2027 Kia Seltos Grows Into Its Price
The 2027 Kia Seltos arrives as a much more serious second act for Kia’s small SUV, with a larger body, more cabin space, a broader technology menu, and pricing that starts at $24,990 before destination. Kia has pushed the Seltos closer to the look and equipment level of its bigger SUVs, especially the Telluride, while keeping it in the subcompact SUV conversation. That is the interesting part: the new Seltos is still priced like a small crossover, but Kia clearly wants shoppers to see more utility and more polish than the badge and footprint might suggest.
A Bigger Seltos With More Room To Work With
The 2027 Kia Seltos is longer, wider, and roomier than the first-generation model. Kia lists the global dimensions at 4,430 mm long, 1,830 mm wide, and 1,600 mm tall, with a 2,690-mm wheelbase. In U.S. terms, that works out to about 174.4 inches long, 72.0 inches wide, 63.0 inches tall, and 105.9 inches between the axles. The wheelbase grows by 2.4 inches, and Kia says that translates into a 1.0-inch gain in rear legroom, along with added front legroom and increases in headroom, shoulder room, and hip room.
Kia is also making strong space claims for the redesigned Seltos. The company says the 2027 model delivers best-in-class passenger space, including best-in-class rear legroom, plus class-leading maximum cargo room. U.S. cargo figures come in at an estimated 27.8 cubic feet behind the second row and 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Earlier Kia estimates listed 64.1 cubic feet, so the final number appears to have nudged upward slightly. Either way, that is useful capacity for a vehicle still playing in the small SUV category.
The new Seltos rides on Kia’s latest K3 platform. Globally, Kia says Korea-built versions use ultra-high-strength and hot-stamped steel for up to 60 percent of the body structure. The goal is greater rigidity, better ride control, and a more settled feel over imperfect pavement. The suspension layout varies by drivetrain and market, with MacPherson struts up front and either a torsion-beam or multi-link rear arrangement. All-wheel-drive and hybrid versions are tied to a multi-link rear suspension in Kia’s global specifications.
That added size matters because the outgoing Seltos already felt bigger inside than some rivals. The 2027 Kia Seltos leans harder into that advantage. It does not become a Sportage, but it now sits closer to the practical end of the segment instead of relying only on styling and value.
The Design Gets More Upright And More Kia
The exterior design takes the Seltos in a chunkier, more squared-off direction. Kia applies its current design language here, with a wider grille, vertical daytime running light signatures, and lighting graphics that tie the front end to newer Kia products. The amber running-light frame gives the face a more technical expression, while the taller nose and straighter body sides make the 2027 Seltos look less like a lifted hatchback and more like a small SUV.
There is a visible Telluride influence, and Kia is not hiding it. The front lighting, the chiseled corners, the upright greenhouse, and the cleaner rear treatment all borrow from the brand’s larger utility vehicles. The rear lamps stretch visually across the tailgate, while the vertical elements at the corners help widen the stance. It looks more confident than before, though there are a few detail choices that feel busy, especially around the cladding and lower trim pieces.
Kia also added aerodynamic work in places most buyers may never notice. The redesigned Seltos uses a rear spoiler, spoiler-side garnish, aero-oriented wheel designs, and an optimized underbody cover. Kia lists a drag coefficient of 0.31, down from 0.33 for the outgoing model. That is a modest but worthwhile improvement, especially as the model grows in size.
Wheel choices start with standard 16-inch alloys. The X-Line 2.0L gets 18-inch alloy wheels, while black 19-inch wheels are used on X-Line 1.6T and X-Line hybrid models equipped with e-AWD. X-Line trims also add their own bumpers, side sills, piano-black trim, blacked-out exterior pieces, dark gunmetal accents, and model-specific wheel designs. The look is familiar small-SUV theater, but Kia’s execution gives it a cleaner shape than some of the over-armored entries in this class.
The color palette includes Terrain Brown, Frost Blue, and Snow White Pearl with a black roof for the U.S. announcement. Kia’s global materials also list two-tone roof options and matte finishes such as Ivory Silver Matte, Magma Red Matte, and Dark Gun Metal, though availability can vary by country. Ground clearance rises from 7.3 inches to as much as 8.1 inches, depending on trim, which helps the Seltos look the part and gives it a little more breathing room over rutted roads, snow berms, or rough driveways.
