Quick Takeaways
- What You Need to Know
- The redesigned Kia Seltos looks like a miniature Telluride, which is great
- For the first time, the crossover gets a hybrid powertrain
- It's larger than before, offering more passenger room and cargo space
- Gas-only models are on sale now, and the hybrid arrives late this year
- Base engine is quite slow
Kia is giving the new 2027 Seltos a larger mission than simply replacing the current model. The redesigned small SUV adds more passenger room, more available technology, and, most importantly, a hybrid powertrain, turning what was already a practical value option into a more complete choice.
The outgoing 2026 Seltos already covers the basics better than many small SUVs with its roomy cabin, generous tech features and an available turbo engine. When the next-generation Seltos first surfaced last December, we were pleasantly surprised to see it borrow some styling cues from the also all-new Telluride.
Kia finally gives the Seltos a hybrid
The powertrain lineup makes this redesign feel more substantial than just a simple styling update. The 2027 Seltos will be offered with three engine choices. A naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder will be the base offering, a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder will give more grunt, and, for the first time, there is a fuel-sipping hybrid. The base non-turbocharged mill will be the volume engine, offered in LX, S, EX and X-Line trims.
If you want stronger acceleration, you'll have to upgrade to the X-Line 1.6T, which uses an eight-speed automatic transmission and comes with standard all-wheel drive. The turbo engine makes an estimated 190 horsepower, matching the output of the current turbocharged Seltos. Depending on the trim, you will also be able to get a new optional multi-terrain AWD mode designed to improve traction on loose or slippery surfaces.
The bigger news, however, is the hybrid, because it gives the Seltos something few cars in that class offer. The hybrid powertrain combines a 1.6-liter gas engine with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and it will be available with either front-wheel drive or an electrified all-wheel-drive setup. Output of this new hybrid stands at 181 hp and 106 lb-ft of torque.
The new Seltos is bigger where it counts
The new Seltos rides on a wheelbase that's 2.4 inches longer than before, and the U.S.-spec version is expected to bring more rear seat legroom along with extra cargo space. Kia set cargo capacity at 27.8 cubic feet behind the back seat and 64.1 cubic feet with those seats folded. The current U.S.-market Seltos offers 26.6 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 62.8 cubic feet with the rear seat down, so the gains are not dramatic, but they should be easy to appreciate when loading groceries or a stroller. Ground clearance also grows to an available 8.1 inches, up from 7.3 inches before.
Inside, the redesign pushes the Seltos closer to the look and feature set of Kia's pricier SUVs. A 12.3-inch touchscreen is standard, and upper trims can add a matching 12.3-inch driver display plus a separate 5-inch climate panel, giving the dash nearly 30 inches of total screen area. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and Kia is also offering features that still feel upscale in this class, including a panoramic sunroof, a 360-degree camera system, and a driver's seat with memory settings. The company is also expanding the safety suite with standard forward collision warning that can detect crossing traffic when turning at an intersection, plus standard front and rear parking sensors.
Turbo is peppy but hybrid feels slow
I traveled to Kia's homeland of South Korea to drive the turbocharged and hybrid versions of the Seltos. The 1.6-liter turbo develops a healthy 190 horsepower; it feels bright, agile and peppy in the best small-car tradition and is genuinely fun to drive on a twisty road. The ride quality is generally comfortable, although it can feel a little fidgety on the highway.
I also drove the Seltos Hybrid. This is the first time a gas-electric combination has been offered on Kia's smallest SUV. The hybrid's steering is lightweight and responsive, the gear changes are smooth and the hybrid system switches seamlessly between gas and electric power. But it also weighs more and feels much less lively in real-world conditions. Official fuel consumption figures for the full lineup aren't available yet, but the hybrid will almost certainly prove the most frugal variant. Whether this is enough to offset the sluggish acceleration and higher purchase price, though, remains to be seen. I suspect most buyers will be better served by the turbocharged gas engine. Front- and all-wheel-drive versions of the Seltos will be available in both the gas and the hybrid models as Kia targets customers in the snowbelt.
Track tested: Base engine lacks excitement
Back at home, we had the chance to test a front-wheel-drive Seltos with the standard 2.0-liter engine at our track. While a closed performance facility is not where the Seltos is meant to shine, Kia's compact SUV still disappointed me somewhat. It's not sporty or particularly fun, and the overall performance isn't quite as good as that of other small SUVs.
