Kia’s second-generation Seltos steals some personality from its bigger brother: the Telluride. A boxier style, some more interior space, and nearly 30 inches of available display area – yeah, this little SUV packs a big punch.

Kia has given the Seltos a substantial makeover for 2027, crafting a vehicle the Millennial and Gen-Z professional looking for a quaint package with a whole suite of modern niceties. The second-generation small SUV is longer, wider and roomier than before, with a more upright design and technology borrowed from larger, more expensive Kia models.

The gasoline-powered 2027 Seltos is on sale in the United States now, with a new hybrid version expected to arrive later in 2026.

Pricing begins at $24,990 MSRP for the 2.0-liter LX, allowing the Seltos to retain its entry-level positioning despite the added space and equipment.

A Small SUV With a Bigger Presence

The new Seltos adopts a boxier shape inspired by the Kia Telluride. Amber daytime running lights frame the front fascia, while clean body lines, stronger angles and an upright greenhouse give it a more traditional SUV profile.

Its wheelbase has increased by 2.4 inches, and overall length and width have also grown. Ground clearance has increased from 7.5 inches to as much as 8.1 inches, depending on the model.

Flush door handles add a more premium touch, while a contrasting black roof can be paired with Snow White Pearl. Other new colors include Terrain Brown and Frost Blue.

Standard models receive 16-inch alloy wheels. The X-Line S comes with 18-inch wheels, while the turbocharged X-Line SX and upcoming X-Line EX hybrid receive black 19-inch wheels.

X-Line models also feature unique bumpers, side sills, piano-black trim and dark gunmetal accents.

More Room Inside

The larger exterior creates a noticeably more spacious cabin.

Kia claims best-in-class passenger volume of 103.5 cubic feet, along with a class-leading 39 inches of second-row legroom. Headroom, shoulder room and hip room have also increased.

Maximum cargo space behind the front row is 64.2 cubic feet, which Kia also describes as class leading. A foldable luggage board and Kia Add Gear attachment points provide additional options for organizing cargo.

Inside, the Seltos uses a wide, horizontal dashboard layout with a squared-off steering wheel and an open center-console design. The look is clean and modern, with clear visual links to the larger Telluride.

Available equipment includes a panoramic sunroof and a power driver’s seat with memory settings. X-Line models receive a monotone black interior, SynTex upholstery, four-way lumbar support and Telluride-inspired mesh headrests.

Screens Take Center Stage

Technology is one of the biggest parts of the redesign.

Every 2027 Seltos includes a standard 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. An available 12.3-inch digital instrument display and five-inch climate panel bring the total combined display area to nearly 30 inches.

The displays in our test vehicle were bright, sharp and easy to read. There is a lot happening across the dashboard, but the main information is presented clearly.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across the lineup. Kia’s Connected Car Navigation Cockpit, or ccNC, also supports over-the-air software updates.

An available Kia AI Assistant responds to conversational voice prompts beginning with “Hey, Kia.” Available Kia Connect functions allow users with compatible smartphones to remotely lock, unlock, start and adjust the temperature of the vehicle.

Certain trims can also access Entertainment and Data Services, including Disney+, Netflix and YouTube. Separate subscriptions may be required, and streaming services are intended for use while the vehicle is parked.

Available display themes include all 30 NBA teams, selected Disney properties and designs tied to Kia’s sponsorship of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Five USB-C ports are standard. The front row receives a media port and two charging ports, while rear passengers get two ports integrated into the front seatbacks.

What We Noticed on the Road

Our test vehicle was the X-Line SX, the highest gasoline-powered trim and the only version equipped with the turbocharged engine.

The 1.6-liter turbo produces 190 horsepower and is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard advanced Multi-Mode AWD.

Around town, the turbo responded quickly and did not exhibit noticeable hesitation. Even with three occupants and equipment in the cargo area, the Seltos gathered speed without much effort.

At freeway speeds, the cabin remained reasonably quiet for a vehicle in this segment. The Seltos also felt composed over uneven and bumpy pavement, although the steering and overall road feel were on the lighter side. That said, it is still worlds ahead of anything else at its’ price point.

The turbo was responsive during normal acceleration, but full-throttle passing produced more engine noise than outright thrust. In other words, it feels energetic in everyday driving without pretending to be a performance SUV.

The steering wheel contains a considerable number of buttons and controls, which may require some familiarization. Once learned, however, frequently used functions are readily accessible without reaching toward the center display.

Our vehicle’s Blind-Spot View Monitor was particularly useful. Activating a turn signal displayed a live camera view of the corresponding blind-spot area within the digital instrument cluster.

The test vehicle also included Auto Hold, which keeps the brakes applied after the vehicle comes to a complete stop, allowing the driver to remove a foot from the brake pedal until it is time to move again.

Audio quality was acceptable rather than exceptional, with a punchy bass but the tweeters could use a boost.

All in all, we enjoyed our time with the Kia Seltos. It is hard to believe this is a sub-35K product. Kudos Kia! Though, we would have loved it even more if the passenger seat had electric controls as well.

Three Powertrain Options

The standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is paired with Kia’s Intelligent Variable Transmission. It is offered with front-wheel drive or available advanced Multi-Mode AWD in LX, S, EX and X-Line S trims.

The turbocharged 1.6-liter engine is exclusive to the X-Line SX. It produces 190 horsepower and comes with an eight-speed automatic transmission and advanced Multi-Mode AWD system.

A new hybrid rounds out the lineup. It combines a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with a six-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Front-wheel drive will be available, along with a new electric all-wheel-drive system. Kia describes it as the company’s first application of electric all-wheel drive in a hybrid SUV.

Final hybrid specifications, fuel-economy figures and pricing will be released closer to its arrival later this year.

A Longer List of Driver-Assist Features

Standard driver-assistance technology includes Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Junction Turning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Departure Warning and Lane Following Assist 2.

Driver Attention Warning, High Beam Assist, Intelligent Speed-Limit Warning and front and reverse Parking Distance Warning are also standard.

Available features include Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Warning, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, Safe Exit Warning and Forward Collision-Avoidance with Junction Turning.

A 360-degree Surround View Monitor is also available. It combines exterior-camera images to provide a broader view around the vehicle during low-speed maneuvering.

Pricing and Availability

The 2.0-liter Seltos lineup begins at $24,990 MSRP for the LX and reaches $30,090 MSRP for the EX. The turbocharged X-Line SX begins at $32,790 MSRP.

Prices exclude destination and handling, taxes, title and license fees, optional equipment and retailer charges. Actual prices are set by individual Kia retailers and may vary.

The 2.0-liter and turbocharged 1.6-liter versions are on sale now. The Seltos hybrid is expected later this year.

With a few compromises on creature comforts such as the lack of electric passenger seat controls, the Kia Seltos borrows enough from its bigger brother’s styling, technology and everyday practicality to feel more substantial than its footprint suggests. Add a starting MSRP below $25,000, and Kia has assembled a convincing amount of SUV for the money, which is why we think the Kia Seltos is a lucrative option.

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View our experience at the Kia Seltos Asian Media Event here. 

 

All images courtesy of Kia America. All rights reserved.