Kia has confirmed that its celebrated Kia Seltos will soon expand the brand’s presence in the highly competitive compact SUV segment. Designed to sit between the Kia Stonic and Kia Sportage, the new Seltos promises to bring a fresh alternative for drivers who want a versatile, stylish and practical SUV without stepping up to a larger model like the Kia Sorento.

Already a global best seller in multiple markets, the second generation Seltos is making its European debut ahead of a 2026 UK launch. With an expected starting price around £30,000, it is positioned to compete with other popular small SUV cars such as the Toyota Yaris Cross, the VW T Roc and Renault’s latest entries. Kia’s strategy with the Seltos is clear: provide excellent value, modern tech and a strong driving experience in the increasingly important compact SUV class.

Where the Seltos Fits in the Kia SUV Line-Up

In Kia’s growing Kia SUV line-up, the Seltos fills a key gap. The Stonic acts as an entry level choice and appeals to those entering the SUV world for the first time. Above that, the Sportage offers a more spacious and refined option, while the Sorento caters to buyers needing three rows of seating and stronger towing capability. The Seltos sits between the Stonic and Sportage and is likely to attract buyers who want something larger and more capable than the Stonic but not as big or as costly as the Sportage or Sorento.

The Seltos shares its underpinnings, the K3 platform, with other small SUVs such as the Hyundai Kona and the Kia Niro, which helps keep development costs sensible while offering strong performance and efficiency. In the UK, Kia will offer the Seltos primarily with a hybrid powertrain, although the platform could support different powertrain options in other markets.

This mid range place in the line-up gives Kia flexibility in product planning. The success of models such as the Kia XCeed shows that buyers are willing to consider options that balance size, capability and everyday usability. The Seltos, with its compact footprint but confident stance on the road, promises to build on this momentum.

Design and Technology Tailored for Everyday Life

The second generation Kia Seltos brings a modern design language that ties it visually to other recent Kia hits like the Kia EV6 and flagship SUV Kia EV9, even though the Seltos itself is not a full electric SUV. Its sleek lines, pronounced wheel arches and distinctive front face give it a presence that fits well alongside both hybrid models and traditional petrol engine SUVs.

Inside, the Seltos delivers a contemporary cabin with plenty of tech that modern drivers expect. A large infotainment display stretches across the dashboard, combining digital instrument cluster and media functionality in a cohesive interface. This unified display layout echoes what we see in other Kia models and enhances the feeling of space and connectivity in the cabin.

Rear seating is designed for comfort and practicality, accommodating adults with good headroom and legroom. For small families or urban drivers who need flexibility, this makes the Seltos a compelling choice among SUV cars in its class. The cargo area also offers generous space for luggage, shopping or sports gear, making it suitable for weekend getaways in addition to daily commuting.

Performance, Fuel Economy and Driving Experience

While the new Seltos does not yet include a pure electric version, its hybrid powertrain offers a balance of performance and fuel efficiency that will appeal to many UK buyers. Hybrid systems combine an electric motor with a petrol engine to reduce fuel consumption, especially in city driving where stop start traffic is most common. This helps deliver improved fuel economy, an increasingly important consideration for both private buyers and fleet operators.

Kia’s engineers have tuned the Seltos chassis and suspension to offer confidence on a range of road surfaces. Buyers accustomed to the engaging dynamics of vehicles like the Yaris Cross or the slightly more premium feel of the Kia XCeed will find that the Seltos holds its own on twisty roads and motorway cruising alike. Its balance of comfort and control helps make the driving experience enjoyable, whether on daily school runs or longer journeys.

For drivers who prioritise wheel drive options, trim levels and specific markets may offer all wheel drive variants, enhancing grip and confidence in varying conditions. This makes the Seltos versatile across seasons, a strong selling point in regions with wet weather or light snow.

Safety Features and Connectivity

Like all recent Kia models, the Seltos will come equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features. These include lane keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control and other advanced driver assistance systems. These technologies are part of Kia’s ongoing effort to make modern SUVs safer and more intuitive to live with, whether in urban traffic or on open roads.

Connectivity features such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and integrated navigation help keep drivers connected and informed without distracting from the road. The single large display and intuitive controls mirror trends seen across Kia’s lineup, ensuring that users benefit from familiar and easy to use systems whether they are new to the brand or have driven vehicles such as the Kia EV6 or Kia EV9.

How the Seltos Compares to Other Compact SUVs

In the compact SUV market, buyers have more options than ever. Models like the Toyota Yaris Cross, the Volkswagen T Roc and the Renault Symbioz set benchmarks for practicality, technology and brand appeal. The Seltos hybrid focus in the UK helps set it apart from many rivals that still rely on conventionally powered engines only.

When compared to other hybrid and electrified compact SUV models, such as the Toyota Corolla Cross or the electrified versions of small SUVs, the Seltos aims to strike a good balance between cost and capability. Fuel economy gains from hybrid systems make it an attractive family choice, and the typically lower running costs compared with full petrol SUVs provide an added advantage.

For drivers considering electric SUVs but not ready to commit to a fully electric powertrain, the Seltos hybrid setup offers a stepping stone toward greener driving. It complements Kia’s broader electrified range, which now includes the all electric Kia EV3 in some markets, Kia EV6, and the larger three row Kia EV9, showing how Kia’s commitment spans traditional, hybrid and electric SUVs.

Role in the Broader Kia SUV Strategy

Kia’s SUV line-up has grown rapidly in recent years. From smaller small SUV options like the Stonic to larger family haulers like the Sorento and fully electric EV9, the brand has covered nearly every base. The Seltos strengthens this strategy by targeting the sweet spot in size and price.

In doing so, it also reinforces Kia’s reputation for building SUVs that are practical, well equipped and competitively priced. The combination of hybrid efficiency, safety features, good cargo space and a thoughtful interior positions the Seltos as a compelling choice, especially for buyers who need more than the smallest SUVs but find larger, more expensive models too much for their needs.

What Comes Next

Kia has confirmed that more details, including final pricing, trim levels and official fuel economy figures, will be released ahead of the Seltos UK launch in 2026. With a growing line-up that includes notable electric models and strong hybrid offerings, the addition of the Seltos fills an important niche in the brand’s SUV portfolio.

Whether you are considering small SUV cars like the Yaris Cross or looking for something more capable than the entry level Kia Stonic, the Seltos promises to be a strong contender. Its blend of technology, comfort and hybrid efficiency fits well within Kia’s strategy for electrified and mainstream SUVs alike.

As compact SUVs continue to be among the most popular segments in Europe and the UK, the new Kia Seltos is well placed to meet the needs of drivers who want versatility without compromise.