New Kia Seltos: Pros and cons explained

While the official price announcement of the new Kia Seltos is expected in early 2026, bookings are already underway for it. The second-generation Seltos is not only larger than its predecessor but is also underpinned by Kia’s new K3 platform. With its review out of our way, it is time we look at this midsize SUV’s strong suits as well as a few chinks in its armour.

Peppy turbo-petrol engine

Power delivery is strong but linear.

Although the new Kia Seltos is offered with the same set of engines as before, the 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol mill continues to impress. It develops a healthy 160hp and 253Nm of torque while maintaining refinement and a redline that goes up to 6,200rpm when the gearbox is in ‘manual mode’. While this showcases the eagerness of this TGDi motor, the performance is further aided by the 7-speed DCT that is quick to shift as the speed rises. Therefore, overtaking slower-moving traffic is not an issue either, especially with a healthy dose of power coming in at 2,000rpm.

Comfortable yet planted ride

The older model’s stiff suspension made for a firmer ride.

At the front of the new Seltos are MacPherson struts, with the rear featuring a torsion beam axle with coil springs. The ride comfort on the previous-gen Seltos was a known weakness, and while the second-gen model has the same suspension setup, Kia has tweaked it to make the SUV feel comfier over broken roads and rough patches. Despite prioritising comfort, the new Seltos neither crashes through potholes nor does it feel unnerving when guiding through corners. This balance between ride and comfort is further on display when you are out on the highway, where the new Kia Seltos remains planted at three-digit speeds.

Dull diesel experience

This oil-burner is not geared towards the enthusiast.

The 1.5-litre four-cylinder diesel mill is a carry-over from the old Seltos, like the rest of the engine range. It churns out the same 115hp and 250Nm of torque as before but now has to contend with the added mass that the new Seltos brings with it, partially owing to its larger overall size. This makes driving the new Seltos diesel hard less rewarding when compared to its predecessor. There is no marked gain in performance by activating ‘Sport’ mode, either. That said, the overall refinement and low-end torque delivery of this CRDi mill are good.

Odd feature lapses

Kia could have added more equipment.

The range-topping GTX trim of the new Seltos has a tonne of features that range from dual 12.3-inch high-definition screens to a lie-flat driver’s seat and even a dedicated 5-inch display for the HVAC system. While these are welcome additions, the second-generation Seltos misses out on a few things that buyers would have appreciated.

For instance, the Syros, which comes from a segment below, gets ventilated rear seats – these are absent even on the top-spec trim of the new Seltos. Even odder is the omission of an air purifier, which was available in the previous model. Those with a penchant for music will notice the branded audio system by Bose, but its overall sound quality is likely to come across as mediocre.

Also see

Outgoing Kia Seltos available with discounts of Rs 1.6 lakh

Upcoming Kia launches in India in 2026

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from Autocar India https://ift.tt/lWzAJRb