AUTO

2026 Kia Seltos India Launch: A Reboot for the Compact-SUV Segment

Image credit: Kia India

The 2026 model of the Kia Seltos has officially made its debut in India, and it’s not just a mild facelift. Kia has overhauled the design, expanded dimensions, bolstered the cabin with premium features, and updated its powertrain lineup, positioning this second-generation Seltos to take on rivals such as Hyundai Creta, Tata Sierra and Maruti Suzuki Victoris.

Exterior & Dimensions: A More Muscular Presence

The 2026 Seltos grows in nearly all dimensions: it now measures 4,460 mm in length, 1,830 mm in width, with a 2,690 mm wheelbase. This makes it 95 mm longer and 30 mm wider than its predecessor, resulting in a more imposing road presence.

Up front, the SUV sports Kia’s new “tiger-nose” grille in high-gloss black with dark gunmetal accents, with squared-off LED headlamps and vertically stacked DRLs. The bumper is more rugged, with black cladding and integrated fog-lamp housings. The side profile gets chunkier wheel arches, new 18-inch alloy wheels, and flush-mounted door handles for a sleeker silhouette. At the rear, an inverted L-shaped LED tail-lamp signature spans the width, and the number plate has been relocated to the bumper for a cleaner tailgate design.

Interior & Features: Tech, Comfort and Premium Touches

Step inside, and the 2026 Seltos feels like a different vehicle altogether. The cabin boasts a sweeping digital dashboard: dual 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment system, along with a dedicated climate control display. Some of the headline features include:

• Panoramic dual-pane sunroof 
• Ventilated front seats, power-adjustable driver seat with memory, and rear sunshades
• Wireless Apple CarPlay / Android Auto & wireless charging 
• 360-degree camera, ambient lighting (64 colours), and connected-car capabilities. 

Also notable is the increased boot space, which now measures 447 litres, while rear-seat legroom and overall cabin space have improved due to the extended wheelbase.

Safety, ADAS & Driving Aids: Level-Up for a New Era

The 2026 Seltos introduces significant safety and driver-assist enhancements. Base safety kit includes 6 airbags, all-wheel disc brakes, ABS + EBD, ESC, hill-start assist, ISOFIX anchors, and more. On higher trims, buyers get Level-2 ADAS features including lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, collision avoidance support, and even a 360-degree camera, a commendable move to bring semi-advanced driving aids to a mid-size SUV in India.

Market Positioning and Outlook

With these sweeping changes, the 2026 Kia Seltos emerges not as a mere upgrade, but as a redefined product, one aimed at buyers seeking a more premium, tech-laden, larger SUV packed with convenience and safety. 

Booking opens from 11 December 2025, but Kia India has announced that official pricing will only be revealed on 2 January 2026. This relaunch comes at a time when competition from rivals like Hyundai Creta  is heating up, yet the 2026 Seltos seems well-equipped to reclaim its strong position in the compact-SUV market