Kia Seltos : I’ve been following the mid-size SUV scene closely here in India, and let me tell you, the launch of the 2026 Kia Seltos feels like a game-changer.
Priced starting at Rs 10.99 lakh, this second-gen model isn’t just a facelift—it’s a full reboot on the new K3 platform, packing bolder looks, smarter tech, and safety features tailored for our chaotic roads.
A Design That Turns Heads on Every Street
You can’t miss the new Seltos pulling up. Its front grille dominates with a massive stepped pattern and gunmetal accents,
flanked by those intense Ice Cube LED projection headlamps and Star Map LED DRLs that light up like a constellation—pure drama at dusk.
The body stretches to 4,460mm long with a 2,690mm wheelbase, giving it a muscular stance wider and taller than before,
complete with flush auto door handles and up to 18-inch crystal-cut alloys with neon brake calipers on GT-Line trims.
Side profiles scream adventure with sharp creases and roof rails, while the rear boasts connected Star Map LED tail lamps that make it glow futuristically.
I spotted one in Morning Haze paint during a test drive preview, and it looked savage against Mumbai traffic—10 monotone shades available, including new Magma Red for the X-Line pack.
This isn’t cookie-cutter SUV styling; Kia’s drawn from their global big boys like the EV9, but tuned it badass for Indian eyes.
Cabin That Feels Like a Premium Lounge
Step inside, and it’s like upgrading from economy to business class. The command-centric Trinity Panoramic Display—a seamless 31.24cm digital cockpit fused with a 12.3-inch touchscreen—puts everything at your fingertips,
from nav to drive modes. Dual-zone climate control, 64-color ambient lighting, and a Bose 8-speaker system crank up the vibe; I cranked some old-school Bollywood tracks, and the bass hit just right without distortion.
Seats are dual-tone leatherette with ventilation up front, a powered 10-way driver seat with memory, and reclining 60:40 split rear benches that slide for legroom.
Little touches like the double D-cut steering wheel, wireless charger, and rear sunshades make long hauls from Delhi to Chandigarh bearable—no more sweaty backs in summer heat.
The center console keeps physical buttons for quick AC tweaks, blending old-school reliability with new-age OTA updates and Kia Connect for remote diagnostics.
Powertrains That Punch Above Their Weight
Under the hood, Kia stuck with proven mills but refined them on the stiffer K3 platform for better handling. The base 1.5-litre NA petrol (115hp/144Nm) pairs with 6MT or CVT for city sips at 17kmpl;
Turbo-petrol fans get the 1.5-litre T-GDI (160hp/253Nm) with iMT or 7DCT—smooth shifts, paddle shifters, and modes like Sport that make overtakes on NH44 feel effortless, claiming 17.9kmpl.
Diesel loyalists rejoice: the 1.5-litre CRDi (116hp/250Nm) with 6MT or TC auto hits 20.7kmpl, ideal for highway warriors dodging fuel hikes. All variants roll on all-disc brakes, traction modes (sand/mud/snow),
and electric parking brake—waiting periods are stretching to weeks for diesels due to demand. In my quick spin, the turbo-DCT felt responsive yet refined, no turbo lag to curse at signals.
Safety Net That Actually Works Here
Kia didn’t skimp on what’s crucial in India—crash protection and idiot-proof aids. Six airbags standard across the board, plus ESC,
hill-hold, and a 360-camera with guidelines for those tight parking spots in Chandigarh markets. But the star is Level 2+ ADAS with 21-28 features recalibrated for our roads:
adaptive cruise with stop-go, lane-keep, blind-spot alerts, and forward collision avoidance that spots two-wheelers and pedestrians better.
Higher trims add blind-view monitor and parking collision avoidance—imagine reversing without that heart-stop in reverse without sweat. Built on the K3 platform with higher ground clearance,
it handles potholes like a champ, and early reviews praise its stability at triple-digit speeds. No more white-knuckling through fog or rain; this Seltos anticipates trouble.
Pricing and Variants for Every Wallet
From HTE at Rs 10.99 lakh to top X-Line at Rs 19.99 lakh (ex-showroom), it’s stacked in 10 trims. Base gets basics like 10.25-inch screen and wireless AA/CP; mid HTX+ adds sunroof,
ventilated seats; GT-Line/X-Line pile on ADAS, Bose, and 18s. Bookings opened at Rs 21k, deliveries mid-Jan, with 10k+ units sold first month—rivaling Creta in a hot segment.
Value shines in packs letting you add ADAS without topping out. Compared to Victoris or Taigun, Seltos edges on features-per-rupee, especially turbo variants under Rs 20 lakh on-road.
Also read this : Toyota Camry Launched in market at ₹35 Lakhs – comfortable features with 24kmpl mileage
Kia Seltos Why It’s Ruling Indian Roads Already
The 2026 Seltos isn’t chasing trends—it’s setting them, blending Korean flair with India-specific tweaks like better junction ADAS and diesel efficiency.
Sales crossed 6 lakh cumulative fast, waiting lists grow because it nails the brief: looks killer, drives smart, feels premium without bankruptcy.
If you’re eyeing a Creta alternative or first SUV, test drive one; that panoramic sunroof and turbo punch might seal it. Kia nailed the reset—badass, indeed.