Kia looks at expanding global presence with all-new Seltos

MANILA: The Seltos nameplate is expected to provide major thrust to Kia as the company now offers it as a global model.

In a statement, the Korean automaker said that the subcompact sport utility vehicle strengthens the marque’s position in one of the brand’s “most strategically important global segments.”

To note, the production for the all-new Kia Seltos started in December 2025 at its India plant and will soon also be manufactured in Korea and China. This model will become available across Korea, North America, Europe and China throughout 2026, reaching up to 189 countries globally.

Per Kia, the all-new Seltos is designed to meet the needs of “Passionate Pragmatists” who balance bold aspirations with everyday value.

Other stories: Ford PH mobile showroom heads to San Carlos City in Negros Occidental Toyota to hold basketball clinic in partnership with B.LEAGUE GWM PH joins CAMPI

 

“Designed for those who seek technology rooted in usability, the all-new Seltos combines thoughtful features, versatile capability and contemporary design to support a wide range of lifestyles. By pairing practicality with style, the all-new Seltos enables customers to express their individuality while delivering the confidence and functionality needed for everyday driving,” Kia explained.

Here are some bits that you need to know about the second-generation Kia Seltos, which was revealed in December 2025.

Vehicle specifications

Built on an entirely different platform, the all-new Kia Seltos sits on the latest K3 platform, which was engineered to provide improved body rigidity—thanks to greater use of ultra-high-strength and hot-stamped steel (up to 60 percent for Korea-built variants).

Powertrain

Depending on the market, the model can be had with various mill options (either pure internal combustion engine or hybrid versions).

Check out the availability of these powertrains below:

Region	Powertrain options
Korea and North America	2.0-liter naturally aspirated 1.6-liter turbogasoline (T-GDI) 1.6-liter Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV)
Europe	1.6T-GDI 1.6L HEV
General markets	1.6L HEV 1.5T-GDI 1.5 turbodiesel (Variable Geometry Turbocharger)

As seen above, a hybrid mill joined the fray to meet the growing global demand for sustainable mobility. This option has the following features:

• Smart Regenerative Braking System 3.0: automatically adjusts regenerative braking intensity depending on traffic flow, road gradient, navigation data and detected conditions (intersections, speed bumps and roundabouts)
• Vehicle-to-Load: lets the vehicle power up external devices with its juice from the electric motor’s battery

The 1.6-liter turbocharged options are fitted with a conventional, mechanical all-wheel drive system paired with a multi-link rear suspension for greater confidence and composure whatever the conditions.

Further, the all-new Kia Seltos has a Terrain Mode (with dedicated Snow, Mud and Sand settings) and Drive Mode Select (Eco, Normal, Sport) that lets drivers fully take advantage of the vehicle’s capability on and off road. However, the marque noted that the availability of these features may vary by market region and specific powertrain.

Kia also mentioned that for the first time in its lineup, the e-AWD technology has been applied to the Kia Seltos Hybrid (in select markets).

Guaranteeing enhanced overall driving performance is the multi-link rear suspension that is both available in the model’s two-wheel- and all-wheel-drive versions.

Aesthetics

Developed under the Kia's Opposites United design philosophy, the all-new Seltos merges ruggedness and refinement via the huge surfaces, geometric lamp graphics, and defined diagonal character lines.

It carries a widened grille flanked by the signature vertical Star Map daytime running lights, hidden door handles, chiseled wheel arches, a floating roofline design, vertical tail lamps extended across the tailgate and a parting line flowing from lamp to lamp.

The all-new Kia Seltos’ rear spoiler, spoiler-side garnish, aero wheels and an optimized underbody cover, minimized its drag coefficient to 0.31—slightly lower than the outgoing iteration that has 0.33.

Compared to the previous generation, the model grew 45 millimeters (mm) longer and 30 mm wider—with a 60 mm longer wheelbase—and now runs on 19-inch tires. On paper, the vehicle now measures:

Overall dimensions (length, width, height; in mm)	4,430 x 1,830 x 1,600
Wheelbase (in mm)	2,690

Interior

Inside, the all-new Kia Seltos boasts an additional 25-mm legroom and 12-14 mm headroom and its luggage capacity now at 536 liters (38 liters more than what the outgoing version can handle).

Moreover, Kia’s decision to use a column-type Shift-by-Wire system in the all-new Seltos gives occupants more room intended for the center console. Its low, horizontal dashboard contributes to a sense of openness throughout the cabin while providing more forward visibility.

Other creature comforts that are fitted in the vehicle include:

• Panoramic sunroof
• Front seats with relaxation mode and optional mesh headrests
• Rear seats that recline 12 degrees forward and backward and fold 6:4 flat
• Foldable dual-level cargo board and Kia AddGear modular storage system
• Dual digital 12.3-inch screens mated to a Premium Harman Kardon and Bose audio system
• 64-color ambient mood lighting
• 12-inch head-up display
• Digital Key with ultra-wideband

Safety

In terms of safety, Kia has incorporated a host of new and enhanced driver assistive technologies. They are:

• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 2, which operates from a speed range of 10–85 kilometers per hour
• Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (newly installed)
• Highway Driving Assist 2 with Hands-on/off Detection (newly installed)
• Lane Keeping Assist 2
• Safe Exit Warning
• Surround View Monitor

“The new Seltos represents a significant advance for Kia’s global SUV lineup, combining a more confident SUV character, advanced technologies and an expanded range of powertrains to meet the evolving needs of customers worldwide,” Kia President and Chief Executive Officer Ho Sung Song said.

“Building on the strong success of the original model, the new Seltos is designed and engineered to strengthen Kia’s leadership in the small SUV segment while delivering a more refined and engaging mobility experience.”

Zigwheels Philippines is looking forward for the second-generation Kia Seltos arrival in the Philippines since the start of 2026 given that the model’s last update was back in 2023— roughly four years after the nameplate was introduced in the country.

While waiting, here’s a quick look at the version currently available in the country.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFGSipqbBMI&t=8s

Also read:

GIIAS 2024: Updated Kia Seltos reaches Indonesia

Kia Seltos SX arrives in PH

Kia Seltos makes 10 best user experience list in US

Connect with us through our various social media pages:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZigWheelsPhilippines

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zigwheelsph/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zigwheels