Kia Seltos Facelift Spied in X-Line Guise Before Launch in India

Kia Seltos will soon get the first mid-lifecycle update, and the top-spec X-Line model was recently spotted testing on Indian roads. Last year Kia revealed the Seltos facelift for international markets. Now it's anticipated to be launched in India with an updated front and rear profile, a tweaked dashboard, and many new specifications. However, the Kia Seltos facelift will continue to get power from 1.5-liter petrol and diesel powertrain while the company can also introduce a new model with a turbo-petrol powertrain.

Key Highlights

• Kia Seltos expected to get first mid-lifecycle update in front and rear profile
• The upcoming Seltos facelifted model spotted testing on Indian roads
• Kia can offer a 1.5-liter turbo petrol engine to expand the Seltos line-up.

Kia Seltos Facelift Exterior & Design

Kia Seltos's facelift can be seen surrounded by camouflage on both front and rear profiles that hints that the new Seltos can have an updated grille. The front grille has a mesh pattern and can be larger than the current Seltos. It's also expected that Seltos can retain its Tiger Nose design as seen in existing variants. However, the automaker can reposition the LED DRLs within the grille instead of keeping them on top of it.

Headlamps can also retain the existing design with a revised LED DRL signature. New LED DELs are partially visible in the test mule spotted covered with camouflage. The front bumper will likely have an all-new design with an updated central air intake and fog lamp setup.

The rear profile has some design modifications by Kia. The Seltos facelift gets vertically fitted tail lamps connected with a light bar and can be easily noticed from the spy shot shared on the internet. It's also expected that Kia has completely redesigned the entire tailgate to enhance the look of the rear profile. The new Seltos can get a dual-tone finish, repositioned reflectors, and a faux skid plate. The 17-inch alloy wheels are also assembled with a new design.

Kia Seltos Facelift Interior & Features

New Kia Seltos gets a twin, connected screen layout at the dashboard. In current models, the instrument cluster and infotainment systems are fitted in the same binnacle, but they are separated by keeping the instrument cluster at the deeper side. With this big update, Kia can place both screens properly.

Seltos facelift gets slimmer central AC vents, a new center console with rotary driver selector, and redesigned switchgear. It's also rumored that the top-spec variants of the Kia Seltos facelift could get a panoramic sunroof and feature improved infotainment software and ADAS features.

Kia Seltos Facelift Powertrain Options

Kia can offer the same 1.5-liter petrol and diesel engines capable of churning out 115 HP power output with manual and automatic transmission. As Kia has discontinued the models with 1.4-liter turbo-petrol engines, the upcoming Kia Seltos can be offered with 1.5-liter turbo petrol powertrains.

This engine configuration available in Hyundai Verna currently produces 160 HP of power output and 253 Nm of maximum torque and is offered with a 6-speed manual or 7-speed DCT transmission. If Kia equips the upcoming Seltos with this new turbo-petrol engine, it would be interesting to see what transmission type it offers in this upcoming Seltos.

Kia Seltos Facelift Launch Date and Competitors

According to sources, Kia Seltos Facelift is expected to launch around last July or August this year. As this new Kia Seltos will be launched with more features and upgrades, we can also expect to have some price hikes on current variants of Seltos.

Once launched, Seltos will continue to compete with Toyota Hyryder, Volkswagen Taigun, Hyundai Creta, Suzuki Grand Vitara, and Skoda Kushaq. By then, Hyundai Elevate and Citroen C3 Aircross are also expected to be launched in the Indian market and will make this segment even more competitive for these automotive brands.