2027 Kia Seltos GT-Line
By Lorenzo Bianchi December 10, 2025
Second-generation Seltos introduces a wider body, new lighting signature and more refined proportions.
Cabin gains dual 12.3-inch displays, upgraded materials and added versatility.
Multiple petrol powertrains and available AWD broaden global market positioning.
A More Confident Shape with Sharper Proportions
The 2027 Kia Seltos arrives as a clean-sheet redesign, and the first impression from the launch materials is how much more assured the proportions appear. The wider 1,830 mm body and stretched 2,690 mm wheelbase give the SUV a planted stance, visible in the front-three-quarter images where its surfaces look more taut and deliberate. Kia’s “Star Map” lighting signature now spans the nose, tied into a broader grille with a dynamic welcome sequence that reinforces the car’s more technical character.
Along the sides, the floating roofline and diagonal character lines give the Seltos a forward lean even when stationary. Contrasting cladding highlights its SUV brief, while X-Line and GT-Line trims sharpen the aesthetic further with unique wheels and accent finishes. At the rear, vertical tail lamps connected by a full-width light bar widen the visual footprint.
Three launch colours—Iceberg Green, Gravity Gray and a matte Magma Red—frame the Seltos as both expressive and contemporary, depending on trim and market.
Powertrains and Driving Character
Underneath the new shape is Kia’s latest K3 platform, which brings higher rigidity and improved insulation. The press file outlines three petrol engine options: a 2.0-litre unit with 149 PS for efficiency-focused markets, and two 1.6-litre turbocharged engines—one rated at 180 PS, the other at up to 193 PS paired with an eight-speed automatic.
Global markets will continue to offer both 2WD and AWD, with the latter gaining a multi-link rear suspension and Terrain Mode settings for Snow, Mud and Sand. These mechanical upgrades suggest a Seltos that feels more confident on mixed roads without straying from its city-friendly mission. A hybrid variant will join the range in 2026, offering V2L functionality and next-generation regenerative braking designed to adjust automatically to traffic flow and route data.
Interior Technology and Packaging Improvements
Inside, the Seltos feels notably more modern. A low, horizontal dash and a tidier console—enabled by the new column-type Shift-by-Wire system—produce a cleaner layout. The panoramic dual 12.3-inch display setup stretches across the cabin, paired with a dedicated climate control panel. Material choices appear restrained but purposeful, with mesh headrests and subtle metallic accents adding visual warmth.
Second-row comfort receives meaningful attention. Reclining seats with a 24-degree adjustment range, expanded legroom, and a panoramic sunroof enhance long-trip usability. Audio upgrades include Bose and Harman Kardon options, each tuned for the cabin’s reprofiled acoustics. Kia Connect Store introduces downloadable themes, entertainment add-ons and upcoming collaborations, including content from Disney and the NBA.
Luggage capacity is listed at 536 litres, supported by a dual-level cargo board and AddGear accessory mounts within the boot area.
Positioning in the Global Subcompact SUV Segment
The 2027 Seltos enters a more competitive market than the one its predecessor helped shape. With rivals pushing higher levels of refinement and electrification, Kia uses this redesign to shift the Seltos upward—more space, more technology, and a broader powertrain palette. Global rollout begins in late 2025 with production in India, followed by Korea, North America, Europe and China through 2026.
For buyers, the new Seltos remains recognizably practical, but now feels more mature—an SUV designed to meet everyday needs while carrying enough polish to stand comfortably among larger, more expensive models.