Kia has released the first set of teasers of the next-gen Seltos ahead of the midsize SUV’s full reveal on Wednesday, December 10. The teasers preview a radically different design language for the new Seltos.
- First teaser for new Kia Seltos previews wider grille and sharp LED lights
- New Seltos will get retractable door handles, LED welcome animation, panoramic sunroof
- The SUV features a new rear LED light bar that resembles that of the Carens Clavis
Next gen Kia Seltos exterior design
Horizontally split headlights

The next-gen Seltos adopts design cues similar to those of Kia’s newer global models, like the Telluride. Up front, the new Seltos features a wide ‘Tiger Face’ grille lined with chrome and flanked by sharp vertical daytime running lamps (DRLs). Interestingly, the main headlight units are placed within the grille’s extremities and include C-shaped, vertical and horizontal LED signatures. A chunky silver skid plate sits at the bottom of the fascia.
LED welcome animation and panoramic sunroof confirmed

Notably, the teaser shows off an LED welcome animation feature for the DRL units and headlights, and the Kia emblem sits right above the grille. The camera also pans upwards to show off a panoramic sunroof.
New Seltos will get retractable door handles
Additional teaser images for the new Seltos show off the SUV’s side profile, revealing blacked-out pillars, retractable door handles, generous cladding, black roof rails, satin chrome trim, all-new alloy wheels and a kinked window line that forms an hourglass-like shape and flows into the rear windscreen.
Rear light bar resembles that of the Carens Clavis
Moving to the rear, the new Seltos gets an LED light bar that looks very similar to that of the Kia Carens Clavis, along with a sleek roof spoiler and muscular silver skid plate.
Next gen Kia Seltos launch plans
Launching in 2026
Following the next-gen Seltos’s reveal on December 10 in Korea, Kia will launch it in India in 2026, likely during the first half of the year. The new Seltos will continue to rival the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Tata Sierra, Maruti Suzuki Victoris, Maruti Grand Vitara, Toyota Hyryder, Honda Elevate, Volkswagen Taigun, Skoda Kushaq, MG Astor, and the upcoming Renault Duster and Nissan Tekton.
Also see:
Kia Seltos hybrid confirmed at brand’s 2025 Investor Day
Kia Sorento SUV spied in India for the first time


