The Kia Seltos has been a favorite midsize SUV in India, and the new 2026 Seltos pushes the formula forward with more size, more tech, and more safety. This simple 10-point comparison shows exactly how the Seltos 2026 vs old Seltos differ—making it easy for buyers to understand what’s new.
source: Kia.ca
New Kia Seltos 2026 vs Old Seltos
1️⃣ Bigger Dimensions & Stronger Road Presence
The Seltos 2026 is longer, wider, and more upright than the older model. The stretched wheelbase adds noticeable rear legroom and makes the cabin feel roomier.
Visually, the new stance is more SUV-like and premium. Even though the size gains seem small on paper, the new Seltos looks more planted and grown-up on the road.
2️⃣ Sharper Exterior Styling & New Lighting
Kia has given the 2026 Seltos a full redesign:
- Larger, more aggressive grille
- Sharper LED DRLs
- Modern split headlamp setup
At the rear, connected LED tail-lamps and a redesigned tailgate instantly make the new model look wider and more premium. Stronger body lines and fresh alloy wheel designs complete the transformation.
3️⃣ All-New Dashboard With Connected Screens
Inside, the difference is dramatic. The old Seltos’ split-screen layout is replaced by a wide, connected-screen panel for the instrument cluster and infotainment.
The dashboard is cleaner, more modern, and ready for future updates—bringing the Seltos closer to higher-segment SUVs.
4️⃣ Fully Digital Cluster & Smarter Infotainment
A major upgrade over the older Seltos is the fully digital instrument cluster on higher variants.
The infotainment system improves with:
- Faster, smoother software
- Better connected-car features
- Wireless connectivity
- Improved 360° camera
Menus feel modern, and the screen quality is a clear step up from the previous generation.
5️⃣ Enhanced Comfort & Convenience
While the new Seltos retains favorites like ventilated seats and a powered driver’s seat, several upgrades boost comfort:
- Better seat cushioning
- Improved storage solutions
- Upgraded ambient lighting
- Airier feel (especially with panoramic sunroof variants)
Even existing Seltos owners will notice the finer cabin quality improvements.
6️⃣ Stronger Body Structure & Better Safety
Safety is one of the biggest upgrades. The 2026 Seltos is engineered to meet stricter crash norms with:
- A reinforced body
- More high-strength steel
- More airbags as standard across variants
This is a major step forward from the older Seltos’ safety limitations.
7️⃣ ADAS Level 2 Driver Assistance (New!)
The biggest tech addition is ADAS, which the old Seltos lacked.
Expected ADAS features include:
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Lane Keep Assist
- Autonomous Emergency Braking
- Blind-Spot Monitoring
- Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
This adds massive value for highway and city drivers, making the new Seltos far more future-ready.
8️⃣ Updated Engines & Possible Hybrid Option
The familiar engines return—1.5L petrol, 1.5L turbo-petrol, and 1.5L diesel—but with better refinement and efficiency.
The big upgrade?
📌 A possible strong-hybrid variant to rival the Grand Vitara and Hyryder.
If launched, it would dramatically improve city mileage and lower running costs—something the old Seltos couldn’t match.
9️⃣ Better Real-World Mileage
Thanks to improved aerodynamics, better tuning, and (potentially) hybrid power, the 2026 Seltos offers better real-world fuel economy:
- Improved city mileage
- More efficient automatic variants
- Smoother cruising efficiency on highways
Over long-term ownership, these gains make the new model cheaper to run than the old Seltos.
🔟 Updated Variant Strategy & Better Value
Even if prices rise slightly, the feature-to-price ratio improves in the new model. Kia has added more equipment to mid and top trims compared with the older Seltos.
Bigger screens, ADAS, premium interiors, and better safety mean buyers get more value for the extra money.
🎯 Final Thoughts
The Kia Seltos 2026 is not just an updated version—it’s a major generational upgrade. With better size, design, safety, technology, and efficiency, the new model outperforms the old Seltos in almost every area.
For buyers comparing both generations, these 10 differences make it clear:
👉 The 2026 Seltos is the smarter long-term pick.