► Another Kia SUV is set to launch in Europe
► Seltos will sit between Stonic and Sportage
► It’s already Kia’s second best-selling model globally
Kia has unveiled its second-generation Seltos, of its best-selling models globally, which has now been confirmed to launch in Europe for the first time.
Introduced in 2019 to fill the gap between the smaller Kia Stonic and larger Sportage, it’s proven a massive seller in countries such as India, Mexico and South Korea, and is globally Kia’s second most popular car after the Sportage.
The new Seltos is far bolder than the last, adopting the firm’s latest ‘Opposites United’ design, and in many ways looking like a shrunken version of the Kia EV5. Highlights include its wide grille with integrated lighting, as well as a fancy rear LED light bar that wraps around the back of the car.
Measuring 4.43m long, it will rival the Volkswagen T-Roc in the slight no-man’s land between small and medium-size SUVs. It’s a very similar size to both Kia’s Niro and Xceed though it’s unlikely to replace either of those models. Kia is yet to confirm UK trim levels, though we know that its popular GT-Line grade will be offered.
The interior is a big departure from the existing Seltos’s rather dated layout, mirroring many of Kia’s other new models, such as the EV3, with its minimal number of buttons, merged digital screens and interesting use of colours and materials.
Kia has only so far confirmed the initial global engine line-up, including a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine with 178bhp or 190bhp, as well as a 147bhp naturally-aspirated petrol. Only the least powerful of those will likely be offered in the UK, but Kia has said that a hybrid variant will join the line-up in 2026.
Though the specs are vague, we suspect it will include a plug-in hybrid because Kia says it will incorporate vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality, allowing the car’s power to be used to charge external electrical equipment.
Pricing is still to be confirmed, but we expect the Kia Seltos to start from around £26,000, which is slap bang in the middle of the Stonic and Sportage. A UK launch plan is yet to be detailed but further details are expected early in 2026.
New cars editor, car reviewer, news hound, avid car detailer
By Ted Welford
New cars editor for CAR and Parkers. Loves a car auction. Enjoys making things shiny
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