While there's decent power at city speeds, the Seltos' 2.0-liter base engine feels gutless and wheezy. It took a full 10.6 seconds to hit 60 mph, which is on the slower end for a compact SUV. It wasn't a superstar on our handling circuit either. The Seltos leans in corners, and the front end feels heavy and pushes wide at its limits. While some small SUVs can feel lively and fun, the new Seltos isn't one of them.
The outgoing 2026 Seltos already covers the basics better than many small SUVs with its roomy cabin, generous tech features and an available turbo engine. When the next-generation Seltos first surfaced last December, we were pleasantly surprised to see it borrow some styling cues from the also all-new Telluride.
Kia finally gives the Seltos a hybrid
The powertrain lineup makes this redesign feel more substantial than just a simple styling update. The 2027 Seltos will be offered with three engine choices. A naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder will be the base offering, a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder will give more grunt, and, for the first time, there is a fuel-sipping hybrid. The base non-turbocharged mill will be the volume engine, offered in LX, S, EX and X-Line trims.
If you want stronger acceleration, you'll have to upgrade to the X-Line 1.6T, which uses an eight-speed automatic transmission and comes with standard all-wheel drive. The turbo engine makes an estimated 190 horsepower, matching the output of the current turbocharged Seltos. Depending on the trim, you will also be able to get a new optional multi-terrain AWD mode designed to improve traction on loose or slippery surfaces.
The bigger news, however, is the hybrid, because it gives the Seltos something few cars in that class offer. The hybrid powertrain combines a 1.6-liter gas engine with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and it will be available with either front-wheel drive or an electrified all-wheel-drive setup. Output of this new hybrid stands at 181 hp and 106 lb-ft of torque.
The new Seltos is bigger where it counts
The new Seltos rides on a wheelbase that's 2.4 inches longer than before, and the U.S.-spec version is expected to bring more rear seat legroom along with extra cargo space. Kia set cargo capacity at 27.8 cubic feet behind the back seat and 64.1 cubic feet with those seats folded. The current U.S.-market Seltos offers 26.6 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 62.8 cubic feet with the rear seat down, so the gains are not dramatic, but they should be easy to appreciate when loading groceries or a stroller. Ground clearance also grows to an available 8.1 inches, up from 7.3 inches before.
Inside, the redesign pushes the Seltos closer to the look and feature set of Kia's pricier SUVs. A 12.3-inch touchscreen is standard, and upper trims can add a matching 12.3-inch driver display plus a separate 5-inch climate panel, giving the dash nearly 30 inches of total screen area. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and Kia is also offering features that still feel upscale in this class, including a panoramic sunroof, a 360-degree camera system, and a driver's seat with memory settings. The company is also expanding the safety suite with standard forward collision warning that can detect crossing traffic when turning at an intersection, plus standard front and rear parking sensors.
Turbo is peppy but hybrid feels slow
I traveled to Kia's homeland of South Korea to drive the turbocharged and hybrid versions of the Seltos. The 1.6-liter turbo develops a healthy 190 horsepower; it feels bright, agile and peppy in the best small-car tradition and is genuinely fun to drive on a twisty road. The ride quality is generally comfortable, although it can feel a little fidgety on the highway.
I also drove the Seltos Hybrid. This is the first time a gas-electric combination has been offered on Kia's smallest SUV. The hybrid's steering is lightweight and responsive, the gear changes are smooth and the hybrid system switches seamlessly between gas and electric power. But it also weighs more and feels much less lively in real-world conditions. Official fuel consumption figures for the full lineup aren't available yet, but the hybrid will almost certainly prove the most frugal variant. Whether this is enough to offset the sluggish acceleration and higher purchase price, though, remains to be seen. I suspect most buyers will be better served by the turbocharged gas engine. Front- and all-wheel-drive versions of the Seltos will be available in both the gas and the hybrid models as Kia targets customers in the snowbelt.
Track tested: Base engine lacks excitement
Back at home, we had the chance to test a front-wheel-drive Seltos with the standard 2.0-liter engine at our track. While a closed performance facility is not where the Seltos is meant to shine, Kia's compact SUV still disappointed me somewhat. It's not sporty or particularly fun, and the overall performance isn't quite as good as that of other small SUVs.
While there's decent power at city speeds, the Seltos' 2.0-liter base engine feels gutless and wheezy. It took a full 10.6 seconds to hit 60 mph, which is on the slower end for a compact SUV. It wasn't a superstar on our handling circuit either. The Seltos leans in corners, and the front end feels heavy and pushes wide at its limits. While some small SUVs can feel lively and fun, the new Seltos isn't one of them.
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