The mid-size SUV segment in India has become one of the most competitive spaces in the automotive market. With strong rivals like the Hyundai Creta, Maruti Grand Vitara, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, and MG Astor, manufacturers constantly push innovation to stay ahead.

Now, Kia has refreshed its most successful SUV with the new Kia Seltos, launched in India at a starting price of ₹10.99 lakh (ex-showroom).

Since its first launch in 2019, the Kia Seltos has been one of the best-selling SUVs in the country, known for its bold design, feature-rich cabin, and multiple engine choices.

But with prices now stretching close to ₹20 lakh for top variants, many buyers are wondering:

Is the new Kia Seltos still the best SUV in its segment — or has it become too expensive?

Let’s take a detailed look.

Kia Seltos Launched in India Price (Variant-Wise)

The SUV is available in multiple variants catering to different buyers.

Variant	Price (Ex-Showroom)
HTE	₹10.99 lakh
HTK	₹12.35 lakh
HTK+	₹13.75 lakh
HTX	₹15.50 lakh
GTX+	₹18.70 lakh
X-Line	₹19.99 lakh

This wide price range allows the Seltos to target budget buyers as well as premium SUV customers.

Exterior Design: Sharper and More Premium

The new Kia Seltos features a refreshed design that gives the SUV a bolder and more futuristic appearance.

Key design highlights include:

New Digital Tiger Face grille
Sleeker LED headlamps
LED DRLs with modern styling
Updated bumper design
New alloy wheel designs
Connected LED tail lamps
Wider stance and longer wheelbase

Inspired partly by larger Kia SUVs like the Kia Telluride, the Seltos now looks more muscular and road-focused.

With a length of around 4,460 mm, it offers strong road presence, which is an important factor for Indian SUV buyers.

Interior and Cabin: A Big Upgrade

Step inside the Seltos and the biggest change becomes immediately visible.

The SUV now features a massive dual panoramic display setup measuring 75.18 cm, combining:

Digital instrument cluster
Infotainment touchscreen

This creates a modern cockpit-style dashboard similar to luxury vehicles.

Key Interior Features

Bose 8-speaker premium audio system
Wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay
Ambient lighting
Premium soft-touch dashboard
Dual-zone climate control
Large panoramic sunroof

The cabin quality has significantly improved, making the Seltos feel more premium than most SUVs in this price range.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Kia has focused heavily on passenger comfort.

Some standout comfort features include:

Ventilated front seats
10-way power-adjustable driver seat
Memory seat function
Panoramic sunroof
Relaxation mode for the driver seat
Welcome retract seat function

These features are typically found in higher-segment SUVs, giving the Seltos a strong advantage.

Engine Options and Performance

Kia has retained the trusted engine lineup while improving efficiency and performance.

Engine Options

Engine	Power	Transmission Options
1.5L Petrol	115 PS	Manual / IVT
1.5L Turbo Petrol	160 PS	Manual / DCT
1.5L Diesel	116 PS	Manual / Automatic

This wide range ensures the Seltos appeals to different buyers:

Petrol engine for city driving
Turbo petrol for performance enthusiasts
Diesel engine for long-distance and mileage lovers

The turbo petrol variant, in particular, offers strong acceleration and highway performance.

Safety Features and ADAS Technology

Earlier versions of the Seltos faced criticism for safety concerns. Kia has now made significant improvements.

Standard Safety Features

6 airbags
ABS with EBD
Electronic Stability Control
Hill Start Assist
Rear parking sensors
ISOFIX child seat mounts

Advanced Safety (Higher Variants)

The SUV also offers Level-2 ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems).

Key ADAS features include:

Forward collision avoidance assist
Lane keep assist
Adaptive cruise control
Blind spot monitoring
Driver attention warning

These features improve highway safety and driver confidence, making the Seltos one of the most technologically advanced SUVs in its segment.

December 2025 Mid-Size SUV Segment Sales

Understanding segment sales helps buyers see how popular these SUVs are in India.

SUV Model	December 2025 Sales
Hyundai Creta	13,200 units
Kia Seltos	9,800 units
Maruti Grand Vitara	8,600 units
Toyota Hyryder	6,900 units
MG Astor	2,700 units

Despite intense competition, the Seltos continues to remain among the top-selling SUVs in India.

Kia Seltos vs Competitors

Here’s how the Seltos compares with its biggest rivals.

Feature	Kia Seltos	Hyundai Creta	Grand Vitara
Engine Options	Petrol / Turbo / Diesel	Petrol / Turbo / Diesel	Petrol / Hybrid
ADAS	Yes	Yes	Limited
Panoramic Sunroof	Yes	Yes	No
Hybrid Option	No	No	Yes
Starting Price	₹10.99 lakh	₹11 lakh approx	₹10.70 lakh

The Seltos stands out mainly for features and performance options, while the Grand Vitara attracts buyers with its strong hybrid technology.

Who Should Buy the New Kia Seltos?

The Seltos is ideal for buyers who want a feature-loaded premium SUV.

Buy the Seltos if you want:

Advanced technology features
Powerful turbo petrol engine
Premium interior quality
Multiple engine and transmission options
Strong road presence

Who Should Consider Other Options?

The Seltos may not suit everyone.

Consider alternatives if:

You want the best fuel efficiency from hybrid engines
You prefer a lower budget SUV
You want maximum value in entry variants

In such cases, SUVs like the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder or Maruti Grand Vitara could be worth considering.

Final Verdict: Is the Kia Seltos Worth Buying?

The new Kia Seltos proves that Kia understands the Indian SUV market extremely well.

It delivers:

Bold design
Premium interiors
Advanced safety technology
Multiple engine choices

While the top variants approach ₹20 lakh, the overall package still makes the Seltos one of the most attractive SUVs in the mid-size segment.

For buyers looking for a stylish, feature-packed and performance-oriented SUV, the Seltos continues to be a strong choice.

In simple terms:
The Seltos is no longer just a good SUV — it has become one of the most complete SUVs available in India today.