Two engines carry the redesigned Seltos. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder makes 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft through Kia's Intelligent Variable Transmission and powers the LX, S, X-Line S, and EX. The top X-Line SX switches to a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine rated at 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft paired with a conventional eight-speed automatic.

Drivetrain choice depends on the trim. Front-wheel drive is standard on the LX, S, and EX with all-wheel drive optional, while both X-Line trims come with all-wheel drive as standard and are not offered in front-drive form. EPA ratings run 28 city/33 highway/30 combined for the 2.0-liter with front-wheel drive, 26/30/28 with all-wheel drive, and 24/30/26 for the turbocharged X-Line SX.

• 2.0-liter engine with 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft
• 1.6-liter turbo with 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft on X-Line SX
• Intelligent Variable Transmission or an eight-speed automatic
• All-wheel drive standard on both X-Line trims
• EPA-estimated 28 city/33 highway MPG with the 2.0-liter and front-wheel drive
• EPA-estimated 24 city/30 highway MPG on the X-Line SX

Kia loaded the redesigned Seltos with driver-assistance equipment as standard rather than reserving it for upper trims. Every 2027 Seltos includes Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with car, pedestrian, and cyclist detection, Lane Keep Assist with active steering, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Following Assist, Smart Cruise Control with Stop and Go, Driver Attention Warning, and High Beam Assist.

Front and rear parking sensors, Intelligent Speed Limit Warning, and Rear Occupant Alert are also standard. Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, and Safe Exit Warning arrive at the S trim, so if blind-spot coverage matters, step past the base LX.

• Standard Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with pedestrian and cyclist detection
• Standard Lane Keep Assist with active steering
• Standard Smart Cruise Control with Stop and Go
• Standard front and rear parking sensors
• Standard Intelligent Speed Limit Warning and Rear Occupant Alert
• Blind-spot coverage standard from the S trim up

The headline change inside is the display layout. A 12.3-inch touchscreen is standard on all five trims, including the LX, and it pairs with a 12.3-inch digital cluster to make up Kia's dual-display layout. The full 12.3-inch Supervision digital cluster is a separate item offered on the X-Line SX.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, and a six-speaker audio system is standard across the lineup. A Harman Kardon eight-speaker premium system with an external amplifier and subwoofer is available on the X-Line SX. The 5-inch digital climate display is standard on the EX and X-Line SX and is not offered on the LX or S.

• Dual 12.3-inch displays standard on every trim
• 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Six-speaker audio standard across the lineup
• Harman Kardon eight-speaker audio available on X-Line SX
• 5-inch digital climate display standard on EX and X-Line SX
• Wireless phone charging from the S trim up

The redesign paid off most in cargo room. With the dual-level floor set low, the Seltos holds 27.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 64.2 cubic feet with them folded, identical on all five trims. Five passengers fit across two rows.

Materials step up quickly. Cloth covers the LX and S, while SynTex artificial leather is standard on the X-Line S, EX, and X-Line SX. The X-Line trims get an exclusive monotone black interior. Heated front seats are standard from the X-Line S up and optional on the LX and S, dual-zone automatic climate control and a smart power liftgate arrive at the EX, and a 12-way power driver's seat is included from the S up.

• Seating for five across two rows
• 27.8 cubic feet of cargo behind the rear seats
• 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded
• Dual-level adjustable cargo floor
• SynTex artificial leather on X-Line S, EX, and X-Line SX
• Heated front seats standard from the X-Line S up, optional on LX and S

The new Seltos measures 174.4 inches long on a 105.9-inch wheelbase and 72.0 inches wide, with an upright roofline and squared-off shoulders that read a size larger than the footprint suggests. Wheels run from 16-inch alloys to 19-inch gloss-black alloys on the X-Line SX.

Ground clearance climbs with the trim: 7.5 inches on the LX, 7.9 inches on the S, X-Line S, and EX, and 8.1 inches on the X-Line SX. The X-Line trims add roof rails, LED fog lamps, and gloss-black trim, and the X-Line SX includes a Terrain mode. Flush door handles arrive from the S up.

• 174.4 inches long on a 105.9-inch wheelbase
• 72.0 inches wide
• 8.1 inches of ground clearance on the X-Line SX
• 16-, 18-, and 19-inch wheels by trim
• Flush door handles from the S trim up
• Roof rails and LED fog lamps on X-Line trims