Since the death of the Kia Soul back in October, the Seltos has occupied an important spot as the most affordable crossover in the South Korean automaker’s lineup. While I’m sure the Seltos is a fine car, I spend as much time thinking about it as I think about every other cheap, automatic, big-brand crossover on sale today (that is, not much at all).
Today, that changes. Kia’s just revealed a new Seltos for 2027, and it borrows a lot, design-wise, from the fancier, more expensive electric cars in the company’s lineup.
From a lot of angles, it’s easy to mistake the new Kia Seltos with the EV9, Kia’s three-row electric crossover. It has the same silhouette and rear glass shape, the same unpainted plastic fenders, and even a similar wheel pattern design. While the exterior lighting isn’t exactly the same, they’re both vertically oriented and follow the same corporate scheme.
The biggest difference is that the Seltos has a grille, while the EV9 does not. Without the two cars next to each other, it’s tough to show just how much they differ in size. At 174.4 inches, the new Seltos is slightly longer than the outgoing model, but nearly two feet shorter than the EV9. In real life, it would probably be easy to distinguish between the two cars, but based on these photos, it’s a bit tougher to differentiate them.
That’s a good thing, for what it’s worth. The EV9 is one of Kia’s best designs right now, and it looks expensive. Having that ethos trickle down to cheaper models means people don’t have to drop over $50,000 and be strapped with an EV they might not want to get the cool design.
As for what’s underneath the skin, well, not much has changed. The base engine for America is still the naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder, making 147 horsepower and getting thrust to the front wheels via a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The optional mill is a 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four making 190 horsepower, paired with an eight-speed torque-converter automatic.
If you’re reading this from outside America, the Seltos is also available with a third engine choice: A slightly detuned version of the turbo engine, making 178 horsepower. Importantly, that engine is available with an optional six-speed manual. I know this configuration doesn’t really have a business case in America, but it’s always sad to know a car sold here could be had with a manual, but you can’t have it here.
Those in colder or wetter climates will be pleased to know all-wheel drive is an option across the 2027 Seltos lineup. Interestingly, going for all-wheel drive also gets you some pretty significant changes to the rear suspension. The standard torsion beam rear end is thrown out in favor of a multi-link setup to make room for the rear differential and axles. You also get a system called “Terrain Mode,” which adjusts stability control settings for three modes: Snow, Mud, and Sand. If someone actually plans to take their Seltos mudding, please call me first. Because I want to be there.
The Seltos gets a big upgrade inside, too. The new interior follows Kia’s corporate scheme for the rest of its EV lineup, using a similar offset logo for the steering wheel, two screens laid across the dash in succession, and a small collection of physical buttons underneath. It’s a nice modern design that reminds me of the Kia EV4 I drove earlier this year.
Kia says it’ll start building the new Seltos this month, but deliveries for us here in North America won’t start until next year. More importantly, the company has yet to release pricing. The outgoing Seltos started at a very reasonable $25,135, including destination. I’m sure the new one will be more expensive, but so long as it stays under that $30,000 mark, it should remain a compelling choice in the entry-level SUV segment. Especially with a design like this.
Top graphic image: Kia
Anyone who has actually owned and contributed to the profit of H/K/G and having to deal with their service department games in their desperate effort to stop the bleeding of 100,000’s of defective engines and dry-clutch DCT’s will never give in to the fancy looks of the real steaming-pile powertrains no matter how improved they are or claim to be…
I just hope that the more recent owners of these H/K/G vehicles fair better… after owning several going back to our ’97 Sephia, our driveway and garage will never e saddled with one ever again.
These are 75K mile vehicles made to be thrown out after use. Temu-level quality.
This. It’s messed up how they treat their customers when it comes to honoring their warranties, they’ll do anything to get out of paying for anything. The H/K/G service department I worked at was one of the most miserable jobs I’ve ever had.
have a 2017 elantra and never buying a hyundai kia ever again. which is really upsetting because im a fan of most of their products but the ownership experience is absolutely terrible and as SOON as you hit 100,000 miles shit falls apart FAST. You can’t convince me that’s not on purpose. I had a dealer tell me it would be “over 30 days” to get a diagnostic on a check engine light!
