Kia has pulled the wraps off the next-generation Seltos, a major redesign of its popular subcompact SUV. The 2027 Seltos features a more upscale design, that mimics Kia’s electric SUVs.
Kia calls the launch theme “The Protagonist,” but strip away the marketing language and the mission is clear: make the Seltos feel more substantial and more premium without pricing it out of reach.
Visually, the new Seltos leans harder into Kia’s modern design language with a wider stance, sharper surfaces, and a full-width tail lamp treatment. Flush door handles and more aerodynamic detailing bring it closer to Kia’s newer EVs, while trims like X-Line and GT-Line help differentiate between rugged and sporty personas.
The Seltos has grown slightly since it’s now 174.4-inches long, almost 2-inches longer with a wheelbase that has increased to 105.9-inches.
Inside, the Seltos looks far more upscale than before, thanks in part to a clean, horizontal dash layout with a 30-inch display that combines two 12.3-inch displays. Available features—like a Harman Kardon or Bose audio system, a wide panoramic sunroof, and 64-color ambient lighting are available.
Under the hood, the 2027 Seltos rides on Kia’s updated K3 platform. The standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder generates 147 horsepower and is mated to a CVT. Some markets will be offered with two versions of the 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that has either 178 hp or 190 hp. Here in the U.S. we will get the latter engine that is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission.
A hybrid version is also coming, but Kia has not revealed any details about the Seltos hybrid.
The 2027 Kia Seltos will arrive sometime in 2026.
