Kia has been testing the next-gen Seltos SUV in its home market in South Korea for some time now, and we’ve previously reported on the spy shots taken in India, too. Now, another sighting in Korea has revealed a very striking headlamp design. There are also talks of the next-gen Seltos getting a new petrol-hybrid powertrain, but we’ll have to wait and see whether it makes it to our market.
- Next-gen Seltos could see a major design overhaul
- It is expected to get a new petrol-hybrid powertrain
Next-gen Kia Seltos spied: what’s new?
Like in the previous sightings, this test mule has heavy camouflage. Still, one can easily make out the LED lighting pattern in the headlamps and tail-lamps. The headlamps, in particular, don’t resemble any of Kia’s existing SUVs. The test mule had an H-pattern DRL with three illuminated vertical slats in the grille area. A previous sighting, too, hinted at a new concave design for the grille, with multiple vertical strakes. At the rear, the next-gen Seltos gets a new LED lighting strip that joins the two tail-lamps, similar to the EV5.
The next-gen Seltos will likely continue on the same platform as the existing model. So, the overall dimensions will be similar. However, these initial sightings suggest a significant design overhaul, which can be expected for the interior as well.
Next-gen Kia Seltos: powertrain options
The next-gen Kia Seltos will likely continue the existing engine options: the 1.5-litre petrol (both turbo and naturally aspirated are available) and the 1.5-litre diesel. There are also talks that in overseas markets, Kia will introduce a new 1.6-litre petrol-hybrid engine with an electric motor on the rear axle for the Seltos, effectively giving it all-wheel drive. Whether it comes to India or not is something we’ll find out in due course, but Kia India has previously suggested that it is considering hybrids for India. So, the possibility can’t be ruled out.
As we reported earlier, the all-new Seltos could debut globally in the second quarter of 2025. An India launch can be expected sometime early next year.
Rivan RS 
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Uday Singh
Suraj Viswanathan
