Kia has unveiled the all-new, second-generation 2026 New Kia Seltos, and trust us, this is no mere facelift. This is a complete generational upgrade designed to outmatch its fierce rivals and re-establish its dominance.
The new model boasts a radical design overhaul, a larger footprint, a technology-laden cabin, and, crucially, a beefed-up safety suite that buyers demand. With the official reveal now complete, we dive deep into the confirmed launch details, the all-important booking and delivery timelines, the revolutionary design changes, and the key features that make the 2026 New Kia Seltos a formidable force.
Bookings, Deliveries, and the Official Launch Date
Kia India has been characteristically transparent and aggressive with its launch timeline, ensuring enthusiasts do not have to wait long to experience the new SUV.
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The Booking Window
Bookings for the 2026 New Kia Seltos officially opened on December 11, 2025, with a token amount of ₹25,000. Interested customers can reserve their unit either online through the official Kia India website or offline by visiting an authorized Kia dealership. Given the massive anticipation, an initial rush for the top-spec GT-Line and X-Line trims is highly likely.
2026 Kia Seltos revealed: new petrol and hybrid SUV to focus on value https://t.co/KcU0dS8H9f pic.twitter.com/VlOLwGMPGS
— What Car? (@whatcar) December 10, 2025
Price Announcement and Deliveries
While bookings commenced in December, Kia will officially announce the full, variant-wise prices for the 2026 New Kia Seltos on January 2, 2026.
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Deliveries: Customer deliveries are scheduled to begin immediately thereafter, likely starting from mid-January 2026. This quick turnaround from price announcement to delivery aims to minimize wait times and capitalize on immediate booking momentum.
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Bigger, Bolder, and More Premium
The 2026 New Kia Seltos adopts Kia’s latest “Digital Tiger Face” design philosophy, pulling strong visual cues from larger, global SUVs like the Telluride. The design shifts the Seltos from a sporty crossover aesthetic to a more rugged, commanding SUV stance.
Exterior Design Overhaul
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Front Fascia: The new 2026 New Kia Seltos features an aggressive, wider ‘tiger nose’ grille with a jagged appearance and bold vertical gunmetal accents. The ‘Star Map’ LED daytime running lights (DRLs) flow vertically, framing the new, squarish Ice Cube LED projector headlamps. The combination looks high-tech and assertive.
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Dimensions and Stance: The SUV has grown significantly, built on the new K3 platform. It is now 4,460 mm longer, 1,830 mm wider, and features an 2,690 mm longer wheelbase. This increase in size especially the wheelbase directly translates to a more imposing road presence and noticeably better cabin space.
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Aesthetic Details:
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Flush Door Handles: A segment-first addition, the sleek, flush-fitting door handles add a futuristic, premium touch.
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Rear End: The license plate housing moves down to the bumper, cleaning up the tailgate. The most defining change is the new inverted L-shaped Star Map LED connected Tail Lamps, which span the width of the tailgate.
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Wheels: The top variants (GT-Line) receive new 18-inch Crystal Cut Alloy Wheels and even feature Neon Brake Calipers, adding an aggressive, sporty flair.
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Interior Transformation:
The cabin of the 2026 New Kia Seltos undergoes a total transformation, setting a new benchmark for the segment’s digital experience.
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The Panoramic Screen: The centerpiece is the new integrated Trinity Display, featuring a single curved glass unit housing a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. This curved setup gives the dashboard a luxurious, architectural feel, similar to much more expensive cars.
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Ergonomics: Crucially, Kia retained physical buttons for essential climate control functions beneath the main screen, proving they listen to feedback and value real-world usability over pure touch interfaces.
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Premium Touches: The interior features extensive use of soft-touch leatherette on the dashboard and door pads. Other premium features include a panoramic sunroof, 64-colour ambient lighting, and an upgraded 8-speaker Bose Premium Sound System.
All Key Features: Technology and Segment-Defining Safety
Kia has packed the 2026 New Kia Seltos with an exhaustive list of features, ensuring it maintains its reputation as the segment’s feature king.
Advanced Safety: The ADAS Game Changer
Safety moves from basic compliance to proactive protection in the 2026 New Kia Seltos.
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Standard Safety: Six airbags, all-wheel disc brakes, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), and ISOFIX anchorages are standard across all variants.
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Level 2 ADAS: The Seltos now offers a full Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) suite on higher trims. Key functions include:
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Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
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Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
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Forward Collision Avoidance Assist (FCA)
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Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
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Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (Source: Financial Express, Autocar India).
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Comfort and Convenience Highlights
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Powered Driver’s Seat with Memory: A welcome addition, the driver seat is 10-way power-adjustable and includes a memory function to save personalized settings.
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360-Degree Camera: Provides a surround view for easier parking and navigating tight spaces.
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Ventilated Front Seats: A non-negotiable comfort feature for the Indian climate.
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Electric Parking Brake (EPB): Includes the Auto Hold function, enhancing convenience, especially in city traffic (Automatic variants only).
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Heads-Up Display (HUD): Projects vital driving information onto the windshield, keeping the driver’s focus on the road.
Powertrains and Variants: The Heart of the Beast
The 2026 New Kia Seltos wisely carries forward its successful engine lineup, providing a versatile range of options to suit every type of buyer.
Engine and Transmission Options
The 2026 new Kia Seltos is powered by a reliable trio of four-cylinder engines, all optimized for performance and efficiency:
| Engine Type | Power | Torque | Transmission Options |
| 1.5-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol | 115 PS | 144 Nm | 6-speed MT / CVT |
| 1.5-litre Turbo-Petrol GDi | 160 PS | 253 Nm | 6-speed iMT / 7-speed DCT |
| 1.5-litre Diesel | 116 PS | 250 Nm | 6-speed MT / 6-speed Torque Converter AT |
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The powerful 1.5-litre Turbo-Petrol remains a huge draw, offering segment-leading performance paired with the quick-shifting 7-speed DCT.
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The continued inclusion of the diesel engine is a huge strategic advantage over many rivals who have abandoned the segment.
Trim and Variant Lineup
The 2026 New Kia Seltos retains its successful multi-tier variant strategy:
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Tech Line (HTE, HTK, HTX): Forms the volume base, focusing on practicality, essential features, and safety.
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GT Line (GTX): Adds sporty styling, premium interiors, and advanced features (e.g., ADAS, Dual-Zone Climate Control).
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X-Line: The ultimate flagship, featuring blacked-out cosmetic aesthetics, including matte paint options and black alloy wheels.
This structure ensures that whether a buyer prioritizes value or demands the latest technology, there is a 2026 New Kia Seltos variant specifically tailored for them.