The new Kia Seltos has been revealed ahead of its India launch on January 2, 2026, after being on sale in its first-generation avatar since 2019. Kia has thoroughly refreshed the exterior and interior of the Seltos, which is built on a new K3 platform, while keeping it a feature-rich offering like the older model and continuing with the powertrains. Here are all the differences and similarities between the new Seltos and the old model.
Kia Seltos new vs old: Exterior
Gets a revamped fascia that gives it a bolder look than before
The new Kia Seltos gets an all-new look inspired by the recently revealed Kia Telluride, which brings it in line with the manufacturer’s fresh design language. It features a new ‘Tiger Face’ grille with boxy-looking LED headlight units that also house multiple DRLs. A set of DRLs is placed on both sides of the grille, which also function as turn indicators.
The bumper has also been thoroughly redesigned, and Kia has equipped it with gloss-black trims in place of the rugged black cladding on the older model. While the LED fog lamp design has been revised, the Seltos continues with a body-coloured trim around them.
Features new flush-type door handles and gloss black body cladding
In profile, the new Seltos features flush-type door handles and gloss-black cladding over the wheel arches that runs along the lower edge of its body. It continues with 18-inch wheels, but the alloy design is more modern than before. The rear quarter glass panel has also been merged with the rear windshield to give the 2026 Seltos a more cohesive look.
The new Seltos is 95mm longer and 30mm wider, with an 80mm larger wheelbase than the old model.
Has a cleaner rear profile with slimmer tail-lights
The tail-lights of the Seltos look inspired by the Kia Carens Clavis and hence look more minimalistic than before. The Kia logo now sits below the light bars, and the rear wiper is hidden beneath the rear spoiler, giving the Kia SUV a cleaner look. The rear bumper has a gloss-black finish, features body-coloured trims and a faux-silver skid plate like the front bumper.
The new Seltos now gets four new monotone exterior colour options: Morning Haze, Magma Red, Frost Blue and Ivory Silver Gloss.
Kia Seltos new vs old: Interior
Packs in a new dashboard, steering wheel and screens
The new Kia Seltos gets a more modern-looking dashboard design that seems to be more upright than before. It also gets a new 3-spoke steering wheel with a flattened top and bottom and features buttons for drive and terrain modes in addition to the usual music and ADAS controls.
The highlight, however, is the Syros-derived dual 12.3-inch screens that work as the infotainment and instrumentation displays. Kia has also added a 5-inch touchscreen in between these screens to control the SUV’s climate. However, the manufacturer has continued with physical AC controls as well, which are placed on the lower portion of the dashboard.
The new Seltos also features new dual-tone leatherette seat upholstery and headrests that look more comfortable than before. The rear bench seat can be split in a 60:40 ratio and can be flat-folded to accommodate more luggage. Notably, the 2026 Seltos has a 447-litre boot space, which is 13 litres more than the older model.
Loaded with features to its brim
Like the old Seltos, the new model continues to be a feature-rich offering with amenities including a panoramic sunroof, a wireless phone charger, dual-zone climate control, ventilated front seats and an 8-speaker Bose sound system. The driver’s seat is 10-way electrically adjustable, has powered lumbar support adjustability, and comes with memory and relaxation functions. The memory function also remembers the ORVM position and changes it accordingly for different drivers.
In terms of safety, it is equipped with 6 airbags, a 360-degree camera with blind spot monitor, level-2 ADAS, a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), an electronic parking brake with auto hold and disc brakes on all wheels.
Kia Seltos new vs old: Powertrain
Comes with the same engine and gearbox options as before
Although it is built on a new K3 platform, no changes have been made to the powertrains on the new Seltos. It continues to come with a 115hp naturally aspirated petrol, a 160hp turbo-petrol and a 116hp diesel engine options, all of which get both manual and automatic transmission options.
Pre-bookings of the new Seltos have commenced, and the prices will be announced on January 2, 2026, which we expect to start at Rs 11.25 lakh.
Price is ex-showroom, India
