This redesigned 2027 Kia Seltos SUV starts at $28,495 and hides a futuristic, EV-inspired cabin inside - Toronto Star

The second-generation compact SUV is longer, taller and adds a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen — with a hybrid model coming later this year.

The top-level X-Line Limited trim comes with standard 19-inch alloy wheels. 

LAC-BEAUPORT, Que. — This four-cylinder turbo is snappy. I lean into the throttle, and this little engine responds with fury, hurtling the small SUV I’m driving forward with impressive haste. Things get a bit noisy, but it doesn’t bother me much. I’m too busy enjoying the ride.

The vehicle I’m piloting is the all-new 2027 Kia Seltos, a compact SUV that is now in its second generation. My tester, a top-line X-Line Limited AWD, is equipped with a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 190 horsepower and 195 pounds-feet of torque, or motive force.

An eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive helps to keep my Terrain Brown tester stuck to the road, in both wet and dry conditions. The Seltos isn’t a sports car by any means, but its handling, steering and braking are more responsive than I was expecting.

Notable design changes at the rear include a full-width LED taillight design. 

I didn’t drive it, but the Seltos is also offered with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder which produces 147 hp and 132 lb.-ft. of torque, which is paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). It is standard on the LX FWD, LX AWD, EX AWD, and EX Premium AWD grades. The top two trims, X-Line AWD and X-Line Limited AWD get the 1.6 turbo. These engines and transmissions were offered with the prior Seltos.

And, later this year, the Seltos will be sold as a hybrid for the first time. Available in five trims, the Seltos hybrid is powered by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, electric motor and battery pack. It will be available in front-wheel and all-wheel drive. Power output is rated 154 horsepower for front-wheel drive trims, and 178 horsepower for all-wheel drive models.

The new Seltos has blocky SUV proportions which include redesgined LED headlights and wider grille. 

Despite the use of existing gas engines and transmissions, the new Seltos departs significantly from the outgoing model. Its appearance, which has a more upright, blockier look that is in line with its other SUVs, such as the three-row Telluride, which is also all-new for 2027.

Cues from Kia’s “Opposites United” design language that really stand out include a wide front grille, amber daytime running lights and turn signals, and a full-width LED tail light signature. Shiny bits in the grille, bumper and other pieces of bodywork are mostly gone. Black is the accent colour now, especially on the X-Line trims. It is everywhere. Grille, wheels, window trim, and even Kia badging are black.

Lower trims have a little less black, such as in the front fascia and wheels, but the second-gen Seltos has a lot less bright-work overall. To these eyes, the Seltos’ squarer proportions and increased amount of black trim gives it a more rugged SUV look that belies its compact stature.

The X-Line Limited comes with synthetic leather seats with unique detailing.

As for size, the new Seltos is bigger than the outgoing model. It is 4.5 centimetres longer, three cm longer, two cm taller, and rides on a wheelbase that is six cm longer. As a result, the Seltos has more space inside, with an extra 2.5 cm of rear seat legroom, and 2.6 cm of front seat shoulder room. Cargo volume has grown by 39 litres and has a maximum rating of 1,817 litres with the rear seatbacks folded down.

Inside, the Seltos sports a redesigned cabin that draws inspiration from its EVs, such as the EV4 compact sedan, and EV5 mid-size SUV. A perfect example are the digital displays, which include a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 4.2-inch digital instrument cluster. The former is standard across the model range.

Upper-level X-Line trims also receive a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, plus a five-inch touchscreen for climate functions. The latter screen can be expanded to fill the entire infotainment display. The infotainment screen also comes with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto.

Other notable tech features include two USB-C charge ports up front, and two at the rear, which are standard on all grades. A wireless cellphone charge pad is also standard on all trims beginning with the EX AWD.

Given that my tester is a range-topping model, the Seltos feels luxurious. The synthetic leather seats have X-Line monogrammed into the seatbacks, and the fronts are heated and cooled. The driver’s seat also has four-way power controls, and two-position memory settings.

All Seltos grades come standard with a 12.3-inch multimedia touchscreen. 

Despite a futuristic, EV-centric design, the Seltos’ cabin functions very much like a conventional car. Kia, to their credit, has kept most functions on physical buttons and switches, including fan speed and temperature. There’s also a volume wheel in the centre of the dash. I was especially pleased to see a conventional gear shift lever mounted to the console, which is still the most user-friendly option.

As for the materials, they’re good overall, but there is some cheaper plastic in the dashboard and door panels which is a bit disappointing. But most touch points feel good to the touch and are handsomely designed.

In the end, the numerous changes come together nicely. The new Seltos has a fresh, handsome design, more space, and lots of tech and safety features — many of which are available on lower grades — for a competitive price. And with a hybrid on the way, its appeal should continue to grow.

Lee Bailie is the former editor of PRN Magazine. He is a feature writer and reviews vehicles for Toronto Star Wheels.