Hyundai Motor Group has been mega profitable over the previous decade-plus largely as a result of its design groups know that it is significantly better to be bizarre, ugly or provocative than it’s to be plain, good and boring. Kia has gone completely outrageous with its newest technology of fashions, giving even usually primary transportation just like the K5 and Sportage futuristic, forward-thinking designs. However Kia nonetheless has some older vehicles in its lineup which are too boring, chief amongst them the subcompact Seltos crossover. Launched in 2019, the Seltos has all the time appeared superb, however by no means that particular or attention-grabbing, and it rapidly appeared previous in comparison with newer Kia SUVs.
That adjustments with the second-generation 2027 Seltos, which has a way more compelling exterior design that can undoubtedly be extra divisive. It additionally has a a lot nicer inside, an elective hybrid powertrain (a Seltos first), and a whole lot of new expertise options. Kia’s advert marketing campaign for the brand new Seltos facilities across the thought of Seltos drivers feeling like “protagonists” of their lives. It is fairly foolish and a bit unusual, however individuals who purchase the brand new Seltos will no less than have extra attention-grabbing lives than in the event that they purchased the previous one, which needs to be factor.
Bigger, however not any extra highly effective
The 2027 Seltos adopts the newer K3 platform that underpins vehicles just like the Kia Niro and K4 and the Hyundai Elantra and Kona, with 12% extra high-strength metal used than within the previous Seltos (as much as 62% now). Kia says the physique is extra inflexible, the chassis is extra balanced, and it will be quieter inside. It is 1.8 inches longer than the previous Seltos general, however extra importantly the brand new Seltos’ wheelbase is 2.4 inches longer. The brand new one is barely decrease in peak, however about an inch wider.
Carrying over from the earlier technology is the naturally aspirated 2.0-liter inline-4 utilized by lower-end Seltoses, making 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. Then there’s the turbocharged 1.6-liter 4, which has 178 hp and 195 lb-ft (with a 7-speed dual-clutch automated) in standard-output kind or 190 hp and 195 lb-ft (with an 8-speed auto) in high-output kind. As the present Seltos has 190 hp with the conventional 8-speed, I am guessing that is the one we’ll get within the U.S. as the worldwide press launch would not specify. All-wheel drive is offered throughout the board, which additionally will get you a multi-link rear suspension (as a substitute of a torsion beam) and off-road drive modes for mud, sand and snow.
Kia
Coming later in 2026 would be the first Seltos hybrid. Kia is not giving any particulars but, nevertheless it appears doubtless it’ll share the identical powertrain because the Niro, which makes use of a 1.6-liter four-cylinder paired with an electrical motor and an 11.1-kWh battery pack for a complete of 180 hp. Kia says the Seltos hybrid may have vehicle-to-load performance and the newest model of the model’s regenerative braking, which may routinely regulate based mostly on visitors round you. The Niro will get greater than 50 mpg, so the Seltos hybrid may rival Toyota’s Corolla Cross and RAV4 hybrids for the fuel-efficiency crown.
Winged eyeliner continues to be in
However like I stated, the styling is the large deal right here. As on the second-gen Telluride, the brand new Seltos’ headlights seem hidden within the corners of the massive grille. Relying on the mannequin the Seltos may have a distinct gentle signature; some have a clamp form within the sq. headlight pod whereas others have three vertical bars, and the operating lights will likely be both be white or amber in line with trim stage and market. I just like the angular gentle bar separate from the headlight itself, a element that jogs my memory of winged eyeliner on a popstar.
The greenhouse and window shapes are an evolution of the final Seltos, however with a cooler aluminum trim piece wrapping across the high edge. It has uniquely formed wheel arch trims and crisp surfacing strains across the fenders and physique sides, with decrease cladding that is advanced with out being too fussy. Flush door handles routinely come out. There are three new colours, one in every of which is grey, however no less than the others are Iceberg Inexperienced and matte Magma Purple, each seen right here.
Extra space, extra model
The inside acquired an enormous glow-up as effectively. You get a pair of 12.3-inch screens with a local weather management panel in between, plus a bunch of bodily controls on the dashboard and middle console for capabilities like temperature, fan velocity, quantity and infotainment shortcuts. The boomerang-ish components on the ends of the dashboard, echoed on the entrance of the door panels, have ambient gentle strips alongside the contours. The Seltos has a standard shifter as a substitute of going with a column-mounted twist knob like on many new HMG merchandise, however Kia says it now makes use of shift-by-wire, liberating up extra middle console area for greater cubbies and cupholders. That longer wheelbase means there’s extra second-row legroom, and extra cargo area and size, plus it has a foldable dual-level cargo board. It is also nice to see an aesthetic two-tone shade mixture just like the beige and brown you see above.
Kia
Obtainable on the 2027 Seltos are options like a big panoramic sunroof, second-row seats that may recline by as much as 24 levels, a head-up show, 100-watt USB-C ports, and each Harman Kardon and Bose audio techniques. The infotainment system has an app retailer with video streaming choices, an AI assistant and over-the-air software program updates, and you need to use Kia’s Digital Key 2 to entry your Seltos by way of your smartphone. Additionally supplied on the second-gen Seltos will likely be Kia’s newest suite of driver-assist options, together with the Freeway Driving Assistant 2 system, lane following help, entrance and rear automated emergency braking, protected exit warning, a surround-view digital camera, and entrance, aspect and reverse parking sensors.
Kia says the 2027 Seltos will enter manufacturing this month, with the SUV set to launch in India first. South Korea, North America, Europe and China will observe all through 2026. We should always get U.S.-specific particulars inside the subsequent few months, together with details about the Seltos hybrid.