2027 Kia Seltos Hands-On Preview: Edgy Evolution

Kia's updated Seltos is aiming for nothing less than the sub-compact SUV crown.

While there were a whole bunch of big reveals at the 2026 New York Auto Show, arguably the most important is the humble Kia Seltos. The Korean brand's small SUV has been duking it out in one of the most competitive segments since it arrived on our shores in 2020, and the scene has only grown tougher since.

That's not to say the current model isn't strong, because it is: it even won our small SUV mega comparison back in 2024. Critical success is one thing, but the Seltos has been stuck in the mid-pack on the sales charts against rivals like the Subaru Crosstrek, Honda HR-V, and Chevrolet Trax.

We got to poke around the new model—in its upcoming hybrid form, no less—and here were our big takeaways about Seltos 2.0:

It's a given that a new model will include additional tech these days, but it's the usefulness of the Seltos' substantial suite that should charm small SUV buyers. Kia's latest infotainment system is easy enough to use, with big, legible tiles and quick reflexes. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both wireless now too, and based on other modern Kias, quite simple to pair.

The Seltos also picks up a 360-degree camera, a seldom-seen feature at this end of the market. This surround-view setup also includes the excellent Blind-Spot View Monitor system, which pops a live camera feed onto the driver display from the respective side when a turn signal is activated. This is basically a staple in most Korean cars now, but remains a rarity elsewhere.

When the Seltos won our mega comparison, we scored it highly for its positively massive interior. And now it's bigger. Kia has carved out a little more rear-seat space—already amongst the best in the class—and added to the cargo storage. The official word is 27.8 cubic feet (787 liters) of storage space with the seats up, and a huge 64.1 cu ft (1,815 L) with them folded flat. Those are the sorts of numbers we expect from the next size up.

One criticism we have of the current model is its front seats: they felt too high and lacked bolstering, resulting in a bar-stool feel that hurt road-trip capability. While it was an admittedly brief preview in New York, we found the new model's seats more comfortable upon first impression.

The model we really look forward to is the upcoming Seltos Hybrid. Our biggest bone to pick with the existing model is its relative thirst in turbocharged 1.6-liter form; a hybrid setup not only would address that, but it would join the Toyota Corolla Cross and Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid as one of the few electrified options in this segment.

This won't be the familiar setup from the larger Sportage, nor will it borrow from the likes of the fuel-sipping Hyundai Elantra or Sonata hybrids. Instead, the Seltos hybrid will debut a new 1.6-liter setup, pairing an electric motor with a six-speed automatic. The all-wheel drive option will use a dedicated rear motor for electric all-wheel drive, similar in function to the Corolla Cross. What it sacrifices for outright capability, it pays off with better fuel economy.

The 2027 Kia Seltos will launch in gas-only forms this summer, with the hybrid arriving a few months later. Pricing and trim information will arrive closer to launch.

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