Kurt Kahl, Kia Chief Designer speaks as the 2027 kia Seltos is unveiled at the New York International Auto Show in New York City on April 1, 2026.Jeenah Moon/Reuters
If the Kia Telluride is too big for you, the newly redesigned Kia Seltos offers a similar design in a much smaller footprint.
The first-generation Seltos launched in 2021 based on the Hyundai Kona platform and offered buyers a lot of standard features for a reasonable price that started around $25,000. It was a success for the South Korean automaker, becoming the best-selling Kia in Canada pretty much since then.
The redesigned and bigger second-generation Seltos is a design mish-mash of the Telluride and the all-electric EV9, with a boxy, upright profile and short front and rear overhangs lending a sporty and dynamic look.
“The EV9 set us up early for our new design language, with the sharp-edge fenders, smooth body and sculpting in between,” Kurt Kahl, chief designer at Kia Design Center America, said during a roundtable discussion with media during the New York International Auto Show. “Telluride took it to the next generation as an interpretation for a rugged, tough SUV and you can see an amalgam between both.”
There’s also a strong resemblance to the new Kia EV3 electric SUV that was revealed at the same time as the Seltos on Wednesday at the show.
Kia adds to lineup of affordable EVs as it reveals new EV3
The 2027 Seltos is displayed at the New York International Auto Show on April 1, 2026 right after being revealed.Kunal D'souza/The Globe and Mail
The new Seltos is longer (4.5 centimetres), wider (3 cm) and gains an additional 6 cm in the wheelbase. That translates to more leg and headroom for all passengers especially in the rear where the last Seltos was lacking. Cargo space grows too with up to 786 litres behind the rear seats. At 6-foot, I can confirm the new Seltos is much more comfortable in the back and a better option for longer drives.
Powertrains will be largely carried over with a two-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder mated to a CVT transmission on the lower trims and an available 190 horsepower 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder on higher trims that will be paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The bigger news here, however, is a new hybrid powertrain paired with a six-speed dual clutch transmission, marking the first time the Seltos gets a hybrid version. Kia is also introducing e-AWD on the hybrid Seltos as an option and, though details about it were scant, it’s safe to assume that the system will use an additional electric motor to drive the rear wheels, similar to the Toyota Corolla Cross.
One of the main calling cards for the Seltos was a plethora of premium features not normally found in the sub-compact category such as a panoramic screen, head-up display, digital key and rear differential lock.
The new Seltos will continue that tradition and add even more features such as a panoramic sunroof, bigger screens, a 360-degree camera and an expanded suite of automated driver assistance systems that includes forward collision avoidance and front and rear parking sensors.
The interior of the new Seltos resembles Kia's EVs.Kunal D'souza/The Globe and Mail
Cargo space grows on the new Seltos, now with up to 786 litres behind the rear seats.Kunal D'souza/The Globe and Mail
The overall interior design in now similar to that of Kia’s EVs and the newly revealed EV3, although the Seltos has more hard buttons for the climate control and other commonly accessed features including a volume knob.
The top-of-the-line X-line trim will continue with distinct bumpers and side sills, gloss black fender trim and new colours.
The subcompact category is one of the most crowded segments in the industry with nearly every major automaker having an entry, including the Honda HR-V, Toyota Corolla Cross, Subaru Crosstrek and Mazda CX-30. In the past, the Seltos separated itself from the competition with its plush, well-equipped interior and choice of powertrains.
Now, the upcoming hybrid powertrain is set to make the Seltos an even more popular choice especially as gas prices continue to rise. With the number of rivals in this category, only a few offer hybrid power like the Corolla Cross, Crosstrek hybrid and Hyundai Kona hybrid which is based on the same platform as the Seltos.
Pricing details will be announced closer to when the Seltos goes on sale this summer. The Seltos hybrid is expected to arrive toward the end of the year.
The 2027 Seltos has a look that resembles the Telluride.Kunal D'souza/The Globe and Mail
The writer was a guest of the automaker. Content was not subject to approval.
Shopping for a new car? Check out the Globe Drive Build and Price Tool to see the latest discounts, rebates and rates on new cars, trucks and SUVs. Click here to get your price.