2027 Kia Seltos Gets Baby-Telluride Looks, Hybrid Power
NEW YORK—With the new Seltos, Kia now offers every one of its crossovers and SUVs with a hybrid setup.
Kia at the New York International Auto Show revealed more information on the upcoming 2027 Kia Seltos. Now the brand's smallest AWD-capable SUV, the second-generation Seltos gets a significant style upgrade outside and in, along with its first hybrid powertrain. We are here on the show floor to see what Kia has in store to lure small SUV buyers from their Subaru Crosstreks and Honda HR-Vs.
2027 Kia Seltos Styling
Kia's "Opposites United" design philosophy is clear in the new sheetmetal of the '27 Seltos. The bluff nose features an integrated grille and headlight design, with the brand's distinctive yellow daytime running light (DRL) signature pushed to the outer edges. Tucked within the grille are small, square main beams with their own bracket-like DRLs. The sides are marked by flush door handles, a cradle-like mirror design, and a semi-floating roof. Angular wheel arches hold rolling stock ranging from 16 to 19 inches. At the rear is a wide, geometric taillight design that stretches the entire width of the liftgate and even bleeds into the flanks. X-Line models feature unique front and rear bumper designs, along with piano black trim pieces. New colors include Terrain Brown and Frost Blue, both shown here.
Naturally, the entire vehicle has grown, with Seltos 2.0 being longer (174.4 inches / 4,430 millimeters), wider (72.0 in / 1,830 mm), and taller (63.0 in / 1,600 mm) than its predecessor, with a 2.4-in (60-mm) stretch to its wheelbase. The growth spurt makes the Seltos ever so slightly longer than the current Niro (by 0.4 in / 10 mm).
Inside, the Seltos has a familiar flavor in keeping with the latest Kia models like the Telluride and EV4, most notably in its physical climate control toggles, single-pane display, and squared-off steering wheel. The small SUV adopts its own dashboard design with a distinctly bisected, three-dimensional look, along with wrap-around "blades" that drape onto the door panels. Top X-Line models feature black SynTex (artificial leather) seats with mesh inserts, while the X-Line Limited includes front Relaxation Seats, allowing for a nearly fully horizontal position. A driver's memory seat is also available. Kia says the stretched dimensions unlock an additional inch of both head and legroom, now totalling 39.4 and 39.0 in (1,000 and 990 mm), respectively.
2027 Kia Seltos Powertrain Options
At launch, the 2027 Seltos will have two familiar four-cylinder powertrains: the carryover 2.0-liter naturally-aspirated option and the 1.6-liter turbocharged engine. The latter has been paired to an eight-speed automatic since the previous generation's 2024 facelift and retains its 190 horsepower, 195 pound-feet outputs; the 2.0L continues on with a CVT.
A third, hybrid option will arrive "by end of year." This is a new setup for our market, pairing a 1.6-liter engine with a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. The Seltos hybrid will be available with both front- and all-wheel drive; the latter will employ Kia's first electric AWD setup. This is common in many Toyota models: instead of a physical connection between the axles, the system will use a small dedicated rear motor for on-demand power.
2027 Kia Seltos Technology and Safety
The single-pane display in the Seltos houses three individual screens: two 12.3-inch setups sandwich a 5.0-inch screen dedicated to advanced climate control functions. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across the board, along with a quartet of USB-C charge ports, and an available wireless charger.
Like many modern Kias, the Seltos comes with a long list of standard safety features and driver assists. The lineup includes a forward collision avoidance assist (now with junction turning functionality), driver attention warning, high-beam assist, blind-spot collision avoidance assist, and more. Kia's excellent Blind-Spot View Monitor and 360-degree camera are both available as well.
2027 Kia Seltos Pricing and Availability
The 2027 Kia Seltos will arrive at US and Canadian dealerships this summer. The hybrid model will arrive a few months later. Pricing is expected to climb slightly over the existing model.
AutoGuide's Take
This is a solid upgrade for Kia's littlest crossover. The Seltos won our last small SUV comparison back in 2024 thanks to its capacious cabin and long list of standard equipment. At the time, our judges dinged the Seltos for efficiency and seating position. The upcoming hybrid should address the former, but we'll have to see how the latter pans out when we get behind the wheel later this year. Kia typically keeps generational pricing increases low, so value should remain a strong point, too.
Fun fact: This will now make the brand only the second mainstream automaker to offer a hybrid across every one of its internal-combustion SUV models; the other is Toyota.
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Kyle began his automotive obsession before he even started school, courtesy of a remote control Porsche and various LEGO sets. He later studied advertising and graphic design at Humber College, which led him to writing about cars (both real and digital). He is now a proud member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), where he was the Journalist of the Year runner-up for 2021.
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Too wide, Kia is over reaching with their styling. They should have stayed an affordable mainstream product. IMO. Lost their mojo