into a modern and spacious cabin. It has a low, horizontal dashboard that Kia says enhances forward visibility and creates a sense of openness. A more optimized packaging of the cabin also ensures a more generous legroom and headroom for all occupants.
Like the EV9, the all-new Seltos now makes use of a shift-by-wire system, which replaces the traditional gear selector. This allows for more space on the center console and an uncluttered layout. Infotainment comes in the form of a pair of 12.3-inch screens – one serves as the digital instrument panel while the other is the touchscreen media display. The latter comes with the Kia AI Assistant, which uses generative AI for a natural, conversational interaction with users.
Other key cabin features available in the 2026 Seltos include over-the-air updates for the infotainment system, customizable 64-color mood lighting, Harman Kardon or Bose sound systems, a heads-up display (HUD), a digital key for smartphone-based vehicle access & sharing, a 100W USB charging port, reclining rear seats, and a panoramic sunroof.
Under the hood, the 2026 Kia Seltos will initially be available with three engine options. The first one is a 2.0L naturally-aspirated inline-four that makes 149 PS with 179 Nm of torque. Next is a 1.6L turbocharged engine that's available in two states of tune. The standard output version makes 180 PS with 265 Nm of torque and can be paired with either a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission or a 6-speed manual gearbox. Meanwhile, the high-output version generates 193 PS with 265 Nm of torque and is only available with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Depending on the variant chosen, the Kia Seltos can be had with AWD or FWD, as well as with a multi-link rear suspension or with a torsion beam. Drive modes available for the Kia Seltos include Eco, Normal, and Sport.
In the future, Kia will introduce a hybrid variant in 2026 to bring higher efficiency to the Seltos. It will also have a vehicle-to-load (V2L) function, which could mean that a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version could also be in the works.
Global production of the all-new Kia Seltos will begin in December 2025, starting with India. It will then be followed by launches in Korea, North America, Europe, and China throughout 2026. Since Kia Philippines sources the Seltos from China, it might be a while before the all-new B-SUV arrives in the country.
