THE MATURING MAVERICK

Apropos of the 2026 Kia Seltos, is the fresh approach really an improvement on the maverick appeal of its predecessor? We find out around the outskirts of Bengaluru

- Gaurav Davare

THE KIA SELTOS HOLDS AN IMPORTANT place in Kia's indian portfolio, for it was this very sport utility vehicle (SUV) that kick-started the marque’s India journey in 2019.

It wasn't a quiet entry either; it was done in a loud and proud manner. The Seltos' sporty and muscular personality, coupled with its comprehensive features and a diverse range of powertrains, made it a true maverick in the midsize SUV segment, underscoring the fact that SUVs don’t need to just be corporate; they can be bold and grab attention.

While this SUV has received a healthy dose of updates over the years, it has been overdue for a generation update. Fast forward to the end of 2025, and that update is now here with the 2026 Seltos, wherein Kia has made an attempt to make the maverick even better by making it more mature. Does it really mark an improvement on the predecessor's appeal? We managed to take it out for a spin around the outskirts of Bengaluru to find out just that. Looking at it from the outside, what becomes immediately noticeable is that while the silhouette looks familiar, the 2026 Seltos looks nothing like its predecessor. It's still aggressive, but in a different way—it is more boxy and upright now, and the fascia sports a larger and fairly aggressive front grille mesh. This is flanked by vertical LED daytime running lights (DRL) and ice cube-like LED headlights that merge well with the grille. The bumper, too, has become a touch more aggressive with a chunky fog-lamp housing. Moving towards the profile, you'll notice more of that upright and boxy philosophy, or, as Kia calls it, “Opposites United”, towards the nose and the rear. There's a new design for the 18-inch wheels with a mixture of many shapes. You could mistake it for a geometry project. Also, if you take a close look at the wheels, the brake callipers are green, possibly hinting at a future electric option.