Kia Teases 2027 Seltos Ahead of New York Auto Show

by Michael Strong

Published: March 26th, 2026

kia teases 2027 seltos ahead of new york auto show

The New York International Auto Show is right around the corner, Kia’s hype machine is ramping up, offering up an obscured look at the 2027 Seltos SUV a week before the ute debuts.

All we get is the front of the new model in shadow as it’s brightly lit from behind. However, even that little bit reveals it favors the new squared-off front end featured on the 2027 Telluride.

Seltos is Kia’s compact SUV that combines solid looks with good fuel economy and loads of technology. The new model’s look shifts to Kia’s “Opposites United” design language that’s helped energize sales for the past year.

“The image hints at a bold, squared-off vehicle that conveys strength through its presence. It boasts pronounced, distinctive LED Daytime Running Lights, accenting the broad hood,” the company notes in a release.

“Combined with the tall, upright design, the Seltos creates distinctively versatile proportions for the class. The bold angles and clean lines, combined with the flush door handles, result in a dramatic presence.”

No word on anything else about the new variant, but the 2026 comes with two powertrain options: a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder delivering 147 horsepower and a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine putting out 190 hp, available exclusively on the SX AWD trim.

A refined interior featuring available features like dual 10.25-inch panoramic displays, upgraded connectivity, and comfort amenities such as heated front seats and a 10-way power driver’s seat adds a premium touch.

With the Soul being discontinued for 2026, the Seltos is the brand’s entry-level vehicle. Sales are up year-to-date by nearly 3,000 units, much that jump coming in January. The results are encouraging as sales dipped slightly last year, with Kia selling 56,798 units compared with 59,958 in 2024.

The second-generation Seltos takes the stage in the Big Apple on April 1 at 9:25 a.m. EDT.

[Image: Kia]

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Michael Strong

Michael Strong has spent more than 25 years writing about the automotive industry. A Detroit-area native, he’s written about everything from local car shows to product reviews to financial news. Currently he writes and edits for a variety of national and local publications. He’s also a longtime member of the Automotive Press Association and the International Motor Press Association, and a graduate of Georgia Southern University. Hail Southern! Despite a love for ’70s land yachts and BMWs from the late ’80s and early ’90s, his personal vehicle is neither of those.

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2 of 8 comments

Stellantis Guy on Mar 26, 2026

I can't get one of these until my handlers at CIA agree.

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Bd2 on Mar 27, 2026

The new Seltos fixes 2 of its biggest issues by getting larger/roomier and adding a hybrid powerplant.

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Amwhalbi My 1972 Mercury Capri was my first stick shift car. God, I miss that thing. It was a blast to drive.
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Jam169859557 More regulation is needed for ALL vehicle lighting systems. [list=1][*]The lighting that is most blinding are the rapidly flashing red, blue and amber lights on emergency vehicles. The lights themselves are blinding, flashing so rapidly that it's impossible for even the sharpest eyes to adjust. What's worse, is the nature of the emergency requires a careful view of the area surrounding the emergency vehicle. There is something going on that needs to be seen. More flashing lights is not the solution.[/*][*]Brighter headlights need to be regulated. The tall riding vehicles do not need headlights positioned so high that they blind drivers in lower riding vehicles. And those heasdlights need to be aimed properly. When I first started driving my 2020 Subaru Outback, many drivers would flash their lights, hoping I would dim my lights. This stopped after I performed am easy adjustment that tilted the beam lower. Late model Subaru headlamps are designed with a sharp cutoff that project less glare above the hood line. When the headlights are properly aimed, other drivers are not blinded by the beam.[/*][*]Customized light assemblies make it more difficult to see the marker lights (tail lamps, turn signals and side marker lamps) that have been tinted. There are many municiple codes that prohibit this tinting, but these laws are seldom enforced.[/*][/list=1]Solutions: Tight controls on emergency vehicle lighting. In trying to make these vehicles more visible, a dangerous side effect is reducing the ability of drivers to see the surrounding perils.Headlight design regulations that reduce the height of the headlight assemblies. Just because a pickup truck has a hood that sits 4 feet abouve the pavement, it does not mean the headlights need to be so high. Owneres should maintain proper adjustments to their vehicle headlights.Establish and enforce regulation requiring a illumination standard be followed.
Stl170698708 as someone who hates big government, and their interference;but you can add me to the list of people that are blinded by the lights.unfortunately "the poop is out of the horse and no way is it going back in"They have had 5 years to make lights bigger, badder and brighter because in the vehicle work it is go big or go home!Trucks are the worst because so many people use them to express their dominance and that is big, big, big $$ both at the Original Purchase and in the Aftermarket world.If, we are so lucky to get some good government regulation on this it will also take some very good Court enforcement to get the aftermarket people with fines and lawsuits.Much like the EPA did with the Diesel Tuner Industry that felt emission regulations didn't apply to them.This is from someone that owns said pickup truck with the same bright headlights,but i only use the truck when I have too and always turn off the Fog lights when driving in traffic.
Art65765977 I saw a porsche 911 with the most amazing headlights from behind approaching the Sunshine skyway in Florida. The pattern was 108 degrees across sweeping the road like a broom. My brother and I were amazed. I don't know what it looked like from the front but i am sure it was better than American cars