Kia, having teased us with a few occluded images last week, has revealed the new Seltos compact SUV in full this week, and this time the Seltos is Ireland-bound.
Has the Seltos been on sale here before?
No, previously the Seltos was sold only in East Asian and American markets, but this time it's a proper global vehicle, and we've had confirmation that it will come to Ireland. It will most likely be a more affordable alternative to the current Niro and EV3.
What does the Seltos look like?
It's very much a car in the current Kia styling idiom, with clean, uncluttered lines, upright LED headlights, and a side profile very reminiscent of the EV5 and EV9.
Is the Seltos an electric car?
No, certainly not for the moment. It's being launched with a choice of two 1.6-litre turbo petrol engines, or a 2.0-litre version. Of the three engines, it's the High Output 1.6 that's the most powerful, with 193hp, so it's likely that the 149hp 2.0-litre won't be putting in an appearance here. The Seltos comes with a choice of a six-speed manual gearbox or an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
How big is the Seltos?
It's fairly compact. 4.4 metres long, 1.8 metres wide, and 1.6 metres high. There's a very useful 536-litre boot, too.
What's it like inside?
Very much in the current Kia idiom, with a sweep of big conjoined 12.3-inch touchscreens behind the chunky steering wheel, and — thankfully — a smattering of physical buttons and switches too. Basically, the cabin looks very much as if it's been lifted from the current EV3 — no bad thing — and so it inherits that car's column-mounted gear selector (for automatic versions), which opens up way more storage space on the centre console. The rear seats recline, too, which will help with comfort on long journeys. There's quite a lot of high-tech stuff too, including a head-up display, lane-keeping steering, and adaptive cruise control, all available. You can also have a 64-colour ambient lighting setup and a Harmon/Kardon stereo.
When can I have one?
Not just yet, but soon enough. Kia has said that the Seltos will roll out in European markets 'throughout 2026' so we shouldn't have to wait too long. As for pricing, nothing's been decided yet, but it should slot in just beneath the EV3 in the Kia lineup. “The Kia Seltos has always represented best-in-class value, and the next generation model builds on that legacy with an enriched offering that resonates with the diverse passions of our customers. Its expanded global presence and abundant practical and stylish features underline Kia's commitment to meeting diverse mobility needs worldwide,” said Ho Sung Song, President and CEO of Kia Corporation, at the unveiling of the new Seltos.