Kia has been testing the next-gen Seltos SUV in its home market in South Korea for some time now. We’ve reported to you with spy shots of the next-gen Seltos before, but a latest sighting again in Korea has revealed a very striking headlamp design. There are also talks of the next-gen Seltos getting a new petrol-hybrid powertrain, although whether it makes it to India is something we’ll have to wait and see.
- Next-gen Seltos gets major overhaul for exterior, interior design
- Expected to get a new petrol-hybrid powertrain
Next-gen Kia Seltos spied: what’s new?
Just like in the previous sightings, this test mule too is covered in heavy camouflage, but the LED lighting pattern in the headlamps and tail lamps can still be made out. The headlamps, in particular, has no resemblance to any of Kia’s existing SUVs. It has an H-pattern DRL with three illuminated vertical slats in the grille area. A previous sighting has also hinted at a new concave design for the grille with multiple vertical strakes. At the rear, the next-gen Seltos gets a new LED lighting strip that joins the two tail lamps at either ends, much like in the EV5.
The next-gen Seltos will likely continue on the same platform as the existing model, which means the overall dimensions will be quite similar. However, these initial sightings suggest a major overhaul in terms of design, and the same is can be expected for the interior as well.
Next-gen Kia Seltos: powertrain options
The next-gen Kia Seltos will likely carry over the same engine options as the current one. So, expect the 1.5-litre petrol (both turbo and naturally aspirated), as well as the 1.5-litre diesel engines to continue. In markets abroad, there are also talks of the Seltos getting a new 1.6-litre petrol-hybrid engine with an electric motor on the rear axle, effectively giving it all-wheel drive. Whether it makes it to India or not is something we’ll only find out in due course, but Kia India has previously suggested that it is considering hybrids for India, so it can’t be entirely ruled out.
As we reported earlier, the all-new Seltos could see its global debut sometime in the second quarter of 2025. An India launch can be expected sometime early in 2026.
Also See: