KIA SELTOS 2027 Arrives Larger, Hybrid, And With An Electric Suv Look To Change The Game For Compact Cars

The new 2027 Kia Seltos grows, adopts EV design language, gains a Hybrid version with V2L capability, and features a high-tech interior to compete with larger SUVs.

The new 2027 Kia Seltos is not just a facelift or a mid-cycle refresh. It is, effectively, an entirely new project, built upon the K3 platform—the same architecture used by newer models like the Kia Niro and Hyundai Kona. This allows the SUV to:

• Increase dimensions and interior space.
• Improve acoustic insulation and comfort.
• Support new connectivity and driver-assistance technologies.
• Pave the way for a brand-new Hybrid version (HEV) featuring V2L functionality.

Kia itself positions the Seltos as a “protagonist” in its global lineup. Instead of being merely an entry point, it now competes for attention with larger SUVs like the Sportage, banking on three core pillars:

• Extroverted Design, inspired by Kia’s own electric SUVs.
• More Sophisticated Platform, with increased use of high-strength steels.
• Fully Digitalized Cabin, featuring AI, OTA updates, and an advanced ADAS package.

The strategy mirrors what other brands are doing by transforming mid-size and compact SUVs into technology showcases. Consider how the 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLB relied on the gigantic Superscreen to stand out in a saturated segment.

K3 Platform and Dimensions: The 2027 KIA SELTOS Grows to Compete with Larger SUVs

Built on the K3 platform, the 2027 Seltos takes a significant engineering leap forward. The incorporation of high-strength steel reaches approximately 62%, boosting torsional rigidity and enabling:

• Greater stability in curves.
• Reduced suspension vibrations felt inside the cabin.
• Improved noise filtration (NVH), especially over poor road surfaces.

In terms of measurements, the new Seltos is notably larger than the previous generation:

This growth brings the Seltos closer in size to the European Sportage:

In practical terms, this means:

• More legroom in the second row, approaching the comfort of a mid-size SUV.
• A more imposing stance on the road, with width and wheelbase typical of a higher category vehicle.
• Better trunk utilization, although official figures vary by market and spare tire presence.

This “leveling up” echoes what other brands are doing with their compact and mid-size SUVs, such as the 2026 Nissan Rogue Plug-in Hybrid, which was redesigned to give the feel of a larger car without jumping into a different price bracket.

Exterior Design: Compact SUV with a Concept EV Face

Design is where the 2027 Kia Seltos most distinctly departs from the previous model. The visual language now aligns with the “Opposites United” concept and the brand’s electric SUVs, such as the EV5 and EV9.

Futuristic Front End

The front fascia has been completely redesigned:

• Wider grille with geometric cutouts and trim that varies by version.
• Vertical headlamp blocks, “hidden” at the extremities, giving a more high-tech appearance.
• LED signature shaped like “tongs” or featuring three vertical bars, depending on the trim package.
• Vertical lighting elements framing the grille, reinforcing the electric SUV identity.

The result: viewed from the front, the 2027 Seltos looks significantly more expensive than its base version will likely cost.

Profile with Flush Door Handles and “Origami” Bodywork

From the side, the Seltos adopts an almost concept-like look:

• Flush, automatically extending door handles—a typical solution found on premium EVs.
• Creased surfaces, with folds reminiscent of “automotive origami.”
• The floating roof is retained, with a darkened C-pillar creating visual contrast.
• More muscular wheel arches and pronounced protective plastic cladding, reinforcing the SUV feel.

Rear End with Full LED Bar

At the rear, the 2027 Seltos follows the trend of taillights connected by a continuous LED bar:

• Taillights shaped like an “hourglass” up close, with vertical extensions.
• An illuminated bar that spans the entire tailgate, creating a sense of greater width.
• Bumper with more robust cutouts and, on some versions, dark gray or gunmetal accents.

New color options help enhance the visual appeal:

• Iceberg Green – A cooler, almost pastel green tone, typical of modern EVs.
• Gravity Gray – A sophisticated gray that matches the high-tech proposition.
• Matte Magma Red – A striking matte red, designed for sportier versions.

GT-Line and X-Line Trims: Urban Sporty vs. Urban Adventurer

In addition to traditional trims (like LX, EX, and SX, depending on the market), Kia is expected to strongly feature two visually distinct lines:

• GT-Line: Sport-focused, featuring more aggressive bumpers, body-colored trim, specific wheels, and gloss black accents.
• X-Line: Adventurous feel, with reinforced cladding, dark gunmetal trim, a prominent roof rack, and, in some markets, details referencing light off-roading.

This visual language strategy mirrors what the industry is doing to multiply the appeal of the same SUV, seen also in rugged trucks like the 2026 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X R, which uses design and suspension prepared to dominate the off-road conversation.

2027 KIA SELTOS Interior: Premium EV Cabin in a Compact SUV

Inside, the 2027 Seltos completely abandons any trace of the previous generation’s visual simplicity and fully embraces the aesthetic of Kia’s electric vehicles.

Panoramic Digital Display with Up to 30 Inches of Usable Screen Area

The centerpiece of the interior is a screen cluster that dominates the dashboard:

• Two 12.3-inch displays—one for the instrument cluster, the other for the infotainment system.
• A third screen (~5 inches) dedicated to climate control, integrated into the main block.

Despite the high level of digitalization, Kia preserves strategic physical buttons:

• Dedicated temperature controls.
• Volume controls and main shortcuts for media and navigation.
• Quick access keys for critical functions (defroster, hazard lights, etc.).

This balance between touch and physical controls is something even luxury brands are re-evaluating—a theme already noted in analyses of models like the 2027 Mercedes-Benz CLA220 Hybrid, which demonstrates how over-digitalization can lead to usability criticisms.

Comfort: More Space, Reclining Seats, and Versatile Trunk

The increased wheelbase is immediately noticeable in the second row:

• More knee room, even for tall adults.
• Rear seatbacks with recline function (different sources cite angles up to 12° or 24°).
• Front seats with possible extended recline function for the driver, including a footrest in certain versions.

Regarding the trunk, there is still some variance in numbers depending on the source and configuration (spare tire, subwoofer, etc.). Estimates point to around 536 to 538 liters, featuring a load floor:

• Dual-level, allowing for shallow or deeper configurations.
• About 8 cm longer compared to the previous model.

This makes the 2027 Seltos particularly interesting for families needing real travel trunk space but who don’t want to move up to larger, more expensive SUVs.

Technology: OTA, AI Assistant, and Digital Key

The technology package is one of the highlights of the new Seltos:

• Over-The-Air (OTA) Updates: Infotainment system, navigation, and, in some markets, even parameters for driving assistance can receive cloud-based improvements.
• AI Voice Assistant: Expected to use an advanced platform (including technologies similar to ChatGPT in certain markets), allowing complex commands in natural language.
• Digital Key 2: Digital key via smartphone, with the ability to share access with friends or family.
• High-power USB-C Ports (up to 100 W in some outlets), supporting modern laptops and fast gadget charging.
• Panoramic Sunroof in higher trims, enhancing the sense of space.
• Head-Up Display (HUD) projecting information onto the windshield or a retractable small screen (varies by region).
• Premium Audio branded by Harman Kardon or Bose, depending on the market and package.

This package aligns the 2027 Seltos with pricier SUVs and even some next-generation electric vehicles, as seen in the strategy for models like the 2026 Lucid Gravity, which uses onboard technology as its main value proposition.

Safety and ADAS: Full Package of Latest-Generation Assistance Features

The 2027 Seltos now offers an ADAS package worthy of upper-category SUVs, including features such as:

• Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA2): Semi-autonomous driving assist on highways, integrating adaptive cruise control with lane centering.
• Lane Keeping Assist with active steering correction.
• Forward and Rear Automatic Emergency Braking, with detection for pedestrians, and in some versions, cyclists and cross-traffic.
• Safe Exit Warning, which prevents door opening if a vehicle is detected approaching from behind.
• 360° Camera with surround view and specific viewing modes for tight maneuvers.
• Front, side, and rear parking sensors.

With this, the Seltos reinforces its appeal not only to families but also to drivers who spend a lot of time in the city and want active support to avoid minor incidents and fines.

Powertrain, Performance, and Hybrid Version: How the 2027 KIA SELTOS Drives (and How Much It Promises to Save)

Under the hood, the 2027 Kia Seltos follows a transitional strategy: it retains familiar combustion engines while making room for a hybrid variant that will likely be the most interesting version in the lineup for many.

Combustion Engines: Naturally Aspirated 2.0L and 1.6L Turbo with Evolutions

Depending on the market, the 2027 Seltos should offer the following gasoline engine options:

• 2.0L Naturally Aspirated: Four-cylinder, approximately 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT transmission featuring simulated shifts. Focused on efficiency, urban use, and lower maintenance costs.
• 1.6L Turbo, in two power ranges:
  • Around 178 hp and 195 lb-ft, with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission or a 6-speed manual (for some countries).
  • Around 190 hp and 195 lb-ft with an 8-speed automatic transmission, the most likely configuration for demanding markets like the US.

These combinations cater to everyone from customers who primarily drive in the city to those needing performance for highways, trips, and overtaking when loaded.

Drivetrain and Suspension: FWD or AWD with Rear Multi-Link

The lineup should also include:

• Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) versions, which are lighter and more economical.
• All-Wheel Drive (AWD) versions, which swap the rear torsion beam for a multi-link suspension, bringing:
  • Greater stability in corners.
  • Superior comfort on rough roads.
  • Better traction in rain, light mud, snow, and dirt roads.

In AWD mode, the Seltos offers terrain selectors such as Snow, Mud, and Sand, adjusting throttle response and torque distribution between the axles.

KIA SELTOS Hybrid (HEV): The Big Asset for 2026/2027

The biggest powertrain news for the 2027 Seltos is the introduction of a Hybrid version, expected to debut globally starting in 2026. It should share its technical base with the Kia Niro, combining:

• 1.6-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine.
• Electric motor integrated into the transmission.
• High-voltage battery positioned under the floor or under the rear seat.

The estimated total output hovers around 180 hp, focusing on:

• Significantly lower fuel consumption in city traffic.
• Ability to cover short distances in 100% electric mode at low speeds.
• Fuller response at low RPMs, thanks to the immediate assistance of the electric motor.

Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) Function

One of the highlights of the Hybrid Seltos will be the Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) function, which allows the SUV to:

• Supply power to external equipment via specific outlets.
• Power camping electronics, tools, laptops, and even smaller household appliances for a limited time.

This transforms the Seltos into a kind of “generator on wheels”—a feature already appearing in latest-generation electrified SUVs and trucks, which makes perfect sense for users who travel, work in the field, or enjoy outdoor activities.

Intelligent Regenerative Braking

Another advanced point is the regenerative braking system with automatic adjustment based on traffic:

• Sensors monitor vehicles ahead.
• The system decides how much regeneration to apply when the accelerator is released.
• This improves efficiency without requiring the driver to constantly change regeneration levels.

This type of intelligent electrification solution moves in the same direction as technologies seen in new-generation hybrids and EVs—an example is the refined electrification package of SUVs like the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV, which shows how hybrids are gaining advanced features at increasingly competitive prices.

Expected Fuel Economy and Pricing Positioning

Official data may still vary by market, but the positioning logic suggests:

• Seltos 2.0L Naturally Aspirated: Focus on low gasoline consumption, performance adequate for urban and light highway use, serving as the “rational entry” version.
• Seltos 1.6L Turbo: Option for those wanting more torque and driving pleasure, without reaching the cost of a sporty mid-size SUV.
• Seltos Hybrid: Expected to be positioned as the ideal choice for heavy commuters, offering expressive savings and extra technology (V2L, advanced regeneration).

Estimates suggest that, in markets like the US, the starting price for the FWD 2027 Seltos might be around $27,000, with top trims exceeding $44,000 when fully loaded with technology, potential AWD, and more powerful or hybrid powertrains.

Global Launch and Market Impact

The timeline for the 2027 Kia Seltos is staggered:

• Start of global production beginning in December 2025.
• Initial launch in key markets like India and South Korea throughout 2026.
• Arrival in North America, Europe, and China also in 2026, possibly as the 2027 model year in some regions.

The expected impact is clear:

• Repositioning the Seltos as an aspirational compact SUV, not just a rational one.
• Moving closer to the Sportage in perceived value, without completely cannibalizing its segment.
• Serving as a “bridge” for customers considering switching to electric vehicles, thanks to the EV-like design and the upcoming Hybrid version with V2L.

In a scenario where hybrid and electric SUVs are advancing rapidly—as shown by rival brands with plug-in hybrids, pure EVs, or hybrids focused on total combined range, such as the BYD Seal U DM-i—the 2027 Kia Seltos positions itself as an intelligent answer: still accessible, but with styling, technology, and efficiency that don’t feel “entry-level.”

In summary, the new Seltos ceases to be just “another” compact SUV and starts competing for prominence in a market segment where style, connectivity, and mild electrification matter as much as power and space. For those wanting an SUV that looks electric, offers premium car technology, and still maintains combustion and hybrid options, the 2027 KIA SELTOS promises to be one of the strongest names of the decade.

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