2026 Kia Seltos Review. The Seltos is starting to step out from under the Cretas shadow

Anirjit Hore Published: January 29, 2026, 11:25 AM IST

It's impossible to review the new Kia Seltos without first acknowledging the Hyundai Creta. Not because this is yet another sibling comparison, but because the Creta didn't just become a bestseller - it became a reference point. A gravitational force that commanded entire segments around it.

Sub-4m crossovers take inspiration from the Creta to look more refined. The Sierra, riding on nostalgia, reportedly got 70,000 bookings before test drives even started. It could have succeeded as a bigger car, but chose the Creta's segment because that's where the big sales are.

Even brands with a stronger history and global reputation struggle when they cross that invisible Lakshman Rekha called the Creta. The Hyundai Tucson, Jeep Compass, and Citroen C5 Aircross didn't fail because they were bad cars. They struggled because the Creta made their asking prices uncomfortable to explain.

Kia understood this from day one. Its Indian debut wasn't brave or romantic, it was ruthlessly intelligent. The original Seltos took familiar underpinnings and angular design of the Creta, turned the styling dial clockwise, loaded it with features and told buyers, "You already like the Creta here's more of it." India responded exactly as Kia expected.

But the 2026 Seltos enters a different market. There's more competition, higher expectations, and just being the flashier sibling isn't enough. Now, the Seltos has to prove itself as a car that stands on its own, not just as an alternative to the Creta.

So how did Kia do it? The Seltos gets a new design, a new platform, and plenty of features, while keeping the reliable engines from before. Let's take a closer look.

Design

Kia's 'Opposites United' design language finally makes its way to the Seltos, and it feels far more natural here than it did on the Syros. Those square-bracket DRLs framing the headlamps and grille look better resolved on a larger body. The proportions absorb the drama instead of amplifying it.

That said, this is still very much the Seltos playing the role of the evil sibling. Kia hasn't softened it just because families buy it. The stance is aggressive, the face is radical, and the detailing is unapologetically bold. It will polarise buyers - and Kia seems perfectly comfortable with that outcome.

The new 'digital' Tiger Nose grille has lots of pixel-like details. It looks sharp from the factory, but with too many accessories, it can start to look messy. Too much chrome, and it might remind you more of a kitchen tool than a car design - like a cheese grater. Can't unsee it now, can you?

Along the sides, the gloss-finished cladding around the wheel arches and rocker panels is a careful compromise. Matte plastics don't age well in our dusty conditions and hard water, but gloss surfaces demand care. They scratch easily and show wear faster. Combine that with the intricate front-end detailing, and it's clear - owning a Seltos also means committing to regular visits to a pressure washer.

Depending on whether you choose the Tech Line, GT Line or X Line, the bumpers and lighting signatures change slightly, but the overall silhouette remains consistent. What's less obvious is the aerodynamic work underneath. Kia has reduced the drag coefficient from 0.34 to 0.31 through underbody improvements and a revised roof spoiler. You won't see it, but you'll notice it in refinement and efficiency.

Where the new Seltos makes its strongest statement is in its dimensions. It now sits right at the upper edge of the mid-size SUV segment - longer, wider and with a wheelbase stretched by 90mm over the Hyundai Creta and Suzuki Victoris, along with a healthy 200mm of ground clearance. It feels almost 'segment-plus' without tipping into the physical bulk of something like the new Tata Sierra.

For many buyers, this is just right: more presence and space than the Creta or Victoris, but without the intimidating size of a bigger SUV.

Cabin

Even though it's longer and a bit lower, the Seltos hasn't turned into a raised MPV, which is important. It still looks sporty, feels like an SUV, and, most importantly, doesn't remind you of the Carens.

Getting in and out is easier than before. The rear doors open wider, the seat height is lower, and headroom is actually better, even with the lower roof and higher ground clearance. The longer wheelbase means more legroom in the back, and the seats recline in two steps - 26 and 32 degrees. The new cushioning and extra shoulder room mean three lean adults could sit at ease.

