Kia is betting that buyers in the subcompact SUV segment want more than they’ve been offered. The all-new 2027 Seltos arrives larger, better equipped, and with three powertrain choices where most competitors still offer one, including a hybrid variant with electric AWD that Kia says is a first for any of its hybrid SUVs. The 2.0-liter and turbocharged 1.6-liter models are on sale now; the hybrid follows later this year.
The Seltos competes in a crowded space. Rivals like the Hyundai Kona and Nissan Kicks have kept buyers busy in the subcompact segment, and the second-generation Seltos is Kia’s answer to the question of how to stand apart in a class where features and value tend to blur together. The answer, apparently, is to borrow generously from the Telluride.
Kia describes the design as Telluride-inspired, and the cues are visible. Amber daytime running lights, bold angles, clean horizontal lines, and available auto-flush door handles give the Seltos a presence that punches past its price class. The upright, boxy greenhouse makes the cabin feel larger than the footprint suggests and improves outward visibility. New colors include Terrain Brown, Frost Blue, and Snow White Pearl with a contrasting black roof. The X-Line trim gets unique bumpers, side sills with Piano Black trim, and dark gunmetal accents. Standard wheels are 16-inch alloys; the X-Line S steps up to 18-inch alloys, and the X-Line SX runs 19-inch all-black wheels.
The dimensions have grown in every direction that matters. The 2027 Seltos rides on a wheelbase that is 2.4 inches longer than the outgoing model, and the expanded footprint translates directly into cabin space. Kia claims best-in-class passenger volume at 103.5 cubic feet and class-leading second-row legroom at 39 inches. Cargo capacity behind the first row reaches 64.2 cubic feet with rear seats folded, which Kia also claims leads the entry CUV class. Total interior volume comes to 131.3 cubic feet. Ground clearance grows from 7.5 inches to an available 8.1 inches on trims equipped with the Multi-Mode AWD system.
Inside, the X-Line models get an exclusive monotone black interior with SynTex upholstery and the mesh headrests borrowed from the Telluride. Four-way lumbar support is standard on X-Line seats. The X-Line Prestige Package adds a front driver Relaxation Seat. An open center console design echoes the Telluride’s layout, and the Seltos HEV brings a stalk-mounted shifter and push-button start, freeing up console space for storage. Kia also added a foldable luggage board and new flexible Kia Add Gear attachment points in the cargo area for buyers who actually use their small SUV for small adventures.
The technology stack centers on Kia’s Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) platform. Standard equipment includes a 12.3-inch digital touchscreen. Buyers who option up get a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, a second 12.3-inch infotainment display, and a 5-inch dedicated climate control panel, combining for nearly 30 inches of total screen width in a single integrated panel. Over-the-air update capability is available on select configurations. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across all trims. The available Kia AI assistant responds to “Hey, Kia” voice prompts for more conversational interaction. Entertainment and Data Services on certain trims enables in-vehicle streaming of YouTube, Disney+, and Netflix while parked, and Kia myQ Connected Garage integration lets drivers control their garage door from the touchscreen. Five USB-C ports are standard throughout the cabin, including two charging ports and one media port in the front row and two rear-seat ports integrated into the front seatbacks.
Three powertrains is the structural story here, and it matters because no other vehicle in the entry CUV segment currently offers that range of options. The base 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder pairs with Kia’s Intelligent Variable Transmission and is available with front-wheel drive or Multi-Mode AWD. Kia has not disclosed horsepower figures for the 2.0-liter in the 2027 Seltos. For buyers who want more urgency, the turbocharged 1.6-liter develops 190 hp and routes power through an 8-speed automatic with manual control, standard with the Multi-Mode AWD system and exclusive to the X-Line SX trim.
Then there’s the hybrid. The Seltos HEV pairs a 1.6-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine with a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission. Front-wheel-drive HEV is available for buyers prioritizing efficiency; the available e-AWD configuration adds an electric rear motor to deliver on-demand all-wheel drive without a mechanical connection between the axles. Kia calls this a first on any of its hybrid SUVs. Specific output figures, fuel economy ratings, and pricing for the HEV have not been disclosed and will be shared closer to the model’s on-sale date later this year.
ADAS coverage has expanded meaningfully. Forward Collision Avoidance Assist with Junction Turning is now standard, catching potential collisions during left-turn scenarios at intersections. Standard Front and Reverse Parking Distance Warning join a list that already includes Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Driver Attention Warning, High-Beam Assist, Smart Cruise Control with Stop and Go, and Lane Following Assist. Available features include the Blind-Spot View Monitor, which pipes a live camera feed of the corresponding blind zone onto the instrument display when a turn signal is activated, and the 360-degree Surround View Monitor. Safe Exit Warning, designed to alert occupants when an approaching vehicle is detected as they open the door, is also available.
Pricing covers four trim levels on the 2.0-liter: the LX starts at $24,990, climbing through the S and X-Line S to the EX at $30,090. The turbocharged 1.6-liter is reserved for the X-Line SX, starting at $32,790. All prices exclude destination and handling. HEV pricing has not been announced.
At $24,990 to start, the Seltos undercuts a lot of what the segment offers while claiming to beat it on space. The hybrid with e-AWD is the bolder play, and whether buyers in this price tier prioritize that technology over raw value will tell Kia whether three powertrain choices is a competitive advantage or a lineup that requires too much explanation at the dealership. The ICE models remove that question. They’re on sale now.
2027 Kia Seltos Photo Gallery
Source: Kia. Images courtesy of Kia.
