Kia’s new Seltos SUV will be another mid-size family car in its line-up

Not sure which mid-size SUV to pick out of the Kia’s existing Sportage, EV3, XCeed, Niro or EV5? The upcoming Seltos adds yet another option into the mix, and has much of the same look about it. No bad thing there, given Kia’s EV9-inspired aesthetic has translated well to the rest of the range and given them a smart and distinctive look. But trying to figure out exactly where the new Seltos fits into the line-up looks complicated. Let’s try to work it out…
• While it’s a new name to European drivers the existing Seltos is one of Kia’s most important cars in other markets – this second-generation version seeks to share the love further • EV9-inspired look means blocky, chunky styling with Kia’s distinctive modern signatures • The Seltos is smaller, narrower and lower than a Sportage but a fraction taller, longer and wider than a Niro – we’re thinking of it as a hybrid alternative to the all-electric EV3 • In the UK the Seltos will only be available as a hybrid but there will be the option of two-wheel or all-wheel drive • Full UK specifications will be revealed later in 2026 • No word on pricing as yet but Kia is promising the Seltos will be value-focused

So far we’ve not had confirmation of UK specifications, but elsewhere the Seltos is available in two distinct trim levels each with a different vibe. Whether this will carry over to when the car arrives here remains to be seen but, for now, Kia says there will be an X-Line version with contrasting grey panels and a more rugged look alongside a GT-Line with body-coloured trim panels. An additional ‘base’ trim is also a likely possibility. In essence, though, the Seltos conforms to the popular mid-size SUV template, Kia’s distinctive design language with the vertical lights, square-cut shape and subtly flared side panels working just as well as it does on the rest of the range. Kia is very keen to emphasise the Seltos’ size, practicality and versatility as a tool to support busy lives, the interior featuring the modular AddGear system from the new PV5 van to help you configure it to your particular needs.

As is the modern way screens feature heavily, with a digital instrument cluster and central touch-screen combined into a single sweep across the top of the dash. The tech powering it will be familiar from other Kias – no bad thing there – while access to firm’s in-house app store opens up possibilities for integrating favoured third-party infotainment accounts and suchlike. We’re reassured at the sight of some physical switchgear beneath the screen as well. It’s not clear what will be standard and what will be on the options list but nice-to-haves like a big panoramic roof, multi-position and reclining rear seats and various choices of upgraded hi-fi will feature. In the promo vid Kia even showed off the ability to fold the rear seats flat into a bed, much like the Sleep Pack Catherine added to her Duster long-term test car, which is interesting given the Duster is likely a key competitor. This will also be the first time Kia has added vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability to a hybrid allowing you to charge other electrical devices using the car’s battery.

With the EV3 and EV5 covering off the electric options the Seltos will – at least to start with – be offered in hybrid-form only. This will feature Kia’s 1.6-litre GDI engine and be offered as either a two-wheel drive with 154 horsepower, or a more powerful 178 horsepower version which will be the first hybrid Kia to features its e-AWD all-wheel drive system.

It will take some nifty number crunching to find a pricing point into which the Seltos can fit among the wider Kia SUV line-up. But we’d anticipate value for money being a top priority when the first Seltos arrive at in the autumn of 2026.

After the successful launches of the EV4, the PV5 van and the K4 in 2025, Kia kicked off 2026 with the EV2 and there’s speculation an even smaller electric model could be on the way next year.

Demand for mid-size SUVs of this type seemingly remains insatiable, the popularity of the format with the incoming Chinese models including the Chery Tiggo 4 and the BYD Atto 2 likely informing Kia’s choice to make the latest Seltos a global model pitched at a competitive price point.