Idk, have an 08 accent, with 220k on it and still kicking like a mule.
Ive only had to do minor work besides the occasional timing belt.
Brother has one thats a year newer. Doing fine, mother has a 2020 kona, doing fine.
Now the other brother… Hes got a telluride thats slowly starting to fall apart, but the 04 elantra he had and beat the shit out of and it kept going has led us to like em as a brand, but every company has made duds.
It looks more like the (non US market) EV5 than the EV9, and that’s for the best.
What I want to know, is do their engines hold up now? I want a smaller, narrower car than my ’17 Accord and still not feel like a penalty box in which to drive and ride.
I dig the Seltos. This new one look really good, but the old one was kind of cool for its class as well.
I occasionally watch reviews on YT by the “Texas Truck Channel” and those guys love the Seltos, they always peak very highly of it when reviewing it or other vehicles like it.
I figure it has to be at least reasonably good if Texas Truck guys like it.
It looks great! Better looking than the Telluride, IMHO. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I’m still looking for the K4 Hatchback due in “late 2025.” It’s getting late.
Wait, they killed the Soul? That was one of the most surprising just-get-me-from-A-to-B-without-annoying-me-for-cheap cars out there. Expected to hate it but often grabbed one from the rental lineup when something interesting wasn’t available.
Still my contention: if you make it, and it can pass whatever USA requires in safety and stuff, one should be able to order it.
I’m not asking them to make 100,000 of them and hope to sell them. I’m asking them to put one, ONE, on a ship if I order it.
Yes, that is not the way the auto business works. And that is why I still have a 23-year-old car.
Are you going to pay for the CARB and EPA certification for that one manual?
Every powertrain variation has a breakeven point
The problem they run in to here is regulation. Each powertrain design has to undergo tons of government testing, which has to be paid for. If the engine were all that had to be certified, with no concern to what came connected to it, then I think you would see the door you describe get opened. But the costs of testing vs the potential for profit just don’t math out sadly.
Wow. Finally a small SUV that looks interesting and futuristic without any stupid design gimmicks.
If it’s the same general price and size as the Hyundai Kona, this could swipe its lunch.
Not to be predictible or contrarian, but the middle engine with manual transmission seems like it’d be the most fun for the long run. I’ll take mine with AWD please, and in one of those nice colors the outgoing Seltos used to come in… there’s a blue-greyish-green that is very nice.
I guess if you were anti-hybrid or something, and didn’t want the Rav4 or CR-V, you could get this. Odd that Kia hasn’t pushed hybrids as hard as Toyota and Honda, but I guess if their cars are selling well enough without it…
It’s fine. If you can get a nice one for under $30K, it’ll definitely sell. I’d rather avoid the CVT and stick with the base engine, but I don’t want the 1.6 turbo just to have a traditional automatic either. I’m difficult that way. 😉
This is a size below the RAV/CR-V/Sportage, but once you get into upper trim pricing on the Seltos you are right up against that class, including the Sportage hybrid.
As to Kia’s hybrid avails, I think production/supply plays a big part there. Most hybrids from Honda/volume Toyotas have had North American production, even with overseas production mixed in (RAV4s have variously came from US, Canada, and Japan). AFAIK, for H/K models that offer gas/hybrid, gas models have usually been US-built while hybrid variants have been Korean-built; that has been changing – Hyundai produces Santa Fe hybrids in the US for example.
While it looks great, I’m sorry to see the Seltos following the same “bigger, more expensive” path that so many vehicles travel over the years. The current Seltos is almost in its own size class – bigger than the jacked up hatchbacks (HRV, CHR) but not as big as the RAV4s and CRVs of the world. It’s right where the CRV and RAV4 were 20 or so years ago.
As per usual, Kia makes a better-looking car than their parent / up-scale brand, Hyundai.
So this is just the EV5 but with gas/hybrid powertrains available? I know these have been on sale in other markets, as the EV5, for over a year. I saw them in Colombia last December. Starts at about $40k as an EV there.
This is a nice looking little car and other articles are saying it’ll be available as a hybrid, which is great.
