Kia Seltos facelift: The Kia Seltos has been a disruptor in the mid-size SUV segment since its India launch.
It was boldy styled, had a cabin rich with features and a muscular presence on the road, and soon amassed a dedicated fan following.
As the market becomes more competitive and customer demands develop, Kia has now announced the Seltos Facelift which gets a refreshed design, updated features, and enhanced safety.
Instead of trying to reinvent the wheel, the facelift enhances from a place that’s already working, and it nudges the Seltos toward its more sophisticated and premium identity.
Let’s have a look at What the New Seltos has to offer.
Sharper Looks and New Style
Up front, the facade has been updated with a larger grille, more aggressive styling touches and slim LED headlamps with integrated DRLs.
The Tiger Nose grille is more polished for a more aggressive feel and the bumper now houses revised fog lamps and air intakes, giving it a muscular appeal.
At the back, the connected LED tail lamp strip is the biggest change that’s now extended across the width of the tailgate, and looks futuristic.
The alloy wheel patterns have been changed while new colors – like Pewter Olive – bring a touch of novelty to the series.
The overall silhouette is the same but the facelift further adds to the refined and sharp visual appeal, ensuring the Seltos appears youthful and premium.
Interior Upgrades/Additional Comfort
Interiors Inside, the Kia Seltos Facelift looks more upmarket than ever before.
The cabin now features a dual-screen setup — a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster mated with a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen. The design looks futuristic and the new user interface is slicker and more responsive.
Quality materials, including leatherette upholstery, soft-touch panels, and ambient lighting, also help give the space a more welcoming feeling.
Ventilated seats are a new feature for the front row, along with dual-zone climate control for an extra dose of convenience.
Rear-seat comfort is upgraded as well, with better cushioning and rear AC vents, ensuring it should remain a comfortable choice for family buyers.
There’s still loads of boot space for your everyday, or weekend away, gear.
Performance and Powertrains
Multiple engine options return for the Seltos:
1.5L NA Petrol (115 PS)
1.5L diesel CRDi (116 PS)
1.5L turbo-petrol (160 PS)
Say hello to a modern 1.5L turbo-petrol engine instead of the old 1.4L that delivers some improved power and refinement.
Transmission choices are 6-speed manual, CVT, 6-speed torque converter (AT), iMT and a 7-speed DCT depending on the variant.
Performance is strong with all engines, though the turbo-petrol is the one to have the most fun in.
The ride quality has some float, and the suspension tune tips toward comfort over control.
Enhanced Safety Features
There are some major safety upgrades here too in the facelifted Seltos.
All models get six airbags, ESC, hill start assist, TPMS and rear parking sensors as standard now.
Those on the top get an additional ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) package that comes with:
Forward Collision Warning
Lane Keep Assist
Blind Spot Monitoring
Adaptive Cruise Control
This additional features make the Seltos at par with international safety norms and help drivers feel more confident on the road.
Pros:
Sleek exterior update with linked LED lights
Deluxe dual-screen interior design
Variety of engine and transmission choices
ADAS and 6 airbags enhances the safety manifolds
Strong brand and good after sales network
Cons:
The turbocharged versions come at a cost
The rear seat is even devoid of under-thigh support for taller occupants.
Sporty looks with no all-wheel-drive available
ADAS is limited to the top trims
Kia Seltos facelift: Conclusion
The Kia Seltos Facelift comes with significant updates rather than just changes to its skin.
With a more aggressive look, better cabin tech and more robust safety features, it fills in a few more blanks in the original version.
For those looking for a good looking, all-rounded SUV with contemporary equipment levels and decent performance, the updated Seltos remains one of the better options in the category.