KIA Seltos 2026: this is the new KIA compact SUV, cheaper than the Sportage, to take on Chinese brands

You probably don’t know it, but the Kia Seltos is no less than the second best-selling Kia model worldwide. A real pillar for the brand globally which, until now, had never reached Europe. But the Korean brand has decided, and everything points to it being a very wise decision, to sell this second generation of the Kia Seltos in the old continent too, including the Spanish market. A compact SUV that arrives to go head-on into the fastest-growing segment, and at a time when Kia wants to consolidate its presence and “defend itself” against the arrival of Chinese brands while continuing to advance at its own pace towards electrification.

And the new Kia Seltos is the perfect car in this sense: an SUV that, in terms of design, size, equipment, interior space and mechanical offering, with combustion engines and self-charging hybrid versions, fits the reality of what Spanish buyers demand today. Now the price just needs to follow, and it probably will.

Design: a robust, modern SUV with personality, measuring 4.43 metres

The first impression the Seltos gives, with which we had a brief static first look, is that of a car with character. Its design is unmistakably KIA, closely related to the brand’s latest models, with the philosophy KIA calls “Opposites United”, the same that has shaped its entire electric SUV range and the Sportage. Here, one of the most recognisable elements is the “star-map” light signature, a light pattern integrated with the grille that gives the front a commanding presence. A pronounced waistline and an ascending D-pillar that connects with the roof in a “floating” effect visually enlarge this area, with a very well resolved rear.

The result, at least in the version used for this first presentation, with the top-of-the-range X-Line trim and the colour combination you see in the images, is, to say the least, eye-catching, conveying a sense of robustness and a certain adventurous air. And I have to say that I also found it at all times to be a bigger car than its exterior dimensions might suggest, at 4.43 metres long, 1.83 metres wide and 1.60 metres high. It may have been an effect caused by the setting, with the car in a photo studio.

In principle there will be entry-level GL and GLS versions, plus the GT-Line with a sportier character and a specific body kit, as well as the X-Line trim, which is distinguished by its dark exterior and interior details. Ten body colours will be available, including three new ones developed for the European market: a beige, a blue and a grey.

Interior: triple screen… but with physical controls, as it should be

The cabin of the new Kia Seltos also translates to the letter the design and configuration that Kia uses across all its new models. The dashboard features the now-characteristic layout of three screens arranged one after another, all under a single cover. The instrument display measures 12.3 inches, the central climate control screen 5.3 inches, and the multimedia screen another 12.3 inches. The whole gives a sense of modernity, with clean horizontal lines that make the cabin visually more spacious.

What I liked most, and it’s not a minor detail, is that Kia has kept physical controls for the main multimedia and climate functions. At a time when too many manufacturers have succumbed to the fashion of burying everything under touch menus that are often impossible to use, finding real buttons is a relief that drivers will appreciate every day. The same goes for the steering-wheel controls, with “real” buttons and rotary dials, not touch surfaces. It is a relief, for example, to be able to select the driving mode directly from here, without having to fiddle with the screen or dig through menus.

The finish and fit of the materials is good, without excess, and with a feeling of being designed to last. Liveability is another of its strong points, with plenty of room for four occupants, not so much for five, mainly due to the available width. The rear seats recline, which adds versatility for family use. And the boot is one of the car’s strongest arguments: 536 litres according to the VDA standard, among the best in its class, with room even for an emergency spare wheel under the floor. For a compact car, that is a statement of intent.

Equipment includes comfort, safety and technology features such as a panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting, a digital key to access the vehicle via smartphone, a head-up display, all the possibilities offered by the Kia Connect Store ecosystem, remote software updates (OTA) and the most common ADAS driver assistance systems.

Engines: petrol at launch, hybrid on the way

Initially, the Seltos will reach our market after the summer, with a 1.6 T-GDI petrol engine producing 180 CV and 265 Nm of torque. It will be available with a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic, with front-wheel or all-wheel drive (AWD). Specifically, this petrol version enters production from the second quarter of 2026.

Later on — Kia has not confirmed dates for Spain — the hybrid version will arrive, which is where things get really interesting, as demand for this type of powertrain in the SUV segment continues to rise. The Seltos HEV system offers 154 CV in the 2WD version and 178 CV in the e-AWD variant. This last figure matters: the Seltos is the first Kia equipped with the e-AWD system from Hyundai Motor Group, which electrically distributes torque between the axles to improve traction and stability.

And there is another milestone: the Seltos HEV will incorporate V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) technology, now practically a standard on fully electric cars, which allows external devices to be powered directly from the vehicle’s high-voltage battery. It is the first time Hyundai Motor Group has applied this function to a hybrid model. A detail that adds a lot for everyday use and active weekends.

Why the Kia Seltos could be a sales hit in Spain

It seems clear that the Seltos arrives on the market at the right time and with the right product. On the one hand, it has to contend with the invasion of Chinese SUVs that is redefining the segment on price: the §6MGh53§, the BYD Atto 2, the MG ZS… Cars that compete aggressively on equipment and have clearly bet on hybridisation. Against them, Kia has an established brand, a dealership network present across Spain and a reputation hard-earned over the last few years. On the other hand, the Seltos also competes with more established names in the segment such as the Renault Symbioz, the Citroën C3 Aircross, the Dacia Duster… And here the Seltos offers that feeling of something more than an accessible brand product, which Kia has cultivated so well.