The next-gen car will be more valuable on account of its improved design, hybrid engines and technologies, and enhanced safety than its predecessor. The subcompact SUV is set to outsell the first-gen version, in India, by a large margin. Kia is all set to unveil the new Seltos at the end of 2025, while it is all set to launch the vehicle in India in January 2026.

Expected Launch Timeline and India Rollout

Kia has already started testing prototype cars of the next generation Seltos. As per industry sources, the global launch of the car is expected to happen by the end of 2025.

The India launch is expected to happen in 2026 after the global launch. It is expected that initially, the petrol and diesel variants of the car will be launched first. A hybrid version of the car might also be launched later. Kia might also launch various variants of the car, one after the other, to make it affordable for everyone.

Exterior Design and Styling Changes

The upcoming Seltos compact crossover will see more modern and upscale design. It is expected that Kia will apply design language similar to other current global models, and the front and rear of the car will get significant changes.

Estimated design changes:

Redesigned front grille with a new look and sharper lines.
New LED headlamps with updated light pattern for the daytime
running lights.
Rear end will also get minor updates including new LED tail lamps.
More sporty bumpers and body lines.
Larger wheels in 18- or even 19-inch rims New exterior colors and trim elements.

The changes should give the new Seltos a more premium and sporty character on the road.

Engine Options and Hybrid Powertrain

The next-gen Seltos will likely continue to offer petrol and diesel engines, as well as potentially hybrid powertrains.

The petrol engines could include a 1.5-L naturally aspirated and a 1.5-L turbo petrol engine, while the diesel engine is expected to be a 1.5-L unit.

Hybrid variant:

Kia could potentially offer a hybrid powertrain option, possibly combined with a petrol engine, to further reduce emissions and improve fuel economy. This could take the form of a mild or full hybrid system.

A larger hybrid powertrain with additional electric propulsion could also be available in some overseas markets.

Transmission & Drivetrain Variants

The new Seltos is likely to come with multiple transmission options on offer.

The variants are likely to include:

6-speed manual transmission.
Automatic (CVT or torque converter).
7-speed twin-clutch for the turbo petrol variants.

Front-wheel drive variants are expected to be the norm in India, while all-wheel drive options, if offered, are likely to be restricted to specific global variants. Additionally, hybrid variants are expected to offer enhanced efficiency and better drive quality.

Interior Features & Cabin Technology

The new Seltos is likely to offer a more premium and tech-focused cabin. Kia is likely to bring in a slew of features to improve comfort and convenience.

Expected interior features may include:

Fully-digital instrumentation.
Large touchscreen infotainment system.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Wireless phone charging.
Improved dashboard design with premium materials.
Ambient lighting.
Ventilated seats.
Panoramic sunroof on higher trims.
Connected car features withOTA.

All these are expected to improve comfort and convenience for the occupants.

Safety Features And ADAS Technology

I expect improved safety features and advanced driver-assistance technologies to be among the updates for the future. I’m sure that Kia will go a step further in its strategy by improving and introducing more advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS).

I expect the car to have several safety features such as:

Multiple airbags,
ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution,
electronic stability control,
and hill assist control.

In addition to that, I also anticipate the following advanced driving assistance systems:

Adaptive cruise control,
lane-keep assist,
forward-collision warning,
automatic emergency braking,
blind-spot monitoring,
rear cross-traffic alert,
and

360-degree camera system.

These systems help improve safety and driver confidence.

Expected Price and Market Positioning in India

The new Seltos will be priced higher than the previous one as it will come with more equipment and hybrid systems.

Expected price range in India:

Around 11 lac rupees for base model and 20 lac or higher for the top model.
It depends on what engine, equipment, and other specifications it will be installed with and what features are included.

Final pricing will depend on variant, engine option, and features.

The Seltos will continue competing with popular compact SUVs such as:

Hyundai Creta.
Volkswagen Taigun.
Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder.
Skoda Kushaq.

Why the New Generation Seltos Is Important

The introduction of the new generation Seltos will significantly impact Kia’s performance in the Indian market, as the vehicle is expected to offer improved performance and be equipped with advanced technology. It is important to note that the new model will be available in hybrid powertrains, making it more appealing to customers in an era when emissions are a major concern. This is likely to make the vehicle even more popular among current owners of the Seltos as well as other automobile brands.

Buying Advice for Potential Buyers

Potential buyers of the next generation Seltos should wait for the official specifications and prices to be announced.

They can

compare the petrol, diesel and hybrid versions,
go through the safety features and ADAS available,
ascertain the final on-road price, Comparing features with competing models.
compare the features on similar models,

check the service and maintenance costs.

While the hybrid version may be able to give better mileage it may also be priced higher.

Wrapping it up

The next-generation Kia Seltos will bring a host of improvements to the fore. The new model is likely to come loaded with an array of technological and safety features. Moreover, it will also see a set of design tweaks, making it a worthy successor to the existing petrol and diesel SUVs.

Expected to launch in January 2026, the next Seltos will be far more improved compared to its current iteration. Thus, if you are looking to buy a compact SUV, it is best to wait for the new model to release before making any purchases.