Seltos, Kia's new compact SUV arrives in Europe
The second generation of the Korean brand's SUV will debut in the Old Continent for the first time. At 4.43 metres long, the new Seltos will fit into Kia's range between the Stonic B-suv and the Niro and Sportage C-suvs. It will debut in 2026 with a petrol engine, but an all-new full hybrid will be offered next year. Pricing is still to be determined.
Called Seltos, it is Kia's new compact suv that had not yet debuted in Europe. It does so now with the second generation and in B-suv mode that will sit just above the also newly updated Stonic, but in terms of equipment and technology it comes close to Kia's C-suvs, the Niro and the Sportage. The Seltos will be produced both in India and in early 2026 in South Korea before arriving in Europe in the summer, first with a 1.6 petrol engine and later next year also with the latest evolution of a full hybrid unit. Pricing for the car has not yet been finalised.
The styling echoes Kia's latest aesthetic solutions
The styling of the new Seltos picks up on the latest trends in Kia's SUVs with both internal combustion engine and electric motor. Square lines, in short, and vertically developed forms with the front grille at the centre flanked by the typical LED light signature of all models of the Korean brand. At 4.43 metres long, the new SUV incorporates many elements typical of the Stonic, as well as the Niro and Sportage, and the electric EV3, starting with the retractable handles. Available alloy wheels come in sizes of 16, 18 and 19 inches for the Base, X-Line and GT-Line trims.
The cockpit offers a 30-inch panoramic display
Inside, the dashboard does not go unnoticed with its 30-inch panoramic display integrating the two 12.3-inch screens for instrumentation and infotainment plus a more compact 5-inch screen for climate control. The gearstick lever, on the other hand, is on the steering column, creating a very spacious centre console useful for storing practical items. In addition, there is an ambient light that can be customised in 64 colours, as well as a large panoramic roof and a premium sound system for the car.
The Seltos is based on the latest evolution of the K3 platform
As for the boot, it has a respectable load capacity of 536 litres as base. Making its European debut, the Seltos is offered with the latest evolution of the K3 platform that includes steels to increase the new SUV's rigidity. New standards have also been introduced both for the trim and to reduce on-board noise. For the European launch, the first engine available will be the 1,600 cc turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with 180 hp, with either front or all-wheel drive. There will also be a choice of gearboxes: 6-speed manual or 7-speed automatic.
The petrol will be joined by an unprecedented full hybrid motorisation
A brand new full hybrid engine will be available in 2026, as yet undefined except for a few details such as the availability of the Vehicle-to-Load function to power even small electric appliances and, in addition, the Smart Regenerative Braking System 3.0, which should optimise energy recovery by regulating braking on the basis of both traffic and data provided by the navigation system. Nothing, however, is known for the moment at what list prices the Seltos will be on sale in the Base, X-Line and GT-Line trim levels.
