Kia’s new Seltos lands with a serious glow-up
For once, we can all agree on something: Kia has been on a serious product roll lately. This year alone, the brand has dropped some genuinely interesting metal: the Tasman, the Carnival, and the Sorento, all confidently styled and surprisingly easy to fall for.
And what’s really stood out is how Kia, a proudly Korean brand, has tapped into a bold, American-SUV aesthetic. It doesn’t feel fake or copied but rather intentional, original, and very much Kia. They call this design philosophy Opposites United, and on the new Seltos, it shows.
I must say, Karim Habib, Kia’s Executive Vice President and Head of Global Design, and his team have done a genuinely impressive job here. If you’re reading this, chances are the images of the new Seltos already grabbed you. And it makes sense. The redesign manages to blend the rugged, familiar character of Kia’s earlier ICE SUVs with the cleaner, more aerodynamic cues we now associate with the brand’s latest EVs, such as the EV9.
Unlike the outgoing first-generation model, the new Kia Seltos now rides on the brand’s K3 platform, the same architecture used for the K3 and K4 sedan and hatchback models. The platform was developed from the ground up to easily accommodate everything from hybrids and PHEVs to full EVs and traditional combustion engines.
For the Seltos, that shift brings significant benefits and upgrades. The new platform has allowed Kia to sculpt out more space overall: total length is up by 45mm, the wheelbase stretches an extra 60mm, and even the boot grows by 80mm.
Two models are on offer: the X-Line, which features dark gunmetal finishes and reinforced lower garnishes for a more rugged stance, and the GT-Line, which leans towards the sportier side with sleek, body-coloured accents. At the premiere, Kia confirmed that the new Seltos will be available in three shades: Iceberg Green, Gravity Grey, and a bold matte Magma Red.
Inside, the new Kia Seltos has taken a noticeable step upmarket, thanks largely to the brand’s integrated curved display setup, the same design cue you’ll find in Kia’s newest and most premium models. You get a pair of 12.3-inch digital screens, one for the instrument cluster and one for the infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
A particularly welcome addition, and one that almost feels like it came straight from customer feedback, is the panoramic sunroof. Space has also been cleverly improved by switching to a shift-by-wire system with a more compact gear selector. Also, the second row of seats can now recline, not entirely a new idea, but it’s one of those small comforts that makes a big difference on longer trips.
Other thoughtful upgrades include ventilated, electrically adjustable front seats, a Harman Kardon and Bose sound system, ambient lighting, and noticeably improved materials throughout. Interestingly, the Seltos now features built-in ChatGPT integration, allowing occupants to ask all sorts of real-time questions, anything from trip suggestions to something as simple as ‘What can I eat to lose weight?’ or ‘Will Kia make the Stinger again?’, among other questions.
In terms of engines, the new Seltos will be offered with a standard output 1.6-litre T-GDI turbocharged petrol engine with 132kW and 265Nm. This unit will either be paired with a 7-speed DCT or a 6-speed manual gearbox. Kia will also offer the same engine in high-output guise, which will churn out 141kW and 265Nm, matched with an 8-speed automatic ‘box.
There’s also a 2.0-litre petrol engine with 109kW and 179Nm while the Korean carmaker is also planning to offer an optional AWD, paired with a multi-link rear suspension and Terrain Mode for driving through different terrain.
A hybrid variant is expected to join the range sometime in 2026, and this model will introduce the Vehicle-to-Load functionality (turning the vehicle into a driving power source) as well as the brand’s smart regenerative braking system 3.0, which automatically adjusts regen based on traffic flow and navigation data to optimise energy recovery.
As it stands, the new Kia Seltos is expected to hit South African roads sometime in 2026. Judging by its features, the new Kia Seltos is expected to appeal directly to tech-savvy buyers seeking a stylish, modern crossover. The Chinese brands may be dominating the segment right now, but the Koreans clearly aren’t sitting back. If Kia gets the pricing right, this one appears to have all the makings of a standout in its segment.
