New Kia Seltos Launched in India at ₹10.99 Lakh: Bigger, Smarter and More Premium Than Ever

Kia India has officially launched the second-generation Seltos at an introductory starting price of ₹10.99 lakh (ex-showroom), marking a major evolution for one of the country’s most popular midsize SUVs. The new Seltos builds on the strengths of its predecessor while introducing a more premium design, a larger footprint, significantly upgraded technology and advanced safety features, positioning itself as a strong contender in an increasingly competitive segment.

With bookings already underway and deliveries scheduled to commence from mid-January, the new Seltos directly rivals the Hyundai Creta, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota Hyryder, Volkswagen Taigun, Škoda Kushaq, Honda Elevate and MG Astor.

Bolder Design and Larger Dimensions

The second-generation Kia Seltos adopts the brand’s latest ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy, giving the SUV a sharper, more upright and confident stance. Up front, the wide dark chrome grille seamlessly integrates the headlamp units, flanked by vertically oriented LED daytime running lamps. Flush-fitting door handles, dynamic welcome lighting, gloss black body cladding and a full-width LED light bar at the rear further enhance its modern appeal.

Dimensionally, the new Seltos has grown significantly. It now measures 4,460mm in length and 1,830mm in width, with a wheelbase of 2,690mm, making it notably larger than the outgoing model. This increase directly translates into improved cabin space and a stronger road presence. The SUV rides on alloy wheels measuring up to 18 inches and is offered in 10 monotone exterior colours, including the new Morning Haze and Magma Red shades.

A Cabin Focused on Technology and Comfort

Step inside, and the transformation is immediately evident. The highlight of the interior is the new 30-inch panoramic display panel, which integrates the infotainment system, digital instrument cluster and climate interface into a single cohesive layout. Complementing this setup is a Bose eight-speaker premium sound system, delivering an immersive audio experience.

Comfort and convenience have been taken up several notches. The new Seltos offers ventilated front seats, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory and relaxation functions, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, proximity-based unlock, ambient lighting and a dual-pane panoramic sunroof. Overall material quality, fit and finish have also been noticeably improved, giving the cabin a more upmarket feel compared to the previous generation.

Safety and ADAS Take Centre Stage

Safety has been a major focus area for the new Seltos. The SUV now comes with a 24-feature standard safety package, which includes six airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control and hill-start assist. Beyond this, Kia has equipped the Seltos with Level 2 ADAS, offering 21 autonomous driving assistance functions such as adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, forward collision avoidance and blind-spot monitoring.

Built on Kia’s global K3 platform, the new Seltos also benefits from increased bodyshell rigidity. Kia claims this new architecture significantly improves crash protection, raising expectations for a strong Bharat NCAP safety rating.

Multiple Powertrains for Diverse Buyers

The new Kia Seltos continues to offer a wide range of powertrain options, ensuring broad appeal across buyer profiles. The SUV is powered by three 1.5-litre engines: a naturally aspirated petrol unit, a turbocharged petrol engine and a diesel motor. These engines are paired with multiple transmission options, including six-speed manual, six-speed iMT, IVT, seven-speed DCT and six-speed automatic gearboxes.

This flexibility allows buyers to choose between efficiency-focused daily driving, performance-oriented turbo variants or long-distance diesel cruising. Kia has also confirmed that a petrol-hybrid version of the Seltos is under development, with a launch expected by 2027.

Pricing and Variant Strategy

The new Kia Seltos is priced from ₹10.99 lakh to ₹19.99 lakh (ex-showroom, introductory), making it competitively positioned despite the significant increase in size, features and safety technology. The SUV is offered in four core trims—HTE, HTK, HTX and GTX—along with optional packages and automatic variants, ensuring a wide spread of price points and equipment levels.

By delivering more space, more technology and advanced driver assistance without a proportionate jump in pricing, Kia has strengthened the Seltos’ value proposition in the midsize SUV segment.

The second-generation Kia Seltos is not just an update—it is a comprehensive reimagining of a best-seller. With its larger footprint, premium cabin, advanced safety tech and extensive powertrain lineup, it sets a new benchmark for what buyers can expect in this category.

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