Kia has officially begun the countdown to its next-gen Seltos by releasing the first set of teaser images. And if first impressions count, the new design direction suggests Kia wants this SUV to look far more modern and grown-up.
A bold new face
The front now features a wider Tiger Face grille with generous chrome detailing. The sharp vertical LED DRLs and C-shaped lighting signatures make the styling more upright and confident. Even the headlight modules have moved outward to the edges for a more squared stance. A chunky silver skid plate completes the look.
Lights with a bit of theatre
The teasers confirm animated LED welcome lighting. The Kia badge sits just above the grille and the camera angle also reveals a panoramic sunroof. It seems Kia wants the new Seltos to feel a little more premium even before you unlock it.
Side profile gets cleaner and sleeker.
Retractable door handles make their debut and the pillars are now blacked out for a floating roof effect. The window line has a distinct kink near the rear quarter glass, giving it an hourglass-shaped flow. New alloy wheels and subtle chrome accents finish the side view without looking flashy.
Rear gets a full-width identity.
At the rear, a new LED light bar stretches across the tailgate. It looks similar to the lighting treatment seen on the Carens Clavis. The spoiler has been slimmed down and there is another silver skid plate that mirrors the front.
Launch timeline and expected positioning
After the global reveal on December 10 in Korea, the new Seltos is expected to arrive in India in 2026, likely during the first half of the year. The current model is priced between ₹12.57 lakh and ₹23.43 lakh on road and the next-gen version is expected to stay within a similar bracket.
Engines and features
Kia has not revealed mechanical details yet, but the present model offers petrol and diesel engines with power figures around 113bhp to 158bhp and torque between 144Nm and 250Nm. Expect refinements along with a familiar feature spread, including connected tech ventilation and ADAS, as these now feel essential in this segment.
Segment rivals
Once launched, the new Seltos will continue its battle with the Hyundai Creta, Tata Sierra, Maruti Suzuki Victoris and Grand Vitara, Toyota Hyryde, Honda Elevate, Volkswagen Taigu,n Skoda Kushaq, MG Astor and the upcoming Renault Duster and Nissan Tekton.
A familiar name entering a new phase
The teasers show the next-gen Seltos has evolved in styling and presence. The full reveal will offer clarity on tech packaging engines and positioning, but for now, the visuals confirm Kia has gone much further than a routine facelift. The competition in this segment is only getting tougher. The Seltos seems ready for round two.