But it’s a crossover!!!1!1!
So do you just constantly change your username or do you have a bunch of different profiles? Regardless I love the bit
We have no idea what you’re referring to
…and?
We’re supposed to hate crossovers! Praising one is WRONG!!1!
I guess I’m not a rule follower then. I’ve driven wagons for 30 years but see the appeal of crossovers.
Same, I don’t get the hate at all.
I like the interior, but I don’t see a big analog gear selector in the center console.
From other articles it’s available with the big console shifter or the column shifter depending on trim. I much prefer the column shifter.
A bit odd that the image doesn’t align with the comment in the article, but maybe someone other than Brian selected the photos and didn’t catch that?
This is actually pretty cool.
It’s a shame that they can make a damn fine looking car (inside and out), but cannot make reliable drivetrains.
The base 2.0L with Multi-Port Gasoline Injection does not have the same problems as the direct injection turbo. The problem is more that if you want it to be reliable you have to pick boring.
The Seltos just looks like the average CUV now. At least the Soul was different from everything else. However, the Soul never came with AWD.
It always looked like the average SUV. If anything, it looks less like your average SUV now.
1: One sausage, different lengths bad for Germans, good for Koreans I guess.
2: $30k is entry level for something like this now? If I ever spend $30k on a bloated tall hatchback that doesn’t even push 150hp through a CVT, please send the authorities to do a welfare check.
It’s a good design except for the flush door handles (worst idea ever). I still just can’t believe the Soul is dead and the cheapest tall Kia is gonna start at almost $30k…
Were you daydreaming of the non-US manual when you wrote this? The picture shows a column mounted shift lever just like the EV4 uses, which for an auto is so much better than a giant console shifter that takes up space for no reason.
Huh, I looked up some other articles and sure enough, some trims do have a giant console shifter. Weird.
The way I’m reading it, the picture in the story *is* the EV4.
I thought that could be the case as well (which would still be confusing without a reference pic of the actual car in the article), but the EV4 interior is significantly different. It really is available with both versions of the shifter depending on which trim you get.
Hmmm, the thot plickens.
My god, it’s my favorite dad joke. Busting out the “swapped starting sounds” while making beds and asking for the “shitted feet” kills every single time (in this case “kills” means elicits groans and eye rolls).
Shitted feet is good!
This looks great. I’m glad to see automakers putting some real thought into their budget options. The jump from previous to new Seltos, Kicks, and Trax are all massive upgrades without having raised prices substantially.
Hyundai needs to jump on this with the Venue immediately. God that thing is terrible.
What they need to do is to continue to put new models under these freshly updated ones if they’re going to continue to grow like this.
I guess I didn’t realize how big this was. It’s about 10 inches longer than the Soul.
Then again, it only gained just under 2 inches compared to the outgoing version. The Kicks grew a similar 2 inches at the refresh. The Trax is a massive difference at 11 inches longer than the outgoing version.
KIA’s exterior design language of late is quite attractive, and better yet, upmarket and NEW. This Seltos is, quite frankly, stunning. Not something you typically say about a subcompact SUV-thing.
However, their interior ethos of “cross between a well-worn stone and a linen-colored IKEA chair; but with screens’ doesn’t work for me.
There is a real disconnect between the two.
I will bet my next paycheck that that interior pic is of the topmost trim. All other trims will get the GrayAllDay interior.
If anything they should’ve gone a little smaller and a little cheaper than the outgoing Seltos, since this is replacing the Soul as well.
I wouldn’t put it past Kia to introduce an even cheaper SUV to slot under the Seltos soon, now that the Soul is gone, similar to the $20k Hyundai Venue
That would just leave me wondering why they’re throwing away all the design continuity and brand equity they had in Soul rather than going to a new generation of it.
The Soul was losing popularity in global markets and being made in South Korea the margins were probably smaller than they liked. I expect it to be replaced by something like the developing-market Sonet made in India or Vietnam.
They just refreshed the Stonic in a similar fashion to this, and that is basically a Rio dressed up to look like an SUV. And as I remember, the Rio it is based on was for sale in the US for a few years. That should not be a difficult thing for them making it comply with american regulations.