Second-Gen Kia Seltos Bows In – Bigger, More Aggressive, Two ICE Options

The all-new, second-gen Kia Seltos bows in with new looks, a larger size, and two powertrain options.

Kia has just unveiled the new generation for its subcompact SUV crossover model, the Kia Seltos. For its second-gen iteration, the new Seltos adopts a more rugged styling with design cues derived from other newer Kia SUVs, a much modernised cabin setup, and two combustion powertrain options to start with.

In developing the new Seltos, Kia wants its new subcompact SUV to become a “protagonist” in its global lineup, and that can be seen in its rugged and sharper design. Two design trims are offered, namely the sportier GT-Line and the more rugged X-Line.

It gets several design cues from its bigger siblings, which can be seen on its new front fascia featuring a large front grille with vertical inserts, split LED headlights with vertical DRLs, and a more prominent lower bumper skid plate finished in Satin Silver.

From the side, the new Seltos looks very similar to the likes of the EV5, thanks to its flushed door handles, squared-off roofline, and the prominent plastic underbody cladding. Meanwhile, both the rising beltline and floating roof are nods to the original Seltos, while the flared-out wheel arches impart it a more muscular stance.

Capping off the exterior design of the new Seltos are the slim, L-shaped LED taillights that again look very similar to the EV5’s, plus an aggressive rear bumper design and an elongated rear spoiler.

In terms of dimension, the new Seltos has grown in size compared to its predecessor, now spanning 4,430 mm long, 1,830 mm wide, and 1,600 mm tall with a wheelbase of 2,690 mm, thus edging it closer to the short wheelbase variant of the Sportage.

The next-gen redux also saw the new Seltos gaining a much more modern cabin setup, and its larger footprint also makes the subcompact SUV a more practical vehicle compared to its predecessor.

For starters, the front dash setup looks very similar to the one we saw on the EV5, with its digital cockpit setup comprising a dual 12.3-inch screen setup plus a dedicated control panel for the climate setting. They are joined by slim A/C vents, a two-tier dashboard setup with contrasting accents, and a three-spoke steering wheel studded in physical buttons and controls.

As with any other Kia EVs, the new Seltos gets a clean, minimalist central console setup featuring a wireless charger and two storage bins. That being said, you can find more physical controls located on the front door cards, which are dedicated to the seats' functions, as well as both the window and mirror controls.

Other key amenities primed here include a large panoramic sunroof, a dedicated head-up display (HUD), a 64-colour ambient lighting system, premium audio options of either Bose or Harman Kardon, a sizable 536-litre boot space, and many more.

Underneath its modern facade, the new Seltos still underpins the same K3 platform as its predecessor, albeit with some significant upgrades and changes to its rigidity and balance. At launch, this subcompact SUV will be offered in two pure combustion powertrain options, namely a 2.0-litre 4-cyl nat-asp petrol engine rated at 147 hp and a peppier 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbocharged unit producing either 178 hp or 190 hp, depending on the market.

Transmission options also vary depending on the market, which include a six-speed manual, a seven-speed DCT automatic, or even an eight-speed conventional automatic. While drive is mostly sent to the front wheels (FWD), an all-wheel drive (AWD) option with selectable driving modes will also be available for the new Seltos. That being said, Kia mentioned that a hybrid variant of the Seltos is set to arrive sometime later in 2026, although no technical details have been released, at least for now.

Production of the second-gen Kia Seltos is slated to begin later at the end of this year, before heading to selected markets starting with India, followed by South Korea, North America, Europe, and China.

With the Kia brand now being represented in a new, principal-led national sales company (NSC) known as Kia Sales Malaysia (KSM), there’s a high chance that the new Seltos might be heading to our market in the future. As for now, the newly-established Kia Malaysia will be focusing on three key models, namely the EV9 flagship EV SUV, as well as both the pre-facelift Sportage SUV and Carnival MPV.