Some workdays come with emails, meetings, and phone calls. Others come with a set of keys and 112 miles of Southern California roads.

Our day with the all-new 2027 Kia Seltos began not on the road, but with Kia pulling the wraps off its redesigned small SUV. The presentation gave us our first close look at the Seltos’ new design, expanded cabin and technology before it was time to see how it all came together on the road.

Kia then handed us the keys and sent us on an approximately 112-mile loop through Southern California. Starting from Kia America, our route took us through Rancho Santa Margarita Lake Park, down to Rosewood Social for lunch, past Elm Grove Beach and eventually back to where we started.

Our ride for the day was the turbocharged Seltos X-Line SX. Between city traffic, freeway stretches and winding canyon roads, we got a taste of how Kia’s redesigned small SUV fits into everyday driving, while the updated cabin and wide digital displays gave the experience a noticeably more modern feel.

But enough talking. Here’s are a few glimpses of what the day looked like.

For more photos, please visit the gallery at this link.