2026 Kia Seltos Launched in India at Rs 10.99 Lakh

Kia has brought in the new year season with the launch of the 2026 new‑gen Kia Seltos in India at an introductory price of Rs 10.99 lakh (ex‑showroom). This new generation Seltos will be positioned against the Hyundai Creta, Maruti Grand Vitara, and the Honda Elevate. The model debuts with updated styling, upgraded feature content, and a significantly enhanced safety and ADAS suite aimed at maintaining its premium edge.

While the overall silhouette remains familiar, the 2026 Kia Seltos is built on an updated K3 platform that promises better rigidity and improved crash performance, with Kia aiming for a potential 5‑star Bharat NCAP outcome. For Indian customers, multiple petrol and diesel engine options are made available. Let’s check out the possible specs and features of the all-new Kia Seltos.

Refreshed Design

The most important update is in the design. The new Kia Seltos’s exterior changes are evolutionary but impactful, with a reworked front fascia featuring a larger, more upright grille, sleeker LED DRLs, and redesigned bumpers, while higher variants get sportier GT‑line elements and new 18‑inch alloys.

Looking at the car from the rear, we get rear, connected LED tail lamps, and revised detailing helps distinguish the 2026 model from the outgoing Seltos, aligning it with Kia’s latest global design language.

​2026 Kia Seltos: Powertrain and Performance

The new Seltos continues with Kia’s tried‑and‑tested 1.5‑liter naturally aspirated petrol engine that produces about 144 Nm of power. Another is a 1.5‑liter T‑GDI turbo‑petrol engine that produces around 160 HP of power and 253 Nm of torque. For the top variant, a 1.5‑liter CRDi diesel engine is offered, providing a broad spread of powertrain choices in the segment, producing 114 HP of power and 250 Nm of peak torque.

Transmission options include a 6‑speed manual, iMT (clutch‑less manual), CVT‑type IVT, 6‑speed torque converter automatic for the diesel, and a 7‑speed dual‑clutch automatic for the turbo‑petrol, giving buyers flexibility from city‑focused to enthusiast‑oriented configurations. Front‑wheel drive remains standard across the range, with Kia tuning the setup for a balance between comfort and highway stability in typical Indian conditions.

Updated Interiors

Inside, the cabin adds on with the new Trinity-style panoramic display that merges the digital instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen into a single, wide panel, backed by upgraded connected‑car tech and OTA update capability. Top trims also introduce a dual‑pane panoramic sunroof, soft‑touch materials, ambient lighting, and ventilated front seats, further reinforcing the Seltos’ positioning as a tech‑rich, premium midsize SUV.

Advanced Safety Features

Kia has made a clear push on safety, offering a 24‑item standard safety package that includes six airbags, ABS with EBD, ESC, all‑wheel disc brakes, hill‑start assist, ISOFIX child‑seat mounts, TPMS, and a rear‑view camera even on lower variants. Structural enhancements to the K3 platform and increased body rigidity are central to the brand’s ambition of achieving a strong Bharat NCAP rating.

Level 2 ADAS is available on mid- and higher-trim models, bundling adaptive cruise control, forward collision avoidance, lane-keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert, safe exit warning, and high-beam assist, tuned specifically for Indian traffic conditions. This suite not only enhances active safety but also elevates the Seltos’ appeal against rivals that are increasingly relying on advanced driver assistance as a key differentiator.

Also Read: Kia India Delivers Best Sales Record With 105% Y-o-Y Growth, Sold Around 280,286 Units in December 2025

Pricing and Market Outlook

All prices mentioned above are in ex-showroom in India

The all-new 2026 Kia Seltos, launched in India, starts from Rs 10.99 lakh, giving direct competition to the Hyundai Creta, Maruti Grand Vitara, Skoda Kushaq, Volkswagen Taigun, and Honda Elevate, with higher variants expected to stretch beyond Rs 20 lakh. With multiple powertrains, a feature‑rich cabin, and a comprehensive safety suite, Kia is clearly targeting both private buyers and urban families looking to upgrade from premium hatchbacks and compact SUVs.

Conclusion

For Kia, the 2026 Seltos is more than a routine model update. It is the brand’s volume pillar and image leader rolled into one, launching at the start of the year to set the tone for its 2026 portfolio. If the combination of tech, safety, and aggressive pricing resonates as strongly as the original 2019 launch, the Seltos is poised to remain one of the benchmarks in India’s midsize SUV class.