New Kia Seltos: Imagine a car that is already popular in the market, but is now going to do something that no one has done in this segment till date. This SUV was caught on camera during testing and a big revelation happened with it.
Kia is now going to bring a new mode in the SUV segment of India. Yes, we are talking about the New Kia Seltos Hybrid. A car that can cross the limits of petrol and set new standards of mileage and performance.
In today’s article, we will understand every small and big detail related to Kia Seltos in simple language. Its testing, new technology, design changes, possible price and why this car can become your next SUV.
And most importantly, this SUV is a big threat to vehicles like Creta, Maruti Grand Vitara, Toyota Hyryder, Kushaq and Taigun. Let’s see how they fare.
Why is the new Kia Seltos so special?
When Kia Seltos was launched in India in 2019, it took the SUV world by storm. Its tiger nose grille, cool design and long list of features gave it tough competition to Hyundai Creta, Maruti Grand Vitara and Toyota High Rider.
But now Kia thought, “Why not try something new.” And lo and behold, the second generation Kia Seltos, codenamed SP3, has been caught testing. And the most interesting news, it is coming in hybrid which will give petrol pump owners a lot of tension.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Launch Date | Global: Late 2025India: Mid 2026 (autocarindia.com) |
| Design | Bold SUV look, new grille, LED lights, modern tail-lamps |
| Engines | – 1.5L Petrol (Normal)- 1.5L Turbo Petrol- 1.5L Diesel- New 1.5L Hybrid (Petrol + Electric) |
| Gearbox Options | – Manual- CVT (Auto)- iMT- DCT (Turbo)- 6-Speed Auto (Diesel) |
| Expected Price | ₹11.13 Lakh to ₹20.51 Lakh (Ex-showroom) |
| Interior Features | – 10.25” Touchscreen- Digital Display- Panoramic Sunroof- Bose Sound System- Wireless Android Auto / Apple CarPlay |
| Safety | – 6 Airbags (Standard)- ADAS (Advanced Driver Assist Features)- 360° Camera- Parking Sensors |
| Comfort Features | – Ventilated Seats- Ambient Lights- Power Driver Seat- Smart Key & Boot |
| Wheels & Lights | – 17″–18″ Alloy Wheels- LED Headlights & Tail-lamps- Sequential Turn Indicators |
| Dimensions | – Length: ~4315 mm- Width: ~1800 mm- Height: ~1620 mm- Boot Space: ~433 L |
New Kia Seltos design
Let’s talk about the design. Looking at the spy shots, it seems as if the New Kia Seltos has joined a gym. The front has new square LED headlamps with curved DRLs, which will shine like disco lights on the road at night.
The grille is now wider, with vertical slats inspired by Kia’s new On Posit United design. At the rear, there are L-shaped LED tail lamps that look similar to the Kia EV Nine. New diamond cut alloy wheels and dual tone ORVMs give it a look that will have people on the road asking, “Bhai, where did you get this car from?” Let’s take a look at the interiors now.
The cabin was covered in the spy shots, but something has been leaked. The interior of the New Kia Seltos is inspired by the Kia EV Three. Dual tone seats and new door trim will give it a luxurious feel. There will be LED ambient lighting on the dashboard, which will make it look like you are sitting in a space ship at night.
The steering wheel will now be in a two-spoke design, which gives it a modern touch. The infotainment will get a twelve-inch touch screen, a twelve-inch instrument cluster and a ten-inch heads up display.
Latest features of Kia Seltos
Talking about features, Kia has left no stone unturned – panoramic sunroof, wireless charger, ventilated seats, multi-zone climate control and premium speaker system.
For safety, there are six airbags, three hundred and sixty degree camera, parking sensors and level two ADAS features like adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist and automatic braking. Now if your car stops on its own in the traffic, then you can just drink coffee and listen to music.
Upgraded engine on new Kia Seltos
Now let’s get to the real fun part, the engine. The existing 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine and 1.5-litre diesel engine will remain, but the star is the 1.6-litre hybrid powertrain.
It is derived from the Hyundai Kona Hybrid, which produces 141 bhp and 265 Nm of torque. It has a 1.6-litre petrol engine paired with a 32 kW electric motor.
Now imagine, you are going from Delhi to Shimla and there is no need to stop at the petrol pump again and again because this hybrid will beat you in mileage. And yes, it can also have an all-wheel drive option. Kia bringing a hybrid model is a great move. Considering the strict rules on diesel vehicles in India and the high cost of EVs, hybrid is the magic lamp that will give both mileage and performance.
And if you live in Delhi NCR, where diesel vehicles are retired after ten years, the fifteen-year registration of a hybrid will give you a peaceful sleep.
Launch date
Talking about the launch, the New Kia Seltos will make its global debut in the second quarter of 2025. In India, it could launch around Diwali 2025 or slightly shift to 2026. Price? The current model is priced between Rs 11 lakh 29 thousand and Rs 20 lakh 56 thousand.
The new Kia Seltos can be priced between Rs 12 lakh and Rs 22 lakh. In competition, it will compete with Creta, Grand Vitara, High Rider, Tata Curve, Skoda Kushak and VW Taigun.
But the New Kia Seltos with hybrid powertrain is like the new sequel to the Avatar movie, different and ahead of everyone else. Now let’s be a little critical.
The features of the New Kia Seltos are great, but the suspension needs to be refined. The current model does not have the smoothness of the Creta. And if Kia 64 offers split rear seats and rear headrests in the base variants, it will win the hearts of family buyers.
Conclusion:
So friends, the New Kia Seltos is a package that is a fun cocktail of style, technology and future ready hybrid technology. This car will not only rock the roads but will also keep your wallet light, so are you ready for this new car? Do you like it? Tell me by commenting and follow us for similar automobile related updates.
