Second-generation Kia Seltos revealed

ENLARGED and transplanted to a more modern and refined platform, the second-generation Kia Seltos fulfils a broader global brief than its predecessor with Kia signalling that the crossover will underpin the brand’s growth plans in internal combustion (ICE) and hybrid (HEV) markets.

Assembly of the Seltos commences in India later this month for that market, while South Korean production of the new-generation model is slated for early 2026—but an Australian launch is at least nine months away.

A statement provided by Kia Australia confirmed the fourth quarter of 2026 for a local release, with the brand set to start local ride and handling tuning in the coming months.

Having amassed more than two million sales since the outgoing first-gen’ model launched in mid-2019, the Seltos shifts onto a newer ‘K3’ platform shared by Kia and sibling brand Hyundai.

Product executives told media, including GoAuto, that the move to the K3 platform brings substantial gains in on-road behaviour.

Kia head of global business planning Spencer Cho said that “most of the hard points of the chassis and suspension” had been changed and that the new Seltos will have “much improved ride and handling characteristics”.

The South Korean brand will sell the new Seltos in European markets in a first for the nameplate, reflecting increased confidence about the maturity and sophistication of the small SUV.

“This will reinforce the role of the Seltos as one of Kia’s most strategically important products, just like the Sportage and Sorento,” said Kia president Ho Sung Song.

Annual sales targets have been set at 430,000 for the second-generation car, up 7.5 per cent compared to the outgoing model. The region that includes Australia will be expected to find 30,000 annual sales, with regional goals set at 130,000 for North America, 100,000 for India and 60,000 for Europe.

While core 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated and 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engines carry across, the Seltos line will expand with the arrival of a HEV option that is all but confirmed to come to Australia.

The Seltos HEV variant is expected to share the 104kW/265Nm 1.6-litre petrol-electric four-cylinder used by the closely related Hyundai Kona Hybrid.

Kia says the Seltos HEV will be differentiated by its deployment of Smart Regenerative Braking 3.0—which uses real-time traffic and navigation inputs—plus an in-cabin power outlet with vehicle-to-load discharging.

Mr Ho confirmed that Kia will not introduce a battery electric (BEV) version of the Seltos, noting the presence of the EV3 and EV5 in adjacent segments.

Customer and dealer feedback included requests for Kia to prioritise greater practicality.

“They wanted to have a bit more space and utility, which is why we extended the overall dimensions and added a number of new convenience features,” said Mr Cho.

Overall length will measure 4430mm (+45mm) on a 2690mm wheelbase that stretches +60mm from the previous car. The new Seltos is also wider (1830mm, +30mm) but it is a little less tall overall with a 35mm drop to 1600mm. Boot capacity is said to rise to 536 litres.

The exterior design of the Seltos incorporates ‘star map’ lighting stretching into the front grille, while the model picks up some of the slab-sided cues deployed on the EV5. Wheel sizes will measure from 16- to 19-inches in diameter.

Three exterior treatments will be seen across the Seltos range with entry- and mid-tier grades such as S, Sport and Sport+ expected to wear a standard style package while dual range-topping GT-Line and new X-Line will cap the range.

Inside, packaging enhancements include greater second-row legroom and reclining rear seats, while a shift-by-wire type automatic transmission selector frees up additional centre-console space.

Upper variants adopt a adopt a new seat design with mesh headrests while 100-watt USB-C device charging will be optional in order to replenish laptop computers on the go.

A new horizontal dashboard design incorporates dual 12.3-inch displays, split by a 5.0-inch climate adjustment panel, while dedicated physical toggles for temperature and fan speed, hard shortcuts for key infotainment pages and a volume roller are all present and accounted for.

The Seltos’s technology stack runs on Kia’s ccNC architecture, with app availability growing to include Netflix and Disney Plus streaming, ChatGPT-linked chat functions and over-the-air updating capability. Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto will also come to Seltos.

Front- and all-wheel drive configurations will continue, while new driver-assistance technologies include Highway Driving Assist 2 with hands-on detection capability for the steering wheel.