Second-generation Seltos: bigger, bolder, more modern
Kia decided to put the Seltos through a gym session and give it a proper lift. The result? An SUV that has grown to the size of a "baby Sportage". But do we really need a smaller version of something that is already compact? As it turns out, the Koreans say yes. New electric cars from Kia may be the answer to market needs.
Style and silhouette
The Seltos now looks as if it has been through the "Futuristic" department at IKEA. It has sharp lines, a modern front end with vertical headlamps and something that may resemble your grandmother's fridge grille in a modern Satin Silver edition. From the side, it references the electric EV5, with door handles that are as flat as James May's jokes. The rear? A spoiler so long it could double as an ironing board.
Interior: more space, more technology
Inside, there is a cockpit straight out of The Matrix – two 12.3-inch displays, more buttons than a Boeing cockpit and systems such as an AI assistant. Add a panoramic roof, 64 ambient lighting colours and audio from Harman Kardon or Bose – because everyone clearly needs a symphony during traffic jams. Extra boot space? Yes, 536 litres. Now you can fit all those unnecessary things for every occasion: a trip out of town, summer holidays or everyday city driving.
Powertrain: something for everyone
Under the bonnet you will find a 2.0-litre engine with 147 HP and a turbocharged 1.6-litre with up to 190 HP, depending on the market. The choice of gearboxes is equally rich: from manual to dual-clutch automatic. And although we have to wait until 2026 for a hybrid, Kia promises better efficiency and a recuperation system that will make you feel like an eco-hero.
Is it really a "baby Sportage"?
The new Seltos measures 4,430 mm in length and 1,830 mm in width – only slightly less than the Sportage, so if you dreamed of a smaller SUV that's easy to park anywhere, here it is!
Production starts later this year, and the Seltos will hit the roads first in India, then visit Korea, North America and Europe. So get ready to see it in the USA in 2027.
Get ready for Kia to take over the world with it. Or at least crowded car parks.
