The new Seltos, which looks like the EV9 from the side, will have a wheelbase that is six centimetres longer than the current generation.Courtesy of manufacturer
Kia has come a long way since the early 1990s when its lineup consisted of a handful of cars including the Sephia sedan/wagon and Sportage SUV.
It now boasts a full fleet of new cars for buyers of all stripes including the new K4, an affordable compact sedan, and one of the best and least expensive three-row all-electric SUVs on the market – the EV9. Neither of those, however, is the volume seller for the Korean company in Canada. That honour goes to the Seltos compact SUV.
Though the economical Sephia and cheap little cars like it are long gone, I’ve always considered the Seltos, which starts around $25,000, a reasonably priced vehicle since it was first sold here in 2021. One of the few available today that still offers buyers a usable amount of tech, space and power in an entry-level product.
The new platform for the Seltos, which is shared with the Kona, is more rigid and has more sound insulation.Courtesy of manufacturer
The company is releasing a new one sometime next year, though it can’t give us a more specific time frame. There’s a good idea of what to expect from the new model if you take a look at its corporate cousin, the Hyundai Kona, also that company’s best-selling vehicle, which got a redesign based on this new platform, a couple of years ago.
The new Seltos is 4.5 centimetres longer, three centimetres wider and gains an extra six centimetres in its wheelbase, meaning the subcompact SUV isn’t so small anymore. That is a good thing here because the outgoing Seltos needed more room in the back and the cargo area, both of which have been addressed by the increase.
If using the Kona as a reference, the new Seltos will be one of the roomiest entries in the segment, a perk in this mini-SUV category which includes the Honda HR-V, Subaru Crosstrek, Nissan Kicks, Chevrolet Trax, Mazda CX-30 and Toyota Corolla Cross. It’s one of Canada’s fastest-growing segments, snuffing out the flame of the subcompact and compact car one model at a time.
The subcompact Seltos isn't so small anymore.Courtesy of manufacturer
The Seltos did in the market what Kia (and Hyundai) do best and offer more options and standard features for slightly less than other brands. Now, the interior technology gets even better with dual 12.3-inch screens serving as the instrument cluster and centre touchscreen infotainment system and a new 12-inch head-up display projected onto the windshield, rare in this class. Rear seats can recline and slide fore and aft.
There’s a new 64-colour ambient lighting, a panoramic sunroof, an AI assistant, premium sound systems and a digital key that can be loaded onto your phone. You get the full suite of driver safety and assist systems, such as highway driving assist, lane following assist and a 360-degree camera system.
The new platform shared with the Kona is more rigid and has more sound insulation using ultra-high-strength, hot-stamped steel, which is lighter and stronger than regular steel.
The new Seltos will have dual 12.3-inch screens serving as the instrument cluster and centre touchscreen infotainment system.Courtesy of manufacturer
More importantly, a hyrbid version has been announced with features such as a vehicle-to-load (V2L) system (to power electric accessories) and smart regenerative braking, again features rarely found in this segment. The issue is that almost nothing has been officially confirmed by the company, including whether Canada gets the hybrid.
It would make sense to offer it here because hybrids are a hot seller and it could be a cheaper alternative to the Corolla Cross hybrid and Crosstrek Hybrid.
The new Seltos will have size and interior space on its side and it’s been styled to look like a shrink-wrapped version of the bigger EV9 and upcoming EV5 electric SUV. Not a bad thing at all.
The current Canadian-market Seltos is built in South Korea, so it might be safe to assume the new one will be too, though the company wouldn’t tell us that either.
Shopping for a new car? Check out the Globe Drive Build and Price Tool to see the latest discounts, rebates and rates on new cars, trucks and SUVs. Click here to get your price.
Report an editorial error
Report a technical issue
Editorial code of conduct
Authors and topics you follow will be added to your personal news feed in Following.
© Copyright 2025 The Globe and Mail Inc. All rights reserved.
Andrew Saunders, President and CEO

source