Kia officially took the wraps off the 2027 Seltos, marking the arrival of the model’s second generation. From a design perspective, it takes the brand’s boxy style and shrinks it to a subcompact SUV. Think of this as a baby Telluride but with more cues taken from other Kia SUVs like the EV9. The front fascia, in particular, enhances the baby Telluride look with its vertical headlights and daytime running lights embedded into the grille. Meanwhile, the floating roofline echoes the EV5 from other global markets with its floating roof and upright greenhouse. Additionally, the rear end features a taillight design similar to that of the EV5.
In addition to the standard models, the 2027 Kia Seltos will offer X-Line and GT-Line variants. The former features dark gunmetal exterior finishes, while the latter adds a sportier vibe with body-colored bits. Kia also showcased three exterior colors: Iceberg Green, Gravity Gray, and matte Magma Red, two of which appear to be new additions.
Stepping inside, the Seltos’ cabin features plenty of features typically found in premium vehicles. These include 64-color ambient lighting and reclining rear seats. Additionally, it also includes premium audio options from Harman Kardon or Bose, depending on the market. On the tech front, the 2027 Seltos comes with a full driver assistance suite plus Highway Driving Assist 2 and a surround-view camera system. As for the multimedia system, the Seltos receives dual 12.3-inch displays with AI assistance and over-the-air update capability. It also includes Digital Key 2, which turns your compatible smartphone into your vehicle’s key.
2027 Kia Seltos: Familiar Power
At launch, the 2027 Seltos comes with a choice of two gas engines depending on the market. Both are carryover units, too. A naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque returns as the base powertrain. It comes paired exclusively to a CVT. The optional 1.6-liter turbo-four also returns in two output variants. Certain markets feature a version with 177 hp and 195 lb-ft paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. A higher-output model with 193 hp comes with an eight-speed torque converter automatic and will likely be the variant for North America.
The biggest powertrain update for the 2027 Seltos is the addition of a hybrid model. It features V2L capability, allowing it to power small electronic devices. Furthermore, the Seltos Hybrid introduces Kia’s Smart Regenerative Braking 3.0. This system automatically adjusts regenerative braking based on traffic flow and navigation data to optimize energy recovery. Kia did not disclose which hybrid system the Seltos will use, but we suspect it’s an updated version of the setup found in the Niro. That one currently makes 139 hp and 195 lb-ft, and comes with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic.
Like its predecessor, the 2027 Seltos offers both FWD and AWD configurations. The latter swaps the torsion beam rear suspension for a multilink setup. It also includes an additional Terrain mode with Snow, Mud, and Sand settings for added stability during off-road driving.
The 2027 Kia Seltos launches for the Indian marked first this month. Korea, North America, Europe, and China follow next year.
Source: Kia