The Cabin Borrows From Larger Kia SUVs
Inside, the 2027 Kia Seltos moves noticeably away from the simpler cabin of the outgoing model. The dashboard sits low and wide, which should help forward visibility, and the upright glass area gives the cabin a more open feel. Kia says the interior pulls cues from both the Telluride and EV9, and the connection is clear in the horizontal layout, squared-off steering wheel, clean center stack, and the way the dash design visually flows into the front doors.
The center console changes in a meaningful way, especially on the hybrid. Kia uses a column-type shift-by-wire setup and a stalk-mounted shifter with push-button start in the Seltos Hybrid. Moving the shifter away from the console opens up room for bottles, phones, and smaller items that usually end up scattered between the seats. A lot of the cabin upgrades is about freeing up space, not just adding decoration.
The X-Line gets a monotone black interior with SynTex upholstery and mesh-style headrests influenced by the Telluride. X-Line seats include standard four-way lumbar support, and an X-Line Prestige Package adds a driver relaxation seat. Kia’s global feature set also includes front relaxation seating designed to spread pressure more evenly during longer stops or breaks, along with optional mesh headrests on X-Line and GT-Line models in certain markets.
The rear seat has more flexibility than before. Kia says the rear backrests recline 12 degrees forward and backward and fold in a 60:40 split. Cargo management also gets more attention. The new Seltos includes a height-adjustable, multi-folding luggage board, a foldable dual-level cargo floor, and Kia’s AddGear modular attachment points. Those tie-down and organizing points sound minor, but in a small SUV they can make the cargo area easier to live with during grocery runs, airport trips, camping weekends, or school-sports duty.
Available comfort and convenience features include a panoramic sunroof, customizable 64-color ambient lighting, a memory power driver’s seat with four-way lumbar support, premium audio systems from Harman Kardon and Bose depending on market and configuration, and upgraded soft-touch materials. The U.S. model’s exact feature packaging will determine how much of this lands at each trim level, but Kia clearly wants the Seltos cabin to feel less entry-level than before.
Gas Engines Return And A Hybrid Joins The Lineup
The 2027 Kia Seltos offers three powertrain paths globally, and the U.S. lineup starts with two gasoline engines before the hybrid arrives later. The base engine is a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder paired with Kia’s Intelligent Variable Transmission. Kia’s global, Korea-production data lists this engine at 149 PS and 179.5 Nm of torque, which converts to about 147 hp and 132 lb-ft. U.S. final output and EPA economy figures have not been published yet, but Korea-based figures show 29.4 mpg for 2WD and 27.4 mpg for 4WD versions.
The step-up gas engine is a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder. Kia America estimates output at 190 hp, and Kia’s global specification table lists 193 PS and 264.8 Nm, or about 190 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. In the U.S., the 1.6T uses an 8-speed automatic transmission with manual control and standard advanced Multi-Mode all-wheel drive. Kia lists a Korea-based fuel economy figure of 26.18 mpg for the 1.6T 4WD model, but again, that is not an EPA number.
The 2.0-liter engine will be offered in LX, S, EX, and X-Line trims. The 1.6-liter turbo is tied to the X-Line side of the U.S. range. Kia’s later pricing announcement confirms that X-Line trims are available with both the 2.0L and 1.6T engines, giving the more rugged-looking version a lower point of entry than before.
The bigger powertrain story is the first Seltos Hybrid. It uses a 1.6-liter four-cylinder hybrid system with a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission. Kia’s global data lists 157 PS for the front-wheel-drive hybrid and 181 PS with e-AWD, or about 155 hp and 179 hp, respectively. The same table lists 144.2 Nm of torque, about 106 lb-ft, though Kia has not issued final U.S.-market hybrid torque, EPA fuel economy, 0-60 mph, or top-speed figures.
The hybrid also brings Kia’s Smart Regenerative Braking System 3.0. That system can adjust regen strength by reading traffic flow, road grade, navigation data, and detected hazards such as intersections, speed bumps, and roundabouts. Kia also lists Vehicle-to-Load capability for the hybrid, allowing the Seltos to power external devices from inside the cabin. That feature will matter more to campers, tailgaters, and people who work from their vehicles than to the average commuter, but it adds a useful layer of flexibility.
All-wheel-drive hardware varies by powertrain. The 1.6T uses a conventional mechanical AWD system, while the hybrid offers Kia’s first e-AWD application in this type of hybrid SUV. Globally, Kia notes that this is its first use of e-AWD in an internal-combustion or hybrid vehicle application. Terrain Mode brings Snow, Mud, and Sand settings where equipped, while Drive Mode Select includes Eco, Normal, and Sport. Hybrid e-AWD specifications also list a Snow mode. Availability will depend on market, trim, and drivetrain.
Kia has not released official acceleration times or top-speed numbers for the 2027 Seltos. That omission is not unusual for this class, where space, fuel economy, and price usually matter more than sprint figures. Still, the 190-hp turbo engine should remain the choice for buyers who want the Seltos to feel more responsive, while the hybrid will likely appeal to shoppers watching fuel costs.
2027 Kia Seltos Pricing Starts Under $25,000
The 2027 Kia Seltos starts at $24,990 for the LX FWD before the $1,495 destination charge. With destination included, the entry price rises to $26,485. Kia has announced pricing for the gasoline lineup, while pricing for the 2027 Kia Seltos Hybrid will come closer to its later on-sale date.
| 2027 Kia Seltos Trim | MSRP Before $1,495 Destination |
|---|---|
| Seltos LX FWD | $24,990 |
| Seltos S FWD | $26,390 |
| Seltos LX AWD | $26,690 |
| Seltos S AWD | $28,090 |
| Seltos EX FWD | $28,390 |
| Seltos X-Line S | $28,990 |
| Seltos EX AWD | $30,090 |
| Seltos X-Line SX | $32,790 |
Those prices put the new Seltos in familiar small-crossover territory, but the spread shows how quickly the model can move from budget-conscious to feature-heavy. The X-Line SX, at $32,790 before destination, sits nearly $8,000 above the base LX FWD. That is not shocking in today’s market, but it makes trim selection important. Buyers who only want the bigger body and basic tech can stay near the bottom. Buyers who want the turbo engine, AWD, larger wheels, and camera systems will spend much more.
The Screen Strategy Is Ambitious For A Small SUV
The 2027 Kia Seltos leans heavily into digital hardware. A 12.3-inch touchscreen is standard, and Kia’s broader cockpit layout can pair a 12.3-inch instrument display with a 5-inch climate display panel for nearly 30 inches of combined screen area. The setup uses Kia’s connected car Navigation Cockpit system, commonly called ccNC, and supports over-the-air updates. Kia says OTA capability applies not only to infotainment functions but also to certain vehicle controllers in its global rollout.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard across the lineup. Kia Connect allows compatible smartphone functions such as remote locking and unlocking, remote climate pre-conditioning, and remote start. The Seltos also gets multiple standard USB-C ports across both rows. Up front, Kia places a media port and two charging ports between the climate controls and center console. In back, USB-C ports are integrated into the front seatbacks. Kia’s global spec list also notes a 100-watt USB outlet.
The tech menu goes further than the basics. Kia’s generative AI assistant, powered globally by ChatGPT, allows more conversational voice interaction for navigation, entertainment, vehicle settings, travel planning, and general questions. Digital Key 2 with ultra-wideband technology allows compatible smartphones to unlock and lock the vehicle more seamlessly, including approach unlock and walkaway lock functions, without having to tap the phone against a sensor.
Available Entertainment and Data Services support streaming apps such as Disney+, Netflix, and YouTube. Kia also plans downloadable display themes through the Kia Connect Store, including themes tied to Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars properties, plus all 30 NBA teams and 17 FIFA World Cup 2026 themes connected to Kia’s tournament sponsorship. Kia myQ Connected Garage integration lets owners operate compatible garage doors from the vehicle’s touchscreen. The many themes and streaming options is where the Seltos starts to feel a little gadget-heavy, but some buyers will like having that layer of personalization.
Other available tech includes a 12-inch windshield head-up display and available custom display themes. The head-up display matters more from a driving standpoint than the entertainment add-ons, since it can place key information in the driver’s line of sight. Still, the overall software strategy shows where Kia is going: more features, more updates, and more functions managed through its connected-services ecosystem.
Driver Assistance Moves Upmarket
Kia gives the 2027 Seltos a broad set of standard and available driver-assistance features. Standard equipment includes Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Junction Turning, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with pedestrian and cyclist detection, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Following Assist 2, Driver Attention Warning with Leading Vehicle Departure Alert, High-Beam Assist, Intelligent Speed-Limit Warning, Smart Cruise Control with stop and go, front and rear Parking Distance Warning, and Hands-On Detection.
The available list adds several features that recently belonged mostly to larger or more expensive vehicles. Depending on trim and package, the 2027 Kia Seltos can be equipped with a Surround View Monitor, Blind-Spot View Monitor, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Warning, Rear Cross-Traffic Avoidance Assist, Intelligent Speed-Limit Assist, Safe Exit Warning, side Parking Distance Warning, and Reverse Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist. Blind-Spot View Monitor shows a camera view of the left or right blind-spot area in the digital display when the driver signals a lane change. Kia says the Surround View Monitor and Blind-Spot View Monitor are optional on X-Line trims.
Safe Exit Warning is designed to alert occupants if another vehicle approaches as they prepare to get out. That kind of feature can be genuinely useful in cities, school pickup lines, and tight parking areas. The available surround camera and parking collision systems also fit the Seltos mission well, since small SUVs often spend much of their time in dense suburbs and urban streets.
Kia’s global safety brief also lists Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 2 operating across an expanded speed range of 10 to 85 km/h, Lane Keeping Assist 2, Highway Driving Assist 2 with Hands-On/Off Detection, Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist-Reverse, and Parking Distance Warning for front, side, and reverse situations. Global availability may vary, so U.S. trim-by-trim equipment will still matter.
Structurally, Kia says the redesigned Seltos targets strong crash-test results, including five stars under North American NCAP for 2WD models, an IIHS Top Safety Pick rating, Grade 1 from KNCAP, and five stars from India’s BNCAP. Kia also points to a reinforced dash cross-member, greater use of ultra-high-strength steel, and targeted side-impact strengthening. On the cybersecurity side, the company says it developed the vehicle to meet ISO/SAE 21434 and UNECE R155 requirements, with protections across electronic control units, vehicle networks, cloud systems, and OTA security patches.
How The 2027 Seltos Fits The Kia Lineup
The new Seltos remains one of Kia’s global volume plays. Production began in India in December 2025, with Korea and China production following. Kia expects the model to reach up to 189 countries, including North America, Europe, Korea, and China. That global footprint explains why the specification sheet includes several powertrain and transmission combinations that will not necessarily appear in U.S. showrooms.
For North America, Kia has confirmed the 2.0-liter gas engine, the 1.6-liter turbo, and the coming 1.6-liter hybrid. Europe receives the 1.6T-GDI and 1.6L hybrid. Other markets may see 1.5-liter turbo gasoline or diesel options, depending on plant and region. Kia’s global table also lists certain 1.6T versions at 180 PS with a 6-speed manual or 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, but the U.S. 1.6T uses the 8-speed automatic and AWD.
In Kia’s own showroom logic, the 2027 Seltos sits below the Sportage and well below the Telluride, but it now borrows visible and functional ideas from both larger SUVs. The squared-off interior and broader digital cockpit link it to the Telluride, while some of the cleaner cabin design thinking echoes the EV9. For shoppers who like the look of Kia’s larger SUVs but do not need three rows or a larger footprint, the Seltos now makes a clearer argument.
The gas-powered 2027 Kia Seltos is expected to reach U.S. dealers in the second quarter of 2026. The hybrid is scheduled for later in 2026, with Kia pointing to late Q4 timing for the U.S. More exact hybrid pricing, final EPA fuel economy ratings, and U.S.-specific performance numbers will be announced closer to launch.
The Bigger Seltos Equation
The redesigned 2027 Kia Seltos is not just a styling update. Kia changed the platform, enlarged the cabin, expanded cargo space, added a hybrid, upgraded the AWD story, and brought in a level of screen technology and driver assistance that small SUVs did not offer very long ago. The model now feels more closely aligned with Kia’s larger SUV family, especially the Telluride, without abandoning the price band that made the original Seltos easy to consider.
The cautious note is that Kia has packed a lot into a relatively small vehicle. Streaming services, downloadable themes, AI voice features, and feature-store extras can make the Seltos feel modern, but they also add complexity to a class that many buyers choose for simplicity. The more important improvements are probably the less flashy ones: more rear legroom, more cargo space, better visibility, a more flexible cargo floor, stronger driver-assistance availability, and a hybrid option.
At $24,990 before destination, the base 2027 Kia Seltos still starts in attainable territory. At more than $32,000 before destination for the X-Line SX, it becomes a different kind of purchase, one where buyers will compare it against larger crossovers and better-equipped rivals. That tension is exactly what makes the new Seltos worth watching. Kia has made its smallest SUV feel less small, and for this segment, that may be the most relevant upgrade of all.
-Ed
2027 Kia Seltos