If you want to use the Seltos as a chauffeur-driven car, it's comfortable for that too. Rear seat ventilation would have made it even better, especially since Kia already offers it on the Syros. Its absence is noticeable.

Up front, the cabin feels well thought out. The mesh headrests look good, and the driver's seat memory system is a smart feature. Each profile can save two seating positions, plus two for a guest, making six in total. It might seem like a lot, but it makes sense when you consider how people use their cars.

You might set one position for city driving and another for highways. Maybe one for after a big meal, and another for days when your legs are tired after the gym. If an electric Seltos comes out, you could have one for driving and one for relaxing while charging. Your partner can set their own preferences, too. The system even remembers seat ventilation settings, so on a hot day, cooling starts as soon as your profile loads.

The infotainment system is clearly improved. It's faster, simpler, and easier to use. There's no clutter or endless menus, just the basics. If you can't find something, the search bar helps - and it even accepts Hindi text input.

There's still no built-in navigation, so you'll need Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. Even if Kia adds its own navigation later, it will probably use the internet through its Airtel partnership, not true offline GPS.

Connected features are free for the first three years, then cost about ?2,0003,000 per year. In return, you get useful tools. The diagnostics screen shows live data for things like the engine, brakes, and steering. If there's a problem, your dealer can check it remotely and let you know how serious it is before you decide to keep driving or visit a service center.

OTA updates now cover 40 electronic modules. These aren't for personal tuning, but for system-wide fixes or improvements based on customer feedback. For example, if Kia wants to adjust the steering feel later, it can send that update to all cars. It's a modern, premium approach.

Driving

The steering is better, plain and simple. It's not too light or too heavy, especially in the GT trims. Instead, it feels just right for most Indian drivers.

All four disc brakes are now standard, and you notice the difference right away. The calipers are painted neon yellow, which stands out. The old car's high-speed braking felt a bit shaky, but that's gone now. Kia also says stopping distances are shorter. The pedal feels smoother, the brakes bite predictably, and you feel much more confident.

ADAS is Level 2, using a front radar, two rear radars and a windscreen-mounted camera. Beyond the familiar adaptive cruise, lane keep assist etc., the system now monitors oncoming traffic as well. During overtakes or at intersections, it can warn you - and lightly intervene with the brakes - if it detects a potential collision path with oncoming traffic.

It works well, but it's not perfect. In the middle of a turn, you still need to use your own judgment, because once you start turning, the front radar only looks straight ahead.

Engine options remain familiar: a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol, a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol, and a 1.5 turbo-diesel. The turbo-petrol pairs with either a 7-speed DCT or a 6-speed iMT. The DCT has proven reliable when driven sensibly and now integrates neatly with the diagnostic system. The iMT, however, feels like a compromise. A proper manual gearbox on a GTX-style variant would have made enthusiasts happier.

Refinement is better too. Kia says cabin noise is down by 2dB, and while that's hard to measure while driving, the Seltos does feel quieter. This is thanks to the new K3 platform, which is also used in cars like the Elantra. It's stiffer, safer, and uses stronger steel in key areas.

The new platform also let Kia soften the suspension, fixing a common complaint about the old Seltos. The ride is much more comfortable now, but the car still handles well. The longer wheelbase and lower height help, and overall, it feels as good as before, if not better.

Verdict

Kia's new modular variant strategy, where you pick a Tech, GT, or X Line base and add feature or ADAS packs on top - is smart and less confusing than you might expect. There's also a higher ADAS Level 2+ package coming for those who want more features like overtaking assist and curve control, but we'll talk about that when it's available.

First impressions: the 2026 Seltos isn't flashy just to get attention anymore. It's more mature, comfortable, and refined. Most importantly, it finally feels like a car that's confident in itself, not just reacting to its competition.