2027 Kia Seltos

The second-generation Seltos expands its small SUV footprint by growing nearly two inches longer, an inch wider, and its wheelbase extends by 2.4 inches. Compared to its predecessor, it’s roomier inside for up to five passengers and has more space for gear.

Boxier, burlier, the new Kia Seltos looks like a smaller version of the Kia Telluride, which was also redesigned for the 2027 model year. The brand’s broad “tiger nose” grille that looks like a dog bone remains, but it’s flanked by amber running lights, like the Telluride. In back, thin vertical taillights match the front, and a light bar spans the tailgate. Two new X-Line grades flex an off-road look with black gloss wheel arch cladding, the better to showcase available 19-inch wheels and a higher ground clearance of 8.1 inches.

The redesigned 2027 Kia Seltos comes with the same 2.0-liter inline-4 and turbocharged 1.6-liter as last year’s model, but a new hybrid option is promised in the near future. An 8-speed automatic and front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard, but all-wheel drive (AWD) is available across all trims except for the X-Line SX, where it is standard.

We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of subcompact SUVs, including the Kia Seltos.

Senior Editor Michael Young Jr. contributed to this review. 

The 2027 Kia Seltos starts at $26,485 for the base LX trim with front-wheel drive (FWD). On trims where all-wheel drive (AWD) is optional, it costs an extra $1,700. AWD is standard in the X-Line models.

The 2027 Kia Seltos starts at $26,485 for the base LX trim with front-wheel drive (FWD). On trims where all-wheel drive (AWD) is optional, it costs an extra $1,700. The top-of-the-line X-Line SX costs $34,285, but AWD is standard. All listed prices include the $1,495 destination fee.

The Seltos S strikes us as the best value at $27,885. It adds over the base model chunkier 18-inch wheels, a power driver’s seat, wireless device charging, and more driver-assist features. Every Seltos comes with an industry-leading 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty.

Before buying a Seltos, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. Kia Seltos resale value has been above average for the segment, and we expect that to remain the case with the 2027 model. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

The redesigned Seltos comes with a choice of 4-cylinder engines that mostly carryover from last year. All models except the top X-Line SX trim come with a pokey 147-horsepower 4-cylinder with a continuously variable transmission and FWD.

We spent our test time with the 190-hp turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder. There is a significant hesitation any time you mash the throttle, as if the 8-speed automatic is waiting on the turbocharger to spool up for more power. The transmission is slow to respond on downshifts, as well. It’s peppier in Sport mode as it holds the gears longer so the engine can rev higher.

Steering feel exceeds expectations, but the braking falls short. For aggressive drivers, plan your stops in advance. It handles like the boxy SUV it is, so pushing it in corners will push you into the doors.

For most driving, the ride quality is mostly quiet and composed, which is a step up from its predecessor.

Kia Seltos Hybrid

A forthcoming hybrid is promised though Kia did not release many details, other than it’s expected either late in 2026 or early 2027. It will likely be related to the turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine and rear motor powering the rear axle for standard AWD that’s used in the Kia Sportage Hybrid.

Powertrain Specs

A wide, low dash follows the design trend of other Kia SUVs, including the new Telluride. A thin band of vents separates the dash elements, and the steering wheel follows the same design as the Telluride, which itself looks more luxurious than one might expect from a Kia. An absence of gloss-black plastic for softer plastics reflects an upgrade in cabin materials.

A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster runs into a 12.3-inch touchscreen that curves toward the driver. Below it are slender horizontal vents and a thin bar of climate toggles that limit reliance on the touchscreen. A mechanical gear shifter remains in the console, resulting in an armrest storage space that’s small. The Hybrid shifter migrates to the steering column, which should open more space between the front seats. Heated and ventilated seat buttons migrate to the door panels to keep the dash clean and simple.

The longer wheelbase translates to more interior space than last year’s model. Front seat passengers nearing 6-foot-6 fit fine, similar to the discontinued Kia Soul. Rear seat passengers have less space, so you won’t be stacking 6-footers behind each other, and the hard plastic seat backs should discourage you from trying. Still, the new Seltos is one of the roomiest rear spaces in the segment. The 39 inches of rear legroom is a whole inch improvement from last year, so fitting four normal-sized adults is easy. Available USB ports in the side of the front seat keep charging simple, and a small storage gives phones a charging spot. The rear seats recline, and higher trims have a rear center armrest with cupholders.

All this additional space leads Kia to brag that the cargo space leads the small SUV segment. There’s 27.8 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, and with those 60:40 seats folded down, it expands to 64.2 cubic feet of space. Both of those measurements well exceed the Honda HR-V, which is one of the largest small SUVs, and it comes really close to the Chevy Equinox compact crossover.

It’s notable that you can’t really fold the seats down from the cargo area, you have to go through the rear doors. In the cargo hold, there are side storage cubbies and available hooks to hang bags. An available spare tire sits below the cargo floor, which adds some super-secret or stinky storage.

The new Kia Seltos looks like a smaller version of the Kia Telluride. The Seltos has buff proportions and extends 1.8 inches longer, with a wheelbase that is 2.4 inches longer than its predecessor. It’s also 1.1 inches wider.

The Seltos adopts a tall and broad grille and a vertical tailgate topped with a roof spoiler. Up front, the brand’s “tiger nose” grille remains, but it’s flanked by vertical indicator lights that are amber, like the Telluride. In back, thin vertical taillights match the front, and a light bar spans the tailgate.

It rolls on wheels ranging in size from 16 to 19 inches. Round wheel arches clad in black support pronounced fenders, and a floating roof detail at the rear appears well-integrated into the clean profile.

Macho SUV look
The redesigned Seltos may be small but it has a big presence. Vertical ends and a broad, tall grille bookend a flush exterior studded with bulging wheel arches to give it the boxy SUV vibe that’s all the rage.

Hybrid variant
When the Seltos Hybrid arrives late this year or early next year, it will give Kia an efficient competitor to the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid and the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid. It will feature the brand’s latest version of its regenerative braking system. In Sport mode, the paddle shifters let you change gears for the engine to rev higher for more power. In other modes, the paddle shifters become regen brake settings that let you recapture energy and conserve fuel.

Dual 12.3-inch displays
Kia’s twin 12.3-inch displays arrive in the 2027 Seltos, which is unusual for an entry-level SUV. In other Kia models that utilize this setup, the interface and user experience surpass the competition in terms of ease of use and functionality. Yet there are buttons and toggles for temperature and fan speed, which we prefer.

Available all-wheel drive (AWD)
Front-wheel drive (FWD) will be standard, but AWD will be offered and standard on the top X-Line SX. The hybrid will also be AWD. This gives the Seltos an edge over other small crossovers, such as the Chevy Trax and Kia Niro Hybrid, which are FWD only.

Globally, Kia will offer three engine options for the 2027 Seltos. We don’t know which ones will be offered in North America, only that a hybrid version will follow.

The base engine will likely be the carryover 2.0-liter 4-cylinder that makes 147 horsepower. It pairs with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) with FWD.

Two turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engines will also be offered on the 2027 Seltos, one rated at 178 hp and a sportier one, likely in the GT-Line, rated at 190 hp. A 6-speed manual will be offered, but we highly doubt it’ll come to the U.S. There could be a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, but due to the problems that transmission has had in the U.S., we expect it to come with an 8-speed automatic.

Kia released no details on the hybrid, other than that it’s on the way.

All-wheel drive will be available, and the Seltos will feature compact MacPherson front struts. The rear suspension will be either a basic torsion beam or a more dynamic multi-link setup.