The Kia Seltos has somewhat flown under the radar since the arrival of the facelifted version at the turn of 2024. It’s still a solid offering in the compact crossover market, but it’s just not gotten as big as its more popular competitors.
But perhaps the all-new model, which has just made its global debut, has what it takes to make bigger waves in the segment. It boasts more aggressive styling, has grown bigger, and packs new powertrain options.
The original Seltos didn’t exactly look dated before the last facelift, but the update did give the crossover a much fresher look. This one, however, is a complete redesign—it now looks more fit in the modern Kia lineup. It’s like a crossover version of the Carnival, with a wide grille flanked by vertical headlamps up front. The sides get gray accents on the black side skirt, which gives the vehicle a more rugged look. The rear has also been overhauled, and it’s now also Carnival-like with the large lightbar on the tailgate that extends all the way to the sides.
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The inside feels more premium than ever, with a sleek, clean layout on the dashboard. The cabin looks more minimalist and less cluttered, and it somewhat adds to the luxurious vibe. There are also contrasting colors all around, and speaking of which, different cabin colorways are available depending on the variant.
Engine options in the all-new Kia Seltos include a 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline engine and a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated petrol mill. The former puts out 265Nm of torque but can be spec’d in two ways: Either with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and 178hp or with an eight-speed automatic gearbox and 190hp. The bigger non-turbo powertrain, meanwhile, is capable of 147hp and 179Nm of torque.
Front-wheel drive is standard, while all-wheel drive can be had as an option. Kia has also confirmed that a hybrid version with Vehicle-to-Load capabilities will debut in 2026.
Kia has confirmed production will begin this month, while global rollouts will commence throughout 2026. We’re not sure yet whether or not this will land in the Philippines, but we certainly hope so. Who knows? This might work in our market.
More photos of the Kia Seltos 2026:
