2026 Kia Seltos First Look Review - Can It Punch Above Its Segment?

The all-new Kia Seltos has finally been launched, and we at 91Wheels were invited to test it in Bengaluru a few weeks ago, where we had the car at our disposal for an entire day. The drive review is already live on YouTube, but in this article, we will focus on how it looks in real life. To support our insights, we have included several photographs that add context and depth to the content. So, let's begin - and in the meantime, do join our 91Wheels Whatsapp Channel to stay updated with the latest automotive news.

Also Read: All-New Kia Seltos Launched, Priced from Rs 10.99 To 19.99 Lakh

Kia Seltos

Kia has given the all-new Seltos a far more assertive and contemporary identity. The redesigned front end, marked by a wider grille and sharper LED lighting signatures, immediately elevates its road presence. Stronger character lines, new alloy wheel designs, and tasteful blacked-out elements add to its visual muscle, while the connected tail-lamp treatment brings a premium, global flavour. The cabin follows the same modern brief, with a cleaner layout and updated tech interfaces that align with Kia's evolving design direction. Overall, the new Seltos feels more mature, more polished, and distinctly more upmarket than before.

Front Facia

Existing owners might initially pull an unpleasant face when they see it for the first time - something I personally noticed - because Kia has drastically reworked the Seltos' front end, which was previously considered one of the most handsome designs in the segment. However, spend a few minutes with it and the design direction begins to make sense. The new face is noticeably bolder, more aggressive, and significantly more premium.

In fact, it now carries the visual heft of a car priced well above Rs 30 lakh. The grille has been widened, the ice-cube LED elements are neatly integrated, and the new vertical DRLs give it an unmistakable identity on the road. Overall, the new Seltos presents a front end that is bolder, more modern, and unmistakably aligned with Kia's global design direction.

Side Profile

Move to the side and the new Seltos immediately asserts a stronger, more planted stance. Kia stretches the SUV's proportions subtly, and the cleaner character lines sharpen its overall silhouette. The redesigned 18-inch alloy wheels add a sportier flavour, while the blacked-out pillars and roof rails enhance its SUV credentials. The shoulder line now runs more confidently from nose to tail, giving the Seltos a sense of motion even at a standstill. With these updates, Kia elevates the side profile to look more mature, more premium, and unmistakably more upmarket than before.

Rear Profile

At the rear, the new Seltos delivers one of its most striking visual updates. Kia connects the tail-lamps with a full-width LED light bar, instantly giving the SUV a more premium and contemporary identity. The redesigned LED signatures look sharper and more upmarket, while the updated bumper adds visual width and solidity to the stance. The sculpted tailgate, cleaner lines, and reduced clutter allow the design to breathe, making the rear appear more refined than before. Overall, Koreans crafts a rear profile that looks modern, well-proportioned, and perfectly aligned with the SUV's bolder new styling language.

Interior

Inside, the resemblance to Kia's more premium international models - such as the EV9 and Carnival - is immediately noticeable. The new three-spoke dual-tone steering wheel, the expansive 30-inch trinity panoramic display, and the redesigned seats all echo Kia's global design direction. It is hard not to appreciate the overall cabin layout, which feels more sophisticated than many of its contemporaries. From a features standpoint, the Seltos continues to outpace its rivals, and the fit and finish remain consistently A-grade across the cabin.